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New Dutch Water Line Tour
Bike Tour: New Dutch Water Line Tour - 7 days
Are you in search of the unexpected? This cycling tour through a unique military landscape is sure to keep you on your toes. The New Dutch Water defence Line (85 km long) was an ingenious defensive system of dikes, sluices, canals, low forts and bunkers.
Today the Water Defence Line is a great area to explore by bike, scanning the green surroundings for signs of a military structure. Having been a military site, it was off-limits to the public for a long time, allowing wildlife to establish here. This effectively turned it into a green corridor, an attractive route for nature lovers.
Seven days too short? You can also extend this tour to a 9-days tour, where you will cycle back to the starting point of this tour via the Old Dutch Water Line.
For this trip we offer category A (comfort) and category B (standard) accommodation.
Arrive in Weesp on the river Vecht.
This town is known as the fortified city of flavours, walk around the town, find the cosiest squares, old facades and taste a nostalgic Weespermop biscout with a cup of coffee. Check in at the hotel, which is situated on the Small Weesp canal.
The highlight of the morning is Muiderslot, a small medieval castle, well-worth a visit and guided tour (if you don’t mind crowds). It is picture-perfect, complete with moat, drawbridge, crenellated parapets, wall-walk, grand hall, living quarters etc,. Find out what life was like here in the olden days. The fortified town of Naarden was built in the 17th century. It is full of interesting buildings, antiques shops, art galleries, eateries and museums. To find out about the star-shaped fortifications with double ramparts and moats, check out the Dutch Fortress Museum. At the end of the day, cycle a beautiful route along the River Vecht and then the Loosdrechtse Plassen, the lake district where you will find your hotel. The fortified town of Naarden was built in the 17th century. It is full of interesting buildings, antiques shops, art galleries, eateries and museums. To find out about the star-shaped fortifications with double ramparts and moats, check out the Dutch Fortress Museum. At the end of the day, cycle a beautiful route along the River Vecht and then the Loosdrechtse Plassen, the lake district where you will find your hotel.
Continue through the lake district to Loenen aan de Vecht, one of the Netherlands’ most charming villages. It harbours 144 national monuments. Next, follow the River Vecht further up-stream to Breukelen, well-known for the lovely country houses that adorn the riverbanks. Did you know that Brooklyn in New York was named after Breukelen?
The meandering Vecht takes you to Maarssen and the outskirts of Utrecht. There you will find Fort Aan de Klop, where you can relax on the terrace at the bombproof Guard House with local products. After the fort you cycle over the dike along the Klopvaart, an inundation canal for the New Dutch Waterline to Fort de Gagel and Fort Ruigenhoek. These forts are located in a beautiful Dutch polder landscape, part of the Vechtplassen area.
Your final destination for today is Utrecht, the fourth largest city in the country. The city center comes highly recommended with its historical ambiance; and canals and wharves with a difference.
In the morning, you can visit the Waterlinie Museum at Fort Vechten in Bunnik. Here you can study the art of inundation warfare. Moreover, using a virtual reality headset, you can experience a parachute jump out of a plane into Water Line territory.Your next stop is a part of the defence line that was never actually used. The “plofsluis” looks like a bridge spanning a canal. In the case of controlled inundation, to stop water streaming out of the inundated zone into the canal, the bridge had to be blown up with explosives. It would then collapse into the water, serving as an instant dam to block off the canal. The journey continues past three locks and numerous forts including Fort Werk aan de Korte Uitweg, boasting a fantastic tea garden. At an Infantry position known as Werk aan de Groeneweg you will see many casemates and bunkers, as well as double trenches with earthen walls. End the day in Wijk bij Duurstede, a small town with a big history. It stands on the vestiges of a trading settlement that was one of the most important in Northern Europe in the 7th - 9th centuries. Dorestad, as it was called, developed at the intersection of two main waterways that connected the hinterlands to sea, one going north (for trade with Scandinavia) and one west (for trade with England). More recently, in the New Water Line strategies, the River Kromme Rijn and the large lock in Wijk bij Duurstede played an important part in enabling the inundundation of the area around Utrecht.
