Yep agree. Videos like this got me hooked on the channel in the first place. I’m on a long overseas trip for work and missing my family and bike. Watching this put a big smile on my face 🙂. Thank you both 🙏🏾
Today I was driving back home to Munich from Brittany, which is a 1300 KM two day trip. I stopped for a pee break near Stuttgart and happened to see two bikes with British number plates, so I went over to have a chat with the owners. One of the bikes was an old RD 350, so I asked where they were headed. They were on their way to Austria from the UK after being on the Isle of Man. One chap has 17 bikes, the oldest one from the 1920s. His companion has a BMW GS with 170 K Miles on the clock. Bikers are the best people. They were so nice and friendly, even though there was a rain cloud coming and they needed to get moving. Happy days.
I love the Netherlands. My son is at university in Groningen and I’ve been over to visit on my bike. The Dutch people are very cool, love seeing the people cycling everywhere. Groningen is well worth a visit.
4 days in amsterdam. To me that would be 4 days in hell. You better make sure you have indoor parking for your motorcycle. If you think theft is high in london , amsterdam is just as bad. But anyway, i hope you have a good and safe trip
I don't know if you are like this from sunrise to sunset, but if more people in the world had your passion for life, it would definitely be a far better place. You are rocking this Carpe Diem thing. Well done. Mark
Freddie, Thanks for this, it brings back so many memories. Back in 1969(!) I and some student friends decided to visit NL at Easter, travelling on a couple of CB160 Hondas. I too instantly fell head over heels in love with the place, and remain so to this day. Even then, we found it eye-wateringly expensive but found ways of booking basic rooms via the tourism office VVV. We were adopted by some local kids in Delft and shown the best places to stay and eat cheaply. Perhaps our most memorable meal was bread & cheese sitting on a canal bank somewhere north of Amsterdam. Wonderful times, sadly gone forever. Can't wait for the next instalment.
Coincidentally, I was in the Netherlands last week (unfortunately for business, so not on my bike). This was my first visit and like Freddy, I was knocked out by its cleanliness, brilliant infrastructure and the friendliness and politeness of the Dutch people. A bike tour is definitely on the cards 😀
I love what you are doing....its so inspiring! As an older biker I travel less than I use to, so its such a treat to get that adventure buzz again....I loved that ratty old VW at the start and then your sheer joy at seeing that BMW on the cycle path....enjoy these days you two....the memories last forever. By the way I just completed a 3 day run to Cornwall on my Pan, taking the road from St Ives and stopping at Pendeen and other coastal spots along the way...felt pretty tired after though! Thanks again, Guys
Being from the Netherlands and having visited these exact same places, it is sooo nice to see you taking the Bonneville here! Now I've got a sudden urge to start up my XJR1300, go for a beautiful Sunday morning ride in the Dutch countryside and appreciate how perfect everything is here 😅
Great video! I just spent a week in Amsterdam/Netherlands and it was beautiful! I was just wishing I had my RE Classic with me the whole time. Would love to be able to ride there (I'm from the states).
Last year I leaved from north Italy (where i live) and i rode my Guzzi to Maastricht. After I take a train to Amsterdam and rent a traditional pedal brake bike. In the future I'm going to visit Utrecht also and the others cities you have nominated. I appreciate the dutch transport model based on rails and bike infrastructure!
I saw the short and was super excited for the tour ❤ I love the touring series in general & now with Monica's experts cinematography I'm sure it'll be treat to watch ❤
As usual with Freddie it's all about being spontaneous, no forward planning just go and do it. Who cares about taxes and expensive hotels, unfortunately most of us do I'm afraid. Great adventure, yes but only if you can afford it and if you like cities, I'm more of a Yorkshire Dales man personally.
We always camp on the outskirts for €9 a night then venture into the city for supplies😉 then venture right back out to the campsite again where a campfire is much more enjoyable than worrying about interior design 😂👍
Tourist Tax in Netherlands is 7% of accommodation fee plus 3€ per person per night. People’s will stop travelling to Europe at this rate. What will they think of next ? No wonder Euro MPs and Ministers are so well paid.
Next time you come to Holland, go to the Veluwe, don't use the highways there(A or E 's) , don't even use the N ways, just drive on the 60/80 Km/h roads through the countryside, absolute joy! Places to see: the Posbank (at Rheden), the Holtense Berg . Both nature parks that can be driven through during daytime. Also nice is, going from Deventer to Kampen, driving on the left side of the river Ijssel on the dike. One long relaxing road up high, goping through a few small townes, but one long great view!
My hometown. Stay away from hotels or anything related: the damn city will steal you blind. I know - image the taxes I have to pay as a resident. It’s ridiculous!! Take a hotel outside the city. Wat better and cheaper.
€80 tourist tax! Clearly another aspect of all the policies working towards the goal of none of us ever moving around at all. Just staying put in our 15 minute cities.
