Bakfiets....takes 4 and 5

Here are two custom painted bakfiets. The first is a De Fietsfabriek from Den Haag I believe, but possibly A'dam. One of my favorites so far. Second is a Bakfiets.nl brand taken at the beach at Scheveningen, which is an area of Den Haag. It's the touristy beach area with a string of restaurants etc. Both bikes are equipped for rug rat carrying, and you can still go to the store!

De Fietsfabriek

First photo is of the shop I work at in Den Haag. http://www.defietsfabriek.nl/ is their Dutch site, and http://www.defietsfabriek-usa.com/ is the Chicago store for those who speak English. They are only about 10 years old I believe, but are well reguarded and seen all over. Second and third photos are a bakfiets with an osmosis window washing system. Uses ionized water or the like and is supposed to clean without soap. The rear right corner of the box has a silver pole extending upward that has a yellow flashing light attached. Sorry I cut that off. Bottom two pics are of a fietspad sweeper. Again, apologizing for the low quality of the pics. The clear windshield resting over the seat belongs to another bike. This post counts for bakfiets....

takes 2 and 3 for those keeping track.

Fietspads

Here is one style of off street cycle path that is the primary network for bicycles here in the Netherlands. This one borders a park on the right so has wider medians than normal and is nicely treelined. Far right is the pedestrian sidewalk, then the fietspad, nice wide median, two way street with parallel parking on both sides. The other side has the same fietspad/sidewalk setup without the medians. I would say most fietspads are about 3 bikes wide. Even though there are fietspads on both sides of the road, you can expect two way traffic on all of them, though most people ride in the direction of the auto traffic. The other interesting thing about the fietspads is that mopeds/small scooters are allowed on them as well, but are limited to 30kph. Yeah right! At least you can usually hear them coming from a ways off. I think the last photo means "vintage Peugeot ahead".

Delft Central station

Delft station (1847) is about 17 minute walk/7 minute bike from our house. There is more bike parking on the other side of the tracks as well (not pictured). The bottom picture is from a previous visit as now the buildings in the backround have all been painted the same color blue, seen in the middle photo. 20 minutes to Den Haag, 20 minutes to Rotterdam, 50 minutes to Schipol (airport), 60 minutes to Amsterdam, 3 hours to Paris (speed train). You get the picture. I need a folding bike!!!! Actually, I just really want one; because I am allowed to take my full sized bike on the train. A compact one would be much easier though.

Delft, canal level

Delft, to me, is a mini-Amsterdam without the seediness. It is charming and picturesque, with many canals and smooth cobbled roads. Amsterdam is an hour away by train for when we need the hustle and bustle, but it sure is nice to come home to fairy tale Delft. Second pic has my bike locked up in front of Uit De Kunst, an awesome little cafe. http://www.uitdekunstdelft.nl/ Third pic is lush canal with houseboats that is part of Rebeckas ride to work. Final image is just behind the main square and has one of my favorite streetsigns on the right. It means: Do not enter, except for bikes.

Delft from above

Not really bike related, but a good view of Delft from the "new church" tower (completed 1496), which is the second highest in the Netherlands. 376 spiral steps to the top, reversing direction half way up, along with a couple small rooms and lower outdoor viewpoints to use as rest breaks if you need it. We live on the northern edge of the old town, just far enough to escape the commotion of the square when we don't want it, and it minimizes the church bells a bit. The old church and the new church both ring 24 hours, but quieter at night. The old church (1246) is in the top picture. The middle picture is what brought us here in the first place. Thanks IKEA! Bottom pic the main square with city hall on the west end. Thursdays and Saturdays are market days, where vendors set up stalls to sell cheese, flowers, trinkets, etc. On non-market days the restaurants get to spread out their dining tables a bit more. It's a beautiful city to ride a bicycle with many picturesque canals and smooth cobbled streets.

Bakfiets......take 1

Bakfiets means "boxbike" in Dutch. They come with two or three wheels and in an awesome variety of configurations, which people then decorate and personalize so they can be quite unique. On this one the box and wheels are attached to a central pivot. The handlebars are attached to the box and do not steer like a regular bike, but pivot with the box. You will see other handlebar configurations in future photos. This one has 3 or 5 speeds and drum brakes in the hubs. Meow!

Welcome to Delft

Well, I have recently settled in to life in Delft; working part time in a bike shop as a mechanic (fietsmaker), and exploring the countryside over the awesome networks of dedicated cycle tracks/paths/lanes etc. This blog will highlight the cycling culture in Holland and beyond as I see and experience more. I will start with a few pictures of Rebecka and I stocking up on a few new things for the house. 2 deck chairs and 2 standing floor lamps from IKEA in one picture. The new Sony 32" TV, and no doubt most important, the new Weber grill with chimney starter.