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Travel StoriesThe Netherlands 2016
Drowning In Zierikzee
By Ren Withnell
We've not really got anything for breakfast but fear not, there's a shop on site. It is only open from 0900 to lunchtime but that's OK, that works with our plans. When the shop finally opens a curmudgeonly grey haired bloke shuffles around scowling at me as though I'd just defecated in the corner of his dark gloomy sparsely stocked shop. I source a carton of long life milk that's still in date and ask for "3 croissants?" He's still scowling as he begrudgingly lobs the croissants in an oven and mutters some value of payment in Dutch. I manage to pay and offend him when I check my change. Even in a country as friendly as The Netherlands there's always going to be one exception.
Come on it's time to roll out onto the open road with our hawgs.
Regrettably after yesterday's good weather the forecast is against us once more. As we decamp a light mizzle starts to fall, by the time the bikes are loaded it is gradually turning to rain. We're going to cover a few more miles, maybe 80 to 100 today. I take us straight onto the motorway network and head towards Wagenburg and as we ride the sun eases the rain away, maybe the forecasters are wrong, hooraa!
Nope. No, ney, nine, nicht, negative, nyet, non. By Willemstad the rain has returned with vengeance and as we approach Zierikzee it is now biblical. Zierikzee presents itself as a pleasing small town, or at least that's what I estimate through the wall of water we are riding through. As we park the bikes in a supermarket car park Sharon is adopting a "blitz" mentality with a psychotic twist, laughing rabidly and almost drowning in the run-off from her helmet. The girl in the supermarket doesn't know if "motos" have to pay for parking, no-ones ever asked.
I imagine it's even nicer in Zierikzee when it's not raining.
In the town square we find a cafe with a large covered seating area outside. We choose this as opposed to going inside as it's not actually too cold and we don't wish to drip all over their floor. We are sodden, even the best waterproofs in the world wouldn't stop at least some ingress today. We flop into a couple of chairs with our drinks.
A couple close by nod the friendly Dutch nod followed by a smile and a hello. Soon we're talking, Sharon and I move seats to join them so we can hear over the crashing rain on the large canopy. They're locals now having moved here from the city once they'd retired. I get the impression they've retired comfortably and they're a joy to talk with. We learn that Zeirikzee is pronounced "zee-rik-zee", we could have parked right here on the square and in fact motos usually park wherever the hell they want in The Netherlands apparently. I wish I'd know that 9 days ago. Half an hour passes so easily as we share our stories, the rain becomes irrelevant.
The rain is not irrelevant as we leave Zierikzee and neither is the headwind. We are ploughing through a wall of water reinforced by a wall of side-head wind. I spot something ahead and my heart sinks. A bridge. I thought Zeelandbrug would be a dyke not a bridge (I later learn "brug" means "bridge"). Damn. Blast. Oh hell. So let me make this clear - head wind mixed with side wind, heavy rain, a high bridge, two 125cc motorcycles, lots of luggage and the omnipresent Dutch tailgating driver. Far from ideal.
I start the crossing and at full throttle in 3rd gear I'm struggling to hold 35mph. I can barely see Sharon behind me, I know she can keep up as she's smaller, lighter and her 125 is an easy match for mine. I can hear her cursing me in her helmet though as I know she hates side winds at the best of times. The Dutch 4by4 behind her is keeping a sensible 5 to 10 feet gap as usual which of course helps relieve the pressure. Hmmmmmm. This is a long multi span bridge, 3 miles long, just to make sure we've really had time to fully appreciate the quality and scale of Dutch engineering. Great, thanks...how about covering it in slippery metal joints every now and then? Oh they've done that too.
Zeelandbrug BRIDGE (not dyke). This picture was taken the next day when we could actually see it. Big innit.
Terrifying, and I've been riding through this sort of crap for 26 years. I'm guessing you know we survived because you're reading this.
I have a notion to camp near Vrouwenpolder, it looks like there's lots of campsites there. I might have a notion but I have absolutely no idea how to get there or where I am right now. The tablet with the map app and the GPS is worse than useless in this rain. The screen hops around with the water on it, the GPS refuses to get a fix and I'm worried it'll fry if it gets any wetter. We ride around narrow lanes, major highways, down dead ends and along dykes. Nothing makes any sense and I am getting cross.
An hour passes. We can't turn down this road, that road's a dead end and the rain comes down ever harder and harder and harder. I've reached the stage of shouting profanities in my helmet - just lets get to a ####ing campsite and get this ####ing tent up and let's just ####ing stop riding!!!
ARGH! Another dead end. This would be gorgeous if only the sun was out.
On first impressions Camping de Zandkreek looks about as welcoming as a shipwreck. A long line of caravans set between the desolate dyke walls and choppy sea, a building and a closed barrier. I try the door and enter into a room but there's no life. As I regretfully turn to leave a burly chap looks at the disorderly wet motorcyclist before him and then smiles.
