Following in the footsteps of Around Cologne - North

Starting from the parking lot behind Loches Platz, you'll embark on this challenging cycling tour, following in the footsteps of professional road cyclists and taking in the cultural and scenic highlights of the Bergisches Land region. The route first leads you through Wermelskirchen's historic old town and then briefly along the B 51 out of town. Keep right and cycle through Buchholzen (K 22/K 12) and past the Dreibäumen golf course (L 101) towards Hückeswagen (L 68/B 237). In this town with its castle, you'll pass the starting point of the 2012 professional race. At the large roundabout, continue straight ahead onto Rader Straße and turn right at the left-hand bend towards Mickenhagen (K11/K12). From the dam, you'll enjoy a beautiful view of the Bever Dam. In Kleineichen (K 5), you'll reach the disused railway line and follow it towards Wipperfürth. On the main road of the oldest town in the Bergisches Land region, the professionals will compete in a sprint classification before heading towards Agathaberg (L 284/L 302) for the mountain classification. From Agathaberg, the route leads via Hartegasse (L 284) to Frielingsdorf (L 97), where the next mountain classification awaits at Am Dimmberg. Ride through the historic center of Lindlar and then along the disused railway line of the former Sülztalbahn to Linde. Through Sülze and Eichhof, you'll ride via Biesfeld (mountain classification) to Spitze (L 286), the hub for the Rund um Köln races. Here you have the option of combining your tour with the southern route "Following in the Footsteps of Rund um Köln" (see p. XX). From Spitze, ride towards Bechen (L 289/B 506) and from there to Neschen (L 310). Turn left here and continue along Scheurener Straße (K28) to Odenthal. Passing Altenberg Cathedral with the largest church window north of the Alps and the fairytale forest, return to your starting point in Wermelskirchen (L157) via Dabringhausen (L101).

This route largely follows past and current sections of the Rund um Köln (Around Cologne) race. For ambitious road cyclists, the Rund um Köln amateur race in spring is a great option. More information and other routes can be found at [website address]. www.rundumkoeln.de.

The ADAC North Rhine has opened a new branch in Wermelskirchen-Dabringhausen. ADAC bicycle service station The 1,50-meter-high repair station is now open. It stands at the corner of L101/Hilgener Straße 5 and is equipped with high-quality tools. Minor repairs can be carried out on-site here.