I’ve always wanted to know just where the coastline of the Netherlands would be if we did not beaver away at dikes, artificial dunes and water pumping stations. And now I know! Thanks to a lucky chance I met with the NAP-path yesterday  – a route for cyclists that follows the imaginary coastline of the Netherlands for 445 km’s. NAP stands for Normaal Amsterdams Peil or Normal Amsterdam Level – we measure height against the average high tide level of water in the IJ, the river that borders Amsterdam. Are we a nation of masochists, or what?  If I am unwise enough to spend a week of my life cycling this path  I’m sure I will be biking against the wind, too.