00:00Pfff, blah blah blah, it'll happen.
00:02And hello Anzare and welcome to this new episode of What am I doing here?
00:06Today we return to L'Aide.
00:08What is L'Aide? It's this small town in the Netherlands, nestled between Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
00:13A very typical town, very very cute and which is a true microcosm of the Netherlands.
00:18Please note that this video is sponsored, but to avoid making you feel harassed, I've put everything at the end.
00:22of episode.
00:23In the meantime, we set off on our journey.
01:59That's a strange sentence.
02:14That's a strange sentence.
02:35Good day.
02:36I realized, while climbing that windmill, that the university I visited at the beginning, it
02:39was still in the two districts, but I got out of there very quickly.
02:42So I'm going to explore the other part of the city, since I still have some time.
02:45Me, before I got a nasty sunburn.
02:47Because here, the sun, you can see it in the blue sky behind me, is very much welcome, it's very much
02:52crashed the party.
02:53Let's take advantage of it right away.
03:03Wherever our steps lead us, a surprise appears, imbued with a style unique to the country.
03:08-Down, on every bridge that elevates us.
03:11The pinkish-orange bricks and the uniformly green windows suggest a desire not to express
03:17any difference between brothers boatmen.
03:19And like the stained-glass windows with their floral colors, the canals remind every passerby, every inhabitant, that
03:26Water is more than a source of life.
03:28It is its outline.
03:38The city center is very lively; in fact, I came across a main street with lots of shops.
03:41I said I would come back to make plans, but I can't find that street again.
03:44And I keep going from one curiosity to another, like for example this gate with walls that
03:48are right behind.
03:49Because it's a castle, I don't understand much, I admit.
03:52It's actually very big, really very big.
03:54Awesome, a man in yellow on a yellow bike.
03:57It was really very interesting.
03:59Okay, with that much professionalism, it's time to launch the Pro Minute.
04:06This is the Pro Minute.
04:08Tute-tute, that's the Pro.
04:10Okay, today in the Pro Minute, we're going to talk about cycling.
04:14Because yes, there's nothing better than talking about the land of cycling to say to yourself,
04:17Hey, what if we talked about cycling?
04:18That's good, I like it.
04:20We will address the topic in two parts.
04:22The very first part, we'll talk about heavy vehicles versus bicycles, and the second part, bicycles versus weight
04:27heavy.
04:28You might ask, but how can I know?
04:30Well, I took the time to find out more, since not too long ago on a
04:33During my trip, I was lucky enough to have a physical education teacher who was a triathlete and who agreed to
04:37to tell me about his own experiences as a cyclist when he did road sports.
04:42Let's start at the beginning.
04:43As for heavy goods vehicles, when we are in the city, it is always very difficult to properly understand bicycles.
04:49Why? Because bicycles are small in the field of vision we have as drivers and
04:53As truck drivers, we also have a lot, a lot of information to process, much more than in
04:58car.
04:59Therefore, it goes without saying that the cyclist must ensure their own safety when they are around
05:03'a heavyweight.'
05:03So, first of all, there's no point in gluing it.
05:06There are, you know, the little blind spot stickers, they're not there for nothing.
05:09In the context of competitive cycling, it's also important to know that, well, heavyweights are, by definition, heavy.
05:14It's in the name, there's a lot of inertia.
05:17This means that, in fact, to be able to overtake a cyclist when you are on the road, it is not
05:20not always easy to understand.
05:22We have to accelerate hard; it takes a long time for the machine to get going.
05:26So, cyclists, if at any point you feel you're carrying a heavy load, that
05:30You hear that you have a heavyweight behind you, try to be conciliatory.
05:33I'm not saying to squeeze you or stop if you're doing sports.
05:36But sometimes, just, I don't know, a small gesture to say, go ahead, it's okay, I've got you
05:40seen, passed.
05:41You see, something like that, whatever you want, something to make the driver understand that
05:44You communicated well.
05:46Why? Because, in fact, many people drive, as you know, you're a cyclist but also a motorist, many
05:50Things pass through their eyes.
05:52We watch other people, we watch what they are doing, and above all we watch each other, between vehicles.
05:57To know, ah yes, that's your intention.
05:59Well, with cycling, you can't. Often, you're behind and there are glasses and
06:04things.
