I just completed my first ever bike-packing trip through the north of the Netherlands, travelling approximately 450 km over 7 days. Though it may not have been as epic as thru-hiking or long-distance paddling, this was one of the first solo adventures I’ve had with my tent since hiking in Wilson’s Promontory in January, and certainly fulfilled my desires for adventure.

It’s shocking to me that this was my first-ever biking tour, considering this is such an efficient and relatively painless means of self-propelled travel. Doing this in the Netherlands was the best training ground I could have wished for, given I have family spread across the country, and because the bike paths are world class. I could not believe how many incredible bike-only pathways there were through the most amazing wetlands and forests without any cars in sight.

The terrain in the Netherlands is about as flat as you’re ever going to get. But the wind, especially in the north of the country where there is very little protection, can be intense (hence the thousands of windmills strewn across the country). I began my trek in the village of Joure (in the province of Friesland), before making my way across the north of the country to Groningen. I then rode down through the province of Drenthe into Overijssel, and then back to Joure in a big loop.

Given I hadn’t ridden a bike for about 6 months, and hadn’t ever ridden more than 20 km in one sitting, I was relatively impressed with how my body held up. I developed a rather strong pain in my left knee by the end of my first day, and some pain in my left hip. But with a combination of ibuprofen and caffeine, I was able to manage both. I was lucky enough to borrow the bike from one of my mother’s oldest friends, Anke, and didn’t have any issues, except for when I accidentally let all the air out of the front tire and realised I didn’t have a pump that actually fit the valve. Thankfully I was close to a cafe whose owner lent me their pump!

The best part of my trip was meeting new people along the way. I was using an app called Campspace to find cheap camping options along the way because wild camping is illegal in the Netherlands. Through this app, I met an amazing couple on my second night at a campsite in Munnekezijl, who offered me their leftover dinner and invited me into their camper for tea and stropewafels. I also met an interesting couple in Drouwenermond, whose garden was filled with fruit trees, chickens, a wood-fire hot tub, and a huge enclosure with an owl. They made me dense wheat bread baked in a clay oven for breakfast, and offered me jars of their homemade jams and cashew butter.

I also learned a lot about bike-packing in the Netherlands. I used an amazing app called Knooppunten (https://www.knooppunten.nl/fietsen/planner) to plan out my route each day, and then uploaded the GPX file into an app called Komoot. I paid a small fee for the European maps in Komoot so I could use them offline while riding, and discovered the navigation was very effective. It was much easier than following the numbered signs, even though the dutch have done an amazing job at signposting hundreds of routes all over the country.

I’m planning to write out a gear and clothing list for my own memory and to help others in their planning. But in the meantime, I made these videos whilst on the road, to capture what and how I packed my gear on the bike, and what I ate along the way. It was surprisingly simple and easy, and I was shocked at how much I could actually squeeze into my panniers.

I posted all of my photos and videos on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/serial_nomad/), so if you’re curious, you can view them there. I also posted my videos on YouTube (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnQoeC_E3Y-hW9_mvSykCO4sGv5CS9BqY&si=uHm8JzF4IRiAYGOm) if you prefer to watch them that way. If you can’t be bothered checking out either, below is a little video recap of the full 7-day trip.

What I learned (or re-learned) from this experience, is that my perspective on life is always much broader when I spend time outside. I feel more hopeful about my life and the world when I’m physically active, my cup is filled by authentic connections with other human beings, and when my purpose is clear and my goals are simplified, my nervous system is the most calm. For me, there is nothing that lights me up more than exploring new territory, entering into the unknown, and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I’m so grateful to have the freedom and privilege to take trips like this, and hope more than anything, my adventures will inspire others to plan their own. Happy trails to all!