Somehow, late summer seems reluctant to end, and the mild temperatures are drawing us cyclists out into nature with all their might. Therefore, to round off the cycling season, I have a great autumn tour suggestion that goes via the node system It's particularly easy to follow by bike (you can find the junction numbers in the info box below) and showcases the vibrant, autumnal Ruhr region. I'll also talk a bit about the bike I used for the tour at the end of October. In conversations with friends and colleagues, I've noticed that many people aren't aware that automatic transmissions have been available for cyclists for some time now. For those who tend to accidentally select the wrong gear, automatic transmissions are certainly a worthwhile option for greater riding comfort and, consequently, even more enjoyment.
A circular route through the colorful autumn forest up to the Haniel spoil heap.
Especially in autumn, I am often drawn to our HaldenThe Haniel spoil tip in Bottrop is the highest accessible spoil tip in the Ruhr area and therefore a prime destination to enjoy the low autumn sun for as long as possible. This time, I want to cycle the entire route using the junction network system, which will make it particularly easy for you to follow along. After a quick glance at the overview map, it's clear that I'll start at the Gasometer in Oberhausen and cycle approximately 58 kilometers via the Haniel spoil tip and the Rotbach route to the Rhine, and finally via the HOAG route I will drive back.
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The XTRA WATT EVO+ 3 Unisex from ROSE as a relaxed companion.
The company ROSE in Bocholt This year, they provided us with two e-bikes for photoshoots and filming. One of the bikes has the Nuvinci automatic transmission, which I found very fascinating. I personally prefer sporty bikes, like the slightly stretched-out riding position, and want to shift gears myself. But for those who enjoy a leisurely ride and sometimes forget to shift at the right moment, the XTRA WATT is certainly an exciting option.
Start at Centro Oberhausen in front of the Gasometer
The current exhibition in gasometer It was recently extended for a whole year. So, if you haven't been inside yet, this bike tour is a great opportunity to see the luminous Earth inside and stroll through the exhibition. There's plenty of parking at Centro, and getting there by bus and train is also easy. As is often the case, I'm doing the tour with Pascal, who once again took all the fantastic photos. From the junction at the Gasometer, we cycle leisurely through OLGA Park, past the Osterfeld coal mine.
Especially at the beginning, I kept catching myself wanting to shift gears… But there isn't a gear shifter. You set your preferred cadence in the display menu, and the bike does the rest. Which cadence you choose is, of course, a matter of personal preference. Many people tend to choose a cadence that's too low. I felt most comfortable at 65 rpm on flat terrain and then increased it to 70 rpm later when climbing the slag heap. However, this also depends on the selected assistance level. If you ride a lot in ECO mode, a higher cadence is really helpful. The more the motor assists, the more you're tempted to pedal at a lower cadence. But even here, a higher cadence definitely contributes to a more efficient and resource-saving riding style.
When cycling uphill on small inclines, I immediately notice how the gears automatically shift to lower and lower gears. You really don't have to do anything and can even continue riding uphill in a relaxed manner under load. This can be especially helpful for inexperienced riders in critical situations, as they no longer have to think about shifting gears.
Via the Jacobi route to the Haniel spoil heap
Behind OLGA Park begins the Jacobi route, which leads us away from the road traffic to the Haniel spoil heap. We are traveling in the last days of October and the trees still have many colorful leaves on their branches, but the ground is already covered with autumn leaves.
The site of the former Jacobi coal mine is now a golf course, which we drive around on rather narrow paths before we return to the improved road. Bahnstrassenradweg We reach our destination. We glide leisurely through the autumn landscape and finally reach the Stations of the Cross leading up to the slag heap.
The junction system actually leads east around the spoil heap. But of course we want to cycle uphill and therefore briefly leave the junction network.
Up the slag heap without shifting gears and without effort
The ascent via the Stations of the Cross is particularly relaxed on the e-bike. At the bottom, near the information board, I increase my cadence to 70; the Bosch motor and automatic transmission take care of the rest. For those who prefer a sportier ride, the XTRA Watt Allroad is the more dynamic alternative. But those who want to enjoy the stunning scenery at a leisurely pace will love the XTRA WATT EVO. I don't have to worry about downshifting before the curves; instead, I can simply enjoy the autumn light and the relics of mining that appear along the way. Even if I come to a brief stop on the incline, starting again is especially easy thanks to the automatic transmission.
At the end of the Stations of the Cross, the panorama opens up and, as always, I am completely captivated. I gaze out over the vast wooded areas of the Kirchheller Heide heath, and my eyes wander to the distant horizon.
