Team Boat Bike Tours

Jan Timmermans | Director

I’ve been working for Channel Cruises Holland (CCH) since the 1980s. In those days it was a small office for small passenger ships, especially for trips with schoolchildren. When I took over the company in 1995, I was intensively involved in the development of the then completely new concept of cycling and cruising. This resulted in the birth of brand and tour operator Boat Bike Tours (BBT) about 15 years later. In order to be able to focus specifically on cycling vacations, I sold my company to Laurens in 2007. Since then I’ve been director of CCH and BBT and am fully involved in operational matters, rather than running the company. In recent years, the company has gone through an enormous development in a market that is rapidly changing. And that’s not always easy, but it’s never boring! Nowadays I’m mostly involved in the management of incidents and emergencies, legal issues, product development, and maintaining contacts with cooperation partners and other major parties. I’m married to Britta and we have one adult son.
My hobbies include: walking my dog to enjoy nature, collect my thoughts and empty my head. During a holiday I love hiking in the Dolomites or another beautiful area. Our “private fleet” at home includes several canoes, so – as a real “Waterlander”- we go on canoe tours in these beautiful wetlands as often as we can.
The best thing about my work is without a doubt the variety: no year is the same, every season is different, I meet and work with lots of idiosyncratic and interesting people and always meet new challenges.
With Boat Bike Tours since 1980

Paula Baas | Tour advisor for groups and charters

I live in Monnickendam with my husband and two teenage boys. I’ve been working at the office of Boat Bike Tours for a long time now, and I still really enjoy it.
My hobbies include skiing, tennis and traveling.
The best thing about my work is contact with customers, getting guests enthusiastic about a boat bike holiday and, of course, nothing beats a nice review at the end of the trip. Working in a cozy and close-knit team at the office also does a lot of good.
With Boat Bike Tours since 1993

Sandra Baas | Tour advisor & product management

I have lived in Monnickendam all my life, now together with my daughter and son.
My hobbies include: reading, going on walks, watching my kid’s baseball games. I also love Ajax and F1.
The best thing about my work is helping our guests book a nice trip. I also take care of the boarding information and make sure that the programs and ships are on the website. I also went to several fairs, where I met partners and helped to recruit new partners.
With Boat Bike Tours since January 2000

Petra van der Gulik | Tour advisor

After living in Hoorn for a few years, I returned to Edam early this year with my husband and two young children. I’ve been working for Channel Cruises / Boat Bike Tours for almost 20 years and I still do this with a lot of pleasure.
My hobbies include: I like to go out, spend the weekend away, go to the beach. I also like to read.
The best thing about my work is to inform people about our unique product and to provide an unforgettable holiday.
With Boat Bike Tours since 20 years

Laurens Winkel | Owner of Boat Bike Tours

After a beautiful childhood in Schoorl, I went to study business administration at Nyenrode. At home we always had a sailing boat called a clipper (my father’s hobby that got out of hand), where I would often fill in as first mate. So I was raised with sailing in my blood…
In 1999 I took over ‘de Zeilvaart’ (a sailing ship booking office), then Channel Cruises Holland and Boat Bike Tours in 2007, which I focused on fully from 2009. It feels great to put my energy and enthusiasm into the further success of our company. I’m married to Lisette and have two teenage children, Sophia and Kick. We live in Broek in Waterland.
My hobbies include: I really love traveling, especially in Italy as I love good cooking. I’m a member of a culinary cooking club in Amsterdam. Besides that, I’m into a lot of sports. As well as being on the Waterlandse Hockey Club veteran team, I also jog and do bootcamps twice a week.
The best thing about my work is working on new products, tours and ships, as well as improving the business and existing products. And also building up our team.
With Boat Bike Tours since 2007

