North American family receives Elfstedentocht medal!
The North American Miedema family, no less than 28 people in total, completed the famous Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour) by bicycle on Saturday, June 21. The seven-day tour, organized by Friesland Holland Travel, took the family through the eleven Frisian cities and villages with personal family history. With daily stages of 50 to 70 kilometers, the participants enjoyed the Frisian landscape and their shared roots.
“It was fantastic! It couldn’t have been better,” said Folkert Miedema. “We enjoyed Friesland and the Elfstedentocht so much. Our entire family is spread out across Canada and the USA, and we see each other on average once every three years. This was an experience of a lifetime. We are incredibly happy and grateful that we could share this together.”
(From left to right: Sytze de Haan (Friesland Holland Travel), Folkert Miedema, and Frances Miedema)
The family’s achievement did not go unnoticed. One day before the finish, the Stichting De Friese Elfsteden Rijwieltocht, the organization behind the annual Fietselfstedentocht event, contacted Friesland Holland Travel. Impressed by the remarkable family story, the foundation decided to surprise the entire group with an official Fietselfstedentocht medal.
The medals were handed out at the finish line in Leeuwarden by board member Bert Altenburg and received with gratitude and cheers.
(The entire group with the official flag of the Eleven Cities Bicycle Tour)
The Fietselfstedentocht, held every year on Whit Monday, is considered a sporting challenge: up to 15,000 participants start in 23 starting groups from Bolsward. To complete the tour, cyclists must collect 15 stamps in one day and reach the finish before midnight.
Although this family completed the route over several days, their dedication, connection to Friesland, and shared family adventure were recognized as an exceptional achievement — truly in the spirit of the Elfstedentocht.
Photo: Omrop Fryslân
Friesland Holland Travel
This journey is part of the full-service cycling holidays offered by Friesland Holland Travel, the specialist in Elfstedentocht bike tours.
Want to learn more or plan your own tour?
🌐 www.frieslandhollandtravel.nl
✉️ info@frieslandhollandtravel.com
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