Hi Freddie and Monica! Koen here from Amsterdam. When you turn 16 you can get your bromfiets license in the Netherlands. You are allowed to ride a snorfiets (50cc 25km/h max) or bromfiets (50cc 45km/h max). You were supposed to ride them on the bycicle path only a few years ago but due too a lot of accidents now they just use the roads the cars use. In some areas thats not really feasible (like on 60/80 speed limit roads) so thats when you see the traffic sign with both the bicycle and bromfiets where they should take the bike path. Like you said you guys are pretty lucky with the room. That room looks amazing! Amsterdam deals with a lot of tourists. So much so that they have now capped the maximum amount of tourist (overnight) stays to 20 million a year. Considering Amsterdam has a population of just over 820.000 people, that is a lot of tourists. Thats also the reason tourist tax is pretty high, and parking cost is just ridiculous because otherwise the city center would get flooded with cars. Enjoy your stay and the lovely weather :)
I'm pleased that you have noticed the big changes for the better in your travels abroad, we travel a lot visiting many places around Europe, the Med, Caribbean, Central America etc then when we get back to the U.K. we realise what a neglected sh!t tip it is. Ride safe.
This video made me realize how much I'm suffering from home blindness. I didn't see the beauty of my own country from being here all the time. Thank you for reigniting my love for my home country a little bit
Freddy - you made my day! Is 1:00 in the morning here in Iowa in the United States and I can't get to sleep and I'm bored. But now I see another video from you and this is fantastic
Heh. :) As a Dutch biker as well as a freelance hotel clerk for hire, I can assure you that like London, your palatial city center accommodation should normally start in the EUR450 range a night in the summer season, excluding city tax. City tax by the way is a Dutch municipal scam, usually a fixed amount between 0 to 5 Euro's pppn, but a (fixed amount plus a) percentage of the nightly lodgings is allowed by Dutch law. There is only one city in the entire country that does so, and congrats: you've found it. Other cities realize that this hustle doesn't encourage tourism & trade, but Amsterdam realized that oooh look at that: insane tariffs don't affect hotel occupancy very much. Amsterdam Veterans book Amstelveen instead, and then use the brilliant & cheap tram & subway system.
OK so how is taxing people who want to visit and put money into local business a good idea, seriously people take this kind of extortion to acceptingly are conditioned to think it's 'normal' the only thing that is normal is taking huge amounts out of our pockets 😮
When I saw you paddling the bike, thought you had broken it- again! My mate has lived in Holland for 50 years speaks the language like a native, he says, much the same as London, Amsterdam is a country within a country- where tourists get fleeced. Freddie, no way would those soldiers be Vietnamese-probably Dutch.
Do hope you get to take your bike home. Bike theft in the Netherlands is absolutely horrendous. I live on the Dutch German border. I would never leave a bike on the street overnight. Good luck. 🤞
You know with Monica on board there aren't going to be any disasters. Very nice apartment. The Netherlands are also great for cycling. Freddie and Monica on big old Dutch bikes. There is so much to see in Amsterdam, museums galore and so much interesting architecture. You should have called on Itchy Boots. I think she is recovered now.
I took my CRF250 via Harwich to Groningen in The Netherlands, unfortunately a one way ride because a month later the bike was stolen. Also went through on the Tiger Rally Pro, lovely roads, can be a bit breezy though, where it is so flat. I lived and worked in Amsterdam for 7 Months
I love the Netherlands and the people. The place always seems more organised as a country, more set up for people and society. I lived in Amsterdam in early 1990’s for 15 months and had a great time.
You need a mortgage to pay the parking fee in A'dam which is why most Dutch avoid going there like the plaque but if there is no other option we don't take the bike or even the car to A'dam. It's much easier and cheaper to park in a small town nearby and take the train for the last bit.
Great to see you and Monica heading back to Europe on the Bonneville, always enjoy your tour videos so looking forward to seeing your tour of the Netherlands.
Took the ferry once from Weymouth to St Malo and was delightfully surprised at how chilled it was compared to Dover, and the trip through the Channel Islands made it even better
after 30 years of motorcycling in The Netherlands I have never had a parking ticket. Park your bike discretely and don't obstruct anything and your good to go. Do not stay in Amsterdam for your whole trip, there are so many other beautiful cities and towns a stones throw away. Haarlem, Alkmaar, Leiden etc. Also easier on the pocket!
Nice vid. I've done Harwich to The Hook many times on a bike (usually 1959 Ariel). The trip is, as you say, quite pleasant and relaxing. I especially enjoy the overnight because it's quieter and you just wake up there. As for Holland and the greater Netherlands (don't conflate them. Calling all The Netherlands "Holland" is like calling The UK "England") it is lovely indeed. Not super exciting, but super relaxing and they are super welcoming of, and very well set up for, travellers, even bikers! Hehe. Easy peasy to rock on to Germany, Belgium, France, etc... Now you've 'broken the seal' with Monika going international, perhaps there will be more! My missus also wasn't keen until trying the Harwich/Hook crossing.
I live in Norfolk and have ridden to the Harwich ferry after work on a Friday for a night crossing and onwards refreshed next morning. Love not having to use the M25.
I go every year to amsterdam but I went this week and got stung with the 12.5 percent. The city is stunning though if you keep to the lower end . My only advice is keep away from tourist areas late at night or early hours due to Moroccan robbers . I almost got robbed at knife point bit I'm not the sort of guy to stand and hand it over so English man 1 morrocan criminals nil 😂. The architecture I'm the city is stunning and the way they have prioritised pedestrians and bikes/motorcycles is great. I ride a harley but we hired electric pedal bikes to tour the city and enjoyed every moment. Anyone thinking of doing it you won't regret it. Just don't fall for the tourist souvenir shops and shop at local supermarkets for drink and food and you can have a real good time
Good morning all! From Cambridge originally, but living in Amsterdam 32 years and ride my Street Twin on the daily commute to and from Edam to Amsterdam! Lovely to see your take on it !!
