Bikesgiving

One week later and Jeremy and I are still thankful … and still biking as we traded the traditional holiday in for what we are calling, “Bikesgiving.”
 

This year, we did things a little differently. Instead of eating turkey, dressing and cranberry sauce, we opted for Thai food (and honestly given the choice between green bean casserole and Tom Ka Kung, I’m thinking the Pilgrims and Indians would have enjoyed the latter as well) and instead of watching football, we drove to Amsterdam. Our Black Friday was Bike Saturday in which – after two days of research and test-drives – we purchased traditional Dutch bikes in the heart of the city.

After a few trips to Amsterdam, hands down one of our favorite cities in Europe, we fell in love with the bike culture and the bikes themselves. Below is a compilation of why Dutch bikes are far superior.

1.     You sit upright with your back perpendicular to the ground instead of hunched forward over the handlebars. It's a more comfortable position and you look quite regal when riding. 

2.     Sight distance. With your newfound superior posture, it is easier to see what's ahead, over cars and through intersections.

3.     Fenders. These semicircular arcs hover just above the top of the bike's tires. They prevent any up-splash when you ride through puddles and also lend the bike a rather dignified appearance.

4.     Fully covered chains. Greasy metal links are hidden behind a chain case, meaning you can ride to work in a suit without getting schmutz all over your pant legs.

5.     Self-locking. Each bikes comes with a built-in lock for the back tire, perfect for quick in and out errands.

6.     Pack mule. The bikes are made for numerous attachments including seats, baskets and bags. A family of 4 could easily ride on my bike, together, with all of their groceries, and a dog, maybe.

While no one can beat the awesome bike culture of Amsterdam, Germany runs a close 2^nd with its well-laid and easily navigated bike paths - something we can now take advantage of with our heads held high … literally.