The Netherlands has more bikes than people and a national routing system — numbered knooppunten junctions — that reduces navigation to writing six digits on your hand. Base in Utrecht for canal-side pedalling, then take the train to the Veluwe, a surprising expanse of forest and heather where white bikes are free to borrow inside Hoge Veluwe park, with the Kröller-Müller's Van Goghs at its centre. Flat is guaranteed; headwind is the national mountain. August turns the heather purple.
Featured in Ten cycling holidays for completely normal legs · Adventure