This video is 20 minutes long and has been posted 14 minutes. It's got 56 likes. Does no-one have the patience to wait to the end? Freddie might blow it in the last 6 minutes. 😂😂
British soldiers training with Vietnamese soldiers in Holland? Sounds rather bizarre. In the 80s I lived and worked in Holland and did that same ferry journey many, many times. Harwich to Hoek van Holland. I always did the overnight ride though.Those signs for the cycle paths tell you you can ride what the Dutch call bromfiets. Little mopeds( not scooters!) bicycles with a tiny engine under 50cc about 25cc.. That guy with the motorbike was breaking the law! I've lived in Asia for the past 35 years. If I ever decided to go back it would be to Holland as it is so much more pleasant the UK, far more relaxed, broadminded with a much higher standard of living than the UK. I'm British as you may have guessed! As a PS...Amsterdam has more foreigners than Dutch people and isn't actually typically Dutch. For a truly Dutch experience spend time in Den Haag (The Hague) or any other Dutch city avoiding Rotterdam or any of the hundreds of small towns or villages. Amsterdam is extremely touristy and not really very typical. Great , fun place to visit , but I wouldn't live there!
I was trying to figure out exactly where the soldiers were from but couldn’t pinpoint it… but SE Asian soldiers I’m pretty sure. The night ferry makes the most sense I think- next time we’ll do this
Freddie, really love your vids mate. you've got that accent i just cant place (coz Im Ozzie) but im sure its the same accent I heard before getting my head caved in a year ago by some of your compatriots here in Bangkok na!
As a Dutch guy growing up in and around Amsterdam, motorbike lover myself, I know. I now life in the German Eifel and to me this is real bike heaven. No part of the roads here are straight, it's a constant uphill downhill ride through the mountains. And from my house to the famous Nordschleife just 10 minutes. Just discovered your channel shortly, no idea if you ever been in my beautiful corner of the world. But you should 😄
@@FreddieDobbsif you go to the Eifel consider a night in Maastricht. Completely different from Amsterdam but still in Holland, from there it’s 100 miles to the Nurburgring!
Your videos are always so relaxing! Definitely do more trips together like that I love it! But damn 220 for hotel per night? (euro/pounds). That's 880 for 4 days + ferry, fuel and food. We are talking over a thousand..... I'd love to ride to Europe, but it's so expensive and the worst of all, I would be paranoid to leave my bike parked on the street, even on a hotel car park, unless it has gates/barriers etc.
So funny I had the same reaction as Freddy when I entered Holland two weeks ago on my way to Maastricht. Holland is a lovely place to be and the people are so friendly and most speak English. Really looking forward to this little adventure
Freddie, we are not happy at all in NL. We've got a unchosen, unselected, PM, and he is not from any party?!?! He came from secret service and lately from a the leftish party!!! Amsterdam is an extreme radical LEFT city with a horrible female leftish witch Mayer!! But enough! Enjoy your nice rides together! I will go one week to Tsjec rep...or maybe the Cote da'Zur....because the weather forecast is and stay sh*t!!!!!! Tnxs for your entertaining vlogs (the one with the HD RKS was the best 🤘🏽)
I swear I recognise you. Did I speak to you last June I think it was in France or Belgium (I was heading to the Euro Turnnel) in a petrol station, I was a on 890 Duke R? I was coming back from the Picos and Pyrenees.
I also visited Amsterdam 3 weeks ago. I'm glad I visited it but would never gop there again. City itself is lovely but everything else is not. Prices are just outrageios, beer in all pubs are like 8-10 euros, after 16h you cannot buy any alcohol in stores..all you can do is sit in pub and get robbed off. Cheapest parking is 35 euros, on many places they don't accept cash. All kind of people is going on drugs.. just shithole
Interesting, stuck in the 1940s and no traffic? I'm from the Netherlands and I hate it for being so crowded on every road. I'm from the east where the quit roads should be, and even here you never are alone. But funny to hear your perspective about it. Maybe it isnt as bad as I thought. Nice vid btw! I just got my motorcycle license (like yesterday) and I cant wait to visit the UK on my bike (which I will collect today).
tourist tax?!?!?!? what the 'heck' is that all about?!?, seems like they don't want tourists?... anyway.. you did amazingly well with the accommodation... great to see you both out on a road trip!
Hi everyone! I'm from the US. Do you need a special motorcycle license to travel between the surrounding countries like Freddie ? I would love to come to Europe and rent a motorcycle or, better yet, join a tour group. Thanks!
Wear gloves man. Better a t-shirt and glove than a leather jacket without them. A stripped shoulder will give you far less problems than a stripped finger.
I don't get this difference in attitude. In India, if soldiers were to board someone's ferry they'd be honoured and MORE than happy to prepare extra breakfast for them, because we respect the brave men and women of valor in our defence services. There, he's furious because the brave of your country who protect it boarded the ferry but he'd be okay with a bunch of good for nothing nation hating people boarding. I SIMPLY don't get it.
Freddie you don’t learn do you! After the sleeping bag debacle always put non waterproof items in at least a bin bag. I appreciate it’s Monika’s stuff in the leather bag (brave man) and the forecast is good but you never know if you will hit a thunderstorm or even localised flooding. Also protects bags from dust, dirt, chain oil etc.
