perfect trip!
Family tour: Knights and playgrounds
Bike Tour: Family tour: Knights and playgrounds - 6 days
This cycling holiday is ideal for families with children. Two recently renovated rural Stayokay hostels will accommodate your family in a homely, cosy atmosphere. On your cycling adventures you will experience a variety of scenery, from a wide-open river landscape to woodland, heath, pastoral countryside, historical towns… Along the way, there are numerous fun extras to choose from: zoo, swimming pool, beach, mini golf, pitch & putt, playgrounds, go-karting, climbing, canoeing.
Check in at Stayokay Arnhem, just outside the city, near Hoge Veluwe National Park. It is a restful place with an “English pub”, a lovely terrace, butterfly garden, insect hotel and nesting boxes. A stone's throw away is Park Sonsbeek, one of the most beautiful city parks in the Netherlands. It’s a good place for a picnic while you enjoy the views. A ten-minute bike ride from the hostel is Burgers' Zoo, well-known for its eco-displays: large-scale recreated natural habitats such as Bush, Desert, Ocean, Safari, Rimba and Mangrove. Next to the zoo is the ever-popular Nederlands Openluchtmuseum, an open-air museum of cultural history, with characteristic homes and workplaces from all over Holland; demonstrations of traditional trades and crafts; and hands-on activities for all the family. Are you curious about the city centre? Arnhem is bustling with cosy cafes and restaurants and is a great place to shop. Historically, the city is best known for the WWII Battle of Arnhem.
If you didn’t have time for the zoo or the open-air museum on arrival day, today you get a second chance: Both our routes (31 and 52 km) pass by these top tourist attractions. Furthermore, discover lovely country estates around Oosterbeek, tranquil woodlands and Doorwerth Castle, which is fun for all ages. If the weather is hot, you can cool off on the beaches along the Rhine or play in the streams at De Hoge Oorsprong country estate. How about a game of mini golf at Duno in Doorwerth? The 52-km tour leads via Warnsborn to the beautiful heath at Ginkelse Heide. A fun activity for the old and the young is Pitch & Putt Papendal on the grounds of the largest sports centre in the Netherlands. Furthermore, in Renkum, a walk on Quadenoord estate with its (African) sculpture garden is worthwhile. If you opt for the 31-km tour via Oosterbeek, a visit to the Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein' is interesting: You will discover all about the Battle of Arnhem. Last but not least: there are several pancake inns on the route.
Cycle on leafy avenues along the fringes of Veluwe nature reserve. Cross the River IJssel at a beautiful spot near the village of Dieren. In a completely different landscape, ride atop the dikes to the Bronkhorster Mill in Bronkhorst, allegedly the smallest town in the country. Soon after, you will reach the beautiful Hanseatic town of Zutphen. The historical merchant houses, warehouses, town walls and characteristic courtyards make you feel like you have gone back in time. On your way to Gorssel, pedal through De Graafschap, a protected area of idyllic rural landscapes, often on country estates. On the way, your children can enjoy themselves at playground De Zevensprong. If you have time left, karting, climbing or an assault course at Adventure Eefde is an unforgettable experience! Finally, cycle to your Stayokay hostel in Gorssel. The beautifully renovated wooden Norwegian Hunting House will pleasantly surprise you. It has a beautiful terrace in a large garden. The longer alternative route is recommended for cyclists who are not intimidated by a climb or two. The famous ascents up Zijpenberg and to the Posbank are rewarded with views of undulating heathland, which turns a lovely shade of mauve in August and September. A true family experience! Just around the corner from the Posbank panorama bench is a Pavilion where you can enjoy a delicious and wholesome drink in the middle of wonderful natural surroundings.
If you suspect that 50 km may be too far for your family, you can easily shorten the route by taking the train from Arnhem to Rheden (45 km), Dieren (36 km), Brummen (27 km) or Zutphen (16 km).
You have several options today (31, 43 or 52 km). If you visit charming Gorssel village, don’t miss MORE, the largest Dutch museum for modern realism. Furthermore, on working days, opt to drop in on a traditional rope-maker to see how he produces rope for climbing nets and p.e. halls. Afterwards, take your children to a nearby lovely outdoor swimming pool. Or go to Adventure Eefde for go-karting, climbing or to tackle the assault course.
We also have two nice routes that take you further afield. For the first, take a ferry across the River IJssel to Bussloo recreational area. Here, you can relax at a large lake with beaches; or play a game of pitch & putt. If you are into airplanes, make a detour to Teuge airport. A sightseeing flight is a great experience. Or just sit down at a café with an outdoor seating area and do some plane spotting. If you prefer a quiet day, skip Bussloo and Teuge and ride atop the IJssel dike directly to the beautiful Hanseatic city of Deventer. You can have plenty of fun sightseeing; but the toy museum also comes recommended.
