The Road to Antwerp

This leg of the trip will be the longest. In all about 30 miles, easy cycling over flat terrain, most of it beside the canal. The boat left at 9 am precisely and we kept up mainly by going in a straight line as the boat zigged and zagged along the river route. I estimated it’s speed as 15 knots , ours was about 8mph, the boat was well by us after our first break. Parked beside us last night was another cycle  barge group from the US. They were with VBT, Vermont Bike Tours, all decked out in matching vests. Nice group of folks, a little older than us, similar barge but they had air conditioning! We caught glimpses of them across the river periodically as they too were on their way to Antwerp.

An unusual Parking job

Before lunch we stopped at an artisans house, unique architecture, they specialized in finding fossils and polishing them into art pieces. Their alternative lifestyle is captured in the accompanying photo.

 

A few minutes after lunch we stopped as this nicely restored castle, unique with its large rooms, and staircase with multiple landings. 

From there we were a mere 10 miles to Antwerp. To cross into the city we took an elevator 100 feet down and the a tunnel which was about a mile long! After taking the return elevator up we were magically in the middle of Antwerp! 

The Tunnel to Antwerp

At the boat we learned of a mechanical issue which would require repair. Thus the complete day on the barge which had been planned was to be modified and we will bike from the sight of repairs, Moerdijik to our mooring for the night at Dordrecht.

The bonus will be about a 20 Km ride, preferable to a complete day on the boat.