Simply break free from everyday life and immerse yourself in a small adventure – these so-called microadventures are currently all the rage. Cycling, in particular, is a wonderful way to shake off many worries and problems, at least temporarily. The weekend is ideal for this, but even during the week, a "5 to 9 adventure" can provide plenty of energy for the next workday. You only need to invest a little time, but you'll get an extraordinary travel experience to cherish and truly soothe your soul. Today, I'd like to introduce you to a particularly beautiful option for such a microadventure, which is also ideal for beginners to get their first taste of cycling.

A microadventure for beginners

What the word "adventure" means to each individual will certainly vary greatly. Of course, there are experienced bikepackers who expect an overnighter to be nothing more than sleeping in a sleeping bag somewhere in a remote forest. Here, I'd like to introduce you to the concept of "microadventures." Essentially, an adventure idea for everyone that will push you a little out of your comfort zone, but where the risk of being mauled by a wolf pack remains relatively low. 😉

What exactly is a "5 to 9 adventure"?

To achieve an extraordinary experience with very little effort and usually a small budget, "5 to 9 adventures" are particularly suitable. You don't need to request vacation time; you simply use your evenings to experience something different.

Instead of cycling home from the office as usual, you take your bike somewhere different. After a short after-work ride, you choose an unusual place to spend the night, one that offers a particularly memorable experience, and the next morning you head straight back to the office. You'll see: such a midweek micro-break is every bit as rewarding as a much more elaborate weekend trip.

Spending the night in a mine tunnel

I experienced one of these "5 to 9 adventures" last late summer. And it was so surprising and intense that I absolutely had to tell you about it. It's easy to organize and doesn't necessarily require expensive expedition equipment, but it's definitely a significant departure from the usual "I'm just popping out to an appointment."

Our office is in Oberhausen, and I had an appointment in Hamm the following day. So I got the idea to simply cycle there and camp somewhere along the way. The tent meadow at the guesthouse by the Rünthe Marina in Bergkamen seemed perfect – until the owner introduced me to "Herbert," and I was instantly smitten. All my camping gear was for nothing, because it was immediately clear: I had to sleep in it!

Herbert – a mining tunnel with extra Ruhr area charm

The operators have conjured up a kind of cabin, built and designed almost entirely from original parts salvaged from various coal mines in the Ruhr region. A protective tarpaulin, originally intended to shield miners from dangerous rockfalls, covers a steel frame that came from the Recklinghausen visitor mine. The cables and wires originate from the Haus Aden and Monopol collieries.

It's more like a tent, and there's no heating. You sleep on camp beds on a pebble floor, so an overnight stay definitely feels like a camping holiday.

True Ruhr area love

Herbert's place is furnished down to the last detail with mining relics. From the classic miner's lamp to the pithead basket or a mine telephone to the light switch, everything was lovingly collected from abandoned mines by the senior boss, who used to toil underground himself.

If it weren't all authentic, one might be tempted to accuse it of kitschy Disneyfication. But here – and you realize this immediately in conversation with the family who runs it – it's not about an "artificial world of adventure," but about a genuine love for mining that you feel in every moment. And the best part is: you can still smell it, too. Because many of the objects and even the metal framework come from the mine, the accommodation simply doesn't smell like a hotel room or a plastic tent; no, it simply smells like a mine shaft. Okay, I was probably only the second person to ever stay there, and one has to fear that this smell will gradually disappear, but nevertheless, the love for the mine and the romanticism of mining will always remain intensely palpable here.

Camping atmosphere on the tent meadow

I prepared my dinner myself, of course, in true style, on a small gas stove and then enjoyed it in a folding chair. A delicious, chilled shandy was available at the guesthouse.

As darkness fell, I was then able to enjoy the intense camping atmosphere.

After a rather chilly night, but with a warm blanket, the alarm clock rang the next morning. I wasn't entirely alone in my accommodation, but every camper will know that.

In contrast, the breakfast I received at the guesthouse was almost luxurious for a micro-adventure. I was very well looked after, just like in a good hotel. I had actually planned on a quick snack at the bakery or, as usual, whipping up a delicious egg on the gas stove.

Get on your bike and let's go!

The bike was quickly packed and I finally continued on to my appointment in Hamm. While I was relaxing at the Datteln-Hamm Canal As I drove along, soaking up the morning atmosphere, it became clear to me with every turn of the pedals that I had probably gotten the absolute maximum out of this business meeting. Normally, I would have slept at home and then driven through traffic jams across the Ruhr area to the meeting. Instead, I was completely rested and incredibly motivated. The whole thing hadn't been planned as an "adventure" beforehand, but looking back, it was an incredibly intense micro-adventure for me.

My conclusion and tip: just do it!

Especially in these times, we all long for vacation moments and wonderful experiences away from the dreary everyday routine. To experience these, you could certainly travel halfway around the world. But you can also have such unexpected experiences right on your doorstep. We simply have to leave our usual comfort zone and just go for it with an idea that might seem strange at first. "Herbert" is my personal recommendation for exactly that, but of course, there are many more. Unusual places to stay overnight in the Ruhr areaIf you have any other good tips for a short adventure overnight stay, feel free to write them in the comments below. I'm also happy to receive any inspiration for my 2022 cycling season!

A few more details about Herbert and the Bergkamen guesthouse

• The mining tunnel and the camping area are open from April to the end of September.
• In 2022, Herbert costs €25 per person per night, plus an additional €8 for a delicious breakfast. A second person sleeps even more cheaply in the mine tunnel.
• The two garden sheds, Hanni and Nani, would also be nice alternatives. A single person pays 30 euros, while two people can sleep in the shed together for 46 euros.
• The Bergkamen guesthouse is located directly opposite the Rünthe marina and is thus accessible via the node system Easily accessible for cyclists.
• The bicycle is parked under cover in the fenced area of ​​the tent site. Charging an e-bike is easily possible.