A Journey Around The Lake!

Wow, I feel beat.

I am working on training for a triathlon (rather- getting in shape so I can actually start triathlon training). I took my new Canyon bike out for the second time this week, and it takes some getting used to. My rear is so sore! 

We took a 2 ¼ hour ride around Baldeneysee in Essen, and honestly, I am quite tired. We have not ridden that long in one day for quite a while, and I just feel exhausted. Time to rest, put my feet up, and work on some computer tasks!

One of the places you need to see if you visit Essen is the Baldeneysee area. This is a lake that has formed due to the placement of a dam further downstream on the Ruhr river. It is a 14 kilometer journey around the lake, or 8.6 miles. The paths are paved and along the riverside, and there are tons of things to do and see. You can take paddleboarding courses, rowing, swimming, sailing, kayaking, and the like. You can relax at Seaside Beach and play in the sand, go mini golfing, rent rollerblades, take a boat tour, feed the geese and ducks (and the goslings and ducklings!) as well as grab a bite at one of the various restaurants located along the lake.

In addition, you can walk across the dam and view the boats and fish that go through the locks of the dam. Baldeneysee really has a lot to offer, and it is quite common for the locals to go for a jog or catch up with friends along the river. It is always busy when there is warm weather, so I recommend getting there early before it gets too crowded. 

Some of my favorite things that I recommend doing at Baldeneysee are taking a stand-up paddleboarding course at Pottpaddler/ SUP-Schule-Ruhr. As part of this class, you get to try out some of the newest paddleboards, both inflatable and hardwood, and you are also provided with a rentable wetsuit if you would like. They take small groups up and down the river with highly trained individuals. As part of the course, the instructors teach you new techniques as well as helping you to improve your current skills. 

I had so much fun in this course, that it actually made me want to get my own stand-up paddleboard. For that, I think I need to wait until I get some money for that!

Another thing I recommend doing at Baldeneysee that does not cost a thing is walking over the bridge over the dam. In the U.S., I don’t recall happening upon that many dams that were walkable. This is definitely a treat! You can also see the fish locks as well as the locks for the ships. Ships do not go through the dam all that frequently, so if you get to see one, you are really in luck! The tour boat does frequent the river, however. It picks people up at one point on the shore and takes them around the lake for a scenic afternoon. This boat you will see quite frequently if you spend a lot of time here. 

The third thing I recommend doing is renting some rollerblades, taking a walk, or taking a bike ride completely around the lake. It really gives you a new perspective of the entire area, and I find the view really does look different from the other side of the lake. It is fun to be able to explore on your own and get to stop when and wherever you want, which you could not do on a tour boat. 

 Cool Place to Visit: Baldeneysee in Essen

Lesson:  If you have the opportunity, travel to the other side of the shore. You will be glad you did. It gives you more perspective of where you have already been. 

“IT IS A BIG AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD. MOST OF US LIVE AND DIE IN THE SAME CORNER WHERE WE WERE BORN AND NEVER GET TO SEE ANY OF IT. I DON’T WANT TO BE MOST OF US.” – OBERYN MARTELL, GAME OF THRONES