Cycling and cycling holidays are very popular right now. But not everyone has decades of experience on adventurous cycling trips, and some people feel a little overwhelmed by how to approach their first cycling tour. This article will therefore probably be less interesting for experienced touring cyclists. Instead, I want to help newcomers plan their first cycling trip and introduce the Römer-Lippe-Route.

I myself, for example, have never cycled the entire Römer-Lippe-Route. Therefore, I plan to tell you about my considerations before the trip as well as my personal experiences and adventures during my cycling holiday. I hope to be able to hit the pedals in May, or at the latest, June. So, first things first: the trip planning! By the way, Sandra has also already written about her Travel planning and experiences on the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route reported.

Planning is half the battle.

There are people who like to plan everything down to the smallest detail, and others who just hop on their bikes and see what happens. As adventurous as the latter approach is, I definitely belong to the first group of vacationers. For me, the vacation planning itself is part of the travel experience, and the anticipation builds with each step. Of course, you should always remain spontaneous for last-minute ideas, but a rough plan is incredibly helpful in ensuring that the "best days of the year" truly are wonderful. Therefore, in this blog post, I'd like to share what you should consider when planning a cycling holiday in our latitudes.

How long do I actually want to be away?

Planning almost always begins with this question – it actually precedes choosing the destination. A long-distance cycle route should, after all, fit the available time. If I only have a weekend, I probably won't choose the Via Claudia Augusta from Augsburg to Venice. And spending my three-week main holiday on the 240-kilometer-long Ruhr Valley Cycle Path also seems rather unsuitable.

But how many kilometers do most cyclists actually cover per day? According to the ADFC (General German Bicycle Club) cycling tourism analysis, it's 71 kilometers a day. I know many cyclists who would like to ride around 100 kilometers. Conversely, beginners should plan for less on their first cycling trip. 40 to 50 kilometers are probably good guidelines here. Of course, it also depends heavily on whether you want to visit many sights along the way (which always takes time) or whether you want to focus more on the pure cycling experience.

Approximately how fast do I drive on average?

An average speed of 15 km/h is actually a good pace if you cycle regularly and want to enjoy the scenery. Those who prefer a faster pace and prioritize cycling can expect an average speed of up to 20 km/h. You won't get much faster than that on well-traveled recreational routes, as there are always slower sections with inclines or a lot of pedestrian traffic. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, an average of 10 km/h might be suitable. Depending on how long you want to spend in the saddle each day (or how long your backside can tolerate it), you can easily calculate your daily mileage.

I want to focus on cycling during my trip, ideally pedaling all day, and I'm used to maintaining a higher pace for extended periods. Therefore, I'm planning for relatively long 100-kilometer rides per day. Since I have three days, that adds up to around 300 kilometers, which is practically perfect for the Römer-Lippe-Route, officially 295 kilometers long.

How long are most cycling holidays in the Ruhr area?

The Emscher way At 101 kilometers, it's the shortest long-distance cycle route in the Ruhr area. Most cyclists should plan for two days to complete it. Fast cyclists can easily manage it in one day, and if you want to see a lot, three days might be enough. Ruhr Valley Cycle Path Most cycling tourists complete a 240-kilometer route in 3-5 days over a long weekend. The one I've chosen... Roman Lippe Route This is suitable for the average cyclist for 4-6 vacation days.

The Industrial heritage route With its 300-kilometer circular route and numerous sights along the way, it is perfect for a whole week of intensive cycling fun in the Ruhr area with plenty of sightseeing.

How do I get to the starting point?

To be honest, theory and practice often clash here. The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route, for example, is theoretically very well connected to the RE 57 regional train from Dortmund to Winterberg. However, especially on long spring weekends, the trains' capacity is stretched to its limits due to insufficient bicycle spaces. Getting to Detmold isn't exactly straightforward either, requiring multiple transfers. The main problem: bicycle spaces on regional trains cannot be reserved, and on the platform, it's essentially a case of first come, first served… This is particularly frustrating for first-time cyclists.

