Day 4: Dordrecht to Antwerpe

Dordrecht to Antwerpe 92kms

 Yes that's right folks, 92 kms, although being almost flat (340 of ascent) it didn't seem that far. We sailed down to another town, early in the morning, which meant we could sleep in, as breakfast wasn't until 9am. The sun came out again and we set off for a very easy 38 km ride, although Theresa, who missed the previous day's riding because of soreness from falling off her bike earlier, fell off her bike before we even left the dock, did not join us again.

After returning to the boat around 2pm, some of us decided that we would ride onto Antwerp, whilst the others would go on the boat. The only drawback was that the boat wouldn't arrive until about 8pm, so we would miss dinner on board as it is served ridiculously early, around 6.30pm. Another Brazilian, Chris, was celebrating her birthday, so we thought that although we would miss dinner, we wouldn't miss the cake, as Emile, the chef, had prepared one for Patricia's birthday two nights before. 

Finishing the ride, we had burned over 1600 calories, so our small group were joking about consuming all the cake. Much to our disappointment, when we arrived onboard, there was no cake. I think Emile was offended by our choice to forego his dinner and have a ride instead. C'est la vie.

Dogs are dogs the world over.They all like a pat, just as humans like to pat them.

Some of our travelling companions in front of an ancient Willemstaad municipal building (where we started the actual riding).

Karin, our 86 year old German riding companion from Canada (you read right), got a sudden taste for sugar and cream after surviving a bout of cancer about 5 years ago. On this occasion, all those who did not want their complimentary sugar and cream sachets, gave them to her and she promptly poured all of them into her coffee. That's 6 sugars and 6 creams. I told her her teeth would rot but she ignored me.

Performance builders.

Where the hell are we? So asks one of the Brazilians, Carolina, who was usually behind the camera rather than in front of it. Having said that, she took an inordinate number of selfies with various members of the cycling group in general, and her Brazilians colleagues in particular. This was during our impromptu ride to Antwerpe, where Arie, our guide was leading us without ever having done the ride before. 

We arrive in Antwerpe. Surprise, surprise, more water.

Opposite the older building above was this new building, not sure what, but near more water.

Ride Notes

A longer ride today, but hardly strenuous. I suppose the hours in the saddle was the hardest part,combined with a couple of very modest hills, if you could call them that.

Brenda and I enjoyed this ride a little more as all the riders were capable of going a little faster than our companions who did not want to take the extra unplanned journey from Tholen to Antwerpe.

It was worth it, depite some small mistakes with the route.