19 June: Return to Amsterdam from Brugge

 Adventures by Train

With a 1:30 PM scheduled departure, we had plenty of time after breakfast. Having walked and cycled the Brugges cobblestones, we went for a easy spin out-and-back along the Bruges–Ostend Canal, a 24.6 km (15.3 mi) long canal in Flanders, Belgium. The canal connects the North Sea to the Belgian interior, running between the cities of Ostend and Bruges. We turned about 4 miles before the end.

We cycled to the Brugges station, where our adventures started. 
  • Where to load Kevin's bike—Some cars have a bike symbol on the side, some cars have a lower door for easier entry for bikes, heavy luggage, and wheel chairs. Some have nothing but the small entry space. A rail employee offered no guidance because we have no idea what stock they will send us. Three companies run the rail system: Equipment, ticket offices, train operation employees, and none of them communicate.
  • After much confusion when buying our tickets on arrival in Brugges, another agent said the we had flex tickets, enabling us to take any train, any time, between Brugges and Amsterdam, with two exceptions: No high-speed trains (more expensive and no bikes allowed) and an IC (Inter City) during rush house (no bikes then either).
  • I returned to the ticket office and was advised that instead of waiting for the 1:30, we should catch the Brussel-bound train, leaving in 7 minutes. We did.
  • Much confusion in Brussels, but we managed to board an Amsterdam-bound train. Unfortunately, that train stopped in Antwerp, where they required everyone to evacuate the train via the doors at the front or the rear of the train. All other train doors would not open. Good thing there was no fire, as everyone had to drag luggage and bikes with wide handle bars through each rail car and narrow, automatically closing narrow  doors on the end of each car. I ended up with a duffel on my back, Kevin's panniers stacked on my orange bike case, and pushed it down the aisle. Kevin had to lift the bars of his heavy rental bike to clear the seats, then angle the front wheel and handle bars through each set of doors.
  • Confusion. We were told to go to platform 7, leaving in 7 minutes, and get on the Rotterdam-The Hague-Amsterdam train. Based on my limited European train experience with Stuart and John-The-Banker, when a train comes, rush on or get left. I got near the door and manages to pull up my bike case, but Kevin was getting mixed messages. Some said jump on with the bike, even though it was now rush hour. Others said it was not allowed. Some got on, but a platform attendant near Kevin said not allowed. 
  • The train left with me on and Kevin on the platform. Fortunately, a Good Angel named Robin helped and stayed with Kevin. Frantic What's App messages passed between us. I had our bike and passenger tickets. I texted Kevin pics of the tickets. The train company subsequently replaced the defective train with another, and Kevin and Robin boarded for Amsterdam via Rotterdam.
  • Meanwhile, I have found a similar angel, who advised me to go to The Hague, then continue to Amsterdam. Since we were both routed via Rotterdam, so I got off, waited for Kevin's train, boarded, conversed with Robin, got off at Schiphol Airport, assembled my bike, and we cycled to our hotel. 
  • Enough cycling, at least for Kevin, so we walked part way into Amsterdam and ate an excellent pizza.
The upshot was that Kevin keept his rented bike for 1 more day, as the shop closed at 7 PM, about the time we arrived at the Schiphol Airport.

A few photos.





Draw Bridge in action

Brugges Bike Parking Garage

Our Pizza Restaurant

Dogs of the Day. Bichon/Maltese cross, 2 males, marking every 10 feet.

Cycling miles: 32 today; 395 total. 

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