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Hey everybody!
I am from Los Angeles, CA and I am traveling to The Netherlands for the MXGP of Assen!
Is anybody from the Vital family going to the GP?
This is going to be my first time traveling abroad, so I would be stoked to meet some friendly locals and get the inside line on all the cool places to visit while I am in Holland.
Thanks
I am from Los Angeles, CA and I am traveling to The Netherlands for the MXGP of Assen!
Is anybody from the Vital family going to the GP?
This is going to be my first time traveling abroad, so I would be stoked to meet some friendly locals and get the inside line on all the cool places to visit while I am in Holland.
Thanks
Holland is wicked, relax slow down and take it all in.
What method of transportation are you using? I actually took a trainand then a taxi when I went to Valkenswaard in 2012. With the sleep deprivation and jet lag I much prefer leaving the driving to someone else. You also meet more locals. Whenever I had a question about which train I'd look for the most well dressed woman or man worst case on the platform and politely ask for help.
Met up with my Austian friends at the hotel and rode with them to track both days. I took a taxi from my hotel the day after the GP (my friends left the night before) and the woman taxi driver knew Herlings had won. She took me to the train station and I met the nicest grandfather with his grandson. I took a picture of the two of them that grandpa loved and I e mailed it to him.
If you have time get your currency exchanged before you leave. Check with your bank. The fees they charge at the airport to change money it's like Ticketmaster fees.
Make sure your data roaming is turned off on your smart phone and/or contact your mobile carrier for an international call plan. It sucks to spend 200 bucks you don't have to over rookie phone set up mistakes. Been there done that.
Prepare for the trip somewhat like you are racing. Hydrate hydrate hydrate and avoid pasta and meat a day or two before the flight. Nothing puts a damper on the trip more if your exhaust valve gets stuck if you know what I mean.
Buy a neck pillow, eye mask and ear plugs before you get to the airport. Bring a heavy pair of socks to put over your feet if you take your shoes off. Get up during the flight when you can for your circulation.
Call your credit/debit card company to let them know you'll be traveling so they don't block the transaction the first time you use the card. Also debit cards suck due to extra fees so use a credit card or cash as much as possible.
If you do have to exchange currency in Holland go big and get more than you think you'll need. It goes quick plus one 600 dollar exchange is cheaper than two 300 dollar exchanges. Avoid paying that service fee as much as possible.
Lastly drink as much Heineken as you can. We get the lager Heineken while they keep the Pilsner for themselves.
Bon voyage!
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Maybe time to look at last minute ferries.
I don't know the cool places to visit around Assen I'm not from that area.
Hope you can see some of the parties on the camping, guess you will be stayin at an hotel.
The weather will be great about 30 celcius they say.
I'm thinking about goin to assen on my new mountainbike on Friday.. it's 162 kilometers. But if it's over 30 celcius on Friday I'll just go with the others in the camper.
For how long will you be in Holland?
Ferries over the Bank holiday weekend are crazy dear £474 to get over 25 miles of water isn't my idea of fun, when I usually pay £100.
Plus we have the VMXdesNations to get ready for next weekend..
Assen got good reviews last year, I wonder if the crowd will grow or not.
So well, let me check google maps for the distance between my vacation destination and Assen.
Like Rock said, check up with your bank about getting Euros before you arrive, also check your ATM fee's and the foreign purchase fee if you choose to use your bank card abroad. I find the fee on the card and ATM low enough to just use that and tell those exchange guys to gtfo. They will rip you. Wells Fargo is a five dollar ATM fee and they give you a fair rate, so just hit the ATM for large amounts.
Other wise spend your free time in Amsterdam. I will disagree with Rock and say dont drink the Heineken, drink the Belgian brews. They beer they have on tap for cheap will blow your mind.
I live in the south of Holland so I'm not that familiar with Assen or Drenthe (province) but unless you like quiet nature you probably need to go to the bigger cities if you want to do or see something.
Don't drink Jupiler, Grolsch or Heineken, drink Amstel beer.
Beer-snobs don't rate it but Jupiler is a great all-day lager, get a few crates from the supermarket on the way to the track, beer in the shops is very cheap!
Pit Row
If you want lager I can reccomend Jupiler or Stella Artois. Heavier beers should be Duvel, Leffe, La Chouffe or something similar. Stay away from Dutch beers!
But it's more like 300km from the place where I stay.
Always used to drink Stella here but a few years ago it changed to a weaker UK brewed version which tastes pretty nasty, always bring back a few crates of Jupiler though!
Wish you a great time in Holland !
We did Eindhoven to Spa on Valkenswaard GP weekend, and it did seem to take a while.
Last year we had dinner at Mr Mofongo restaurant and liked it (probably going there again). It's right next to University and has three floors, plenty of different beers and really cool interior decoration. Check it out!
Here is my friends tribute to the original "Techo Viking" from last years race at Assen MXGP.
Dip it in onions and throw the tail back in the North Sea.
Do this? & your trip will be a success.
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