Amsterdam, NL – Although the Winter Olympics are in the rearview mirror, there is one more ISU World Cup remaining on the speedskating circuit. The World Allrounds are in Heerenveen, NL from March 5-8 and Jordan Stolz will be competing in the 500m,1500m, and 5000m.
While awaiting the event I’m glalvanting around Europe trying to experience a little history and get in a quick mild-weather bike ride. Highlights are below.
There seems to be a curiosity on my living quarters while in Europe. Since my normal mode of travel is bicycle and camping take a look at the video of the cozy flat I stayed in while in Italy.
It was an old-school apartment on the second floor. There was a lovely wooden door on the street side, a beautiful colored glass in the interior entryway, and then a sturdy, decorative wrought iron railing on the stairs.
The hardware on the apartment door featured a brass knob. The studio apartment had a small shower and sink in a separate room from the toilet and bidet.
The really nice thing was the flat was so close to the rail, a quaint walk down a tree-lined path to the grocery and about a half-mile from the Olympic media center. At the speedskating arena in Rho, you could see the Alps on the horizon.
- Thanks to all my training this past year at A1 Health & Fitness I was easily able to manage all the travel including walking all the stairs, not taking the people mover at the airports, and hiking from my apartment to the rail to the airport with my 50-pound pack.
Aside from all the wonderful bicycles in Italy and the Netherlands, there is great streetside art. Found this white swan bench after exiting the train in Delft.
On a side note:
– If you watch the video about the Italian flat you can see by the window I have a couple shirts hanging to dry on the inside of the window. Even though my accomodations were a little fancy, I seem to have a knack of bringing some hobo lifestyle to the situation.
– My hack in Europe is to greet people with a smile and then ask if they know a “little English.” Most are really receptive and confident. One young Italian at a senior community center said he learned English by watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.
– Most days I wake up, take the train and go get lost. It’s a wonderful way to explore. The best find was the park in the City Centre just outside busy Amsterdam’s shopping district.
– The historic churches are simply breathtaking. It is odd to see a big screen with advertising added to the exterior of the Duomo in Milan.
The docent said it provides much needed revenue to help with maintenance and repairs. There was also admission to enter the Duomo and other churches in Europe.
If you missed the interview after the Mass Start as Jordan Stolz wrapped up his 2026 Winter Olympics click HERE to view.