Romy Gietelink | Quality Management and Tour Advisor for Groups and Charters

At Boat Bike Tours, I am dedicated to quality management and organizing group and charter reservations. Since 2010, I’ve been committed to guiding customers through unique travel experiences, with a focus on personal connections, teamwork, and a strong bond with the ships and crew.
My hobbies include playing tennis, sailing, and sitting on a terrace with my girlfriends drinking wine.
The best thing about my work is the contact with customers, working in a cozy team, and the contact with the ships and crew.
With Boat Bike Tours since 2010

Margriet Lakeman | Sustainability Coordinator

I have worked in several roles at BBT, both in the office and on board our sailing ships. In 2014 I started working in the marketing department at Boat Bike Tours. From the end of 2019 I’ve been able to focus my full attention on making Boat Bike Tours more sustainable.
I live with my husband and 2 children in the former tourist church in Onderdijk (just below Medemblik), where we see both The Noordrouters and the Sail & Bike IJsselmeer cyclists.
My hobbies include: reading the newspaper undisturbed, being outside, working in my beautiful garden, staring at the sea and sailing.
The best thing about my work is the contact with other enthusiastic “greenskeepers”.
With Boat Bike Tours since 2014

Karin Herfurth | Controller

I’m originally from Germany but have been living and working in the Netherlands since 1984. I’ve lived in several places but I finally ended up living in the beautiful city of Alkmaar, well known for the cheese market.
My hobbies include: Mostly I like to be out in nature cycling or walking, but a good glass of wine with good company also works well. At this moment my two young kids seem to be my biggest hobby.
The best thing about my work is: I work with numbers and numbers seem to be the same everywhere. But the enthusiasm and dedication of my colleagues have inspired me from the start and have made me as enthusiastic as they are.
With Boat Bike Tours since February 2015

Jossie Verkerk | Sustainability Consultant

I was born and raised in Dordrecht. After high school I moved to Amsterdam to study and wound up working on ships already as a student. In 1986 I started to sail professionally and soon ended up in shipping, on small passenger boats. I’ve been building and sailing ships for years, I reinvented many a boat and having a wonderful time. Now I’ve been boatless for about seven years. For the last three years I’ve been living together with Harrie in a beautiful spot in Friesland. I finally have some grass under my feet. For the last four years I’ve been working for Boat Bike Tours.
My hobbies include: My work has always been my life. So I still spend a lot of time working and I enjoy it a lot. I also love gardening and cycling. And you can often find me in the gym.
The best thing about my work is: There are a lot of fun things about my role. Getting all the product details “right”, dealing with all the tour guides, setting out on a journey to sketch out a new tour, strategic discussions in our team, etc.
With Boat Bike tours since 2016

Sil Faas | Product Development

My whole life I’ve been involved in sailing and other water related activities. Originally born in the southern part of the Netherlands it started with small boats on small lakes. But soon I started to sail professionally on various large sailing party boats. Since 2017 I have been working within the BBT community. At first as an intern on the logistics side of the company, later as a sailor on the ships and now I’m focusing on organizing the boat-bike programs we offer, making sure that all the holidays of our 15.000 guests run as smoothly as possible. For me, that never gets dull. With every cruise being unique and different from all others every ship that casts off from the harbor feels like a new victory.
My hobbies include: I found my passion in sailing when I was young(er) but when I need to clear my head I always go and ride my mountain-bike through the forest.
The best thing about my work: Being in contact with the whole organisation, from the marketing department to the ship’s crew and from the administration to the tour guides.
With BBT since 2017

Ingrid van Asch van Wijck | Tour Logistics

My job at BBT is to make sure there is a suitable bike for every guest on board.
My hobbies include: Walking with my dogs, reading and I like to cook.
The best thing about my work is trying to make sure that there is a good bike for the guests on board without “hassle” for the crew and the tour guide.
With BBT since March 2018

Iris Gerritsen | Tour advisor & partner contacts

I have been working for Boat Bike Tours since the beginning of the 2018 season. Before that, I worked for more than 18 years with hotel reservations for business travellers at home and abroad.

