To Minden

May 23, 2025

short and sweet

As the crow flies, it was about 15 KM from Rinteln to our next stop - the town of Minden. But following the contours of the Weser River in order to line up with the Westphalian Gap made it a 40 KM ride. We were happy that our distance was planned to be on the short side as there were forecasted rain showers in the area again today. We wanted to reach our destination in the early afternoon for the best chance to avoid them and stay dry.

Most of the first 20 KM of the ride was away from the river and we were both pleasantly surprised that the sun often found its way through holes in the clouds to shine on us. Even the headwinds were giving us a break now and again. The only rain delay we needed was holding up under an overpass for 15 minutes about 3 KM before reaching Minden. All in all we counted it as a good, if short, ride.

The view from our room in the morning did not look too promising. But it was not raining!

Crossing the Weser at Eisbergen along a very narrow path at the side of the old bridge.

It was a nice day riding through the fields.

Crossing the tracks and a train showed up.

Mixed weather but it's not raining on us!

Riding in the forest on a gravel path was a bit dark. All kinds of riding surfaces today.

Not our usual bridge crossing. It is the A2 freeway. We had a strong barrier beside us but the traffic was fast and loud. Our exit was immediate to the right and then we were back to the fields.

A static display of an old derrick crane used to load lumber onto barges along the Weser at Bad Oyenhausen.

We were dodging puddles as we aimed for the gap between the hills straight ahead. It had rained quite hard shortly before we got here, but the rains missed us!

The Westphalian Gap, is a gorge where the Weser river breaks through the passage between the mountain chains of the Wiehen Hills in the west and the Weser Hills.

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal. A German national monument sits a few minutes south of Minden, far above the Weser River outside the town of Porta Westfalica. Dedicated to Kaiser Wilhelm I who passed away in 1888, the monument is from the 1890s.

Threatening clouds as we approached Minden that did rain on us shortly after. But soon after as we rode into Minden, it was blue skies and sunshine!

A great place for a dog obedience class in Minden and now the sun is out.

Minden has a very nice river front park to ride along.

The Glacis Pedestrian bridge across the Weser in Minden creates the entry portal into the city.

Beach with a marked off swimming area on the Weser at Minden.

We arrived at our hotel on the market square early and hungry as we had powered through and skipped lunch. Fortunately our room was ready and we quickly headed out to enjoy a late lunch/early dinner. It was beautiful and sunny as we wandered around and enjoyed the sights of Minden. Minden is a picturesque town with a rich history and charming architecture with many well-preserved medieval buildings.

Marktplatz was quiet but the weather was not really encouraging outdoor gatherings. We had our lunch indoors.

The "Haus Schmieding" seems older than it actually is. It was not until 1909 that the merchant Hermann Schmieding built this house with its picturesque half-timbered façade for his wife.

Fountain that intermittently splits and always amuses.

Minden`s cathedral was established by Charlemagne in the year 800 and had to be restored after bombing on March 28 1945.

The Minden Cathedral from another angle.

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Today's ride: 40 km (25 miles)
Total: 691 km (429 miles)

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