racing in europe

Hi Jack,

Funny to hear someone wants to race over here! I can't offer you a place to stay. But maybe I can give you a little info..

If you consider to race in Holland, probably the southern districts are better, like Brabant or Limburg. Limburg is the only part of our country where there are any hills, for the rest it is totally flat. Be warned! If you like the high altitude (like I do) you're probably way better of in East France, Switzerland or Northern, Italy.

Also don't forget our southern neighbours, the Belgians are wellknown for great cyclists (and probably also competitions).

Amsterdam is a city wellknown for people investing more in a bike lock than in the price of the actual bike. May sound funny, but in reality it isn't. There is a huge red light district and the town is full of dope dealers.

In order to get to know where the competitions are I will send you two internet adresses. You can't do without em!! One is from NFTU, the tour organisation (no official competitions). The other one is from KNWU, the official Dutch Cycling Association. Be sure they validate your American racing license. My Canadian cousin was able to race here several years ago. For NFTU you do not need any license.

http://www.ntfu.nl/
http://www.knwu.nl/

I train together with competitive cyclists and I can tell you that the level is extremely high and the atmosphere is extremely low.
There are quite a few guys who compete in pro events and if anybody crashes with his bike the rest of the pack races on. Also for an outsider I think it's very difficult to enter the scene.

I hope the info is usefull to you.

Good luck! Frank.

I guess I do not actually have to go to Amsterdam. I would much rather prefer area that has group training rides that except new riders. Is that possible anywhere in Europe? Spain,France(doubtful,me being an American) or anywhere? I do not want to encounter a bunch of egomonster cyclists who do not prefer to ride with newcomers with speed. I appreciate all of your input, looks like I may stick with racing in US> as dream of cycling/racing(smalltime) in Europe could be nightmare. Thanks for help , Jack

Jack,

Try the NFTU. It's a little friendlier. They have long distance tours (50km-250km) in Holland. No competitions.

In France and Italia. Try cycletours or Enroute.

http://www.cycletours.nl/frames.asp

Dutch people cycling in the mountains. OK people! Level is average up to very high. Go for their cyclo sportive section.
You'll have a place to stay too. Since they stay at campings or in hotels.

By the way, isn't there any way to cycle with an American organisation in the Alps? Around Annecy it is a well known thing that there are a lot of female American cyclists. We are not shure how they get there?

Cycle greetings, Frank.

Frank,
I am on very tight budget. Is there a way to exist over there like this? If so , where? Thanks, Jack