Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam isn’t just a city of canals and museums. It’s a place where cycling runs deep in the veins of daily life. While most people picture locals pedaling upright bikes through traffic and over bridges, there’s another side to the story: a fast-growing road cycling scene that's turning heads across Europe. From early morning club rides to packed cafés buzzing with post-ride chatter, Amsterdam is quickly becoming one of the most exciting urban cycling hubs around.

The landscape around the city might not boast towering peaks, but it offers something just as special. Think long, flat roads that stretch into the horizon, lush green fields lined with water dikes, and quiet lanes through wind-swept dunes. The coastal paths near Zandvoort and Noordwijk are stunning, with ocean views and gentle rollers. Classic local loops like the Rondje Hoep and the Ringvaart serve up smooth tarmac, wide skies, and a taste of the Dutch countryside. And for those craving a bit of climbing, ’t Kopje van Bloemendaal just northwest of the city is the most famous bump in the region.

The road cycling culture in Amsterdam has exploded in recent years. Clubs like Cycle Capital, Kaptein Cycling Club, and the No Breakfast Cycling Club are building strong communities for riders of all levels. Whether you’re chasing speed, coffee, or both, there’s a group to match your vibe. Weekends see packs of riders rolling out from the city into the surrounding landscape, often returning to a café terrace for a flat white and stories from the road.

Shops like Maats, Kaptein, Rapha, and Maap have become central to the city’s cycling culture. Beyond selling top gear, they host regular social rides that welcome locals and visitors alike. These weekly meetups roll out from the city and head into the surrounding countryside, creating space for connection, shared effort, and post-ride coffee. Together, they’ve helped shape Amsterdam into a truly welcoming and vibrant place to ride.

Whether you’re just visiting or live here year-round, Amsterdam offers a unique kind of road cycling. It’s not about climbing mountains or chasing KOMs. It’s about riding through living history, gliding past windmills, sharing the road with a culture that truly understands two wheels, and discovering how a flat country can still make your heart race.