On the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path, it can be helpful to check for additional buses. If you're traveling in a smaller group, booking a bus shuttle with a bicycle trailer is worth considering. For example, the company [Company Name] offers this service in our area. ADAMI Travel They offer suitable transport with trailers for bicycles. The great advantage of the Industrial Heritage Route is that you can finish your tour on the circular route exactly where you started a few days earlier. Whether from the central train station in Mülheim an der Ruhr or Hamm/Westfalen, or from a suitable parking lot, is entirely up to you. But it certainly makes planning much easier.

For my tour on the Roman-Lippe Route, I've decided to take a transfer from my hometown to Essen Central Station, then continue by regional express train to Herford, and finally from there by regional train to Detmold. I'm curious to see if the plan will work out…

And one more important tip for getting to the Römer-Lippe-Route: You don't necessarily have to cycle from Detmold train station up to the Hermann Monument. The "Touristiklinie 792" bike bus takes you up to the starting point, allowing you to begin your cycling holiday in a relaxed manner at the highest point. You can find all the information about the bus at [website address]. https://lippemobil.de/de/infothek-service/touristiklinie-792/.

Where and how will I spend the night?

Choosing accommodation is, of course, primarily a matter of personal preference. Whether you prefer an affordable youth hostel, a solid mid-range hotel, a luxurious spa, or a rustic camping experience, the selection of options here in the Ruhr region is often quite extensive. Outside of the popular long weekends, accommodations should have sufficient capacity to allow for spontaneous bookings during your cycling trip. This gives you flexibility depending on the weather or your personal preferences. However, you should pay closer attention if you're traveling in a larger group, choosing one of the aforementioned long weekends, or happen to coincide with a major trade fair in Dortmund, Essen, or Düsseldorf. There are also sections of the Römer-Lippe-Route where, unfortunately, accommodation options are less readily available.

Important aids along the Römer-Lippe-Route include the... Manual and on the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route Tour guide available. Here you'll find all bicycle-friendly businesses along the routes, along with their direct contact information. You can also see at a glance how far each business is from the main route (maximum 5 kilometers) and their prices. Also included are... Bett+Bike website This platform is ideal for finding suitable accommodation. If you search through other booking platforms, there's always the risk that you won't find a good spot for your beloved bike when you arrive. Of course, most establishments will eventually find a solution, but if you look for the Bed+Bike seal from the outset, things will be much more relaxed in the evening.

I myself am a big fan of more adventurous cycling trips and therefore enjoy staying at campsites or unusual hostels. This makes the luggage on the bike considerably heavier, but I love the feeling of freedom that comes with bike camping. As a little insider tip along the Römer-Lippe-Route, I'd like to mention the fantastic Herbert Mining Tunnel in Bergkamen. Also that Tiny House Hotel Pier9 or a Shepherd's wagon The farm animal ark in Hamm will certainly make your cycling trip a little more special.

Which bike should I get?

Long-distance cycle routes are typically ridden on a touring bike. This makes it easiest to mount your luggage. Important for your first cycling trip: keep your back free and avoid taking a backpack if possible. When you're in the saddle all day, even the smallest backpack quickly becomes a burden, and a sweaty back is always annoying. Some cyclists also use smaller hip bags instead of bulky backpacks, thus keeping their backs even more free.

Gravel bikes, often used for bikepacking and equipped with many smaller bags, are becoming increasingly popular. This offers the advantage of better weight distribution while cycling. However, when visiting a tourist attraction, a few larger panniers are more practical. Those riding a bike without a rear rack might consider a temporary rack that can be quickly attached to the seatpost for their cycling trip. While not as robust as dedicated racks, these should easily handle the weight of luggage for a short trip.

Whether you choose an e-bike or a more traditional bicycle is entirely up to you. However, newcomers to cycle touring shouldn't underestimate how difficult it is to heave a fully loaded bike uphill. On the Römer-Lippe-Route, the two longest climbs are right at the beginning of the first stage. I myself will be doing my tour on an e-bike because I'll need to attach quite a bit of camping equipment to it.

What should I pack?

