We woke up this morning and walked down to the Mikes Bikes office where we met the tour group. We got a mini history lesson and safety information at the start from one of the guides then we were split into two groups for the actual tour. We went out and picked a bike and lined up on the pavement ready to ride out. It's been so long since I've ridden a bike I was a little worried I'd make a fool of myself, but after a wobbly start I got into the swing of it again. (Its like riding a bike!) We started the ride by riding through the city along canals, then regrouped on top of a drawbridge (which we got to see open up which was cool!), where our guide gave us some info on the city while we waited for a couple of latecomers and a replacement bike for Darren, because his gears were broken! From there we rode out of the city and went along the Amstel river, which was a very pretty ride! We stopped at a big windmill where we were told a bit more of their function and how they were used in the building of the city. The 'custodian' of the windmill was out the front watering his garden, and had a bit of a spaz out against his hose which was amusing while we were being told about how good he was that he was preserving the site so well... Our next stop was at a farm where a couple lived and worked making cheese and clogs! We got a demonstration on how each were made and got a taste test of a few different cheeses which was yummy! The guy making the clogs was really quirky and strange, and was really entertaining to watch. I did try on a pair of clogs, and they were much more comfy than they look, but I don't know about wearing them a whole day! When we left there we rode out in the country along the dijks, where we got a pretty cool view on the workings of the canals, where three canals met which were all at different heights depending on the fields they were going through. Pretty cool! We had a drink stop after that and Darren and I went and ordered a couple of sandwiches to take with us. While we were waiting for them, the guide came in and told us we had to leave them and go back to the group... I don't think it had been 10 minutes by this stage, but everyone else only got drinks so they were all back... Apparently we were the only ones not to be told to bring our own snacks... The people in the bar were telling us pretty much 'stuff him, you're paying his wages', so we think maybe he does it often and is a bit of a dick... Plus I already wasn't a fan of him because he was the same guy that our walking tour guide had pointed out that had told her she'd never get into the tour guide industry while she was on his tour! Pretty rude! As we were riding we had a system where one guy, Blake, was always up the back and if there were any problems he'd ring his bell non stop and everyone in front would have to ring theirs too to get the guides attention so he could double back and see what the problem is. It was a good system and it was pretty cool to see it in action. On the way back we rode through the 'forest', which is huge and totally man made which was pretty cool. Our guide gave us a little insight into how much work that would've been to build a forest on top of what was essentially a marshland. The Dutch are so clever! So we rode back through the forest and through Vondelpark then through a little bit of city, which was the crazy part! So many bikes, people and traffic! I may have got someone in the ankle who walked out in front of me! (10 points?) We got back to the shop then went for a walk with a couple from the group, Blake and Vanessa, who are from Adelaide. We stopped and picked up an apple to munch on, then headed into the Leidseplein to find a pub. We had a couple of beers at an Irish pub there and had a good chat with the two of them, then organized to meet up for dinner and parted ways. We went along to the same Italian place as the other day and ordered for us. Blake and Vanessa said they were going back to change before heading back out, but I think they may have changed their minds because they never showed up! So we had our yummy dinner then headed back to the hostel to chill out for a while, we watched some modern family and went to sleep.