Race Around the Netherlands 2024

RatN – Gearing up, again

Ben & Liz Apr 22, 2024 2 min read

Wow, Bliz is actually heading out tomorrow to participate in the 2024 Race Around the Netherlands. So many times during the past few months we thought we would have to cancel this trip, but somehow despite lingering knee problems, a very sick dog and generally sketchy weather for early-season training, we still managed to get it together.

Here’s what the RAtN race organizers have to say about the race:

Race around the Netherlands is a fully self-supported bike packing race.
The RatN is a do-it-yourself challenge.
You are your own ride organizer.
Understand that this is a personal challenge against the clock. Not against others!
It is 1950k in distance with 6800m of elevation.

Liz digging around in her bag. We’re carting the EVOC bike bags back from Renee and Dave’s house, who were kind enough to loan them to us. Thanks!

These first steps can be obnoxious, particularly when you have to switch continents. We spent today boxing up our bikes for transit by bus, plane and train to get us to Corey and Jen’s place in Leiden, Netherlands. And of course there’s all the other packing and preparation.

Liz’s clothing selections for the next two weeks, more or less

If you’re interested in following our adventure, starting Saturday, April 27, 2024 you’ll be able to track rider numbers 6 (Ben) and 14 (Liz) at the RAtN dot watcher site. You’ll find us in the “Pairs” section. At this point, we’ll be very happy if we manage to make it to the start line! Our #1 goal for the race (let’s be real, we’re not racing anyone) is just to have fun and enjoy cycling in a country built for cyclists.

We might have time to post some shorts to Liz’s Instagram and who knows, maybe we’ll have the time and energy to do a big of blogging here on the classic Two Bikers Abroad site. You can also see lots of other RAtN pictures from others using the #RATN2024 hashtag on Instagram.

Here’s a little video showcasing those sweet EVOC travel bags: