Gravelling Through the Ruhr Region on the BACKROAD AL

A real gravel experience in the Ruhr area, plus 136 kilometres in just one day. Not possible? Sure it’s possible! A trip from Dortmund to Duisburg on our BACKROAD AL – with Christoph Krüppel and Gerrit Walter from ROSE.

Photography: Carlos Fernández Laser

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Summer Solstice or "The Longest Day"

Karte


Distance: 136 kilometres (1-2 days)
Elevation gain: 690 m
Surface types: firm gravel, cobblestones, loose ground, asphalt, road surface
Tour highlights: Dortmund Port, breakfast at a kiosk in Herne, Schüngelberg miners' housing estate, French fries and swimming break, the Rungenberg tip and the Tetrahedron

Click here for the route on Komoot

The tour starts at Dortmund main station early in the morning at 5 a.m.

They have waffles on a stick for breakfast. Dusted with icing sugar for energy. After all, the guys want to enjoy the longest day of the year to the full – from the first to the last ray of sunshine.

The tour leads through varied terrain. The longest routes are over gravel and asphalt. Yet, cobblestones and paved roads are also included. The BACKROAD AL can do it all.

Right across the Ruhr region

Castrop-Rauxel, Herne and Bochum. And yet it's mostly cycling across the country. The two didn’t expect so much nature in the Ruhr region.

Currywurst and Westphalian-style fries known as “Pommes Schranke” are a must!

There is much to discover when cycling along the Emscher to the Rungenberg tip. There’s one highlight after the other.

That wonderful feeling of freedom when jumping into the Rhine-Herne Canal

Luckily, the two have swimming trunks and towels with them, so they can cool themselves down.

The next climb is up the Tetrahedron. From here, you have a great view of the entire Ruhr region. Descending the serpentines is particularly fun.

The longest day of the year is coming to an end.

136 kilometres and the clock says 11:47 p.m.

The tour was easier than expected, but the legs are still quite heavy. The two are sure, however, that they won’t forget this eventful tour.

The bike

Backroad-AL-grey

BACKROAD AL

The aluminium gravel bike with uncompromising design at a fair price

from 2.049,39 €

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