Bicycles

In general Europeans are healthy and not obese. It could be because of their eating habits and clean air. Another factor could be the extensive use of cycles. The dedicated cycle path that is provided on every road is a way of encouragement for the young and the old to confidently pedal down the road.

Provisions are made in trains, ferries and four wheelers to carry the cycle across long distance.

I liked the way the cycles were modified to carry the groceries. In some cases I found that this carriage acted as a pram, a good way to carry kids around.

Or for that matter this easy chair cycle that we saw at Vienna. What a way to pedal.  Looks like he is checking his messages while waiting for the light to turn green.

But one thing that really disappointed me was the theft of cycles. The crime rate in Amsterdam is very very low but I fail to understand how the theft of cycles can not be contained.
The end result was that all cycles were locked with heavy chains and padlocks. I am sure some of those chains must be weighing more than the cycle. (This goes for scooters too)

If the cycle is locked with the chain passing through the wheel, then the rest of the cycle is dismantled and taken away with the wheel left behind !!

And then there are cycles on hire with point to point cycle stations where you can hire a cycle at point A and leave it at point B (well locked and protected)

Head lamps are mandatory at night, which usually works on a small dynamo.

We were lucky enough to witness a cycle race that was held near Toledo in Spain. Managed to catch them in action (see movie clip)

Usually when you are back from a trip, you encounter a high pitched shrill.

It goes something like this "what you went to Paris and did not go up the Eifel Tower?" 

So to avoid that shrill   “what, you went to Amsterdam and did not go cycling?”  we too hired a tandem cycle and enjoyed pedaling on the dyke at Marken island with the lighthouse as the sole witness. I hope Dev Anand won’t have any objection to this. (see the 2 minute movie clip below)

Marken is a fishing island about 30 min from Volendam by ferry. (and Volendam is an hour away from Amsterdam by road) The island is so small that a walk around the outer dyke of the island is only 10 kms.

There is a small shoe factory on the island where they actually demonstrate how the clogs are made.

I have some movie clippings on that but more on that later when the clip is uploaded .

Outside the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam there was this huge wheel. An impeller running for a very good cause.Wheel of energy, an unique way to draw attention to fight against cancer. Volunteers could keep it rotating by running inside the wheel (like a tread mill) and this would generate power.

Any one can sign in. How? 

"Put your hand on the screen and press start. In five seconds your picture will be taken. This completes the signing process. Thats all"

This was erected last year (for 365 days) and today is the 328th day.

Why I mentioned this here is that I found many cycles too at the base. Those who can't run can pedal away and help.

What a unique way.

To enjoy the video clip allow it to buffer first and then replay (preferably at a higher volume)