As mentioned above, there are several options for the tours, of course you can book an extra night in Gorssel.
Day 4 Round Tour Gorssel – Almen - Vorden 35 or 51 km
For this alternative tour, head south. The small-scale varied landscape is sure to enchant you. Woods alternate with small crop-fields, farmhouses, elegant country houses and several monumental trees. In the morning, cycle to the village of Almen. Do you feel like spending a day by the water? Your family will have a great time at open-air swimming pool De Berkel, beautifully situated in the countryside. De Berkel also boasts a bouncy jumper and pedal-boat / canoe rental on the river. Canoeing on the meandering Berkel is so much fun! If you’re going for the 51 km cycle route, after Almen proceed through the pastoral countryside surrounding Vorden village, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Netherlands. Opt to visit Vorden Castle, one of the few inhabited castles in the country. The 25 authentically furnished rooms are amazing. If you cannot choose between the two tours on day 4, book an extra night in Gorssel and surprise your family with an extra day full of fun!
Today, cycle back to Arnhem, exploring the lovely landscape between the Veluwe and the IJssel river. Pass the ruins of Nijenbeek castle, a hibernaculum for bats: Daubenton’s bat, Natterer’s bat and the brown long-eared bat hibernate here. The barn owl and stone marten also visit regularly. At your half-way point in Eerbeek, De Brugkabouter Pancake Inn is a great stopover with a large playground. They also rent out canoes and pedalos for some paddling on the Apeldoorn Canal. In the woods near Dieren, "De Spelerij" is a special playground where kids find out how things work and how cooperation helps. Continue through beautiful heathlands around the Elsberg and Posbank. The route passes close to Rozendaalse Zand, an area of drifting sands where your children can play for a while. Or take them to Rozendael Castle and Gardens. Spoiler: In the castle gardens, the unsuspecting tourist may be soaked by surprise jets of water (jeux d’eau). Return to Stayokay Arnhem, happy and contented.
You can easily shorten the route by taking the train from Zutphen, Brummen or Dieren to Arnhem.
After four long and wonderful days of cycling and other fun activities, we predict you and your children will sleep very well. After breakfast, this bike holiday will come to an end.
Starting dates:
Daily from April 1 till September 25
ATTENTION: Children from 3 to 12 years get a discount of -25€ on the base price and -50€ on the half board price.
| Price pp | € | |
| 6 person room, breakfast | 325.00 | |
| Twin room, breakfast | 375.00 | |
| Triple room, breakfast | 430.00 | |
| Quadruple room, breakfast | 340.00 | |
| 5 person room, breakfast | 370.00 | |
| 6 person room, breakfast | 325.00 | |
| Full board | 180.00 | |
| Half board | 100.00 | |
| Lunch | 80.00 | |
| Rental bike | € | |
| Child bike | 55.00 | |
| Hybrid | 65.00 | |
| E-bike | 140.00 | |
| Extra services | € | |
| Bike Breakdown pass | € 4.00 x 5 | 20.00 |
| Child seat | € 5.00 x 5 | 25.00 |
| Bike theft insurance | € 3.00 x 5 | 15.00 |
| E-bike theft insurance | € 6.00 x 5 | 30.00 |
| Extra luggage | € 5.00 x 5 | 25.00 |
| Tag-along bike | € 10.00 x 5 | 50.00 |
| Child trailer | € 18.00 x 5 | 90.00 |
| Bike helmet | per piece | 10.00 |
| Towelservice | per piece | 10.50 |
| SGR | per piece | 5.00 |
| discount | per piece | -20.00 |
Starting point:
Arnhem
The accommodation for this tour are hostels. Rooms are essential, simple and en-suite. Double beds are not available as these hostels only have rooms with bunk beds. All the rooms booked by us are private room, so you will not share your room or bathroom with other guests from the hostels.
When selecting the accomodation, we try to take into account as much as possible a safe and closed bicycle shed. However, we cannot do this with all of them guarantee and this partly depends on the number of bicycles of other guests.
If you don’t bring your own bike, you can rent one from us. Our touring bikes are 24-speed gear. You can find all the information regarding our rental bikes below.
You will find your rental bike waiting for you at your first hotel. The hotel reception staff will give you the keys for your bikes and direct you to the bicycle shed. All bikes are provided with chain locks.
Why the Dutch don't wear helmets!
Instruction video hybrid bike and e-bike
Our hybrid bikes have 24-gears with hand brakes.
The hybrid bikes are circa 16,5 KG.
The e-bikes have a small electric engine and battery, which can be charged at the hotels. You still have to pedal: it just makes pedaling much easier. Some experience with e-bikes is recommended, as the bikes accelerate faster and are heavier than regular bikes because of the electric engine. The weight of the e-bike is ca. 25 KG. We recommend a minimum height of 160 cm for the e-bike.
