Team 1
Gary Hackett
Team Leader
Rowan Gunn
Support Crew
Daan Steijnen van Eck - On the water in Haarlem
Completed 20 September to 1 October 2026
Pino the Netherlands
An inclusive cycling expedition, Waltrop to Groningen.
Five international teams rode 762 kilometres over 11 riding days across Germany and the Netherlands, finishing at CycleSummit 2026 in Groningen.
762
kilometres
11
riding days
5
Hase Pino teams
4
blind cyclists
1
shared purpose
About the ride
Five international teams rode Hase Pino e-tandems from Germany through the Netherlands, to Groningen. Four of the riders are blind.
The ride began at Hase Bikes' headquarters in Waltrop, with the team rolling out on Sunday 20 September and arriving in Groningen 12 days later, on Thursday 1 October. They covered 762 km, with one rest day in Amsterdam.
Why the Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the world's most cycle-friendly countries. Its dedicated cycleways, ferry links and flat coastal terrain suit teams of mixed experience. The ride finished two days before CycleSummit 2026 opened in Groningen.
The Hase Pino, explained
The Hase Pino is a semi-recumbent tandem e-bike. Unlike a conventional tandem, the front seat is a low, reclined position and the pilot sits upright at the back. Both cyclists pedal, and both are part of the ride.
Why the front seat matters
For a vision-impaired cyclist, sitting at the front changes the experience. The rider feels the bike, the road surface and the wind on their face. On a rear-seat tandem you are a passenger. On a Pino you are in the ride.
What the pilot does
The pilot steers from the rear, controls the brakes, gears and electric assist, and navigates the route. Our pilots trained with Hase Bikes before the expedition.
Our Partners
Pino the Netherlands was made possible with the support of organisations that share our commitment to more inclusive cycling. From bikes and tour logistics to apparel, footwear and helmets, our partners helped our teams cover 762 km across Germany and the Netherlands.
Official Bike Partner
Provided the Pino e-tandems, specialist training and technical support.
Visit Hase Bikes
Official Tour Partner
Handled route planning, accommodation, luggage transfers and tour logistics.
Visit Dutch Bike Tours
Official Cycling Apparel Partner
Outfitted our teams with cycling apparel for the journey.
Visit ScodyLumos
Official Cycling Helmet Partner
Provided Sonorus helmets for safety and team communication.
Visit Lumos
Official Connectivity Partner
Kept our production team connected throughout the journey.
Visit Blue WirelessExpedition Ride Itinerary
Eleven riding days from Waltrop to Groningen,
with a rest day in Amsterdam. Stage distances are as planned; the final total ridden was 762 km.
| Day | Date | Stage | Planned distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun 20 Sep | Waltrop to Xanten | 80 km |
| 2 | Mon 21 Sep | Xanten to Arnhem | 66 km |
| 3 | Tue 22 Sep | Arnhem to Utrecht | 74 km |
| 4 | Wed 23 Sep | Utrecht to Leiden via Gouda | 73 km |
| 5 | Thu 24 Sep | Leiden to Haarlem | 44 km |
| 6 | Fri 25 Sep | Haarlem to Amsterdam | 30 km |
| 7 | Sat 26 Sep | Rest day in Amsterdam | - |
| 8 | Sun 27 Sep | Amsterdam to Den Helder | 90 km |
| 9 | Mon 28 Sep | Texel Island to Huisduinen, via the Den Helder ferry | 50 km |
| 10 | Tue 29 Sep | Huisduinen to Harlingen | 50 km plus bus |
| 11 | Wed 30 Sep | Harlingen to Dokkum | 60 km |
| 12 | Thu 1 Oct | Dokkum to Groningen | 61 km |
Meet the Pino the Netherlands teams
Five teams rode Pino the Netherlands.
Four of the riders at the front are vision-impaired.
Team 2
Will O'Neil
Rider
Alan Corven
Ride Leader
Team 3
Molly Burke
Rider
Brendan Grant
Pilot
Team 4
Dave Brown
Rider
Andy Winstanley
Pilot
Team 5
Hamish Mackenzie
Rider
Lisa Hughes
Pilot
What the ride set out to do
01
Demonstrate inclusive cycling in action
Showed that vision-impaired riders can take part fully in a major international cycling tour, alongside their pilots.
02
Promote inclusive cycling tourism
Showcased the Netherlands as an accessible cycling destination, and encouraged destinations, tour operators and industry partners to embrace inclusive tourism.
03
Grow the Riding Together movement
Inspire people to contact us and establish an affiliate in their own community, city or region.
Delivering a message of inclusivity, to the global tourist operator industry
CycleSummit 2026 brought more than 200 international cycling tour operators to Groningen. Pino the Netherlands finished in the same city, two days before it opened.
One of the ride's four blind riders was a keynote speaker at the Welcome Dinner. She spoke days after finishing the ride herself. An audience of more than five million people follows her advocacy work. At CycleSummit, she put inclusive cycling tourism in front of the people who can make it happen.
Three of our teams also rode the Sunday morning delegate ride. Pino the Netherlands arrived in Groningen as a working example of inclusive cycling, not simply an idea for the future.
One ride.
One stage.
One message.
CycleSummit 2026, Groningen.
More than 200 international cycling tour operators, and five Pino teams arriving straight off an 11 day expedition.
Our message is simple. Cycling should be inclusive.
We're a registered charity
Riding Together Limited is proudly a registered Australian charity, recognised by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
Any donation you give over $2.00 to our charity is tax deductible.
Our charity status reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and positive community impact.
Donate
Media contacts
Will O'Neil
Community Outreach Manager
For interviews, ride-along and story enquiries.
Gary Hackett
Director
For questions about the ride, the charity and the mission.