Düsseldorf to Königswinter

Düsseldorf, GermanyRoad

Retraced from the map Ridden by Marcus on 2nd September 2015; the recording was lost, so the line is the road between the day's towns, drawn from OpenStreetMap (the rider logged 90.6 km that day).

82 km
Distance: 92 m
Elevation gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Paved
Surface

Download GPX Map

Elevation profile

Total ascent: 92 m
Distance: 82 km

Rider notes

That’s Dusseldorf, Cologne and Bonn

Distance covered – 90.6 Km. Total distance covered – 383km.

Not the early start we hoped for today. I had a puncture and my spare tube was not of the right size. Easy mistake to make when you pick up a new bike at the start point. Quick trip to Lucky Bike Dusseldorf had me with a new tube and Donny with a handlebar bag. Back to the hotel, I had the tube replaced in 30 mins. That’s when the OCD kicked in and I decided I had to clean the bike to remove the mid from previous days trails. That all added up to a later han planned 11.30-11.45 start.

We set a course for Cologne and quickly decided to follow Google Maps rather than the Rhine route. That was to shave about 4km off the distance of that leg. As with previous starts, it was taking a while to warm up and energy levels were low. A 30km stop for some Red Bull [my stimulant of choice] sorted me out and I flew in to the centre of Cologne. The cathedral is more than a little impressive and worth a visit. Odd site of the day award goes to the lady playing the flute accompanied by a small dog and large pig. It was only a double take that spotted the beast was not in fact a large dog. See below. Definately a pig.

We rolled closer to the river and stopped for our now-ritual 4pm “lunch”. Curried sausage for Don and tangy Penne Arabiata for me. Too much information perhaps. Data services were then switched back on to plot a course for Bonn. We picked up the river route [Eurovelo 15] and managed a good pace along a smooth section of path. The scenery was pretty in parts, and dull in others. If you’re a lover of huge industrial plants spewing out plumes of waste smoke then you’ll be right at home in this part of Germany. Here’s a few exciting factory shots. Factories here are almost as almost as plentiful as barges and bridges over the Rhine.

We arrived in Bonn and stopped to take in Beethoven’s house, or Haus, as they say in these parts. We then stopped at a hostelry for a local bier and some accommodation planning. Our target for the day was Konigwinter so we made a quick last minute booking and headed quickly out of Bonn and back on to the river cycleway. Arrived at 8.30 to find the hotel looking rather closed. Range the bell. No answer. Called the number on the door to be told that they were sorry but they don’t take bookings after 6pm and the hotel was fully booked. Fully booked my saddle! We rode around in the dark for a while before chancing on a hotel that also seemed rather devoid of live but had a sign saying “Zimmer Frei”. “You’re a bit late ” said the gent looking at his watch, but yes, we have a room. Job done. A schnitzel and a beer at the grill beside the hotel and then off to bed. We’re plotting a course for the cutely named Bacharat for Day 5. It’s 104 km up river [or is it down?] says our friend Google Maps. Stay tuned.

Today’s photo gallery;

Route overview

Suitable for riders looking for a long, mostly flat ride with low climbing over 82 km.

Day 4 of Rotterdam to Budapest: 82.1 km from Düsseldorf to Königswinter with 92 m of climbing, retraced from the map.

The route starts in Düsseldorf and travels through numerous districts including Carlstadt, Altstadt, and Oberbilk within the first few kilometres. It continues on to Wersten, Holthausen, and Urdenbach by km 11.7, where a bakery and bike shop are accessible just off route. The first half of the ride includes 43% of the total 92 m elevation gain, with the lowest point at 34 m near km 24. From km 24 the route passes through Leverkusen, Niehl, Riehl, and Cologne before reaching Bonn at km 68.2, the highest point on the route at 66 m. This section features a mix of bike paths and quiet streets, with about 37 km on paths and 16 km on quiet streets altogether. Several cafés, bakeries and supermarkets are spaced along the way. Notable stops with food and drink options include cafés at 0.7 km, 23.7 km, 39.6 km, and 67.3 km. The final 15 km onward to Königswinter generally remain flat with short sections on minor roads and quiet streets. There is a railway station close to Niederdollendorf around km 77.6, suitable for a bail-out. At the finish, several cafés and a bakery are available. The surface is 96% paved with small gravel portions and 46% of the route on paths, including cycle paths and lanes.

Highlights

Düsseldorf city centre start
Highest point in Bonn at 66 m
Cycle paths comprise 46% of route
Cafés and bakeries at regular intervals

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

Flingern Süd 2.1 km
Oberbilk 2.5 km
Wersten 5.5 km
Holthausen 7.5 km
Urdenbach 11.7 km
Baumberg 15.6 km
Hitdorf 23.4 km
Langel 24.7 km
Rheinkassel 26.1 km
Merkenich 28.7 km
Leverkusen 29 km
Niehl 33.7 km
Riehl 36.5 km
Cologne 39.6 km
Deutz 40.2 km
Südstadt 42 km
Bayenthal 43.3 km
Marienburg 44.3 km
Hochkirchen 47.4 km
Hahnwald 48.6 km
Godorf 51.2 km
Wesseling 54.4 km
Widdig 58.9 km
Uedorf 60.4 km
Hersel 61.9 km
Bonn 68.2 km
Beuel 69.8 km
Römlinghoven 75.8 km
Oberdollendorf 77.2 km
Niederdollendorf 77.6 km

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads: 46% path · 20% quiet street · 11% road with cycle lane · 8% cycle path
Main roads: 4.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Cycle paths: 14.9 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used: L 300 (5 km)
Surface: Paved throughout
Gradient: 2% climbing · 1% descending · 97% flat