We're now camped on what he suggests will be the best drained part of the site, not far from the building. We can use the common room in the building until 2200 hours when he'll need to lock it. Both motorcycles are parked in the garage next to the grass cutting tractors, he can't shut the garage door because there's some nesting birds in the roof. He's put the heating on for us. We can leave our wet stuff in the common room overnight. We can use the kettle and such. He's put the TV on the BBC news channel.
Fabulous, fantastic, excellent, brilliant, amazing, wonderful...and so on and so on. Words fail to describe how it feels to get out of the wet gear and into some dry clothes. To sit inside a real solid building as the rain rattles the window panes. To make a brew with a real kettle. To sit on proper chairs. We both agree we have for once been luckier than Mr McLucky the Lucky from Lucksville. There's no stove though. I heat some concoction out in the garage because I'm not sure petrol stoves are recommended in enclosed buildings and I don't want to stink the place out.
Oh my goodness we're so lucky to have the luxury of a real room.
The motorcycles are having a comfortable evening too.
We lounge around all evening as the tempest outside comes and goes. At bedtime the tent is certainly damp but not cold and miraculously the sleeping bags are dry. I think we're going to be alright.
Prologue - The Netherlands 2016
Why are we going Dutch? What's that peculiar box on Ren's bike? Why are we taking our 125cc motorcycles? Is there even a plan? Find out more...
Disaster
The first day of our trip is not the start we would hope for. Yet with some luck and the desire to improve his mindset Ren manages to keep a calm and positive outlook.
Crashing Out To The Netherlands
This is Sharon's take on the first day of The Netherland's trip. Oh the best laid plans of mice and women.
No News Is Good News
It's an ordinary day of ordinary travelling for our dynamic duo. Sometimes a lack of excitement can be a good thing doncha know.
Helter Skelter
Sharon covers the second day of the trip to The Netherlands. She moves from discomfort and bruises through nervous and fear to luxury and comfort. All in one day!
Hades - I Mean Amsterdam
Ah The Netherlands, fields of flowers, windmills, tranquil canals and leisurely cyclists. Or is this what the tourist office would have you believe?
Crying In The Rain And Laughing Gonkeys
Sharon's first time motorcycling on foreign tarmac is a baptism of fire. What on earth is a laughing gonkey anyhow?
We Are Tourist
So what is Ren's take on the popular city of Amsterdam? Will he survive the bicycles? Is he a wild traveller or just a tourist?
The Lost Experience
Once again Ren's expectations get the better of him. Once again Ren gets completely lost. Once again the rain is coming down. Is there any hope at all? Actually it's not all bad.
Smiles In The Rain
The friendly Dutch folk mean that a rain filled day can still be a worthwhile day.
Bicycling De Hoge Veluwe
Will today be a tortuous day stuck in the tent waiting for the rain to stop? For the sake of Ren's mental health let's hope there's some good weather.
Urk? Is That The Sun?
A break in the weather brings a positive feel to the day along with pleasant places, friendly faces and new acquaintances.
A Big Dyke With Edam
What is the Afsluitdijk for? Why would you name a town after a cheese? All these questions will not be answered by reading this.
Edam, Marken, Tourists and Symmetry
Ren and Sharon visit a town named after a cheese. Why would you name a town after a cheese? Weird folks these Dutch.
Curious Distelloo
Sunshine, philosophy and an alternative kind of campsite.
Drowning In Zierikzee
Philosophy, friendly people, terrible rain and salvation all in one day! Not bad really for pair of wastrels on 125s.
Exploring Zeeland
We're chilling out and exploring Zeeland 2-up on a 125. Is this the Dutch Riviera?
A Short Hop To Oostkapelle
How do you get lost in 15 miles on a route you already know? How do you upset a German camper? How do you do all this and remain content in yourself? It's called getting old.
Dodgy Dutch Drivers
Their last full day in The Netherlands sums up the whole Dutch experience. "The nicest bad drivers you'll ever meet".
Going Home-ish
It's time to leave The Netherlands and return to good 'ole Blighty. There's some shocking news that might change things for the future though.
So, What About The Netherlands?
After 2 weeks of riding around The Netherlands on 125s what does Ren think of the country now?
Reader's Comments
vic oliver said :-
A really good read mate, couple of places to check out on my next trip thank you, when you're at that rain induced low, a brew and somewhere dry is bliss. How do you describe that to a someone who doesn't ride ?
01/08/2016 18:13:19 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Only those that have endured the worst of the rains can understand Vic. I hope you're well and you've got another trip planned!
01/08/2016 20:39:47 UTC
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Travel StoriesThe Netherlands 2016