“On Business Trip” Episode 4: An Ode to Commuting

Bike Commuting on the Rhine: Why Autumn Is the Best Season

Why is the Rhine so beautiful? The classic film points to love and a bit of drinking—but we Rhine bike commuters know the real secret: commuting by bike along the river. Even if the last few weeks in the Rhineland haven’t been kind weather-wise, the bike commute has a unique magic all year round—especially in autumn. The air is fresh and clear, the fall colors glow: golden leaves, reddish treetops, and a gentle light in the morning sun. Every pedal stroke is accompanied by the rustle of leaves and the scent of damp earth. Sounds a bit lofty? Maybe. But that feeling is exactly the draw—and with this post we want to get you onto the commuter bike.

Same Route, Always New: Commuting to Work Along the Rhine

Anyone who regularly rides a longer distance to work knows the paradox: it’s often the same route, yet it never gets boring. Bike commuting on the Rhine means routine with variety—nature, light, and mood change every day. It clears your head, builds daily movement into life, and gives you a little micro-holiday every morning on two wheels.

My City Start: From Industrial Estate to Suburb

In autumn, still half-dark, my route begins through the city: a short stretch through the industrial area, past the refinery. Then comes that bleak road in a messed-up suburb where the shops are closing one by one. There’s a pub called “Eule”—actually quite charming, but run-down. A 30 km/h zone where hardly any driver sticks to the limit and plenty feel compelled to overtake. It’s exactly here that I’m reminded why visibility and attention in fall traffic matter: lights on, eyes up, hold your line.

Dropping to the River: When a Commuter’s Heart Lifts

Then the moment I look forward to every time: turn left at the former quaint hardware store, let the short descent roll, feel the speed, steer into the right-hander—and suddenly the view opens up. Sunrise on the Rhine! I’ve seen it so many times, and it’s fantastic every single time. I ride straight into the light and, for the first time that day, my mind can switch off. This is where it becomes clear why Rhine bike commuting in autumn is so special: nature’s cinema included.

No Cars, No Stress: Finding Flow on the Rhine Towpath

From there it’s almost 20 km with no cars, no traffic jams, no rush—just a few dog walkers, other cyclists, and joggers. People (with very few exceptions) greet each other kindly. Later my gaze catches the ferry, sometimes swallowed by fog, and the hordes of school kids who, sadly, are now more often on e-scooters than on bikes.

Why I Slow Down on the Towpath—On Purpose

These are the moments that matter. On the Rhine towpath I could—free of cars and largely undisturbed—just blast through. Instead, I ease off, breathe, and notice how the landscape changes. That deliberate shift from performance to ease is, for me, the secret of sustainable bike commuting: arriving without being burned out.

Health Benefits on All Levels: Mind, Body, Immune System

Beautiful photos are one thing, but the real value is in the head. In my experience, you can’t overstate the benefit of movement for mental health.

1. Car = Stress amplifier: Passive sitting, traffic jams, that powerless feeling—it all adds up to a sense of lost freedom.

   
   

2. Bike = Self-determination: On the bike, that stress falls away. I’m in control, starting and ending the workday with movement, calm, and a clear head. In the evening, the stress stays at the office—or at the locker room at the latest—so I arrive home clear-minded.

3. Works on short and long routes: An easy hour on the bike is plenty—and it works reliably even on shorter distances.

Training Effect for Riders: Valuable “Life Miles”

Regular movement is good for the body anyway. But those two sessions a day (outbound & return) pay off—especially for ambitious cyclists—with a big boost to aerobic base endurance. Consistent low to moderate intensity = more aerobic capacity, better recovery, and noticeable carryover to daily life. These are valuable life miles that are hard to fit in so stress-free any other way.

Commuters experience the changing seasons up close. Your body gets time to adapt to rising or falling temperatures; you’re right in the middle of it, and the immune system is challenged and strengthened—even if you get wet now and then. Going from underground garage to underground garage doesn’t offer that. And the germ clouds on public transport during cold season? You can skip those.

Do You Have Magical Moments on Your Commute?

Send us your favorite snapshots with a short description via Instagram/Facebook—or drop a comment telling us how commuting keeps you fit!