The idea of ​​a bike tour is always so idyllic: cycling amidst lush green fields, the wind in your hair, the scent of flowers in the air… Like so many others, I'm rediscovering cycling and the idyllic charm of a bike tour this year. However, what no one tells a "beginner" like me beforehand: no mercy for your calves. For many, this saying applies from 70 kilometers upwards, but I start sweating at just 30 kilometers. Therefore, as with so many things: practice makes perfect! So, helmet on and onto the saddle!

Discoveries off the beaten track

I was delighted when my colleague Pascal invited me to join him on a new discovery tour To set off. For those who don't know them yet: The Discovery Tours are bike tours in the Ruhr region that take place off the beaten track. Our tour is about 40 kilometers long – the perfect length for a day trip for beginners like me or a quick after-work ride for more experienced cyclists. Despite my apprehension that my colleague will leave me in the dust, I'm really looking forward to the tour.

Up close with calves and sheep

We park at Auesee lake in Wesel Feldmark, unpack our bikes, apply plenty of sunscreen, and then we're off. We take the path around the lake, hoping to catch a glimpse of the water. After a short while, we're rewarded with a fantastic view of Auesee. Since we've only cycled a few kilometers, it's not time for a break yet, so we just stop briefly to enjoy the idyllic scenery. Then we continue towards the Rhine and along the Rhine dike towards Bislich, the "village on the dike." The first few kilometers go like clockwork, and I feel like I could cycle hundreds more kilometers like this. Ah, how beautiful! We notice how many animals we spot: storks in the air, little calves, and bleating sheep on the Rhine meadows. I try to interact with our animal companions, but the lush green grass is, of course, much more interesting. Nevertheless, we both agree that it's truly beautiful here on the Rhine.

Ruhr area hustle and bustle vs. fresh milk vending machine

Arriving in the village of Bislich, we discover a village museum. However, we want to continue enjoying our cycling in the sunshine and head towards Diersfordter Forest and Hamminkeln. We've now cycled about 15 kilometers and I have to say: I feel fantastic and am really proud that I'm keeping up so well.

Far removed from everyday stress and the hustle and bustle of the Ruhr region, we drive past a fresh milk vending machine directly from the farmer and a sign promising fresh honey from the beekeeper 200 meters further on. Surrounded by fields and meadows, it's astonishing that we're just a stone's throw from the hectic heart of the Ruhr area.

No, this is not South Tyrol!

A few hundred meters further on, Pascal remarks that there should be a quarry lake on the left, and shortly afterward we spot a path leading to it, which we naturally take. Just a quick glance and wow, we're thrilled! We've both rarely seen such a bright, radiant blue lake with crystal-clear water. A real stroke of luck, as the view of the lake from the dirt road is mostly obscured by bushes.

Scent of roses and orchards

After a brief moment of admiration, we continue on our way, but we don't get far, because a few minutes later a wonderful rose scent suddenly wafts into our noses.

We stop again, utterly amazed: an enormous orchard, complete with a rose garden, lies before us. Visitors are warmly invited to stroll through the orchards of the Clostermann family's Neuhollandshof farm. Of course, we don't miss the opportunity. Unfortunately, the farm café is closed for its summer break in July and August, a pity for us. Overwhelmed by the vibrant colors of the roses and the idyllic setting of the orchard, we hop back on our bikes. After all, this is about cycling.

Cool shade of the Diersfordt Forest

Passing more surprisingly beautiful gravel pit lakes, we now enter the Diersfordt Forest. In the cooling shade of the trees, we finally make some progress. For a short while, we ride on a separate cycle path alongside a country road until we turn left towards "Schwarzes Wasser" (Black Water). As we enter the deep forest, the surface becomes a bit bumpier. However, since the surface has been in very good condition so far, this isn't a problem, and we simply ride a little more carefully. Around "Schwarzes Wasser," the path becomes somewhat sandy in places. A real shame, but the view of the small, truly black lake in the middle of the deep forest makes the effort worthwhile!

I'm so full, I don't want any more... oh, cake!

Emerging from the cool forest, we're delighted to be back on asphalt and set off at a brisk pace towards Hamminkeln. Here we take a much-needed break, enjoy a well-deserved slice of cake on a bakery terrace, and recharge our batteries. With all the detours, we've already covered over 30 kilometers, and I'm starting to feel it in my legs (Pascal can only chuckle at this). Once the cake is gone, we're off again, true to the motto "No mercy for the calves."

(Relaxed) final sprint along the Issel

So I think, "Let's go, final sprint!", but realize I need to slow down a bit. We leave Hamminkeln and head towards the Issel River, which we follow for a while (unfortunately at a distance). Regrettably, the route now briefly follows a country road. However, only a few cars pass us, and the surrounding scenery is very beautiful, so it's not too bad.

Finally, we cross the Issel River via a small bridge. My colleague calls out to me, "Come on, let's go for the final sprint!" and I think to myself, "Oh no, only now?" While Pascal meanders along beside me, seemingly only pedaling lightly every five minutes, I really have to work hard. And then suddenly we see a fawn standing right next to us in the field. It's moments like these that make pedaling worthwhile! We cycle back to Wesel Feldmark, where we parked, through fields and small woods, enjoying a relaxed ride (at least for Pascal).

My conclusion about my discovery tour – Proud as punch!

In the end, we clocked a proud 48 kilometers with an average speed of 17,5 km/h! I'm as proud as punch. It's safe to say that the idea of ​​the bike tour wasn't the only idyllic thing about it. Despite a bright red face and sore legs, I thought the tour was simply fantastic. Firstly, because of the length of the tour, without any major climbs, mostly off-road, and with good surface conditions. Secondly, because it was literally a discovery tour. We hadn't expected so much idyllic scenery, so many surprising and amazingly beautiful places. With a break or two to enjoy these spots, the tour is perfect for "beginners" like me. So all that's left for me to say is: Get on your bike, it's worth it! You can find more great tips for the Wesel district in Ronja's blog post. "A bit like a short break – On the road along the green edge of the Ruhr area" – come and visit!

An article by Livia Zillich, who supported the Ruhr Tourism Active Team as an intern from February to June 2020.