Distance: 84.4km (52.4 miles); Elevation: 220m (722 feet) [map]

A short ride and it’s job done. The day 8 route largely follows the LF2 (‘langeafstandfietsroute’ or long-distance cycle route) from the centre of Rotterdam to the centre of Amsterdam, via the city of Alphen aan den Rijn, with a few alterations to make use of some wider and slightly more direct canal path options. Even so, you will still get to see more locks and windmills than are strictly necessary…

In Alphen aan den Rijn there are two stopping locations we can use, one in the centre of the city where the bridge overlooks riverside cafes and bars, or a large public park on the way out.

The route takes us to the main square in Amsterdam for the finish before we transfer to hotels (Amsterdam being the only city in which we are not staying in a single hotel).