Dortmund-Guide Christoph Schübbe
The automotive mechatronics technician has been riding a racing bike since he was ten years old and has been a member of the Sturm Hombruch cycling and motor club since 2002, for which he also regularly competes in various licensed races. Christoph rides 12,000 to 15,000 kilometres a year on his racing bike. As he works early and late shifts, he sometimes trains alone, but much prefers to do so with friends or club colleagues. "For me, a great ride means riding with a great group of people with whom I can chat along the way and enjoy the surroundings. We finish off with coffee and cake - and occasionally a beer."
My road bike city
"What I like about my city is that you can reach all the starting points for routes into the surrounding countryside in about ten minutes. In the south and south-east, I can find mountainous routes in the Sauerland and Bergisches Land regions, and in the north and north-east, less topographically challenging routes in the Münsterland region. And the beautiful Möhnesee lake awaits in the east. With all these options, road cycling in Dortmund never gets boring. And then we have something unique in Dortmund: the Niere. This is an 800-metre circuit in the shape of a human kidney, which is great for training without traffic. The Dortmund Summer Track Championships are also held there every year. This cycling training track is a meeting point for the local racing bike scene and is located less than three kilometres south of the city centre on a brownfield site. Directly adjacent to it to the south is the Phönix West site, a relatively new meeting place. The iconic site of a blast furnace works in the suburb of Hörde, which was shut down in 1998, has already hosted the district championships. Cyclists can ride several small laps of one to three kilometres on the site. From there or from the Niere, you can then continue in all directions - for a varied training session with lots of kilometres."
Racing cyclist meeting
Niere (Steinklippenweg) and Phönix-West-Gelände: Many cyclists take a break there together to enjoy a drink of water or a beer. Fixed groups can usually be found at the Phoenix West site (Facebook: Phoenix West Riders group). You can find more opportunities for group rides on the Facebook page of the bike shop Die Edelhelfer (www.die-edelhelfer.de) and the Sturm Hombruch cycling and motor club (www.sturm-hombruch.de)
My favourite bike shops
The Edelhelfer in Dortmund-Hombruch has a well-equipped workshop, a high-quality, extensive range of products and offers performance diagnostics. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and open-minded. I always feel welcome for a coffee or a chat.
Sörgel in Waltrop is a small, very nice bike shop. The visit can be combined perfectly with a tour through the Münsterland region.
My favourite places
One of my favourite places to start a tour is the man-made Phoenix Lake. There are several pubs on its shore. I usually have breakfast there at the bakery. In summer, however, I also like to take a break at the ice cream parlour.
The Bergmann brewery on the Phönix West site is perfect for having a drink with your mates after a strenuous tour. You'll meet lots of other cyclists there.
Event tips
Dortmund offers licence riders two great events: the International Championship in Dortmund-Hombruch (www.sturm-hombruch.de) and the Dortmund Summer Track Championships on the Niere. The bike race in Hombruch is my home race, the last great bike race in Dortmund. The derny race following the main race is a spectator attraction. The summer track championship consists of ten races; in the end, the rider with the most points wins. Only licensed riders from the Westfalen-Mitte district are allowed to take part.
My favourite round
Round to the Wixberg (95 km, 1,600 metres in altitude)
Almost like in the Alps: after the tour to the Wixberg, which is located 50 kilometres south-east of Dortmund in the Sauerland near Altena, you have 1,600 metres of altitude in your legs after many strenuous mountains. In the heart of Dortmund, the route takes you along Ardeystraße, past the most beautiful stadium in the world, on to Brandisstraße and the first climb. Then via Hohensyburg towards Schälk, where the Sauerland begins and the first tough climbs await, before you slowly head towards Lethmate towards Wixberg, the form test of the day. The steepest ramp on the Wixberg has a gradient of 15 per cent, five serpentines uphill give you the feeling of a mountain pass. At the top, you have climbed almost 300 metres in one go, with the "Zum Windsack" restaurant at the glider airfield on your right.
Dortmund's racing bike landmark: the Niere, an 800 metre long, car-free circuit for training rides and championships
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