Dutch Licence system

markwb79

Does anyone know anything about it?

Its about time I got a licence!

Thanks

FJS

My knowledge could be a bit out of date, but as far as I know for anyone not a junior or veteran there are 'A Amateur' and 'B Amateur' licences and races. I reckon A Amateur more or less compares with UK Elite level, B Amateur with Cat 1/2. There used to be a C Amateur category (roughly Cat 3/4), but no longer.

No races on public roads - either village centre crits or races on purpose-built cycling circuits (e.g Sloten in Amsterdam), or a couple of national level larger loop races.

But what you need to do anyway to get a licence is become a member of a cycling club, a racing one. You need that to get a licence, and people there will be able to help you with licences and categories. I used to ride for ASC Olympia in A'dam, but that's almost 20 years ago, so can't really say anything on the current scene - google will help

ddraver

You can join the KNWU as a basic member for club riding which gives you third party insurance, usually some discounts and I think something to do with rescue if you break the bike (but I ve not worked this out yet?!) i think this is about EUR30 a year. Joining a club will get you membership of the KNWU, usually the person in charge will sort it and you ll get a card in the mail...

Then you can get a racing licence through the same people, which I think is another 30 (Iv e not done this yet though)

Sun Dodger

If you are intrested in racing, I'd head on down to Sloten (south of the city, to the west of the Amsterdamse Bos). They do races there on a Saturday @1300 for non-licence holders. These are organised by WV Amsterdam and there are always a few folk from ASC Olympia around, so a good way to meet people from the local clubs and probably the best way to start off towards getting a license.

As for levels, I think they may have done away with the Amateur A & B distinctions recently - there seem to be two categories "Amateur" & "Sportclass" these days.

Good luck - and a few links below...

http://www.knwu.nl
http://www.ascolympia.nl
http://www.wvamsterdam.nl

Sun Dodger

Asked a friend - apparently three levels of membership of the KNWU: Recreational, Sportclass & Amateur, with the latter two being the racing licences.

markwb79

Thanks for all the help and advice.

I have done a few of the trimmers rides in the past and didnt really enjoy it. Not very organised etc, so was hoping that by joining the licence holders it might be a little better. Also no doubt harder, but thats the point, right?!

Sun Dodger

Not sure how much different it is with the Licence-Holders in terms of organisation, just a bit faster** and more elbows from what I hear - though I have only ever rode the Trimmers races, so I could be way out.

** If the Dutch track team turn up, an awful lot faster apparently