Bikepacking from Delft to Rotterdam

At ten o'clock in the morning, having just arrived at Delft station, I lift my city bike from the train. A lovely city, which has nicely shaken off the somewhat frumpy Delft blue image that foreign tourists love so much. And where cosy cosiness has taken its place. "It is Amsterdam in miniature, but more fun," the owner of Koffie & Zo tells me, a coffee shop that is also a shop for all sorts of hip gadgets. Delft is full of these kinds of coffee shops and shops, I notice when I cycle along the canals. Fond of Delft, I already know.

On my bicycle, I follow part of the Delft art route. As a historical city, Delft has a lot to show off, and if you follow this route you will automatically end up in the nicest places. Like at the Prinsenhof museum, where in the park couples sit romantically on the benches enjoying the peace and quiet. One of the showpieces here is a beautiful chair made of...Delft blue! But not the kind you see at grandma's house. No, this is real art that totally comes into its own on Instagram. Honeyguide Yalou was also in Delft before and wrote a blog full of tips for a weekend in Delft.

The route continues. Sometimes I have to lift the bike, as the steps at the canals are not always Bikepack-proof. But eventually I roll out of the city, into the countryside, in search of Buitengoed de Uylenburg in Delfgauw. Uylenburg once began as a campsite, but adventurous owner Josje has transformed it into an unusual and somewhat bohemian-looking lodging and meeting place, including a hostel, yurt and airstreamer caravan. "It wasn't thought up beforehand, it just came about," Josje explains.

I have lunch at the neighbouring Café du Midi, where I briefly get the feeling I'm in France. The rural feeling immediately overwhelms you: the chickens scurry between the tables, and the goats reach their necks over the fence in the hope of getting a bite to eat. By the way, you can also get picnic baskets for the road.

On my way to Rotterdam, I cycle past the Ackerdijkse Plassen, a beautiful nature reserve right in the heart of the Randstad, teeming with ducklings learning to swim and foals learning to stand on their own two feet. Cycling along the Rotte takes you straight into Rotterdam’s Oude Noorden, an up-and-coming neighbourhood full of lovely little shops, restaurants and cafés. (reading tip: Honeyguide Amanda recommends the 5 best coffee and lunch spots in Rotterdam)

I stop at the trendy Coppi cycle café to enjoy a coffee on the terrace in style. Some more pedalling and then I arrive at the sleeping place: the super cool hostel ROOM. I sleep in a place that used to be the clocktower, but is now beautifully renovated.

ROOM is part of Bikepacking Holland. Owner Mirjam Verschoor is also initiator of Bikepacking Holland, a network of fifteen special locations - mostly hostels - where you can stay while bikepacking. Uylenburg is one of them, just like a former prison, an eco-hostel or a hostel on the beach. They are places between which there is enough distance to have a fun bikepacking adventure. All 15 locations are bike-friendly, as you can safely park your bike and they have repair kits. You also get a special cycling beer with it. Cheers!