My hobbies include: making long walks with my dog, but I also love to spend time in the garden. I also try to spend as much time as possible with friends and family, preferably over a drink and/or snack.
The best thing about my work is the advisory role I would say. This is where you help guests find the trip that suits them. However, as I am the contact person for our foreign booking partners, my job is mainly to make sure that communication with our partners is and stays clear and that their booking requests are handled as smooth as possible.

With Boat Bike Tours since March 2018

Judith Blanken | Online Marketeer

I’m an enthusiastic and committed colleague who has a passion for online marketing and analytics. I’ve been working in tourism for 10 years and have mostly worked with ships.
I live in Zwaag together with my husband and three children. In Zwaag we enjoy the nature and do a lot of sports with our children.
My hobbies include: I like sports: running, pilates, yoga and bootcamps. I also enjoy sailing with the children or walking in the woods. I love going out for dinner with friends and going to the theatre.
The best thing about my work is: I enjoy the versatility of managing many different online marketing activities and the challenge of making sure we make the right choices with data. The role of coordinator also really appeals to me, making sure that everything runs smoothly and that there’s good communication within the marketing team.
With Boat Bike Tours since april 2018

Ingrid Schuurink | Tour advisor

I’ve spent my whole career in the tourism sector, starting when I worked with “brown fleet” charters (traditional Dutch sailing ships) for 19 years. I started in 2018 at Boat Bike Tours where I work in sales and customer service, where I try to make sure our guests have the best possible experience on our tours!
I was born and raised in Amsterdam, but have been living for a long time in beautiful Hoorn.
My hobbies include: first place goes to traveling. I also like to mess around in the garden, and in the last few years I’ve been trying to play golf.
The best thing about my work is providing customers with all the relevant information that they need prior to booking. I enjoy being able to act as a guide for travel destinations, ships, availability and the website during a customer’s search and orientation. And talking with guests from all over the world is delightful!
With Boat Bike Tours since: September 2018

Michael de Boer | Junior Content Marketeer

I’m from the town of Volendam, where I have lived all my life.

My hobbies include: I have a cupboard full of drawing supplies I take out now and again just to sit down and start painting or drawing whatever comes to mind, to hone my skills or clear my mind by doing something I love. I love boardgames and English literature.

The best thing about my work: I love the versatility of the work. I travel from ship to ship, meet so many people, and with my camera with me, I can create great videos with so many beautiful footage. They say a picture can tell the story of a thousand words, so that’s a whole lot of travel stories.

With Boat Bike Tours since: March 2021

Hans Huismans | Logistics

I’m from Assendelft and I have 3 kids, including twins.

My hobby’s include: In my personal time, I’m active with soccer. I’m also a soccer trainer. I also like running and ice skating.

The best thing about my work: The nice thing about my work is working on the bicycles and everything that comes along with it, like transporting the bikes to the ships and meeting the people on the ships.

With Boat Bike Tours since: March 2021

Natasja Reurekas-Koek | Marketeer

I was born in Purmerland but have lived in Purmerend since I was 16. In 1995 I got the chance to buy a 100-year-old barge, and I lived on it happily for 10 years. In 2005 my husband, Joost, and I traded in the barge for a houseboat.

My hobbies: Making my own clothes, cooking, spending cozy evenings with friends, biking, and motorboating.

What I like best about my work: Boat Bike Tours gives me the opportunity to be the best I can be. I have really nice colleagues too and work in a fun team.

With Boat Bike Tours since: October 2021

Gerben Sarelse | Tour advisor

Born and raised in Genemuiden (Overijssel) Now I live with my partner in Amsterdam. After working in the coffee business for 15 years, I joined Boat Bike Tours in early 2022 and I’m having super fun!

My hobbies: Tomeij Koffie Amsterdam, our own coffee! Furthermore, I can regularly be found in the gym and love to travel. Favourite country: Italy.

What I like best about my work: Besides my colleagues… Contact with our guests and contribute to their perfect vacation.

With Boat Bike Tours since: : February 2022

Lukasz Sobczak | Data Marketeer

During my studies I was allowed to do an internship at Boat Bike Tours and then I stayed. Originally I come from Frankfurt and studied Digital Business Management in Wiesbaden. Recently I moved to the Netherlands and I’m very happy here.

