Two on the move

We take a very relaxed approach. We have spent a wonderfully peaceful night in the idyllic Ingelheim district of Sporkenheim and this is where our tour begins. We set off on a relaxed stage and just a few pedal strokes later it is already in front of us, the famous river that is the subject of countless legends and myths.

Surrounded by lush vegetation, we see the "Fulder Aue" lying in the middle of the Rhine. The island used to belong to the Johannisberg monastery in the Rheingau, but became the property of Fulda Abbey in 1716 and has borne this name ever since. In the past, it was mainly used for agriculture and livestock farming. Today, most of it lies fallow. The nature reserve of the same name is a refuge for countless animal and plant species and the air is indeed filled with the chirping of birds. The flight path of an iridescent dragonfly draws our attention to large, angular stones on the shore.

In the "Ingelheim Summer Garden", the popular beer garden directly on the pier, the first guests sit and watch the passing ships. We are amazed by the view of the opposite side - there lies the famous Rheingau with its picturesque wine-growing villages and the hills of the Taunus can be seen in the background. An information board points out Johannisberg Castle, which we can make out a little further to the left in the Rhine valley.

Ingelheim owes the addition "on the Rhine" to the district of Frei-Weinheim - because here the river borders directly on the extensive urban area. We stroll through the tranquil alleyways and immerse ourselves in the flair of the formerly independent fishing village on the Rhine. A historical tour with interesting explanatory panels accompanies the course of the Rhine Cycle Route and invites you to explore.

We roll on towards the large poplars and sprawling weeping willows that line the paths along the Ingelheim Jungaue - a popular picnic and leisure area for locals and visitors on sunny days. Every year at the end of July, the traditional Ingelheim harbour festival takes place on the extensive meadow area.

With the Mainzer Berg - probably more of a typical Rhine hill than a mountain - behind us, we steer our bikes towards another district of Ingelheim, Heidenfahrt am Rhein.

Nature constantly shows itself from a different side here: colourful flower meadows, avenues with tall trees, wide grasslands and lush green orchards alternate. Here you can simply let the bikes roll and enjoy the view.

We push our bikes past a boat landing stage, the promenade with sunbathing lawn and marvel at the fantastic Rhine panorama. In front of us in the middle of the Rhine is the inland island of Mariannenaue, the largest of the Rhine islands between Bingen and Mainz, covering an area of almost 70 hectares. As a European nature reserve, it is a breeding ground for cormorants, grey herons and black kites. And what the birds like can only be good for the wine: The mild climate and chalky soils here provide ideal growing conditions for Chardonnay - viticulture is always present somewhere here anyway.