Route der Industriekultur
The German former industrial powerhouse, the Ruhrgebiet, boasts a dense network of bicycle paths and routes called: Industriekultur per Rad. You can follow two long distance cycling routes: the RuhrtalRadweg (240 kilometers) and the Römer-Lippe-Route (400 kilometers), but in between these long distance cycling paths there is a Dutch inspired bicycle junction network - "ein modernes Knotenpunktsystem nach niederländischem Vorbild" - which brings the total amount of bicycle paths to 1200 kilometers. However, there are many more dedicated routes. Just the Römer-Lippe-Route crosses over twenty other signed bicycle routes.
I cycled part of the Emscher Park Radweg - yet another long distance (230 kilometers) route part of the Industriekultur per Rad. Starting point was the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex.
Zeche Zollverein Schacht XII is probably the most famous coal mine shaft. Designed by architects Fritz Schupp (1896-1974) and Martin Kremmer (1894-1945) in typical style of das Neue Bauen. It was finished in 1932.
“Der Kamin von Zollverein war höher als die Reinoldikirche”
Halde Rheinelbe, about 100 meters above sea level. A coal mine spoil tip.
Intersection of the Emscher Park Radweg and one of the many towns between Essen and Bochum.
Cycling path on the abandoned railway bridge 'Rote Brücke' (1926–1928) used by the former Erzbahn connecting the steelworks of the Bochumer Verein with the Rhein-Herne-Kanal.
An important part of cultural life in Nordrhein-Westfalen, the Biergarten.
Radschnellweg RS1, the first 'Autobahn' for bicycles in Nordrhein-Westfalen.
Der RuhrtalRadweg (240 kilometer)
I cycled part of the RuhrtalRadweg in the first weekend of August. Starting point of this long distance cycling path is Duisburg and the world's largest inland port. The next metropolitan area is Mühlheim an der Ruhr, then the route follows the Ruhr towards the source of the river in Winterberg, 240 kilometers further upstream and uphill.
Where the Rhein and the Ruhr meet. Rheinbrücke Neuenkamp in the background. This is also the starting or end point of the Ruhrtalradweg.
Rhein-Herne-Kanal (1916) and the Ruhr.
The river Ruhr.
The wide valley between Mühlheim an der Ruhr and Mintard.