For children who are at least 120 cm, we can also arrange bikes (these are 24”or 26” for children that are bigger than 140 cm).
The child bikes come with at least 7-gears and hand brakes.
The maximum body height for a child’s bike is 155 cm.
24" child bike:
26" child bike:
All our rental bikes come with a bell.
Brakes
All our adult bikes come with hand brakes.
Childseat
For children up to 30 months old (max. 15 KG) it is possible to rent a front child seat. This is not possible with e-bikes, due to the display.
For children older than 30 months (max. 22KG) it is possible to rent a rear child seat. This is also possible with e-bikes.
Both front- and rear child seats are €5,- per day.
Helmet
Helmets are not mandatory in the Netherlands, but can be rented for €10,- per piece.
Available sizes: Adult: 54-61 cm, Child: 50-55 cm (only available for children over 5 years).
Lights
All our bikes come with both front- and rear lights. You need to push the button on the lamp and it will flash three times. This means that the lights will automatically start working when it gets dark.
When you push again, the lamp will flash one time and the lights will be turned off.
Locks
Our bikes come with a defender lock with plug in chain (cable lock that is attached to the regular lock, see picture).
You need to turn the key a bit, take out the pin from the cable lock and attach it to a pole/other bike/fence etc.
When you push the pin back into the regular lock, you need to lock the regular lock as you always do, and both locks will be secured.
Pannier
1 pannier is included at the 'standard' bikes and the e-bikes.
Height: 42 cm
Depth front to the side: 17 cm
Wide top: 32 cm
Wide down: 23 cm
Volume: 20 liters
It has an easy click-on/click-off system. The panniers are water resistant, so everything will stay dry.
Pedals
The rental bikes come with regular pedals, so no click-in/SPD pedals.
Quickrelease
All our bikes come with a quick release system, which makes it very easy to adjust the height of the saddle and the handle bars.
Repairkit
There is one small puncture kit included, which can be found in the pannier. In case a rental bike has another problem, we always advise you to go to a bike repair shop or call the bike breakdown emergency number which is provided in the travel documents when you book this extra service.
Saddle
Saddles can be adjusted in height without using any tools, see ‘Quick Release’.
Our saddles don’t come with a gel cover.
Waterbottles
Dutch Biketours does not provide water bottles. We can also not guarantee that there are bottle holders on the bikes. You will always receive 1x pannier, so you can always store your water bottle in your pannier.
We have a limited amount of tandem bikes available on request.
Tandem bikes are suitable for two adults only.
The tandem bikes have a frame size of 48 cm.
We mostly use the Victoria Spezial 8.7.
This tandem bike comes with 24-derailleur gears or nuvinci gears.
The height of the handle bars on a tandem bike cannot be adjusted.
We have limited family tandem bikes available on request.
The family tandems have 7-gears and can be used for one adult and one child with a minimum body height of 125 cm.
A tag-along bike is a good option for children between approx. 100 cm and 125 cm, as they can pedal themselves and on their own pace but don’t have to worry about other traffic.
Child trailers can be rented for a maximum of two children who are up to 100 cm (max. 35 KG in total).
We mostly use the XLC Duo 2 child trailer.
Child trailers are not possible in combination with e-bikes.
Mile after wonderful mile of untroubled cycling is what we would wish our clients. However there is a minimal chance of breakdown along the way. If this thought is a nagging worry to you, a Bicycle Breakdown Assistance insurance policy may ease your mind. If you buy this insurance from our partner ANWB pechhulp in advance, their service is as follows. The costs are €4,- per bicycle per day. If your bike breaks down by the roadside an ANWB bicycle repair man will drive to you in his repair van and fix your bike so you can continue your tour. You won’t have to pay him repair costs. If you are cycling on your own bicycle you will be charged for any new spare parts your bike may require. If you are renting a bicycle through Dutch Bike Tours any new parts are at our expense. If it turns out the bicycle cannot be repaired on the spot, or if you can't continue cycling, the repairman can drop you off somewhere in his van. One companion plus bikes may join you in the van.
Do you wish to insure your bike against theft? The cost is € 3,- per day per standard hybrid bicycle.
For an electric bicycle, premium bike or racing bike: € 6,00 per day per bicycle.
Please see the General Terms and Conditions for Bicycle Hire and Insurance.
If a rental bike gets stolen or damaged, we will hold the client responsible.
If your insurance does not cover this event, you will have to pay the costs yourself.
Article 1 Bike Rental Price
The bike rental price is determined by the rates mentioned on the Dutch Bike Tours website at the time of the booking; or as subsequently agreed.