Hi Freddie, love the vids but my OCD has to tell you that as a TV Cameraman and DOP for the last 36 years the word ‘pan’ used in a camera movement is for left or right movement only. To describe or ask for a movement up or down should be preceded by the word ‘tilt’. Hope you don’t mind me correcting you because other than that I think your channel is perfect. Sláinte, Dave. 🎥🏍️
Having just finished a loop through the Belgium, Netherlands, West Germany, Luxembourg and back up Eastern France I recommend you visit Utrecht. It’s a mini Amsterdam and much prettier
Lovely trip Freddie and Monica. Yes Harwich is lovely so funny as I was in Harwich when you went so I propbaly saw your Stenaline from the beach lol Love your videos they are great keep it up
Did I see a motorcycle coming out of the cycle path there? On a cycle path such as this, bicycles and mopeds max. 50cc are allowed at a maximum speed of 40 km/h.
Been riding my xsr700 for 3 years not around the northwest. Woke up this morning after watching your England to Barcelona video 2 months ago inspired to get an old bonnie and go on an adventure!! Keep up the content
I’m finding your road trips of great interest so wondered if you are ever near the Dorset coast you would like to ride Englands answer to the Californian Pacific highway, albeit somewhat shorter. Goes from Abbotsbury to Bridport and only takes a fairly short ride but the views are magnificent so, knowing you often stop it may take a little longer.
In fact Freddie' Amsterdam is - the first port for smuggling all spices, slaves who turned into prostitutes, pensioners with capital and relatives, paid parking for a motorbike, for a tent for sitting on the lawn, in general so good for tourists and slave traders who stand at parties and eat - but better I think to arrange a tour of America on a motorbike and go to a couple of bars in the middle of nowhere and chat about housing to buy - it's risky but interesting. 😂
Thanks Freddie and Monica for the visit to Amsterdam. Just be a bit careful in the City Centre as it might have been just bad luck but my Father had his wallet stolen on a Family holiday some years ago. The local Police said it goes on all the time as they use it for drug money! The place you are staying does look really nice. 👍
Freddie I love what you do pal. But please invest in a decent camera set up….I don’t know what set up you’re using but your video picture quality is consistently poor !
![[Live] ศึกมหึมันส์มวยไทยสังเวียนเดือด เวทีมวยชั่วคราวสวนสยาม | จันทร์ 30 กันยายน 2567](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pM1k6f7JXUc/mqdefault.jpg)
Now this one is vintage Monica and Freddie, the type that got me watching you guys from your Tenerife trip....more of these, please...
Exactly!
Thanks Ajay!
Yes I concur 😊
Yep more of this👍🏻
Yep agree. Videos like this got me hooked on the channel in the first place. I’m on a long overseas trip for work and missing my family and bike. Watching this put a big smile on my face 🙂. Thank you both 🙏🏾
A man and his lady who always puts a smile on my face.Well done again Freddie.
Thanks very much🙌🏻
Today I was driving back home to Munich from Brittany, which is a 1300 KM two day trip. I stopped for a pee break near Stuttgart and happened to see two bikes with British number plates, so I went over to have a chat with the owners. One of the bikes was an old RD 350, so I asked where they were headed. They were on their way to Austria from the UK after being on the Isle of Man. One chap has 17 bikes, the oldest one from the 1920s. His companion has a BMW GS with 170 K Miles on the clock. Bikers are the best people. They were so nice and friendly, even though there was a rain cloud coming and they needed to get moving. Happy days.
Nice Trip :) I recommend visiting Rusty Gold Motorshop in Amsterdam if you're still there! ❤
I love the Netherlands. My son is at university in Groningen and I’ve been over to visit on my bike. The Dutch people are very cool, love seeing the people cycling everywhere. Groningen is well worth a visit.
4 days in amsterdam. To me that would be 4 days in hell.
You better make sure you have indoor parking for your motorcycle. If you think theft is high in london , amsterdam is just as bad. But anyway, i hope you have a good and safe trip
I don't know if you are like this from sunrise to sunset, but if more people in the world had your passion for life, it would definitely be a far better place.
You are rocking this Carpe Diem thing. Well done. Mark
Freddie,
Thanks for this, it brings back so many memories. Back in 1969(!) I and some student friends decided to visit NL at Easter, travelling on a couple of CB160 Hondas. I too instantly fell head over heels in love with the place, and remain so to this day. Even then, we found it eye-wateringly expensive but found ways of booking basic rooms via the tourism office VVV. We were adopted by some local kids in Delft and shown the best places to stay and eat cheaply. Perhaps our most memorable meal was bread & cheese sitting on a canal bank somewhere north of Amsterdam. Wonderful times, sadly gone forever. Can't wait for the next instalment.
Coincidentally, I was in the Netherlands last week (unfortunately for business, so not on my bike). This was my first visit and like Freddy, I was knocked out by its cleanliness, brilliant infrastructure and the friendliness and politeness of the Dutch people. A bike tour is definitely on the cards 😀
They really are a lovely bunch, and their level of English is phenomenally good!
I thought it had also turned into an Islamic state? Isn't it yet?
