• Andrew Spink
  • Andrew Spink

Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord

A cycle ride to the incredible Landschaftspark in Duisberg, then home by train. Read more
  • Trip start
    August 5, 2026

    Waal

    Yesterday in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    I had originally planned to follow a route hugging the banks of the Rhine. However, just a couple of days go, it was annouced that two of the ferries that I planned to take were cancelled becuase of low water, due to drought. In Nimegen, as I crossed the Waal, it didn't look so low, but nevertheless, I know that they are running out of water there as well.Read more

  • Crossing the border

    Yesterday in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    My bike was made in Germany, in Hannover, but this was the first time it had been 'back' there. It was also the first time that I can cycled over the Dutch-German border in a long time. I have been to Germany many times, but not often crossed by bike. Perhaps when we stayed at Bad Bentheim?Read more

  • Woodland paths

    Yesterday in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    A good proportion, something like a third, of the route was along gravel paths in the woods. First there was a glorious long path through the Reichswald, then some other smaller woodlands. It was all very green and restful and felt like I was in the middle of a holiday instead of just one day off. The trees also sheltered me from the wind. Although there was a lot o ftail wind, it also came at me from the side a lot. More impotantly, it kep the sun off me. By the time I got to the landscape park, it was over 30 degrees.Read more

  • Water

    Yesterday in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    I was clearly going to run out of water, despite having vrought two big bottles and a small flask of coffee, so I was pleased to find this small fountain in Sonsbeek. It had odd pig statues around it, but the water tasted good. I forgot to cool my wrists in it though. I started my cheese sandwiches there and continued by the appropriately named street.Read more

  • Landschaftspark-Duisburg-Nord

    Yesterday in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    At last, I reached my destination. Would it match the expecations created by Monty Don's enthusaism. My expectations were exceded! The old steel works was incredibly dramatic and astonishingly beautifu. The public was allowed to clamber all over one of the blast furnaces, with metal walkways taking us right to the top. An incredible structure. And then on top of that, a whole other dimension, with a combination of planting of trees and grasses with allowing vergetation to find its own way in, which made for a remarkable symbolism of rewilding. An amazing place!Read more

  • Oberhausen

    Yesterday in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    There were two other bikes in my train compartment (more elsewhere), so my bike fitted by nicely next to them. Then, at the next stop, another bike got on, and that just fitted. Then, two boys with mountain bikes got on. What would happen? No problem, they just stood in the corridor with their bikes, and people walked around them. no one was bothered.Read more

  • Change in Emmerich

    Yesterday in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    The train was supposed to be direct, but it stopped on Emmerich, so we all had to get out and get on another one. Fortunately, I didn't have much luggage, so I could lift it up and down the steps without having to queue for the lift. It was all quite relaxed anyway. This train has more space for bikes, so mine is on its own now.Read more

  • Arnhem

    Yesterday in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Bizzarely, my DB ticket barcode didn't work on the ports to let me out of the station. So I had to hang around there until a NS employee came past who kindly let me out with his card.
    From there it was an hour's cycling to get home, with a stiff westerly head wind. I thought my legs might have stiffended up after sitting in the train for a while, but actually it was no problem.Read more

    Trip end
    August 5, 2026