06:04So, don't hesitate to communicate more with the heavyweights.
06:07Now, let's turn to the cycling side.
06:10This person I spoke with reminded me of when he was cycling in a sporty mode.
06:15Well, he was never welcome.
06:16Whether it's on cycle paths, on roads, on departmental roads, it's never easy.
06:21Bicycles are not necessarily well regarded on the road, generally speaking by motorists.
06:27And besides, they are mostly quite poorly known.
06:30Another thing that made me raise an eyebrow was that he also told me, yes, motorists, they don't
06:35They don't realize it, or the heavy goods vehicles, same thing, I said motorists, but because they are necessarily
06:39more numerous on the road than heavy goods vehicles.
06:41Yes, so when you overtake a tractor, you don't hesitate to put yourself way too far away from it.
06:48the road, on the other side, against the flow of traffic, even though there is a white line for overtaking the tractor.
06:52Whereas when it's a bicycle, we're always forced to go through ARA, because we don't dare
06:55do not pass the wheels over the white line.
06:58Well, those are little things that you don't know if you're not a cyclist.
07:01And it's true that we all tend, myself included, to sometimes pass by, not too much
07:05daring to overtake, and therefore passing close to the cyclist.
07:09The problem for cyclists is that they have very thin wheels, and the edges of
07:12road, you all know it as well as I do,
07:14Well, there are a lot of half-chickens, there are a lot of holes, in fact, in that area.
07:17-there.
07:18And if we serve the cyclist, he'll be in those situations. So it's the best way
07:21so that it always passes where.
07:23So, it's absolutely not safe.
07:25I'll conclude with the cycling aspect, to also say that he had indeed advised me to spend time in
07:31Time, for example, if we are in a heavy goods vehicle, we are in a car,
07:33If we're in a bit of a hurry and all that, and we're generous, let's respect the investors on
07:36the road,
07:37A cyclist will never say no to a little honk of the horn to warn them that you're going to do something
07:41something, to surpass it.
07:43The same goes for heavy goods vehicles, so be careful, because you know we have the troops.
07:46But if you come from way behind, you can see from afar; in heavy goods vehicles, you sit high up.
07:49if you can see from afar, and you know that at some point you're going to have to
07:53demonstrate and tell the cyclists,
07:54Please note, because I'm in a hurry, I'm going to have to overtake you for a moment; I can't stay behind.
07:57When you're far enough away, a gentle tap with the trunk, a little something extra, just like that.
08:02It's a matter of perspective, like that, the cyclist has spotted you, and you can safely overtake him.
08:07I hope this minute of road safety for cyclists, a minute from the pro, will be useful to you.
08:11In the meantime, let's return to the episode.
08:19I find that Dutch cyclists remind me a lot of French motorists.
08:24In reality, when they're on their bikes, it's like the French in their cars.
08:27They become completely passive-aggressive, unfriendly, constantly cutting you off, brushing against you.
08:33And get out of here, I'll get on with it, just like that, and I think they do that with
08:37their bicycle,
08:37And then once they get off the bus, they are very kind, caring, friendly, and funny people.
08:41It's really funny, because a Dutchman on a bicycle is nothing like a Dutchman...
08:47foot.
08:47Well, the city center is very lively, and in fact, I came across a main street, there were lots of people
08:50of shops,
08:51I said I'll come back to make plans, I can't find that street again.
08:53And I can't seem to stumble from one curiosity to another, like for example this gate with walls that
08:57are right behind.
08:58It's a castle, I don't understand much of it, I admit.
09:01It's because it's big, in fact, it's really very big.
09:04Well, on the other hand, this city is really, really big, I wasn't expecting it to be this big at all.
09:07is that big?
09:09Actually, I think I managed to find the first street again, but I'm not even sure.
09:12Because, in fact, I'm starting to realize that I'm not in the right place.
09:15In short, all this to say that I also lost the walls.
09:17So, since I've lost everything, I'm going to try again.
09:19However, time is not starting to run out for me, and I am beginning to realize
09:22that in fact,
09:23Well, I won't have the opportunity to visit everything.
09:27Well, that's it, I've found my bustling main street again.
09:30That's the one, that's the right one.
09:31That's where all the shops are, but actually, I still need to...