@@wrightvcx2249 No .
lovely people.
we’ve our problems like the rest of EU, but nothing compared to some cities back home
I love what you are doing....its so inspiring! As an older biker I travel less than I use to, so its such a treat to get that adventure buzz again....I loved that ratty old VW at the start and then your sheer joy at seeing that BMW on the cycle path....enjoy these days you two....the memories last forever. By the way I just completed a 3 day run to Cornwall on my Pan, taking the road from St Ives and stopping at Pendeen and other coastal spots along the way...felt pretty tired after though! Thanks again, Guys
Being from the Netherlands and having visited these exact same places, it is sooo nice to see you taking the Bonneville here! Now I've got a sudden urge to start up my XJR1300, go for a beautiful Sunday morning ride in the Dutch countryside and appreciate how perfect everything is here 😅
Interesting about the Ferry. Might be worth a little trip. Nice video, Freddie.
Great video! I just spent a week in Amsterdam/Netherlands and it was beautiful! I was just wishing I had my RE Classic with me the whole time. Would love to be able to ride there (I'm from the states).
I defy anyone to watch this video and not want to be a biker. Excellent 👌
Welcome in our little expensive country 😀 Amsterdam is for Tourists, Go to Utrecht, Leiden or Maastricht.
I’ll remember this, thanks Rob:)
And Haarlem! Make a nice tour along the dunes, visit Zandvoort or Noordwijk at the beach, try a haring and stay the night in Haarlem 😁🎉
Last year I leaved from north Italy (where i live) and i rode my Guzzi to Maastricht. After I take a train to Amsterdam and rent a traditional pedal brake bike. In the future I'm going to visit Utrecht also and the others cities you have nominated. I appreciate the dutch transport model based on rails and bike infrastructure!
We need more of these videos more often pls 😊
I saw the short and was super excited for the tour ❤ I love the touring series in general & now with Monica's experts cinematography I'm sure it'll be treat to watch ❤
Thanks Kaizen, I hope you enjoy it!
First! Greetings from Finland. Come ride here some day!
I love your videos. They usually combine two of my favorite things: England & bikes.
Thanks Samu! I’ve been meaning to do a ride over to Finland and Sweden for two years- I will do it soon:)
Lovely! Very inspiring 👍🏻
As usual with Freddie it's all about being spontaneous, no forward planning just go and do it. Who cares about taxes and expensive hotels, unfortunately most of us do I'm afraid. Great adventure, yes but only if you can afford it and if you like cities, I'm more of a Yorkshire Dales man personally.
Freddie "Monika look an old BMW". Monica "Mmmmm hm. We need to get going". 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
We always camp on the outskirts for €9 a night then venture into the city for supplies😉 then venture right back out to the campsite again where a campfire is much more enjoyable than worrying about interior design 😂👍
Everyone’s different, I hate camping with a passion that’s why I’d always stump up for a hotel room, even if it cost an arm and a leg 🫣
The hotel looks nice but wow, that's pricey. At least you get tax relief on it as a business trip!
Tourist Tax in Netherlands is 7% of accommodation fee plus 3€ per person per night.
People’s will stop travelling to Europe at this rate. What will they think of next ? No wonder Euro MPs and Ministers are so well paid.
Just found your channel, subscribed instantly. Love the music montages.
I moved to NL from the UK 15 years ago.best decision I ever made
Next time you come to Holland, go to the Veluwe, don't use the highways there(A or E 's) , don't even use the N ways, just drive on the 60/80 Km/h roads through the countryside, absolute joy! Places to see: the Posbank (at Rheden), the Holtense Berg . Both nature parks that can be driven through during daytime. Also nice is, going from Deventer to Kampen, driving on the left side of the river Ijssel on the dike. One long relaxing road up high, goping through a few small townes, but one long great view!
My hometown.
Stay away from hotels or anything related: the damn city will steal you blind.
I know - image the taxes I have to pay as a resident. It’s ridiculous!!
Take a hotel outside the city.
Wat better and cheaper.
€80 tourist tax! Clearly another aspect of all the policies working towards the goal of none of us ever moving around at all. Just staying put in our 15 minute cities.
Youre wrong. Amsterdam was overwhelmed by Sex Tourism and they are all Happy that These taxes will prevent a Lot of douches to Go there.
@@instant8195no it’s because the city council are 9 billion in debt, after spending on woke projects 😂😂
Hi Freddie and Monica! Koen here from Amsterdam. When you turn 16 you can get your bromfiets license in the Netherlands. You are allowed to ride a snorfiets (50cc 25km/h max) or bromfiets (50cc 45km/h max). You were supposed to ride them on the bycicle path only a few years ago but due too a lot of accidents now they just use the roads the cars use. In some areas thats not really feasible (like on 60/80 speed limit roads) so thats when you see the traffic sign with both the bicycle and bromfiets where they should take the bike path.
Like you said you guys are pretty lucky with the room. That room looks amazing! Amsterdam deals with a lot of tourists. So much so that they have now capped the maximum amount of tourist (overnight) stays to 20 million a year. Considering Amsterdam has a population of just over 820.000 people, that is a lot of tourists. Thats also the reason tourist tax is pretty high, and parking cost is just ridiculous because otherwise the city center would get flooded with cars. Enjoy your stay and the lovely weather :)
I'm pleased that you have noticed the big changes for the better in your travels abroad, we travel a lot visiting many places around Europe, the Med, Caribbean, Central America etc then when we get back to the U.K. we realise what a neglected sh!t tip it is. Ride safe.
Yeap us Brits need to sort out sh!t out.
I’ve noticed this very very vividly. We (the UK) are falling behind and other European countries are striding ahead.
