Downwind in Friesland

July 26, 2026

A west wind aided our ride to town and the (permanent) dock (1) for the ferry to the mainland. A chilly, wind-driven rain came in as we boarded. Taking a circuitous route through the shoals and shallows of the Waddenzee, a flotilla of sailboats paralleled the ferry though the narrow channels.

The rain having dissipated before our landing,  we rode through Harlingen and its canals, packed with sailboats. The stiff west wind (~ 25 mph) helped us further along to the east. A lovely public garden at Franeken was a nice stop. People were feeding the birds here, one duck taking food back to a tiny duckling hiding in the reeds. 

After a roadside repair on a friend's rental bike (and mustard soup for lunch), we proceeded to Leeuwarden, the charming provincial capital. About 25 miles (downwind) today.

(1) Unlike yesterday's informal ferry and jetties, today's boat (and docks) were more like the Vineyard ferries in Mass.

Riding to Oost-Vlieland

Wind-driven rain at Vlieland ferry terminal

Leaving Vlieland

Sailboats on the Waddenzee

The whale sculpture at Harlingen spouts water periodically 

Arrival at Harlingen Port

In Harlingen

Hand-crank drawbridge at Harlingen

Highway tunnel under ship canal

Crows picking at mown hay field

Public Garden at Franeker

Franeker

Reimagining classic Dutch paintings at a café in Franeker

Straight, flat, and downwind to the vanishing point

On the right route 

Marsum

Finally starting to figure out the signs:

Motor bikes and bikes only on the path

Bikes only on the path

Shared path with cars, bikes have priority

Bike & cars shared road

Arriving at Leeuwarden

Leeuwardem Centrum

Old post office converted to hotel

End of day