News

Friday 28 may 2021

Bike, Barge & Cruise. There is a reason why it starts with "Bike"

Our bikes are a big part of your Bike & Barge Cruise, that's why we want to provide you with the best quality bike possible.

The brand is Sensa, from the Netherlands. Chosen as 'bike of the year' in the past, the lightweight bike from the collection of our Dutch supplier. The Sensa touring bike is equipped with a lightweight aluminum frame and a very strong, super light carbon front fork. The touring bikes weigh only 13.6 kilograms. The 27 speed Deore, with XT rear derailleur, is the highest quality Shimano group set for this kind of bike. It shifts like a knife through butter and on top of that it is a very wear-resistant material. The Shimano hydraulic disc brakes give you the safety needed for this kind of sport bike. In wet weather, downhill, the bike must always show its function and safety. With the Sensa Superlite Disc this is guaranteed.

In oder to make your biking experience as good as possible we have invested in one of the best pannier (bike bag) available on the market: Ortlieb bike bags. This German quiality pannier is called "the Rolls Royce" amongst the bike bags, they are waterproof and easy to click on your bike. To make your tour safe we'll also provide you with a bike helmet.

Regularly we get questions if we do all the maintenance on the bikes ourselves?! Although we do know a lot about maintaining a ship, we leave the bikes mostly to the professionals. During the season, our guides will take care of minor maintenance on the bikes and they can make repairs during the cycling tours when needed. Every winter our bikes are picked up by a specialized company which will maintain every single bike like it's own. They store them nice and dry all winter and brings them back on the Merlijn again just before the season starts. Everything to make sure our bikes stay in perfect shape.

We invest in renewing our bikes on regular basis and also in staying up to date with the demand. Last year we purchased 2 new E-bikes and also some new 60-inch frames to accommodate the taller persons among us. Currently, we have 6 E-bikes in our possession. In case you wish to use an E-bike during your cruise we advise to reserve in advance.

As you can all see online, starting next year we will be sailing some new route as diversification of our sailing schedule. The Danube is not a stranger to Captain Coen, as he has navigated the river before, but what do you think about the bike routes, those are also new to us. Before we sail a new route we have our experienced tour guides do research on the biking trails. They even travel there by train/ plane to cycle the routes by themselves before they guide you on your new adventure. You can leave your maps at home as you won't be needing it on the way! The tour guide will be at your disposal from the beginning to the end of the trip.

When designing new routes we try to give you a well diversity of bike routes in order to satisfy everyone. For the people who want to take it a bit easier, choosing a shorter bike tour. Or a longer route for the sport fanatics among us who just want to keep going. When it's possible we do our best to accommodate you in every wish you have, to make sure you will have a wonderful holiday.

Cycling is the way to experience local life.

Wolfsburg to Berlin/Spandau

July 06 - 13 / 2024

Dear Merlijn crew, It always happens. After a trip, a friend of yours may ask you what the \"best and most memorable moment\" of the trip had been. Here is our answer (Assumpta\'s and mine): The whole trip was memorable! There are a few reasons why the whole trip surpasses by far the \"one memorable moment\" that most people enjoy taking from a trip. Firstly, the captain, the chef, the guide, and the rest of the members of the crew demonstrated one of the highest levels of professionalism and also a most friendly welcome aboard throughout the trip. Secondly, the Merlijn was kept in such a state of good care and good taste that it was the perfect \"home away from home\". And thirdly, although pure coincidence, from the very first moment we set sail and, again, throughout the trip, the best rapport and camaraderie permeated the whole group of twenty people who didn\'t know each other previously and came from so many different walks of life. By the way, you can read my full report NATURA i AIGUA - BICI i BARCASSA (Nature and Water - Bike and Boat) at my blog: https://esporqueret.net/2024/09/08/natura-i-aigua-bici-i-barcassa-alemanya/#more-14653 So, one word is in order: Congratulations! With our best wishes and kindest regards. Julià & Assumpta Barcelona Catalonia