12:31 no graffiti huh, take a look at the cable box behind you Freddie 😂
“Monica, give it a chance, please” 😂 Keep up the great work guys ❤️
This video made me realize how much I'm suffering from home blindness. I didn't see the beauty of my own country from being here all the time. Thank you for reigniting my love for my home country a little bit
Holland is just the best!
Freddy - you made my day! Is 1:00 in the morning here in Iowa in the United States and I can't get to sleep and I'm bored. But now I see another video from you and this is fantastic
I’m so happy to hear if, Ralph! Sending you all my best over in the US🇺🇸:)
Hi Feddie, you have to visit rusty gold in Amsterdam.. at least when you are a real biker 😊
Why do you think everything is so clean and organized , the taxes are extortionate! If tourist don’t go they would be in the 💩
Heh. :) As a Dutch biker as well as a freelance hotel clerk for hire, I can assure you that like London, your palatial city center accommodation should normally start in the EUR450 range a night in the summer season, excluding city tax.
City tax by the way is a Dutch municipal scam, usually a fixed amount between 0 to 5 Euro's pppn, but a (fixed amount plus a) percentage of the nightly lodgings is allowed by Dutch law. There is only one city in the entire country that does so, and congrats: you've found it. Other cities realize that this hustle doesn't encourage tourism & trade, but Amsterdam realized that oooh look at that: insane tariffs don't affect hotel occupancy very much. Amsterdam Veterans book Amstelveen instead, and then use the brilliant & cheap tram & subway system.
Venice.
@@alexmorgan3435 Venice is no simple scam. That whole city is a masterclass in legalized crime and theft.
OK so how is taxing people who want to visit and put money into local business a good idea, seriously people take this kind of extortion to acceptingly are conditioned to think it's 'normal' the only thing that is normal is taking huge amounts out of our pockets 😮
Because tourism causes extra costs to a city, especially when a lot of foreign visitors behave badly, require policing, litter clean-up etc.
I'm sure the locals don't cause any issues at all.
The issue is quality. These newish taxes are a response to mass tourism. See also Venice. I agree however that 12.5% of the room rate seems too much.
@@stevebolton8471 oh yeah, you mean like London 😉👍🏻
@@sarahk8364 👍Locals pay taxes already.
When I saw you paddling the bike, thought you had broken it- again! My mate has lived in Holland for 50 years speaks the language like a native, he says, much the same as London, Amsterdam is a country within a country- where tourists get fleeced. Freddie, no way would those soldiers be Vietnamese-probably Dutch.
Do hope you get to take your bike home. Bike theft in the Netherlands is absolutely horrendous.
I live on the Dutch German border. I would never leave a bike on the street overnight. Good luck. 🤞
I’d forgotten about Secret Escapes - it looks like you did fairly well out of it this time!
You know with Monica on board there aren't going to be any disasters. Very nice apartment. The Netherlands are also great for cycling. Freddie and Monica on big old Dutch bikes.
There is so much to see in Amsterdam, museums galore and so much interesting architecture.
You should have called on Itchy Boots. I think she is recovered now.
I took my CRF250 via Harwich to Groningen in The Netherlands, unfortunately a one way ride because a month later the bike was stolen.
Also went through on the Tiger Rally Pro, lovely roads, can be a bit breezy though, where it is so flat.
I lived and worked in Amsterdam for 7 Months
I love the Netherlands and the people. The place always seems more organised as a country, more set up for people and society. I lived in Amsterdam in early 1990’s for 15 months and had a great time.
Yes! But also remember that Dutch trading prowess matched historically and now exceeds that of most European nations! Polite and purposefull nation.
Totally agree- on every point
You need a mortgage to pay the parking fee in A'dam which is why most Dutch avoid going there like the plaque but if there is no other option we don't take the bike or even the car to A'dam. It's much easier and cheaper to park in a small town nearby and take the train for the last bit.
Great to see you and Monica heading back to Europe on the Bonneville, always enjoy your tour videos so looking forward to seeing your tour of the Netherlands.
Took the ferry once from Weymouth to St Malo and was delightfully surprised at how chilled it was compared to Dover, and the trip through the Channel Islands made it even better
Another epic trip you can take Monica too is Brugge Freddie 👍 or if north France, then recommend Honfleur 👍
Thanks Nick, I’ll check this out!
£620 to go from Hull to Rotterdam on a motorcycle, extortionate!!! This is why more people aren't doing what you're doing, Freddie.
Very interesting. That is huge!
after 30 years of motorcycling in The Netherlands I have never had a parking ticket. Park your bike discretely and don't obstruct anything and your good to go.
Do not stay in Amsterdam for your whole trip, there are so many other beautiful cities and towns a stones throw away. Haarlem, Alkmaar, Leiden etc. Also easier on the pocket!
We recently stayed in a hotel in Fulford Nr York; we were in between ABnB’s. They charged us an extra £15 to park the car!
Nice vid.
I've done Harwich to The Hook many times on a bike (usually 1959 Ariel).
The trip is, as you say, quite pleasant and relaxing. I especially enjoy the overnight because it's quieter and you just wake up there.
As for Holland and the greater Netherlands (don't conflate them. Calling all The Netherlands "Holland" is like calling The UK "England") it is lovely indeed. Not super exciting, but super relaxing and they are super welcoming of, and very well set up for, travellers, even bikers! Hehe.
Easy peasy to rock on to Germany, Belgium, France, etc... Now you've 'broken the seal' with Monika going international, perhaps there will be more!