Article 2 Payment
a. The rental price and any other due sums regarding the rental agreement must be paid before the bike is handed over to you.
b. If, for whatever reason, you cannot make use of the bike(s) you have rented, Dutch Bike Tours will not be held responsible for any resulting expenses or damage.
c. In the case of the article 2b, the client remains obliged to pay the full rental price and any other amounts mentioned in the invoice, in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions of Booking, unless the client can prove that his not being able to use the bike was the consequence of a defect that was already present at the beginning of the rental period.
Article 3 Rental Period
a. The rental period runs from the morning of the first cycling day (day 2) to the end of the holiday (the departure day), as stated in the booking confirmation.
b. Extension of the rental period is possible only after approval by us and according to the (extension) rates as mentioned in article 1.
c. No refunds are possible after the rental period begins. If you return the bike(s) to us before the end of your holiday, the rental agreement will automatically be terminated and you will not get any of your money back.
d. At the end of the last cycling day of your holiday, the bike(s) must be returned to the hotel from where it was/they were issued, no later than the time stated in the booking confirmation.
If you book a one way tour tour you can leave the bike at the last hotel of the trip.
e. If the bike(s) is /are not returned by the return time stated in the booking confirmation, we will continue to charge you rent until such time as the bike(s) is/are returned to us or is/are received by us. In the event of late return, the rates as mentioned in article 1 will continue to apply, plus a fine of €25 per day. We also reserve the right to demand payment for any costs and/or damages suffered by us due to late return of our rental bike(s).
f. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in the event of late return of our rental bikes, we reserve the right to dissolve the rental agreement without judicial intervention and immediately claim back our bicycles where ever they may be and from whomever has them. Dutch Bike Tours also holds this right in the event that the client does not comply with any of the other conditions stated in this rental agreement.
Article 4 Improper Use
a. The bicycle(s) may only be used for its/their intended purpose and only by the cyclists listed in the rental agreement.
b. The bike(s) must be returned to us in the same (clean!) state in which you received it/them.
c. You must take excellent care of the bicycle(s), as if it/they were your own. You must take every precaution against damage, loss or theft.
d. The bicycle may not be used on the beach; or on sandy paths in the dunes unless a paved path is unavailable.
Article 5 Damage, Loss and Theft
The renter will be held responsible for damages to or loss of the bicycle(s) or parts of it, as well as bicycle keys and chains and locks, for such an amount as is determined by us according to standard market prices. You must understand that you are not insured for damage to the bicycle(s) or for any damages to third parties.
Article 6 Theft Insurance
It is possible to purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance. Covered are: damages arising out of the theft of the bicycle; and damages to the bicycle as a consequence of the theft. Not covered are: theft of bicycle parts; and damages arising out of attempted theft.
Article 7 Theft Insurance Premium
a. The premium for Bicycle Theft Insurance is € 3,00 per day per standard hybrid bicycle. For an electric bicycle € 6,00 per day as well for a Premium bike and racing bike.
The number of insurance days is the same as the number of cycling days as stated in our booking confirmation.
Article 8 Liability in the Event of Theft
a. If you did not purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us before the start of the holiday, you will be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.
b. If you did purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us, but you failed to lock the wheel lock and failed to produce the original wheel lock key and failed to produce an official theft report drawn up by the police, you will still be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.
Article 9 Costs During the Rental Period
Any charges and taxes regarding the rental bicycle(s), such as fines and ferry tickets, are to be paid by you. You will also be required to pay all costs ensuing from the use of the bicycle(s) such as parking fees, maintenance and repairs.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE STAYOKAY HOSTELS
Arnhem: Upon arrival you will receive bedlinen with which you will make the beds yourselves. Towels are not included, but can be rented through Dutch Biketours for €10,50 for the entire trip or you can bring your own.
Kring van Dorth (Gorssel): Upon arrival you will receive bedlinen with which you will make the beds yourselves. Towels are not included, but can be rented through Dutch Biketours for €10,50 for the entire trip or you can bring your own.
5 Nights included
StayOkay Hostels
Tourist tax included
Breakfast included, lunch package and Halfboard optional
Detailed roadbooks with maps and tourist information
The possibility of renting our bikes
7-days a week service-hotline
Luggage transport to your next hotel
Arnhem
Parking possibilities at the hostel
GPS-tracks availible
Any ferry crossings are not included
Nearest Airports are Flughafen Düsseldorf(DUS) or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
The train from Dusseldorf to Arnhem departs 1 time per hour. Travel time is about 1.4 hours.
The train from Schiphol to Arnhem departs 4 times per hour. Travel time is a bit more then 1 hour. A single ticket costs approx €19,- per person excl. bicycles.
For timetables and tickets, go to www.ns.nl/en. For bus details, how to reach the hotel, check: www./9292.nl/en.
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Family tour: Knights and playgrounds
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Celsiusweg 12/12A
6662 PX Elst
Nederland
info@dutch-biketours.com
+31(0)24 324 47 12
