Monday 17 June 2013

Rhenen to Veenendaal to Schoonhoven. Bike shops tour.

Mileage:-50 miles.
Total mileage:- 869 miles.
Hotel:- Hotel Belvedere 
Acting on advice from our hotel, we took the train to Veenendaal, as there are a number of bike shops there. We arrived and found the first one by 10.00. He could not help. The next three were closed on Monday. The fifth one could not do it but sent us to number 6. This shop Rein Veenendaal, was very large,
had a big service area and a very nice gentleman who said, yes take the bags off and bring it in. In no time he had the rear cranks off, and showed us the damage.
Can you fix it? Yes no problem. In fact it was all done in about 45 minutes. 
Brilliant. It cost us 45 Euros. 
We were back on the road at 2.00. About 45 miles to catch up with the Parkins. 
One of the staff in the shop gave us directions to get us on our way. 
We made good progress with a helpful wind and once near the river, the Lek, we were once again on a dyke. The bike was running smooth again, 
It was good to be on route again. We had thought the damage might be more of a problem. In the end I think must have caused it when changing the chain before we left home. An expensive lesson learnt. 
We stormed along, taking shortcuts through windmills, and enjoying the good weather. 
We got to Schoonhoven just after 6, the welcome party were already imbibing. 
A very welcome beer, shower and meal in a lovely hotel with a balcony looking out over the river. 
The very satisfactory end to a long day. 

1 comment: