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Race scene in Holland

Oct 9, 2009
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Hi,

I am moving to Leiden and am just wondering what the cycling and racing scene is like over there? I know there are loads of races in Belgium, but not sure about Holland. Anyone know of good clubs, a website with info on road races etc. over there?

Cheers!
 
Aug 29, 2009
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nearly each town of some size has a cycling club(s). some do touring, but most are competative riders. there are a lot of Sunday races through out the better weather months. you could also try CX. that season is just starting and lots of racing all over The Netherlands and Belgium. you are only a few hours from Belgium.
Enjoy;
Hoek.
 
Oct 9, 2009
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The local Leiden club are Leiden swift..

http://www.swift-leiden.nl

I don't road race but I do participate in the winter CX season. Swift run an interclub league with lisse who are another club close to Leiden. The league is well organised and everyone friendly.

http://www.rtvdebollenstreek.nl

If its your thing, there are also two mtb courses relatively close (each 16K from leiden center) in Noordwijk and zoetermeer...
 
If you like crits, you'll love Holland. Road races are normally off limits unless you ride for a decent club, plus there just aren't a huge number. Kermesse's fill the gap for most independent riders, you're never more than an hour or two from one of those!

Other than the lack of hills, Holland is cycling paradise. The people are great too, just be prepared to suffer when every dutch rider you encounter wants to ride the foreigner into the ground. I don't know what it is...genetic trait maybe?
 
Oct 9, 2009
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Ok great- thanks for the replies!

Crits wouldn't be my strong point at all - but sound like fun - and a good way to train for the fewer road races. What would some of the longer kermesses be? Up to 100 km or more, or just short evening races (~50-60 km)?

MTB tracks sound good (will even be working on Noordwijk) - I do the odd bit - didn't actually realise that it would be possible over there - so I'll definitely bring my mtb then! Might even get a CX bike at some stage - forgot that was big over there - could never justify buying a CX bike before for the very few CX races here.

Thanks for the links and the other info - looking forward to getting going over there!
 
Mar 30, 2009
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Group rides nearby

Hoi AlwaysInjured,

Just a heads-up, if you're interested: I have co-founded a loose group of ex-pat cyclists in the Randstad area, and we're up to about 15-20 riders on a nice day.

There's a good mix of Brits plus other Commonwealth nations, and English is the predominant language. Abilities range from new riders to some ex-racers, and I know that there's a real interest among some of us to start competing next year. Perhaps we can figure it all out together?

We can't give you the real structure you might be looking for in a formal club, but we can definitely help get you introduced to the roads in an english-speaking way.

FYI, we do our big rides (60-100km) on Saturday mornings (currently 08:30) departing from Leidsenhage shopping mall in Leidschendam, with informal rides taking place during the week. Shouldn't be more than a 10k ride south (towards Den Haag) for you if you are living in Leiden.

Enjoy the relocation, and get in touch if you want some company!

Richard
 
Jun 16, 2009
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to do any of the longer road races (classics) you need to have an elite license

then you need to be on a club team for the club competitie, or a LSE or continental team for many of the more celebrated amateur classics.

These races are unbelievably hard....usually 160 guys start and about 50 finish.

With Amateur A, B or C license you are stuck doing crits or club races on circuits.

Sloten in Amsterdam is a great place to start.
 
Dec 8, 2009
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Moving to Leiden

dutchmegently said:
Hoi AlwaysInjured,

Just a heads-up, if you're interested: I have co-founded a loose group of ex-pat cyclists in the Randstad area, and we're up to about 15-20 riders on a nice day.

There's a good mix of Brits plus other Commonwealth nations, and English is the predominant language. Abilities range from new riders to some ex-racers, and I know that there's a real interest among some of us to start competing next year. Perhaps we can figure it all out together?

We can't give you the real structure you might be looking for in a formal club, but we can definitely help get you introduced to the roads in an english-speaking way.

FYI, we do our big rides (60-100km) on Saturday mornings (currently 08:30) departing from Leidsenhage shopping mall in Leidschendam, with informal rides taking place during the week. Shouldn't be more than a 10k ride south (towards Den Haag) for you if you are living in Leiden.

Enjoy the relocation, and get in touch if you want some company!

Richard

Hello people on CN forum.

I am 28 year old road and cx racer moving down to Leiden Holland to live whit my girlfriend who is living and working there since october.

I am moving down from Sweden the 1 february and would be intressted to follow you guys on your weekend rides, very good way to learn where the good roads are.

Ciao
 
Sep 18, 2009
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If you're a cross racer, there's a cross-competition in Leiden and Lisse (about 12km north of Leiden). If you arrive February 1st, you can perhaps participate in the race that will be held February 7th.

This competition is being organized by Swift (my club) from Leiden and de Bollenstreek from Lisse, but you don't have to be a member of one of these clubs. Price is 2 euros, or 3 if you also need a day-license.

I myself don't do cross by the way, and currently no road either.. I'm getting back from a broken leg that I suffered in a crash last September.

By the way: here's the address of Swift in Google maps: Swift-Leiden.

The url to the club's website is http://www.swift-leiden.nl/


cheers,
Ilja
 
May 12, 2009
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are a lot of Sunday races new york escort through out the better weather months. you could also try CX. that season is new york asian escort just starting and lots of racing all over The Netherlands and Belgium. you are only a few hours from Belgium.are a lot of new york escorts Sunday races through out the better weather months. you could also try CX. that season is just starting and lots of racing all new york asian escorts over The Netherlands and Belgium. you are only a few hours from Belgium.
 
Dec 8, 2009
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ibooij said:
If you're a cross racer, there's a cross-competition in Leiden and Lisse (about 12km north of Leiden). If you arrive February 1st, you can perhaps participate in the race that will be held February 7th.

This competition is being organized by Swift (my club) from Leiden and de Bollenstreek from Lisse, but you don't have to be a member of one of these clubs. Price is 2 euros, or 3 if you also need a day-license.

I myself don't do cross by the way, and currently no road either.. I'm getting back from a broken leg that I suffered in a crash last September.

By the way: here's the address of Swift in Google maps: Swift-Leiden.

The url to the club's website is http://www.swift-leiden.nl/


cheers,
Ilja

Hello Ilja.

Thanks for the reply, nice to hear from a swift member my plan is to join that club when I hav´d move down. I have wisit the website a few times and the site and club looks verry proffesional even if my dutch isn´t so good jet:).

I am not planing to bring my cross bike whit me so I have to wait untill the cross season starts again next september.

How much is the memership in Swift? Except the swobo pro team how many amature racers are in the club?

Ciao
David

Ciao
 
Sep 18, 2009
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Membership for licensed riders is €78,50. An Amateur A or B license is another €73 euros (which is payed directly to the KNWU, the Dutch Cycling Association).

I think that you'll also have to pass a physical examination before being able to get the license. I had to do this a few years back. It was just an examination to see if you don't drop dead if you compete in races.

see you in Leiden,
Ilja
 
Jun 9, 2010
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Sorry for bumping this old thread but Im also relocating very soon to Holland (Den Haag) for the summer and Im looking for group to ride with. I ride/rode with an Elite licence in my country and I would love to continue training while there.

So if you guys could give me any info I'd be grateful

Thanks in advance :)
 

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