🚣🏻‍♀Green Heart Bike & Kayak adventure Nieuwkoop lakes East + picnic!🚣🏾‍♂

* Sign up before 9 August to make the reservations on time!

Sign up through my CARPE DIEM-Nature & Culture Adventures group:
https://www.meetup.com/carpe-diem-nature-culture-adventures/events/302650046/

Enjoy a nice bike ride (2 x -+ 15 km) from train station NS Bodegraven to Nieuwkoop, followed by a kayak tour (-+ 8,5 km/3 hours + 1 hour break in between). This time we will make a nice loop through the EAST part of the stunning Nieuwkoop lakes with small canals full of bloom with waterlelies and the yellow plump flowers.
* This is a totally other route then the last kayak tour I organized in this area!

We will bike and kayak through the Green Heart nature area in South-Holland full of variety: extensive peat meadow areas, canals with green quays, ponds and marshes, green tithe roads and towpaths.
This kayak route is a Natuurmonumenten route iindicated with 24 red canoe poles.
* Halfway the kayak route, we will have a picnic break in a nice mooring spot. Here we can take a rest, stretch our legs and enjoy the views.

Gathering 10:30 @ train station NS Bodegraven or 11:15 in Noorden (Nieuwkoop). We leave short after meeting & greeting.

Program
10:30 - 11:15 Bike to restaurant Bistrobar t' Leeuwtje in Noorden (-/+ 13 km)
11:15 - 12:00 Drinks @ restaurant
12:00 - 16:00 kayak tour through the lakes with + picnic break
16:00 - 16:45 Drinks ?
16:45 - 17:30 Bike back to Bodegraven (-/+ 13 km)

Cycling to Noorden along the Nieuwkoop lakes (+- 13 km)
We will cycle through a lovely route along the awesome lakes with spectacular views, in the middle of the Green Heart. You will find peace and quiet here, and a lot of birds and other animals, thanks to the vast open spaces with lots of green and water.
On the way back, we may go through the meandering picturesque Meije river.

The Nieuwkoop lakes
After discovering the area on land, we will explore further the most beautiful spots of EAST part of the lakes on water. This is a stunning swamp area with a maze of large and small lakes, reed beds, hay meadows, bushes and ditches. The variety and tranquility ensure that many plants and animals feel at home here. In addition to reed land, there is also a lot of hay land, where, besides all kinds of grasses, many mosses and rare plants grow. In early spring, the marsh marigolds and cuckoo flowers give color to the reed and hay meadows, and later, reed orchid and water lilies will show up. It might be possible to spot wildlife and special birds such as the black tern, purple heron and spoonbill!

Kayak tour through the lakes + potluck picnic
The kayak tour takes us through nice places and hidden gems. One to one with nature, we can enjoy the scenary of the surroundings intensely. We stop in between the tour for a nice picnic.
Never been on a kayak? No problem. You will get instructions about the technique. You should be able to swim though!
*Picnic: bring something to share for the potluck picnic. It would be nice to bring something from your home country :-)
After the tour, we can have some drinks at the terrace, and cycle back to Bodegraven.

Join this outdoor adventure, exploring this gorgeous landscapes on land and water!

Notifications:

• Meet up event fee + kayak excursion: Eur 29,50 per person for a 2 persons kayak, Eur 37,50 for a 1 persons kayak, to be paid directly when signing up by tickie:
  https://www.ing.nl/payreq/m/?trxid=7fmYLmCTFACoZqZKVgvBSJ0FTtv07J3J
• This is a 2 x -+ 13 km bike tour + 8,5 km kayaking, doable for everyone in good shape. Make sure to be fit for it the day of the event
• - A comfortable touring bike is convenient, but a city bike will do.
  - You take your bike in the train Eur 7,50 (fietskaart) or hire OV bycicle Eur 4,50
  https://www.ns.nl/en/travel-information/bikes-on-the-train.html
  https://www.ns.nl/en/customer-service/ov-fiets
• You should be able to swim. I advise to hire security vests for your safety.
• Carpe Diem is an amateur activity group, and participating is at your own risk.
• Bring sufficient water, snacks and lunch, although we will stop at a restaurant.
• I advise to wear comfortable hiking or cycling gear with layers and a rain coat, and apropriate hiking shoes
• The event might be cancelled or postponed in case of extreme bad weather or few people signed up. Check for last-minute updates the evening before and the morning of the hike.
• Please only sign up if you are attending to join. And don't forget to change your rsvp if something unexpected occurs. Last-minutes cancellations are not appreciated and NO SHOWS will be recorded! No refund. Thank you.