Cycling Around the World in NL: Stage 3: Alkmaar - Texel (150km)

Join in an unforgettable bike adventure where you don't need to leave the country for a round-the-world cycling journey!

History of the idea
Inspired by the book "Fietsen rond de wereld in Nederland" by Flip van Doorn, this event is the third in a long series of stages to cycle through The Netherlands while visiting America in Drente, Table Mountain in Blaricum, Austerlitz in Utrecht, Brooklyn in Breukelen, Russia in Uithoorn, Bombay in Groningen, etc. Each one coming with a rich history how they got their names. All the while seeing some of the most beautiful parts of the country by bike.

Official certificate
If you participate in all the stages and collect stamps along the way on your personal stamp-card you can get an official certificate at the end of Stage 9. You'll have cycled around 2000km by then!

How do I get the stamp card?
You can download the A4 sized stamp cards here: http://bit.do/b7bW4

Stage 3: Alkmaar -> St. Maarten -> Texel -> Den Helder
This stage is about 150km in length and it will take two days of cycling. It will start at Alkmaar CS. The official stamp post will be in Sint Maarten, some 45km into the ride. Day 1 will end on the island of Texel at a farmers camping. Day 2 will end in Den Helder, North Holland, after we made a round trip on the island.

This trip includes 2 ferry rides: Den Helder -> Texel, Texel -> Den Helder. Your ticket is valid for both rides. On the way back there won't be a ticket control.

We won't reach the stamp post in Zurich (original end point of stage 3). This will be the starting point of stage 4.

Where we will sleep

Farmers camping Amalia (http://www.camping-amaliatexel.nl/nl/) (Boerencamping Amalia), Amaliaweg 4, Den Hoorn, Texel. Costs will be around €8,50 per person per night. This includes everything: electricity, Wifi, hot showers, tourist tax. There is an indoor area where we can play games and chill. Food will be ordered or we cycle to Den Hoorn to eat out, decided on the spot.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/9/5/d/600_451555645.jpeg

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/5/c/6/600_451186534.jpeg

DOWNLOAD GPX: http://bit.do/b8VH7
SEE ROUTE ON GOOGLE MAPS: https://goo.gl/vDvoGd

Highlights of this stage

• Kremlin

http://www.samenvoorwaarts.nl/content/13200/news/clnt/3463883_6_org.jpg

• Empire of A Thousand Islands

http://www.vandelen.nl/pics/dagtocht%20van%20delen.jpg

• Dreamer of Rapa Nui (Easter Island statue)

http://www.eilandgalerij.nl/site/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/04_Paaseiland_PICT5547.jpg

• Seals

http://martijnnugteren.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC1939.jpg

Costs

These are the costs associated with cycling this stage:

• Train ticket to Alkmaar from your house

• €6,10 for the bike supplement in the train (per day)

• €8 for food each day (snacks, lunch)

• approx. €8,50 for the night at the camping

• approx. €10 for dinner in the evening

• Ferry Den Helder -> Texel: €5 (return)

• Train ticket from Den Helder to your house

What to bring

We will be camping after day 1, so be sure to take a sleeping bag, a mat and a tent. Arrange with other participants if you can share a tent, this way you have to carry less on your bike.

Apart from that, take clothes that allow you to ride in the varied Dutch weather. It can be sunny one moment and pouring down a moment later. Things like sunscreen, sun glasses and a hat can also be a good idea as it might just be sunny out, y'know.