09:33Go find the castle now.
09:36Well, the city center is really, really, really huge.
09:39I walked around several times, trying to get a better look at the different buildings.
09:42everything I showed you.
09:43However, I can't find that damn wall.
09:47The wind has shifted, it's cold, so I'm worried about the possibility of a rainy arrival.
09:52something I don't want to get hit in the face.
09:53So, I'm going to start slowly making my way back to my destination.
09:57And then, I'm going to continue my visit anyway.
09:59We just need to try and find those damn walls.
10:36Okay, I found these cakes.
10:38That's something you can't find in France, it seems...
10:39I don't know if this is typical of here,
10:41but in any case, they are clearly called Boken Puchos.
10:45So, I don't know about you, but for me, this is the kind of thing I love.
10:48When I go to a foreign country and find strange things to try, I take them.
10:52Once, in Belgium, I think, or in the Netherlands, I can't remember,
10:54I even found some canned tangerines.
10:56There was nothing more disgusting.
10:58But it was disgusting.
10:59But it's this kind of discovery that I love to make.
11:01And like any self-respecting tourist,
11:03Well, we need to go explore the surrounding area a bit.
11:06That's why I asked Caro to plan a trip for you.
11:10On paper, it's great.
11:12These trips are offered without after-sales service.
11:14GOOD !
11:15If you have a basic level of general knowledge,
11:17You should know that the land of tulips and flowers,
11:19Well, that's the Netherlands.
11:20And that's perfect since this video is about the Netherlands.
11:23So, that gave Caro the idea to put together a little something for you to go and see
11:26Yes, well, tulips.
11:28So, first of all, you should know that, well,
11:30The first stock market crash in the world was caused by tulips.
11:34There you go, that's just a little bit of information.
11:35But most importantly, and this is really interesting,
11:37That's all you can visit.
11:39For this visit focused on flowers,
11:41You can start with the botanical garden of L'Aide
11:43which is located in the university we saw in episode 1.
11:45Or, if you haven't seen it, go see it.
11:47But since it's also the land of cycling,
11:49Well, you can simply rent a bicycle.
11:52a day trip to explore the surrounding area
11:54and go check out a couple of things.
11:55You have, for example, Kukenhof Park,
11:57the world's largest flower park,
11:59which is less than an hour and 55 minutes away, approximately
12:01of the city of L'Aide.
12:03And that's pretty cool.
12:04It allows you to take a short, peaceful walk in nature.
12:06and to go see the park.
12:08But you also have, not far away, in the town of Varmont,
12:11a place called The Tulip Experience.
12:13And from there, you have about a 15-minute bike ride.
12:16It's really right next door.
12:18Then there are the totally traditional things too.
12:20That is to say, visiting nature by bicycle or boat,
12:22since there are canals pretty much everywhere,
12:24in the Netherlands.
12:25And there, you will, of course, be able to admire,
12:27depending on the era you are in.
12:28Furthermore, I advise you,
12:29especially the month of April-May,
12:30to go see the flowers,
12:31since they were out at that time.
12:33So, let's go and enjoy ourselves a little bit.
12:35of these millions of colors.
12:37On paper, it's great.
12:39These trips are offered without after-sales service.
12:45This thing is a moron alert.
12:47Oh, oh, idiot alert.
12:50Kids, beware of the idiot.
12:52In fact, after circling the city three times,
12:54I realized that the end of the wall
12:55that I had seen behind that wall
12:56was in fact the castle I was looking for.
13:00Ah, there it is, I've found my entrance.
13:01My famous wall, it's right there.
13:04Okay, this time I'm going.
13:05Like that.
13:06I'm not giving up.
13:07And then I'm out of here
13:08before getting splashed in the face.
13:33Okay, so, this wall, finally,
13:34It's not a wall, it's a turn.
13:36And it's a tower overlooking the city.
13:39And it's a tower that will give us
13:40the most beautiful view of the aid.
13:44That's a strange sentence.
13:45But in any case,
13:46The view here is amazing.
14:16On the banks of the Old Rhine,
14:17But that's a little later.
14:21It's a little later.
14:39The city is growing.
14:40protected by water.
14:41and by stone.
15:12Over time,
15:13to meet up.
15:17Subtitling by Radio-Canada
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