I see the North Sea!

And it seas me!

This journey, The Route of the Rhine, began on May 31 and I successfully reached the end of it today, June 26. That's 27 days of riding. 

My last day on the route. 

The longest stage was 70 kilometers, which I've rode further than many times. The difference here is that I was having to follow a specific route as much as possible, checking my route maps and written directions often, making more than a few wrong turns, and dealing with detours for construction. Not speaking the language didn't help either. 

But along the way I met a lot of good people and folks that went out of their way to help me. I still think very fondly of my 5 Swiss angels that came to my rescue after my fall shortly into the tour. I asked God everyday to keep me safe and on track and I thanked him for doing that every evening, and often during the day. 

So, you ask, how did today go? 

Today was a short stage of only 32km with an option to add another 3km. 

First thing I did was ride to where the route had ended yesterday so that I would be sure to start the day with the right directions. Funny thing was that that added a couple km to the ride and then took me right past my hostel! 

Rotterdam is laced with canals, both big and small. There are modern private boats...

but also many restored older craft. These were the ones I especially enjoyed seeing. 

If you're going to have all these harbors you're going to also have a lot of bridges, like this one. 

Get used to figuring those into your commute. The fellow on the right looks like a college professor that may be late for class! 

More classic boats. 

On the way i passed the Euro Mast. There's a restaurant and suites part way up and a rotating elevator (lift) that takes you to the top for a panoramic view of the city and beyond. And if you are a real daredevil you can absel (rappel) down 100 meters to the base. That's the length of a football field and you are hanging in the air on a rope. I think Susan would do that. Comments? 

Classic windmill in town. 

Odd kangaroo statue just out of the city. 

Gets a little more odd from a different angle. I know a female kangaroo has a pouch, but they generally don't go all the way through. 

There were swans and other water fowl all along the banks of the river. 

These appear to be some sort of spoonbill. 

And i was surprised to see a pair of black swans. 

Up ahead Is an amazing massive flood control device. 

The Keringhuis gates were built to protect the city, and much of the land (a large part of Holland is below sea level) from storm surges in the North Sea. If a storm surge is predicted to be 3 meters or higher, these huge structures will be swung out to keep the water at sea. The Keringhuis Maeslantkering gates are some of the largest moving objects in the world. The gates actually sit in dry docks until they are rotated out into the river. Since construction finished in the 90s they have not had to use them, but they are tested yearly. 

A view from the side. I might stop at the visitor center tomorrow. 

The Hook of Holland. I'm getting close

I like that the sign gives you the option of other directions. . 

The lighthouse! 

Near the very end I met a Dutch postal worker who delivers mail by bicycle. They must use an alternate service for Amazon. 

The route officially ends at the Stena Line ferry terminal where I ate lunch, got on their wifi and texted Susan that I had completed the route, but if the mote into the sea wasn't closed I was going to add 3 more kilometers to the trip. 

It wasn't closed. 

I was able to ride it nearly a kilometer out to sea. 

And I even got down on the beach to dip my hand into the water of the North Sea. At that point I felt like I had completed the ride. 

I'm staying the night at the Hotel Kulperduin in the Hook of Holland. Tomorrow I'll ride back to Rotterdam to finish up my business in Holland. I had a nasty headwind (gusts up to 35mph) all the way here. If it is still blowing like that I'll be back to Rotterdam in no time!