Cycle through a river landscape, formed by the River Lek. Your first stop is at the historical town of Culemborg. Then head for Werk aan het Spoel, a fort in the Waterlinie that defends one of the five special sluice gates known as fan gates, used for inundation. Nowadays the fort boasts an attractive restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. The route contintues to Fort Everdingen, home to Duits&Lauret, a beer brewery with tasting room. In the afternoon, visit Fort Asperen on the River Linge. This fort has been transformed into a cultural center with summer art and design exhibitions. Subsequently, the route welcomes you into the Betuwe region known for its fruit orchards. Following the meandering River Linge, you will pass pretty villages such as Acquoy which boasts its own leaning towner of Pisa; and Beesd where you can look at a windmill called Vrijheid; and a country estate called Marienwaerdt where good coffee and apple pie are served. You could stop off at De Paay owl and animal park; or at Geofort interactive science center with an earth and navigation theme. In the course of the afternoon, it is possible to cross the river in several places, thus shortening the route to 43 or 33 km.
Crown your day in Leerdam. Glass artefacts and decorative objects have been produced here since 1765. If you’re into glass, don’t miss the Nationaal Glasmuseum. Or go to see glass blowers at work at the Glasblazerij. Finally, have you ever tried Leerdammer cheese? It tastes very different from other Dutch cheeses such as Gouda or Edam. You spend the night in nearby Asperen.
Explore the river landscape of the Waal river. Twice you will cross the river by ferry. The Bommelerwaard near Brakel and Poerderoijen between the Waal and Afgedamde Maas forms the southeastern final part of the New Dutch Waterline. The brasserie in the rebuilt guard house of Battery Poederoijen is perfect for a stopover.
One of the highlights of the day is a castle called Slot Loevesteijn. It stands in lovely natural surroundings on the riverbank. In the Middle Ages, the lord of this defensive castle had the right to collect toll from people using the river. The castle also served as a prison. In the afternoon, discover the fortified town of Woudrichem and later Fort Altena, that also has several new uses, including a bistro. Your cycling day ends in Gorinchem, one of the best-preserved fortified towns in the country. Cannons and windmills stand atop the town walls that enclose approx. 300 houses. The local museum is dedicated to river fishing. In the friendly town center explore the market square with its many pavement cafes.
Either you return home by train; or you cycle back to the starting point of this holiday in Abcoude, in two days. For this 9-days tour, please see 9-04.
Starting dates:
Daily from April 1 till September 24
| Price pp | € | |
| Double room, breakfast | 769.00 | |
| Single room, breakfast | 1,099.00 | |
| Extra night double room, breakfast only | 80.00 | |
| Upgrades pp/night | € | |
| Hotel Mitland, Utrecht | 40.00 | |
| Rental bike | € | |
| Child bike | 66.00 | |
| Hybrid | 78.00 | |
| E-bike | 168.00 | |
| Extra services | € | |
| Bike Breakdown pass | € 4.00 x 6 | 24.00 |
| Child seat | € 5.00 x 6 | 30.00 |
| Bike theft insurance | € 3.00 x 6 | 18.00 |
| E-bike theft insurance | € 6.00 x 6 | 36.00 |
| Extra luggage | € 5.00 x 6 | 30.00 |
| Tag-along bike | € 10.00 x 6 | 60.00 |
| Child trailer | € 18.00 x 6 | 108.00 |
| Bike helmet | per piece | 10.00 |
| SGR | per piece | 5.00 |
| discount | per piece | -20.00 |
Starting point:
Weesp
The hotels or B&Bs on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. A list of the hotels we work with appears below. If a certain accommodation is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a comparable alternative.
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.
6 Nights included
3/4 Star Hotels
Tourist tax included
Breakfast included
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
(Start) Weesp
(End) Gorinchem
Parking possibilities in town
GPS-tracks availible
Any ferry crossings are not included
Nearest Airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
The train from Schiphol to Weesp departs 3 times per hour. Travel time is about 20 minutes. A single ticket costs approx €6- per person excl. bicycle.
For timetables and tickets, go to www.ns.nl/en. For bus details, how to reach the hotel, check: www.9292.nl/en
16-09-2024
The waterline tour takes you through endless charming villages, picture postcard scenery and many interesting sights. We'd never been to Holland before, and we could not believe how perfectly the towns, houses and gardens were maintained. There's almost no litter, and the cycle paths are out of this world. Dutch Bike Tours handled everything well and everything went to plan. A stress-free holiday. It couldn't have been better
Maybe you also like these cycling holidays:
New Dutch Water Line Tour
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Celsiusweg 12/12A
6662 PX Elst
Nederland
info@dutch-biketours.com
+31(0)24 324 47 12
