07.05.25 Day 1 - Naarden - Zwartsluis. Polder, windy and a nasty sound

The first day of my planned looong ride. Clouded and a bit chilly in the morning, but quite some sunshine. A bit windy, from the Northeast, my direction, unfortunatly. But nothing like Iceland last year 😁. But what about that nasty sound from my front wheel?

I started from our apartment in Naarden 08:20. Came to Huizen a bit before nine and sat down in the lobby of a hotel to join a webmeeting, job (I can't leave everything for 5-6 weeks). Thanks to Hotel Fletcher, but I'm not sure they noticed 😀.

Then found a bakery to buy some bread. There happened to be a bike shop there. I had been wondering about a nasty sound from my front wheel for a while. Don't like that, you never know were it ends. So decided to ask. They took a look right away - it was just the cable from the front dynamo touching the wheel hub. Was a bit ashamed, should have figured that out myself. But great to get help right away when you're underway. Many noice people out there!

Beuker bike shop in Huizen, recommended!

Now moving into the Flevo polder. It was established in the 1950s I believe, before that it was the Zuiderzee. I don't remember that, but I remember is was kind of wasteland in the 1960s. Now these polders are large areas for agriculture. And this is wind turbine land!

Wind turbine in Zuidelijk Flevoland

The downside of the polder, from a cycling point of view is that there is not much to protect you from the wind. It was not too hard, 3 Beaufort according to KNMI, but it lasted all day. Takes some extra energy.

But there are many long lanes for bicycle only, reaaly nice.

Cycle lane in the polder. Sometimes even a small forest.

Plenty flowers as well. Spring has come a bit further than in central Norway, where I live.

Then time for lunch, a table is always nice.

Great place for lunch.

On the other side of the track, there was an 8.5MW solar park. Lots of renewable energy there.

Solar park in Flevoland

Continuing towards Kampen. I used to include pictures of flowers for my old aunt. Sadly she passed away this winter. To the memorey of tante Nanny.

Lot's of daisies along the track

Please correct me if I'm wrong about the name.

Arriving in Kampen, I needed a lot of energy.

Coffee and apple pie

Maybe not tne heathiest food, but I do need a lot of calories. Used 3000+ according to the Polar app.

With energy replenished, I decided to cyle another 15 km, at a camping close to Zwartsluis. There were signs that the road was closed. I asked several people if it was closed for bicycle, nobody knew, but "they didn't think so". I took the chance, it was pretty far around. And it was ok.

Not for cars - buk bicycles can pass

Then crossing the Zwarte Water by ferry, and arriving around six at a nice small camping De Noorde. A good start.

Ferry over Zwarte Water

Statistics:

99km, total time 9:30, active time 6:00 which gives a moving average of 16.5km/h.