My hobbies: One of my hobbies is traveling. I love visiting different places in the world and I find it exciting to discover new things.

The best thing about my job: The best part of my job is that I can tell stories to clients and my colleagues using data and its visualizations.

With Boat Bike Tours since: February 2022

Nina Jongmans | Tour advisor

I grew up in Monnickendam, but have been living with my boyfriend in Purmerend for a few months now. I have always been interested in the tourism industry and after I graduated from high school I went to study Hotel Management. After 5 years of working in the hospitality industry, I ended up at Boat Bike Tours. I now work here with great pleasure.

My hobbies: I really enjoy being around people. I love going out with my friends. I have also been playing tennis for years.

What I like most about my job:I like the contact with the guests and working with our fantastic team to make sure they have a great trip!

With Boat Bike Tours since: May 2022

Kseniia Krasovska | Product Development

I was born and raised in Ukraine, as a child I spent 3 years in Kiel, Germany, where I first got to know ships and fell in love with them. I have travelled a lot all my life, visited many countries and continents, and am now I’m proud to be a part of the Boat Bike Tours family.

My hobbies: I always enjoy travelling and exploring new places, I love sailing, playing chess with friends, DIY is also one of my hobbies. I’m also into psychology and gardening.

What I like best about my work: I really like the atmosphere and the team I work with and to feel that I am helpful to our clients.

With Boat Bike Tours since: June 2022

Jana Tvedt | Manager US Office

After graduation from university in 1989, I started working onboard large cruise ships and launched a long travel career working in every aspect of the business from sales to operations. Born in California, I’ve had the opportunity to travel about half the world and live in Austria and Bermuda before settling in Connecticut 20 years ago. I have three beautiful children.

My hobbies: I have a passion for live theatre either sitting in the audience or performing on stage. I’ve studied nutrition and natural medicine and appreciate how herbs, homeopathy, energy, and food heal and strengthen the mind and body. Daily meditation and prayer keep me connected and directed.

What I like most about my job: I love trip planning. I enjoy talking to people about their dream trip and how to make the logistics and choreography work together for an amazing experience.

With Boat Bike Tours since: September 2022

Reini Knorr | Tour Advisor

Born and raised in Germany, I moved to the US as a young adult, where I have lived, raised my four kids with my husband and worked ever since (except for a short one-year stint in the UK). I started out in the Hospitality and Travel industry in 1987 and am thrilled to come full circle after skipping around finance and the relocation business for some time.

My hobbies led me to Boat Bike Tours: I love traveling, boating (we have our own small power boat), cycling, spending time with family, my dog and friends, hiking, playing Pickle Ball, going to concerts, reading, volunteering in the community and learning about people.

What I like best about my work: Working at Boat Bike Tours is fun! The people are great, the philosophy of mienskip is fabulous and the passengers are some of the most interesting folks you will ever come across.

With Boat Bike Tours since: October 2022

Kim Carr | Tour Advisor

When I was seventeen, I traveled to Eastern Europe on a high school trip where I met an eighty-five-year-old woman from Ohio on the steps of a museum. We struck up a conversation and I couldn’t believe how joyful, courageous, and full of life she was. She said it was because she loved to travel and I thought, I want to be just like her! Travel found me again when I graduated from university, and my first job was with MISR Travel, the National Tour Operator of Egypt, located in Rockefeller Center in New York City, a destination in itself. I fell into it and have been falling into travel ever since, working for several other tour operators before coming to Boat Bike Tours. I’m married to Brett, a chiropractor and we have one daughter, Jordan, and a black lab who loves her dinner.

My hobbies: Traveling, any which way: solo, with friends, but especially with my family. I love going to national parks for climbing trips with my daughter, a climber, and taking photos of the natural world while she climbs. I love great coffee, even better conversation, walking my sweet black lab, and reading five books at a time.