It's fair to say that the more experienced a cycling tourist is, the less they carry. The motto "less is more" applies especially to a cycling trip. Nevertheless, there are certain things you should always have with you. A multi-tool and puncture repair kit, as well as a spare inner tube and pump, should be included, along with a small first-aid kit in case something doesn't go as planned. Clothing should be adapted to the current weather forecast. Bulky and heavy clothing should stay at home in favor of lighter items that allow for layering. The weather forecast immediately before departure will then provide further information on whether rain gear, a down vest, or warm gloves would be useful. The longer a cycling trip lasts, the more flexible you should be in adapting to changing weather conditions. For a three-day tour, you can actually get by with very little luggage, but I, too, am one of those people who always pack way too much…

And how do I find the right way?

Well, there's the signage, which guides you from start to finish with the route logos. However, in an urban area with a lot of vandalism, you shouldn't rely solely on this signage. Besides, it's easy to miss a signpost or overlook the small arrows on intermediate signs (yes, those are valid too! Many cyclists think only the arrow signs with the logo insert are valid. But where no other cycle path branches off, the simple arrows without a logo also apply).

However, I always recommend having a good plan B. Digital navigation is, of course, the best way to do this. GPX-Data for the Roman-Lippe Route are available here for download Ready. If you're using Komoot, it's worth taking a look at our account or even directly at our collection of Long-distance cycle paths in the Ruhr area.

Those who still prefer using analog maps should carry detailed maps at a scale of at least 1:35.000 in their pannier. The spiral-bound "Römer-Lippe-Route" from BVA Verlag, for example, is still available in any well-stocked bookstore, although it is somewhat dated. Esterbauer Verlag also offers a "bikeline cycling guidebook for the Römer-Lippe-Route."

My tour planning for the Roman-Lippe route

So how exactly do I approach the Römer-Lippe-Route? A look at the Route map And the sights along the way tell me that I should plan a little more time for sightseeing at the beginning and end, while I want to cover a few more kilometers in the middle section. I want to take some time for the Hermann Monument, the Lippe State Museum, and the Externsteine ​​rock formation.

I also want to take my time exploring Bad Lippspringe and Paderborn with its beautiful Pader springs. After almost 100 kilometers (including travel from the train station), Lippstadt would be a good place to spend the night. On the second day, there are several Roman excavation sites and castles along the way. I can probably cycle on quickly there, and you're usually most motivated on the second day. Besides, I'm looking for a suitable campsite, so I actually want to cycle all the way to Schermbeck. Here, I want and need to push myself a bit and spend the whole day in the saddle. That leaves only 40 kilometers for the last day, so I can take my time enjoying the grand finale: the LVR Archaeological Park in Xanten.

My tip for your travel planning

Most people will certainly plan for more days. In my opinion, Paderborn and Hamm are good places to stop for the first few stages, so that the day trips are a good length and you have enough time for sightseeing, beautiful towns and plenty of breaks over 5 days of cycling.

Extra tip for bargain hunters: the RUHR.TOPCARD

Do you want to see and experience a lot on your cycling trip along the Römer-Lippe-Route? Then the RUHR.TOPCARD This could be exciting for you. Here's a small example (as of May 2023): You take a break from cycling for two hours with waterskiing in Hamm (€32) and then visit Maximilianpark in Hamm (€5). In Haltern am See, you visit the LWL Roman Museum (€6), in Dorsten you briefly visit the Jewish Museum of Westphalia (€5) and then relax at the Atlantis leisure pool (€14). The NaturForum Bislicher Insel visitor center (€3) is practically on the way, and at your destination in Xanten, you visit the Siegfried Museum Xanten (€4) and, of course, the LVR Archaeological Park Xanten (€9). For the €66 RUHR.TOPCARD, you'll save €78 on entrance fees on this bike tour alone and could continue using the card for the rest of the year.

Still have questions for your tour planning?

Then you have three more options! You can write your questions in the comments below and I'll try to answer them to the best of my knowledge and belief. Or you can call our Service Center, where you can get (almost) all your questions answered personally. Or you can take the risk and just set off and see what happens… 🙂

My travelogue will be available here on our blog shortly after I've completed my journey along the Roman-Lippe Route. I'm also curious to see what the trip will bring and what won't go according to plan. After all, the best travel experiences usually happen quite by chance…