Cows on bikes

There were a lot of cows on bikes to be seen on our ride around the countryside today.

These cows know what they're doing. They've got proper bikes with mudguards, chainguards etc. and they're smiling as they go. No special safety gear, either, and the front light is pointing at the ground as so many end up doing. Clearly the painter of these cows knows about bikes.

Nice clogs too.

So, what was this all about ?

There are many cycle rides organised here by many different organisations throughout the year.

A few weeks ago there was the "Boerenfietstocht" or "Farmer's Bike Tour". It wasn't for farmers so much as by farmers to show people all about what goes on in the countryside. So, there were boards up next to fields and farm buildings to give people information about where different things are grown, how long they take to be harvested etc. If you want to show people things like this, how better than to organise a cycle ride and encourage people to ride along and see. It's also a good opportunity to sell refreshments along the way.

Whether barley, potatoes (in this case grown for potato meal), maize or a number of other things, there was a sign telling you what was going on, and why.

All of them had the cycling cow in the corner.

We missed this event this year, but perhaps next year.

We have, however, managed to join in on several other events. The turnout can be large (15000 on the fietsvierdaagse) or a bit smaller, but there are always people going out on their bikes...

I think most English people assume that clogs are just for tourists these days, but they're very practical shoes for people who do physical work as they protect your feet in the same manner as steel toe-caps. Quite a lot of people wear clogs around here.