This ride is the first ride in a collection of 5 routes. If you ride all 5 routes, you will have made a wonderful tour through the Eifel, Moselle, Westerwald, Hesse and the Rhönian mountains of Bavaria. The first route starts on the north side of the Eifel and takes you to a cozy hotel on the east side of the Westerwald. It is a ride full of curves, beautiful nature and interesting history.

The starting point of the route is at the Karduck bakery in Langerwehe. This is a perfect starting point for travelers coming from far away: you can have a delicious (savory and sweet) breakfast here and drink a good cup of coffee. You can also quench your motorcycle's thirst: there is a gas station right next to the bakery.

You can start the route with a full belly and full of energy. And it starts well right away. You drive into the Meroder Wald, where you can relax your hips with a few first gentle bends. Not much later you can catch your breath by enjoying the view at the Obermaubach reservoir. The reservoir was built in the 1950s to manage water levels for the surrounding region. Today it is also a popular summer recreation area.

After this visit to the lake, a slow climb begins. You avoid the crowds at the Rursee by crossing the area on the east side. This part is quieter, perhaps less spectacular in bends, but the view of the Hahnenberg is all the more beautiful. At an altitude of 350 meters you have a wide panorama.

You continue the route via wooded areas towards Bad Münstereifel. Do you like shopping in a pleasant city center? Then it is worth taking a break here and looking around the many small boutiques. Of course there are also plenty of places to have a drink.

Travelers with other interests will also get their money's worth during this route. A little further along the route is Radioteleskop Effelsberg. Radio Teleskop Effelsberg was built in the period between 1968 and 1971. It has since been an important instrument for astronomical research (including the Milky Way, active galactic nuclei, and the study of cosmic magnetic fields) and has contributed to numerous discoveries in the radio astronomy. With its impressive satellite dish measuring 100 meters in diameter, it is one of the largest and most advanced radio telescopes in the world. From the parking lot you can walk to the telescope in a few minutes. There is also a small Imbiss near the parking lot where you can also take a break.

From the stars back to the earth and the forests. The route continues to wind its way through the forests until it reaches the Ahr river and the valley of the same name. Here the area is open and spacious again, partly because of the water. A devastating natural disaster occurred here in 2021: the river (and tributaries) overflowed its banks due to heavy rainfall over a prolonged period. The floods destroyed the entire area. Houses and roads were swept away. Here and there you see places where the local population is still busy with restoration work.

And yet it is good and worthwhile to visit this area. It has always been famous for its wine routes. There were – and still are – several wineries, cozy restaurants and hotels along the route. In addition, the nature here remains spectacular. Your route winds along the once terrifying river, past steep rocks and cliffs. And on those steep cliffs you occasionally find buildings from a different period. Burg Are, Saffenburg and Museum Römervilla to name a few.

Museum Römervilla is also easy to visit as a motorcyclist. You can park in an asphalted parking field across the road. From there you can walk to the entrance of the building in just a few minutes. The museum offers you a fascinating look at the region's Roman past. Located on the site of an ancient Roman villa, the museum displays an impressive collection of archaeological finds, including mosaics and utensils. It offers insight into the daily life of the Roman settlement in the Ahr Valley.

From here it is not far to the next impressive river. Where you could cross the Ahr river with bridges, you have to conquer the Rhine in this region via a ferry service. The crossing immediately gives you the opportunity to take some beautiful photos of the river. You can also briefly discuss with your fellow travelers whether you want to take a trip to Lienz am Rhein, on the other side of the river. The village dates back to Roman times and has a charming, traditional atmosphere. You can visit the old city wall and watchtowers, or the old toll house.

If you stay on the route (and skip a visit to the old center of Lienz), you can have lunch at Bakkerij Gilgen. This is still located in Lienz directly on the route. There are plenty of parking spaces right in front of the door and on hot days it is wonderful to relax in the bakery with air conditioning.

Once you leave Lienz you drive into the Westerwald. The first part is a lovely meander over smooth asphalt through the woods. Gradually the bends and roads become more gentle again: the day comes to an end... and a cooling beer or a refreshing drink awaits you at Hotel Zum Weissen Stein in Kirchen.

Time to end the day on the hotel terrace, looking back on a relaxing day of touring.