Bos en Lommer in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Willem Augustin

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 1, 2022

1. Willem Augustin Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Willem Augustin (1923-2004)

Bouwvakker, communist, schaatstrainer en bij leven Elfstedenlegende door zijn deelname aan negen achtereenvolgende tochten. De eerste in 1941, waarvoor de nog net geen achttienjarige Augustin vanuit Amsterdam spontaan naar Leeuwarden fietste, omdat er geen trein meer reed. Een haast onneembare reis; het was oorlog, verboden 's avonds buiten te zijn, pikkedonker ook. Het werd een van de beste anekdotes in de geschiedenis van de Elfstedentocht. In 1997 reed hij op bijna 74-jarige leeftijd zijn laatste tocht. Tot aan zijn overlijden in 2004 kwam er geen volgende. Twee jaar eerder deed hij nog wel, als oudste deelnemer, mee aan de Elfstedenwandeltocht.

(English translation:)

Construction worker, communist, skating trainer and living legend of the Elfstedentocht (“Eleven City (skating) Tour”) through his participation in nine consecutive tours. The was first in 1941, for which Augustin, just under eighteen, spontaneously cycled from Amsterdam to Leeuwarden to enter the race, because there was no train running anymore. It was an almost impossible

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journey; it was wartime, with a nighttime curfew, and pitch dark, too. This became one of the best anecdotes in the history of the Elfstedentocht. In 1997 he rode his last tour at the age of almost 74. There was no next one until his death in 2004. Two years earlier, as the oldest participant, he participated in the Eleven Cities Walking Tour.

Erected 2022 by Geef Straten Een Gezicht.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Dutch Sports (GSEG), and the Give Streets a Face / Geef Straten Een Gezicht series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 52° 22.54′ N, 4° 50.246′ E. Marker is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Bos en Lommer. Marker is on Willem Augustinstraat, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Willem Augustinstraat 287, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1061 BL, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wim van Est (a few steps from this marker); Ben Bril (within shouting distance of this marker); Albrecht Rodenbach: De Blauwvoet (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Bep Bakhuys (about 150 meters away); Anton Bergmann: Ernest Staas (about 210 meters away); Janna van der Weg

Willem Augustin Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 1, 2022

2. Willem Augustin Marker - wide view

(approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Fanny Blankers-Koen (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Henriette Voûte (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.

Also see . . .
1. The world of Willem Augustin (Funny Skating Stories).

Short biography and an extended retelling of Augustin’s legendary 150 km. nighttime bicycle trek in the middle of winter to get to his first Elfstedentocht skating competition.

(Submitted on February 14, 2023.)

2. Willem Augustin (Westlands Schaatsmuseum, in Dutch). An extended biography by the Westlands Skating Museum. (Submitted on February 14, 2023.)

Willem Augustin Marker - wider view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 1, 2022

3. Willem Augustin Marker - wider view

Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 51 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 14, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.