I’m finally on the road again… well, I am permanently on the road but I’m pedaling again. After my quick trip over to England I left Rotterdam on a warm overcast day. I didn’t have any time to map a route so I plugged my destination into the Garmin and agreed to do what it said. 

Garmin was kind enough to take me on a nice route on the Netherland’s beautiful bike roads. I weaved through towns and followed canals. As the day went on the route opened up and I had long stints keeping a steady pace. In total I covered 80 miles/ 130km. 

I rode to Bart de Jong’s house and was welcomed to the 3 things every traveler wants; shower, laundry and food. Washed off the road grime from a particularly sweaty day, my clothes were whisked off to a laundry machine and an all-I-could-eat veggie meal was on the table. Thanks so much Bart and family!

Bart took me on a tour of the area. We went to a graffiti spot called The Bear Claw. I took tons of photos and felt very inspired. It was like a big open air museum and I loved the work there. Then a quick tour of the amazing indoor skatepark in Eindhoven. Super rad park that would be well worth the trip alone. Then a dirt jump spot that was in the middle of a tune up after some vandalism. Again, amazing looking jumps with loads of hips and twists. And finally, as darkness took over, the Fat Jam dirt jumps. These are smaller scale and approachable for every level rider. They’ve also hosted the annual Fat Jam that Bart and his brother have been organizing for 35 years! 

We ended up at Bart’s brother Paul’s place. Paul’s Boutique is a place any BMXer (and collector) should make the pilgrimage too. Standing between the de Jong bros I was in the middle of over 100 years of BMX history, how nuts is that! The two of them have dedicated their lives to making BMX and have done so much to help it grow. Paul’s shop is like a museum and I had no idea I was going to see so much amazing history. There is copies of every BMX magazine in the library, parts from the early days of BMX, vintage posters and ultra rare complete bikes all over the place. I flipped through a BMX Plus magazine from 1978. Paul’s knowledge of the history of BMX is unrivaled. His shop, which is a BMX specific bike shop, is wonderful too. All the newest stuff at your fingertips and displayed artfully. 

Paul and family put me up for the night and we talked old BMX stories until I fell asleep. A very good day and thanks so much de Jong bros for the hospitality.