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Koningsdag is sort of the Dutch equivalent of St. Patrick’s Day. Just like everybody is Irish and raises a toast to Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, on King’s Day anybody who wants to be Dutch, is Dutch. King’s Day is an excuse to wear orange, go for a spring day bike ride, and gather at a fine local establishment or two with friends to drink Dutch bier and raise a toast to the Netherlands.
You don’t have to travel to Amsterdam to celebrate King’s Day because Shorewood and Milwaukee are having their very own King’s Day festivities. On Thursday, April 27th, those celebrating King’s Day are gathering at Three Lions Pub in Shorewood starting at 4:00. After that, leaving about 5:30 for a leisurely ride to Cafe Hollander (and, after celebrating there) a leisurely ride to Cafe Benelux (for a bit more).
Attendees are encouraged to bike to and between participating venues. (Note, there is no charge, no organized ride and no registration or waiver form; all riders ride at their own risk, just like any other day.) Those attending are encouraged to wear orange (the national color of the Netherlands, and the official color of King’s Day). All welcome, invite your friends. You don’t have to be Dutch to bike or join in the celebration on King’s Day!
These gatherings are being organized to bring greater awareness to the Netherlands’ leadership in making their communities over the last 50 years much more bike friendly, and less car dependent. (If you are interested in the multiple people and factors that led to that happening, see this excellent podcast episode posted just this last week "de fiets is niets"--which translates to "the bike is nothing"; spoiler alert, the Nazis hated bikes and Dutch bikers.) Currently, the Dutch have the highest rates of routine, everyday bike use in the World, and many studies indicate those high rates have many benefits for Dutch health, happiness, prosperity and the environment.
Each participating venue is making a King’s Day Donation to the Wisconsin Bike Fed, to support the Bike Fed’s work in making Wisconsin an even better place to bike than it already is. While not required, participants are also encouraged to make a donation to the Wisconsin Bike Fed (or join) that day (donations will be accepted at each venue, and Bike Fed apparel will be available for purchase). Dutch bier and other drink specials will be available at each bar to all bike riders wearing orange.
While not required, if you think you may attend, please RSVP to the below
email address (so we can give venues a rough count as to how many may be
stopping by that day). Proost!
Alexander "Sandie" Pendleton, sandiependleton@gmail.com, 414.418.4469
(If You Drink, Drink Responsibly. Hartelijk dank!)
