Join us on a scenic cycling journey out of the urban heart of Amsterdam as we head south into the “Green Heart” of the Netherlands. This ride takes us along the banks of the iconic Amstel River and the winding Vecht, passing through the historic villages of Abcoude and Baambrugge. Along the way, we explore the 17th-century Broekzijder Molen and the striking towers of Nyenrode Castle before arriving in Breukelen—the picturesque village that gave its name to New York’s famous borough of Brooklyn.
You’ll also learn about the Dutch establishment of the original New York. and the history engineering marvel of the Dutch polders, the hidden industrial history of windmills, and how the massive Amsterdam-Rhine Canal keeps Europe’s economy moving. Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or a history buff, this ride offers a unique look at how the Dutch have mastered the art of living and riding on water.
Ride Date: Aug 2025
Video Credit:
@hollandholiday4181
Photo Credit:
Amsterdam: historic images depicting a transition from cars to bikes in the city centre
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conquest_of_New_Netherland
https://www.nps.gov/mava/learn/historyculture/new-netherland.htm
https://www.archives.nyc/blog/2017/5/4/the-dutch-the-english-part-4-invasion
https://ecori.org/sea-level-rise-could-the-netherlands-polder-system-work-in-the-united-states/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-17/the-dutch-approach-to-rising-seas-is-not-a-universal-fix
Music Credit:
Track: Far Apart
Artist: Causmic
Track:Good for the Ghost
Artist: Alge
Track: Easy Saturday
Artist: Bad Snacks
#travel #BikeTour #FunkyCyclist #TravelVlog #cycling #bikeride #brooklyn #amsterdam #breukelen #newyork #history #dutchhistory #newyorkhistory
*fair use* Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news report
23 Comments
Not only Manhattan, Brooklyn , Harlem, Coney Island but the whole city was founded by us as New Amsterdam, the first multi cultural, multi lingual city of the US.
9:49 i don't know if this matters, yet ''het eerde'' is a dutch castle with a modern school build partly underground next to it, it is an international boarding school, and quite pricey (for the netherlands) (not in comparison to the u.s. of a.).
It is a really nice school, and i'd say it blends that historic castle also pretty well with modern concepts..
At 3:41 min.: Dutch windmills are not pre-industrial; they are living proof of how The Dutch United Provinces shaped the modern world. With Amsterdam inventing capitalism and the Zaanse Schans/Koog aan de Zaan, where the industrialized, mechanized world started, two hundred years before the British 'industrial revolution'. Read: How the Old World Ended; the Dutch-Anglo-American Revolution 1500-1800 by Jonathan Scott (2019). It's the story of the 'Magnificent Three': Amsterdam, Londen and New York!
At 7:26 min.: Breukelen is pronounced not like Breu-KELLEN, but with the stress on the first syllable, like BREU-kelen! The same way you don't say Brook-LYN, but BROOK-lyn!
What a strange route to go from Amsterdam zuid to abcoude… the route along the Amstel to Ouderkerk is so much more beautiful!
Waiting till you’re in Loenersloot to see if you’ll stop at my grandfather’s house:)
A few minutes later… aaah, you missed it 😊
Doesn’t matter… you also missed the castle though! As a kid i wasn’t allowed to get close to it because the owner, old fashioned nobility, apparently had a habit of sending her huge dogs to attack any small child that dared to enter her medieval property:)
7:59 Rather than Flushing, you mean to write 'Vlissingen' for the Dutch name.
I'm new to your channel, so I'm not sure if you've tried using the 'fietsknooppunten' system for a ride rather than rely on GPS? Of course it can also be used in conjunction, but if you want to go for a RECREATIONAL ride in an unknown region, it is a great opportunity: just note down some numbers before you leave, and then follow the numbered signs for your journey. (But point to point journeys of course also have ordinary red-on-white signs for cyclists saying what direction to cycle towards for nearby destinations.)
The Dutch actor Rutger Hauer was born in Breukelen.
Very nice video, beautiful views, and interesting facts, giving a very good impression.
But, man you speak fast… 😄
Amsterdam to Vlissingen (Flushing) next?
Breukelen or Brooklyn as thet say in New York
Thats right. Brooklyn is actually Breukelen but spelled different cause they couldnt pronounce it 😂😂😂
There is Hoboken in Belgium and one in Rotterdam too. That is: the land of Hoboken.
Very informative and well documented
Well done. I enjoyed it!!
Your channel just popped up. Very chilled. New subscriber ❤🎉
You said Netherlands instead of "holland"👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
What an amazing looking video. It's fantastic seeing my country through a foreigner's eyes. You make me want to buy a race bike and do this myself.
Brilllian content and concise erudite narration , thanks a million .
Unbelievable intereting video to watch. I have been driving my race bike around this area form over 30 years, so no eery little track you came across, stll many of your information and observations where new to me. Well done!
The scariest part of cycling Netherlands is when you're climbing the highest point in the Netherlands, the Vaalserberg, 322.5 metres above sea level.. It's not for the faint-hearted .. And don't get me started on the highest Belgian summit: Signal de Botrange, 694 metres! Those who cycled French Alps summits know what I mean ..😳
Born and raised in Amsterdam and moved to Breukelen, loved your video. Biking is the way to enjoy the Dutch scenery.
Remember that you also can cycle to Barcelona, Avignon, Edinburgh, Berlin, Warsaw Lithuania etc like I did. When you got the spirit; there are no boundaries. Cycling is wonderful all over Europe. and can become an addiction. If necessary you can combine it with tent and trains. My favorite countries are France and Spain.
These days there are many long distance cycle routes e.g. the L3 Scaniberique from Spain to Norway and many more.
I prefer following my nose: just go and see. With PAPER maps! Those smartphones are impossible. (There are always many alternatives even from Amsterdam to Beukelen…) Enjoy and "bonne route" as the French will say to you…
This is one of those times when I love a video and then I'm shocked when I notice your channel isn't already huge! Great video, keep it up
Great video, very peaceful. I also appreciate learning some of the historical context. I’m going to the Netherlands next month and this has got me so excited!
You should bike in the province of Drenthe