A few more meters of elevation, and we reach the top of the slag heap with its well-known and popular railway sleepers, which shine wonderfully in the deep autumn sun like brightly painted totems – just the right place for a first relaxing break.
But the days are getting shorter, so we have to move on and make the most of the remaining sunshine. The descent via the northern gravel track is less pleasant. Less experienced cyclists should be especially careful here, as the path has unfortunately been badly washed out by the rain in some places.
Once we reach the bottom, we quickly arrive at the Grafenmühle with its countless restaurants – Katalina and Sandra We've already reported on this in more detail. We're heading straight on to the next autumnal wooded area.
The Rotbach trail to Dinslaken
We glide westward through the colorful autumn forest on the signposted Rotbach Trail. The autumn leaves crunch under our tires, and we enjoy the wonderful forest air. The beautifully meandering Rotbach stream and the Schwarzbach stream that crosses it are little natural paradises and great excursion tips, especially in autumn. We're right in the middle of mushroom season, but we leave them by the wayside. 🙂
After the wooded area, the cycle path gets closer to the Rotbach stream and we cycle along long stretches directly by the water until we finally reach Dinslaken.
Unfortunately, the Rotbach Trail to the city center includes some less attractive stretches of road. However, the charming old market square in the center is a real treat, complete with a lovely ice cream parlor, and right behind it stands Dinslaken Castle, which now houses the town hall and whose origins date back to the 12th century.
We continue cycling along the Rotbach stream, although the word "stream" is becoming increasingly inappropriate. It's really just a dried-up streambed lying beside us.
Water only flows towards the Rhine again from the Dinslaken sewage treatment plant onwards. The route then leads through another beautiful wooded area with the curious name "Wohnungswald" (Apartment Forest), before we reach the actual turning point of the tour at junction 85.
Short detour to the mouth of the Rotbach stream
Actually? Yes, because it's worthwhile turning south onto Route 3 at the junction system. Pascal and I were also drawn to the mouth of the Rhine. Both the mouth of the Lohberg drainage ditch and the mouth of the Rotbach are quite beautiful, but admittedly, this detour isn't strictly necessary.
The new Emscher estuary
Much more exciting – although currently still a major construction site – is the mouth of the Emscher River. During our tour at the end of October, it was still confined to its canal bed and flowed straight into the Rhine. However, on November 9, 2022, the old dam was opened, and since then the Emscher has been able to flow freely in a natural, small delta, babbling merrily the last few meters into the Rhine. I'm very curious to see what it will look like the next time I'm at the mouth of the Emscher.
We continue south along the Rhine dike. The sun is already low and casting long shadows. If we don't want to get caught in the darkness, we need to pick up the pace.
If you'd like to take a longer break at this point, I recommend the lovely beer garden at the Walsumer Brauhaus Urfels. Besides delicious beers, you can enjoy typical hearty brewery fare and replenish the calories you lost on your bike ride.
As mentioned, we quickly continue on to the HOAG route, a well-developed railway cycle path that will bring us back to Oberhausen in no time. The many bridges are lined with slightly oversized Ludo game pieces, whose bright colors blend perfectly into the autumnal scenery.
We make good time and finally pass one of the last industrial heritage highlights of today's tour: the Sterkrade coal mine in Oberhausen. The mine, too, is currently slumbering in its seemingly Sleeping Beauty-like slumber, surrounded by a wonderfully colorful autumn landscape.
Final leg back to the Gasometer Oberhausen
We quickly cover the last few meters. At the Rhine-Herne Canal, next to the famous and incredibly photogenic Slinky Springs to Fame bridge, we take a final break and enjoy the beautiful sunset right by the water. Here, we can also calmly reflect on the tour and our experiences. The route is ideal for a lovely autumn ride if you're less interested in sightseeing and simply want to enjoy a relaxed ride through the colorful landscape. Only in Dinslaken and a short stretch in Duisburg do we encounter city traffic; otherwise, we were able to enjoy a peaceful afternoon away from traffic for much of the way. Of course, you can also easily ride the tour in reverse and then enjoy the sunset from the Haniel slag heap.
An e-bike like the ROSE XTRA WATT makes for a particularly relaxed ride. The automatic transmission offers a huge increase in comfort and safety, especially for cyclists who prefer not to shift gears. More athletic cyclists, however, will likely opt for a different bike. So, as always, it's time to "switch off," get on your bike, and enjoy the ride!
