What’s
King’s Day?
Saturday, April 27th is King’s Day (Koningsdag)! If you aren’t
sure what that is, it’s 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.
The
Shorewood/Milwaukee King’s Day Celebration
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 Saturday, April 27th,
those celebrating King’s Day are gathering at Three Lions Pub in
Shorewood starting at noon. After a
brief ceremony, those desiring to participate in a King’s Day Ride, are then
riding onto other eastside drinking establishments. Note, this is a free, no-cost event.
The
Schedule of the Grande Tour
After gathering at noon at Three Lions, and hydrating a bit, our ceremony will start at noon, and then Riders will saddle up at
~12:40 and head to Café Hollander.
After re-hydrating at Café
Hollander, riders will saddle up at ~1:40, and head to The Nomad World Pub.
After that, the schedule
may become a bit more flexible, but the idea is we head out from the Nomad, and
stop by the Red Lion Inn, then go from the Red Lion to Café Benelux, and then back
to Shorewood.
Biking and Wearing Orange Are Encouraged
This event happens ran
or shine. Attendees are encouraged to bike to and between participating venues.
(Note, there is no organized ride; 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!
Family
Friendly?
Yes, especially the
first segment. Our intent
is that the first ride segment (the one from Three Lions Pub to Café
Hollander), will be an especially family-friendly segment (paced so that
families with kids can ride along).
Why
Does GSB Organize a King’s Day Event Every Year?
Because the Dutch 50 years ago made a bold decision that their country and cities had become far too “car centric” in their designs, and acted to change that. That decision has made the Netherlands the World leader in well-designed, bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly streets and sidewalks. Because of that, the Dutch now having 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. Shorewood and Milwaukee could learn a lot from the Netherlands.
You’re Invited
We hope you can join us, if not for
the ride, at least for a drink at Three Lions. It’s not required, but 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!
