Around Cologne 2027

Head to North Rhine-Westphalia to take on the famous Rund um Cologne course. This Rhineland sporting institution offers several formats to blow up your mileage counter 🚴‍♂️.

The black ribbon of road quickly launches you out of the urban jungle and into the majestic, rolling landscapes of the Bergisches Land. Your body will have to digest particularly steep climbs and highly technical descents amid dense, lush green forests 🌳. The immersion becomes downright regal on the brutal cobbled ascent that leads straight to the sublime Bensberg Castle. You’ll get the exhilarating feeling of stepping back in time as you tread these history-laden stones, before flying at full speed down toward the riverbanks 🏰.

The local population has a reputation for being the happiest in the country, turning the course-side into a true open-air fair 🎉. Brass bands, sirens, and bells echo through every small village you pass through to give you wings on the toughest gradients. An atmosphere of total jubilation finally awaits you on the spectacular docks of the Rheinauhafen, right in front of the huge crane-shaped buildings 🏗️.

Save a little energy to explore the region’s gems within an hour’s drive once your feat is accomplished. Take your other half for a stroll around the majestic Drachenburg Castle perched in Königswinter for a romantic outing worthy of a great fairy tale 👑. Families will instead head to the town of Brühl to treat themselves to a gigantic dose of thrills on the roller coasters at the Phantasialand theme park 🎢. Shift into the big ring, swallow the lactic acid, and come carve your name into Rhineland marble! 🔥