My missus also wasn't keen until trying the Harwich/Hook crossing.
I live in Norfolk and have ridden to the Harwich ferry after work on a Friday for a night crossing and onwards refreshed next morning. Love not having to use the M25.
Enjoy yourselves Freddie and Monika... your videos always deliver such pleasure... hope the weather stays in your favour 👍👍👍👍
This is what a happy life looks like, one can only dream.
I go every year to amsterdam but I went this week and got stung with the 12.5 percent. The city is stunning though if you keep to the lower end . My only advice is keep away from tourist areas late at night or early hours due to Moroccan robbers . I almost got robbed at knife point bit I'm not the sort of guy to stand and hand it over so English man 1 morrocan criminals nil 😂. The architecture I'm the city is stunning and the way they have prioritised pedestrians and bikes/motorcycles is great. I ride a harley but we hired electric pedal bikes to tour the city and enjoyed every moment. Anyone thinking of doing it you won't regret it. Just don't fall for the tourist souvenir shops and shop at local supermarkets for drink and food and you can have a real good time
Yall are living the life
Please put your feet on the pegs when setting off,👍
Good morning all!
From Cambridge originally, but living in Amsterdam 32 years and ride my Street Twin on the daily commute to and from Edam to Amsterdam! Lovely to see your take on it !!
This video is 20 minutes long and has been posted 14 minutes. It's got 56 likes. Does no-one have the patience to wait to the end? Freddie might blow it in the last 6 minutes. 😂😂
We're supremely confident that he won't, or that if he does the enjoyment of the first ¾ won't be marred by the last ¼.
Thanks Joe!😆
Yeah I've noticed that on some of Freddie's previous vlogs.
Lol.
Are you on the spectrum or why do you feel the need to wait till the end to press the like button?
British soldiers training with Vietnamese soldiers in Holland? Sounds rather bizarre. In the 80s I lived and worked in Holland and did that same ferry journey many, many times. Harwich to Hoek van Holland. I always did the overnight ride though.Those signs for the cycle paths tell you you can ride what the Dutch call bromfiets. Little mopeds( not scooters!) bicycles with a tiny engine under 50cc about 25cc.. That guy with the motorbike was breaking the law! I've lived in Asia for the past 35 years. If I ever decided to go back it would be to Holland as it is so much more pleasant the UK, far more relaxed, broadminded with a much higher standard of living than the UK. I'm British as you may have guessed! As a PS...Amsterdam has more foreigners than Dutch people and isn't actually typically Dutch. For a truly Dutch experience spend time in Den Haag (The Hague) or any other Dutch city avoiding Rotterdam or any of the hundreds of small towns or villages. Amsterdam is extremely touristy and not really very typical. Great , fun place to visit , but I wouldn't live there!
I was trying to figure out exactly where the soldiers were from but couldn’t pinpoint it… but SE Asian soldiers I’m pretty sure. The night ferry makes the most sense I think- next time we’ll do this
@@FreddieDobbsSure they wern’t Gurkhas? Most SEA armies have very conspicuous flags on their kit, Gurkhas don’t.
Freddie, really love your vids mate. you've got that accent i just cant place (coz Im Ozzie) but im sure its the same accent I heard before getting my head caved in a year ago by some of your compatriots here in Bangkok na!
As a Dutch guy growing up in and around Amsterdam, motorbike lover myself, I know.
I now life in the German Eifel and to me this is real bike heaven.
No part of the roads here are straight, it's a constant uphill downhill ride through the mountains.
And from my house to the famous Nordschleife just 10 minutes.
Just discovered your channel shortly, no idea if you ever been in my beautiful corner of the world.
But you should 😄
You're exactly right Rick
Interesting, I’ve just saved this spot. Thank you, Rick🙌🏻
@@FreddieDobbsif you go to the Eifel consider a night in Maastricht. Completely different from Amsterdam but still in Holland, from there it’s 100 miles to the Nurburgring!
Your videos are always so relaxing!
Definitely do more trips together like that I love it!
But damn 220 for hotel per night? (euro/pounds). That's 880 for 4 days + ferry, fuel and food.
We are talking over a thousand.....
I'd love to ride to Europe, but it's so expensive and the worst of all, I would be paranoid to leave my bike parked on the street, even on a hotel car park, unless it has gates/barriers etc.
So funny I had the same reaction as Freddy when I entered Holland two weeks ago on my way to Maastricht. Holland is a lovely place to be and the people are so friendly and most speak English. Really looking forward to this little adventure
I'm glad you enjoyed my country Donny poo
Amsterdam is a beutiful city .
Freddie you need a t.v. show .its got too happen .
Brilliant .
Monica does a great job filming .
Freddie, we are not happy at all in NL. We've got a unchosen, unselected, PM, and he is not from any party?!?! He came from secret service and lately from a the leftish party!!! Amsterdam is an extreme radical LEFT city with a horrible female leftish witch Mayer!! But enough! Enjoy your nice rides together! I will go one week to Tsjec rep...or maybe the Cote da'Zur....because the weather forecast is and stay sh*t!!!!!! Tnxs for your entertaining vlogs (the one with the HD RKS was the best 🤘🏽)
Looks like soldiers joining NATO exercises in preparation for ww3. Great vlog as always. X
epic trip
Greetings from a biker in Alabama USA. New sub. Enjoy your videos.
I swear I recognise you.
