Day 71: Wed 27 Aug - Dortmund to Duisburg, 66km

16-27 deg C, turned out to be a fine day with a slight headwind every now and then

Moving time: 3h41m; elapsed time: 5h28m

Ride total G: 2,189km

Ride total W: 2,121km

Walk G: 4km; total: 550km

Walk W: 4km; total: 465km

Got away just after 9am, into a warmer morning than we’ve recently experienced. Summer is not done with us yet thankfully as we much prefer it warm. The cycle path on the footpath from our hotel was perfect for leading us on our journey out of the city. 

Apart from a few short patches of forest and farmland we seemed to be in a suburban neighborhood for most of the way. This area is certainly well populated. 

There were hundreds of cyclists out riding today, but they were mainly locals on day rides. We noticed a few others like us doing the touring thing but you get the feeling that this region is not part of the popular cycle touring destination, which suits us fine for a while. It certainly doesn’t measure up to most of the other regions we’ve visited so far for historical significance or extraordinary architectural. However we’ll take what we get, when we get it and be happy we’re touring along just fine. 

We did enjoy a fair bit of time riding beside the Ruhr River today which was a pleasant change. We had both morning tea and lunch, in different places of course, overlooking it and enjoying the never ending parade of cyclists and pedestrians. 

Although we arrived at our hotel about 30 minutes before scheduled check-in, despite deliberately slowing down, we were let in. Our bikes caught the lift to the first floor and were allocated their own room too. We like it when they look after our bikes. 

After settling in, we set out on foot to the Info Centre, then came across the King Street Mall so had a wander. We found a shopping centre so went in and found an ice cream shop so just had to have one! We then shopped for dinner and walked home the long way.

We came across a stage area and start point being set up for a charity fun run later today. Greg actually saw it started at 7pm, just as the rain started also. There’s going to be some very wet runners. Apparently there’s about 6,000 brave souls giving it their best shot. Greg wasn’t about to hang around in the rain to watch them finish when there was a dry, warm hotel room waiting for him.  

Traffic lights at Dortmund this morning - it’s all about keeping everyone safe, that includes 

cyclists in this country. 

Mornos stop next to the Ruhr River near Querenburg

A very nice sculpture but an excellent drying rack for cormorants 

A few of the paths we rode on today

An old railway line turned into an awesome bike path - 

which is suspended about 10m above the city 

Great cycle path signage - which is pretty much the standard across Europe 

Our lunch stop view on the Ruhr River near Horst

Our hotel - Mercure and room #304

Our room is on the 3rd floor, second window from the left

View from our room

Ride route and stats

King Street Mall at Duisburg 

Omar Alt fountain

Lifesaver fountain

Lovely bright flowers in the Mall and there are hundreds of these across the city 

Shepherd’s Tower

Part of the Duisburg Old City Wall

Homage to Mercator

Theatre Duisburg

A performing arts theatre including ballet and opera, and Duisburg philharmonics

The outdoor stage and start/finish line were setup for the fun run 

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