What I like best about my work: I love the collegial spirit that exists between colleagues at BBT. It means a lot to work for a company whose values around community and sustainability align with my own. And, I love supporting our guests as they make the decision to travel on a BBT tour, knowing they are going to fall in love!

With Boat Bike Tours since: October 2022

Julia Krönert | Data Marketeer

After my studies in tranquil Freiburg, I moved to the big city of Amsterdam, where I started working as a marketing intern at Boat Bike Tours. I have since moved into the field of digitalisation, where I found my passion for data and tables, which are often more exciting than they seem at first glance.

My hobbies: I’m always happy to learn and try out new things or take spontaneous trips to places I haven’t been before. I also love going to the cinema on rainy days.

What I like best about my work: Finding solutions to minor and major problems together with the many nice colleagues in the office, who add a bit of Dutch “Gezelligheid” to every day.
With Boat Bike Tours since: March 2023

Ennie Schuh | Tour Advisor & Marketeer

After graduating school in Germany, I started studying “International Management” while living in the US until 2023. In June I moved to the Netherlands for an internship at Boat Bike Tours and decided to stay.

My hobbies: I like exploring cultures and learning new things. In my free time I like to read, play the piano and pursue dancing.

What I like most about my job: having contact with people from all over the world and working in a motivated and kind team.

With Boat Bike Tours since: June 2023

Masimo Dawit | Logistics

I live in Haarlem with my wife and two daughters. Originally, I’m from Eritrea, raised by an Eritrean mother and an Italian father. That’s why I speak Italian and Tigrinya, in addition to Dutch, English, and Amharic.

My hobbies are: cycling, playing football, swimming, watching movies, and going on vacations.

What I like best about my work is: building bikes, and also learning more about e-bikes. Additionally, the whole team is great to work with.

With Boat Bike Tours since: June 2023

Coen de Ruwe | COO

I grew up (just like several colleagues) in the beautiful town of Monnickendam. I never thought I would return there, but now I have been living there for more than 10 years with my wife Marsha, daughter Sam, and son Abel. After completing my studies in Leisure Management and Communication Science, I worked in the Telecom sector and Fintech. Mostly in roles where customer operations, marketing, and digitalization come together. I am now bringing this experience to Boat Bike Tours.

My hobbies: I love sports! A big cycling enthusiast (of course), but I also play hockey and basketball. Additionally, I am passionate about music, especially hip-hop!

What I like most about my job: Working with people towards the same goal: Creating an amazing experience for our guests! We design our processes, organization, and systems around our guests. Especially as a growing company, this comes with growing pains, and I do everything I can to ease those pains while continuing to grow.

With Boat Bike Tours since: May 2024

José María Jarillo Fernández | Travel Advisor

Born and raised in the mountains of Madrid, Spain. I studied Tourism in the Hotel and Catering School. I have been living in the Netherlands for 6 years. I am a Spanish teacher and I give private lessons.

My hobbies: I love cakes and sweets. I like to cook, eat on a terrace with friends or a day out. Hiking or biking in nature. I like to read and I like history.

Best thing about my work: Liaising with partners for the right tour search.

With Boat Bike tours since February 2024

Emma Kok | Sustainability

“Be part of the sollution, not the pollution”. With this mission, I started in the sustainability department of Boat Bike Tours. I was born and raised in Oostzaan and have recently spread my wings to lively Watergraafsmeer, Amsterdam. I have a master’s degree in Tourism, Society and Environment studied at Wageningen University, where I specialised in sustainable transformational experiences among tourists and mapping positive and negative impacts that travel companies have on a destination. Now I get to use my passion, knowledge and experience to work towards a greener Boat Bike Tours!

My hobbies: Traveling, of course, preferably unplanned and adventurous, getting lost in nature, having a good glass of wine on a terrace with good company or just relaxing on the couch or in the cinema watching a great romcom.

What I like most about my job: Constantly working towards innovation and improvement. Keep learning every day and getting one step further than the day before.

With Boat Bike Tours since: March 2024