Did I speak to you last June I think it was in France or Belgium (I was heading to the Euro Turnnel) in a petrol station, I was a on 890 Duke R? I was coming back from the Picos and Pyrenees.
Enjoy your road trips Freddie. What great weather too! BTW The Hague is the capital of the NL, not Amsterdam.
Amazing video! :) Mate, what kind of a bag is that you have from XLM moto? Cheers!
I also visited Amsterdam 3 weeks ago. I'm glad I visited it but would never gop there again. City itself is lovely but everything else is not. Prices are just outrageios, beer in all pubs are like 8-10 euros, after 16h you cannot buy any alcohol in stores..all you can do is sit in pub and get robbed off. Cheapest parking is 35 euros, on many places they don't accept cash. All kind of people is going on drugs.. just shithole
Interesting, stuck in the 1940s and no traffic? I'm from the Netherlands and I hate it for being so crowded on every road. I'm from the east where the quit roads should be, and even here you never are alone. But funny to hear your perspective about it. Maybe it isnt as bad as I thought. Nice vid btw! I just got my motorcycle license (like yesterday) and I cant wait to visit the UK on my bike (which I will collect today).
I was sitting here thinking that looked a lot like a prison yard. I actually laughed out loud when Monica slammed the camera in to the bed.
tourist tax?!?!?!? what the 'heck' is that all about?!?, seems like they don't want tourists?... anyway.. you did amazingly well with the accommodation... great to see you both out on a road trip!
I’m only a minute into this video and I’m loving it. A journey I’ve always dreamed of of well done both.
This. Everything about this video. This is why I absolutely adore this channel!
You have to visit Luxembourg once, we have beautiful riding roads:)
Hi everyone! I'm from the US. Do you need a special motorcycle license to travel between the surrounding countries like Freddie ? I would love to come to Europe and rent a motorcycle or, better yet, join a tour group. Thanks!
Wear gloves man. Better a t-shirt and glove than a leather jacket without them. A stripped shoulder will give you far less problems than a stripped finger.
I don't get this difference in attitude. In India, if soldiers were to board someone's ferry they'd be honoured and MORE than happy to prepare extra breakfast for them, because we respect the brave men and women of valor in our defence services. There, he's furious because the brave of your country who protect it boarded the ferry but he'd be okay with a bunch of good for nothing nation hating people boarding. I SIMPLY don't get it.
Another cracking video Freddie. Amsterdam is such a great city, so much in a small space.
Thanks very much🙌🏻 Totally agree- you can walk/cycle everywhere with ease👌🏻👌🏻
Freddie you don’t learn do you! After the sleeping bag debacle always put non waterproof items in at least a bin bag. I appreciate it’s Monika’s stuff in the leather bag (brave man) and the forecast is good but you never know if you will hit a thunderstorm or even localised flooding. Also protects bags from dust, dirt, chain oil etc.
Hi Freddie, love the vids but my OCD has to tell you that as a TV Cameraman and DOP for the last 36 years the word ‘pan’ used in a camera movement is for left or right movement only. To describe or ask for a movement up or down should be preceded by the word ‘tilt’. Hope you don’t mind me correcting you because other than that I think your channel is perfect. Sláinte, Dave. 🎥🏍️
Having just finished a loop through the Belgium, Netherlands, West Germany, Luxembourg and back up Eastern France I recommend you visit Utrecht. It’s a mini Amsterdam and much prettier
Lovely trip Freddie and Monica. Yes Harwich is lovely so funny as I was in Harwich when you went so I propbaly saw your Stenaline from the beach lol Love your videos they are great keep it up
Low racial diversity equates to lower crime rates. Statistics aren't racist, they're facts 🤷🏽♂️
tourist tax! almost like our leaders are trying to stifle enjoyment
This is by far the most expensive tourist tax I’ve come across- it’s huge😳
If they are members of we f , that’s exactly what they want ! 😡
Did I see a motorcycle coming out of the cycle path there? On a cycle path such as this, bicycles and mopeds max. 50cc are allowed at a maximum speed of 40 km/h.
It. really feels good to see you back there on the open road. Love to watch your adventures !!!
Been riding my xsr700 for 3 years not around the northwest. Woke up this morning after watching your England to Barcelona video 2 months ago inspired to get an old bonnie and go on an adventure!! Keep up the content
Nothing like a good new video from F.Dobbs to cure my Sunday blues
I’m finding your road trips of great interest so wondered if you are ever near the Dorset coast you would like to ride Englands answer to the Californian Pacific highway, albeit somewhat shorter. Goes from Abbotsbury to Bridport and only takes a fairly short ride but the views are magnificent so, knowing you often stop it may take a little longer.
In fact Freddie' Amsterdam is - the first port for smuggling all spices, slaves who turned into prostitutes, pensioners with capital and relatives, paid parking for a motorbike, for a tent for sitting on the lawn, in general so good for tourists and slave traders who stand at parties and eat - but better I think to arrange a tour of America on a motorbike and go to a couple of bars in the middle of nowhere and chat about housing to buy - it's risky but interesting. 😂
Thanks Freddie and Monica for the visit to Amsterdam. Just be a bit careful in the City Centre as it might have been just bad luck but my Father had his wallet stolen on a Family holiday some years ago. The local Police said it goes on all the time as they use it for drug money! The place you are staying does look really nice. 👍
Freddie I love what you do pal. But please invest in a decent camera set up….I don’t know what set up you’re using but your video picture quality is consistently poor !