It starts with a warm welcome
What happens before you even step on board a Boat Bike Tour? As Romy Gietelink explains it in the podcast, it starts long before the ship sets sail. Having started as an intern at Boat Bike Tours when she was 18, Romy now manages group charters and quality control—ensuring that every guest, especially international ones, knows what to expect and feels prepared for their journey.
Group charters, often booked a year or more in advance, come with plenty of questions: What’s the food like on board? Will the bike fit me? Can I bring my own pedals? Romy’s job is to tailor every experience to the group—whether it’s a cultural focus, an emphasis on cycling, some special interest of the charter group, or even a custom-built “Tammy Tour.”
“Tammy Tours”: Loyal fans and legendary stories
Tammy Veenendaal, known to many guests simply as “Tammy,” has been a tour leader since 2012. Her tours are so beloved that guests regularly return just to travel with her again—often booking entire charters around her availability. In this podcast episode, Tammy shares some of her most memorable moments. Like the guest who disappeared during a bike fitting, only to be found enjoying wine with locals at a bar. Or what became known as The Beast – a massive double trike used by a guest with a disability. It had to be lifted on and off the ship every day and couldn’t even fit through bike path gates in the countryside!
How Boat Bike Tours evolved
This episode also dives into how Boat Bike Tours – the company – has changed over the years. Originally focused on self-guided tours with paper maps, the focus gradually shifted to fully-guided experiences—especially for guests from the US, who prefer a more personal, informative approach.
Romy explains how adding a second tour leader on premium tours made a huge difference. It meant more time for personal contact, more flexibility, and a smoother experience all around.
Prepared, but always adapting
Tammy still does her homework every winter, researching every stop. But thanks to smartphones and Google, she can now quickly check facts while on tour, or look up a building the guests point out with curiosity. That kind of flexibility means she can deliver more than just logistics—she shares stories and context that bring each place to life.
A little help from The Beast
Tammy’s tale of “The Beast” isn’t just funny—it shows the kind of effort and care Boat Bike Tours provides for every guest. Even when a massive trike doesn’t quite fit the route, the team finds a way to make it work, creating a memorable and inclusive experience for everyone!
🎧 Want to hear the full story?
Let Tammy and Romy take you behind the scenes in this heartwarming, humorous, and informative episode.
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Want to learn more?
Whether you’re planning your first trip or you’re a returning guest looking for inspiration, we’ve got you covered! Discover more about our tours, team, and travel stories via the links below:
► Podcast overview
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