Munich’s new circular cycle marathon is one of BUGA’s great legacies
Summer hasn’t spoiled us with too much sun so far this year—so it would only seem right to expect a bright and warm September to make up for it. And what better way to make the most of a few sunny days than by attempting Munich’s newest cycle route?
While most of us have heard of BUGA, not everyone is aware of one of the garden show’s partner projects—RadlRing. The 170-km-long circular route was created to link 40 towns and villages around Munich. The project was supported by Munich’s public-transport company, MVV, which decided to help people to explore the city’s surroundings. The result is the “Tour de Radl,” a permanent cycling route split into ten stages, which can be done in any order and whose starting points can easily be reached by S-Bahn.
Sounds good? I thought so, too. I’d been thinking for months that it was high time I got off my backside and got in shape. And, what’s more, although I’ve been living in Munich for quite a while now, I still haven’t explored its surroundings. This seemed the perfect opportunity...
And so it was that my husband and I headed off on our bikes. Our first leg was the Haching Creek tour, covering 13.1 km from Deisenhofen to Neubiberg. Much to our relief, the route was well signposted and easy to follow, even for those whose navigational skills leave something to be desired! Often enough there were signposts with the RadlRing logo showing the direction and remaining distance to the end of the leg. The tour itself took us along gravel and paved roads, then partly along the creek and later through fields. Nothing breathtaking, I must admit, but it was still invigorating being out in the clean air and away from the city smog. Unfortunately, we didn’t get off to the best of starts, and our first day ended with the tires of both bikes punctured by broken glass. A lesson to remember—always carry your bike-repair kit! Not to be discouraged, though, we soon set out on stage two. This—the Crossroad-Tour from Buchenhain to Deisenhofen—covered 12.3 km, largely through the Grünwald Forest. It was pure pleasure to be out in the woods, experiencing nature (we even spotted some wild boars!) and to witness a bit of history, too, by following the old Roman road “Via Julia.” The Grünwald hill was the most challenging part of the tour, but it was worth the sweat, as the castle and museum at the top were indeed absorbing. And if you choose a good day, you’ll even be treated to a splendid view of the Zugspitze!
The third route we attempted was the Palace Tour, a 14.5-km-long track linking Ismaning with Oberschleissheim. The route wends through a patchwork of forests, meadows and fields, before leading to the magnificent 18th-century Baroque palace, Schloss Schleissheim, which is worth seeing for its grounds alone. Indeed, the lawn provided much relief for a tired cyclist, who could think of no better way of recovering than lying amongst fountains and flowerbeds. One word of advice: if possible, attempt this route during the week to avoid the crowds of schoolchildren and tourists who arrive en masse on weekends to enjoy the grounds and nearby beer garden.
Another worthwhile part of the circuit is the 14.5-km-long Lakes Tour. The road leading from Feldkirchen to Ismaning may not be out of the ordinary in itself, but the fact that you cycle past two lakes, Speichersee and Feringasee, both of which are perfect for a swim or merely a quick splash on the face, makes this a perfect route for a hot day.
Indeed, all RadlRing tours have their own highlights. The routes—some high, some low—are packed with opportunities for great views, and pass by picturesque villages, lakes, castles and palaces, rivers, creeks and forests. If it’s been a long time since you took to the saddle, the route is definitely worth dusting off your bike for. Not only will you experience some of the sights around Munich, but you’ll also get fit. What’s more, you also stand a chance of winning yourself a relaxing break to recover, or a bike to do the whole thing over again. To accompany the route, MVV have published a booklet describing the tour and containing a “Tour de Radl” pass, whereby cyclists collect stamps from selected beer gardens and inns along the way. Anyone who completes their pass and returns it to MVV will be entered in a draw to win one of a number of prizes. Better hurry, though—the deadline of September 30 is approaching fast. On yer bike…!
<<<