A herd of Dutch Gazelles on the dijk. Photo: SK

The countryside is full of rich farmland, much of it below sea level. After a disastrous flood in 1953, the government undertook an ambitious 45 year project to create the Delta Works, setting the standard for flood risk management worldwide. Photo: SK

Renting a touring bike with rainproof paniers is cheap and easy in Amsterdam. The citizens of the city love and use their bikes hard, as one might use a wheelbarrow or splitting maul. Photo: SK

Amsterdam is also a great place to stock up on provisions for your trip through the endless green landscape. Photo: MH

Camping is the way to go in fair weather, & a simple improvised plastic shelter can protect you from light rain. Photo: SK

Finding your way along the numerous bike highways is no problem if you have a good map and pay attention to the signs. Photo: MH

Be careful not to fall into the canals, some are quite deep as the length of the arm on this dredging barge demonstrates. Photo: SK

The Netherlands are prone to heavy rains, so the ever ingenuitive Dutch developed a system by which the roofs of their barns can be sealed to keep the hay from getting wet. Photo: SK

For years, windmills like this one were used to raise water out of the lowlands. Many functional examples remain. Photo: SK

The name says it all. Aside from this tea sausage, food for picnics in the supermarkets is delicious and quite affordable as well. Photo: SK

If you are unable to find a campground on your route, you should have no trouble finding somebody willing to let you sleep on their property for around the same price. Photo: SK

In the event of impending rain, ask around in small towns to see if there are any undvertised B&Bs, which are cheaper and more fun than hotels. Photo: SK

Photo: SK

After several days in the bright, fresh countryside, even a city as vibrant as Amsterdam can feel heavy. It is an undeniably beautiful place, however. Photo: SK