Amsterdam via bike... Anyone done it?

[Robster]

So I'm having my 3rd or 5th mid life crisis now at 34 years old and decided I want to relive my clubbing days. There's a techno festival at the end of June in Amsterdam I'd quite like to visit and I thought why not ride over there?

I have a cosmetically battered but reliable VFR750 that I've done some short UK trips on and it's a belter on long journeys.

Just wondering if anyone's made the trip. I'd probably go for a hostel/b&b when I'm over there but would like to store the bike somewhere safe while I get hammered on shrooms and weed.

Anyone done 'Dam via. Bike before? I've Been once on a stag do in March and loved it.

Ta!
____________________
Up the bum no babies.

[Ste]

Where's this Bike place that you want to go via?

[DRZ4Hunned]

Awakenings? Me too
____________________
DRZ400-SM
FZS600

[Diggs]

Don't bother with the bike and fly, but remember that airports test random passengers for drugs. Out of the 17 that went to Ibiza for my recent birthday, two got tested on the way back for no logical reason.

If you ride over, your ride back could be somewhat hazy...
____________________
Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[Ste]

[doggone]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about riding into the centre, but there doesn't seem much point unless you planned to do more sight seeing on the way or coming back?
I've stayed in a cheap hotel quite close to the central station and parked it chained to a tree guard - however coming back to the hotel late at night there were plenty of dodgy people walking by and checking it out.
Some hotels will have space at the back to park out of sight - then no problem at all.
You still won't want to use it to tour round town though.

[Robster]

Fair point about just flying. I suppose I could find somewhere to sotore it out of town and get the train in but it's probably more hassle than its worth.

I was considering seeing a bit of Germany, maybe Bavaria and or Lumxebourg or the like on the way going or back, I have a friend in Hamburg and one in Ghent.

I've no intention of going round town on the bike after my visit in March as the traffic and cyclists are mental. And I would be quite hazy on way back!
____________________
Up the bum no babies.

[Matt B]

If you are going to do Holland on the bike the overnight ferry from Harwich is the best bet. Relatively cheap for you, the bike and a single cabin and the bonus is you sleep through most of the crossing, wake up in Hook of Holland and go. Amsterdam is a pretty easy ride from there and should take just over an hour. Dutch roads are generally good and they like bikes/bikers. You will find them to be courteous on the road.

If it was me, I would be tempted to find somewhere just outside of the city near a train/bus route and travel in. You don't need to do that though the place is full of bike parking, you can just stick it up on the pavement along with the pushbikes. Take a look at the google street view of Rokin in the Centrum and you will see. I would not be worried about leaving my bike parked like that. If you are going to ride in just watch out for the trams.
____________________
stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Robster]

Thanks Matt, I was there in March and the traffic and cyclists were quite intimidating! I would probably stay somewhere on the outskirts and travel in like you suggested if I were to take the bike.

Edit: Just checked out DFDS and Stena from Harwich, seems very pricey! considering i've had return journeys from Calais to Folkestone for £40 in a car in the past!
____________________
Up the bum no babies.

[grr666]

45 minute flight versus a full day of travelling potentially in all weathers.
Where do I check in please.
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Robster]

[Matt B]

You're right, it's expensive for June. Probably because it's getting quite last minute now. Normally I pay around £60 each way and with a cabin it's under £200 all in, but that's normally booked months in advance.
____________________
stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Ste]

Staying somewhere on the outskirts is all well and good until it's whatever'o'clock in the morning and you've got a long walk back to the hotel.

Taking your your bike on the ferry is more hassle and more expensive than going with EasyJet.

Overnight from Harwich to Hoek Van Holland? No thanks, EasyJet takes about an hour.

[Matt B]

[A100man]

I like the idea of Hamburg could do it in 4 hours maybe , but Bavaria that's a jolly long way from Amsterdam. If your serious about touring about or just want to pop in and see you mate in Gent (about halfway from Calais to Amsterdam) then fine. Otherwise fly (unless like me you avoid that).

BTW mid-life crisis at 34, really? Give it 15 years then start worrying..
____________________
Now: A100, SRX250, XJ598, FZ750, SL1000

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600, Skorpion, GT 250

[spnorm]

I stopped in Amsterdam after the Assen MotoGP last year on the way home from the Alps. It's an interesting place to explore on foot, but Holland is a tedious place to ride a bike and really not worth the effort. Book a cheap flight instead

Oh, and improve your taste in music

[c-m]

Ferry from Harwich then riding into Amsterdam. Easy. And much more comfortable than cattle class flights.

[Dave500]

We rode back from just outside Amsterdam last year in a day. It's easy enough but we did just use motorways and using the Euro-tunnel. Depending on where you live,time and cost it may be worth looking at the ferries. But if I was having a mid life crisis I sure as shit wouldn't ride for a couple of days lol.
____________________
Bye bye Z hello Versys

[James306]

I've driven there before, went via Paris and Brussels, got a hotel just outside the center for the offroad parking.

The next time I went I just flew and got a hotel in the center which was by far a better time there!!

[Casper]

Underground car park up at central station. Entrance is middle here

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Amsterdam,+Netherlands/@52.3786538,4.896671,59m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x47c63fb5949a7755:0x6600fd4cb7c0af8d!8m2!3d52.3702157!4d4.8951679

It has 24 hour security and CCTV. Left car and bike here for long weekends. Cant say i remember the price but remember it not being that expensive.

[Mattaria]

I've been tempted to do the same but tbh you'll be getting fucked up, and fuck riding on a comedown.

Pass through on a bigger tour on the bike and take in some sights at a later date.

[MaybeGuy]

https://s32.postimg.org/8pgc23t05/FB_IMG_1463387683312.jpg

We did nurburgring to amsterdam in a few hours. Parked like this outside our hostel and nobody gave a shit. Doorstep of the red light district.
____________________
Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Marmalade]

The roads are good, it's a fairly swift trip.
If I fill up the bike at ashford or calais, I can get to Amsterdam without stopping.

As Matt said, just put the bike on a pavement with cycles, as long as it's not causing an obstruction, you'll not get a ticket.
____________________
Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[Mattaria]

Don't put it near canal's though, when I was last there I saw a ped that some "lads" must have thrown into the canal.

Great banter eh.