Amsterdam. Lucky Saddle’s paradise….

Amsterdam. Lucky Saddle’s paradise….

I love Amsterdam. Any bike lover would.

I knew Holland is big on cycling, and has miles of flat, smooth cycle paths running throughout the country, but I really didn’t expect that in the capital, you wouldn’t would you?

As soon as we arrived, I was amazed by the number of bikes on the road. Office workers nipping out to grab a sandwich, mums on their way back home with the shopping in their basket, children being transported to schools and nurseries. Bikes everywhere. And strangely no-one wore helmets??

Bikes of all sizes and colours, all looking cool and vintage with that beaten up look. I only saw a couple of cyclists cladded out in the whole lycra get up on their roadbikes, and quite frankly, they looked stupid and out of place. Their bright neon clothing and shiny bikes with big stickers stuck out against the beautiful city and its dark, historic buildings and the canals. They were an eye sore, and they angered me with their graffiti ways.

And then it happened again, the cycling bug kicked in, I needed another new bike, a bike I could just jump on at the weekend to go and get some fresh bread and the newspaper.  I had visions of this European lifestyle, looking utterly glamourous and riding a beautiful Pashley style bike, with flowers decorated around my basket. I could even take Buster my dog, aka death breath, just like a Caesar advert. Yes, as soon as I get home I will check out ebay for some vintage bikes…

But then reality kicked in. I don’t read newspapers, only the Daily Mail showbiz app on my phone (very cultured); we eat Shreddies for breakfast or leftover pizza at the weekends, Buster is not a Caesar dog, he is an old miserable Jack Russell who is obese and going blind, he wouldn’t fit in the basket, let alone stay in it. And so my vision of the European lifestyle ended in the matter of minutes…

It was a great weekend, lots of bars visited and drinks consumed, amazing food from the street stalls, and walking around to seeing the various sights. Of course, we frequented the red light district, and could see an extreme divide between the higher end and bargain basement areas. Some of the girls were absolutely beautiful and so young, I felt a little sorry for them, and some should have hung up their knickers years ago…

And so while the boys stared open mouthed at the windows, I was facing the other way perving at all the wonderful bikes, zooming around this beautiful city. Amsterdam, Lucky Saddle’s paradise…


A selection of photos taken. I like the bike which resembles a wheelbarrow, imagine how many shopping bags and bottles of Prosecco you could fit in that???? AMAZING!

IMG_1162

IMG_1163 IMG_1164 IMG_1168 IMG_1169 IMG_1170 IMG_1171 IMG_1172 IMG_1173IMG_1126IMG_1121

 

 

 

Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *