Holland biker travels from Los Angelos to New York; Comes through Red Lake - P2

RED LAKE, MN - Ritzo Holtman is from Holland, or as some might say, the Neitherlands.

According to Wikipedia, Holland is a region and former province on the western coast of the Netherlands. The name Holland is also frequently used to informally refer to the whole of the country of the Netherlands. This usage is commonly accepted in other countries, and not entirely uncommon among the Dutch themselves, though some in the Netherlands and particularly in other regions of the country may find it undesirable, misleading or insulting.

Holland tends to be associated with a particular image. The stereotypical image of Holland is an artificial amalgam of tulips, windmills, clogs, cheese and traditional dress (klederdracht). As is the case with many stereotypes, this is far from the truth and reality of life in Holland. This can at least in part be explained by the active exploitation of these stereotypes in promotions of Holland and the Netherlands. In fact only in a few of the more traditional villages, such as Volendam and locations in the Zaan area, are the different costumes with wooden shoes still worn by some inhabitants.

After graduating from a University in Holland, Holtman decided he was going to travel and experience the world, meet different people before he began his next move. And since he received a small inheritance, he would use some of that money to make that happen.

He flew from Holland to Los Angelos at the end of April of this year, then began his journey by bicycle from there to New York.

By day he would travel, then at night set up a tent either along the way, or at people's homes who allowed cyclists to stay there. Everything he needed, including extra tires, were on saddlebags on his bike.

He said he met a lot of wonderful people along the way, often meeting them at stores or rest areas. It was a great experience for him and he was over halfway there.