Rund um Köln

Rund um Köln returns on Sunday 23 May 2027 for its 109th edition, with the amateur races starting and finishing at the Rheinauhafen in Cologne, Germany. The organiser describes the weekend as a combination of an elite race and gran fondo races, so recreational riders can tackle the Velodom 60 and Velodom 120 (what German riders call a Jedermann race, an amateur race open to everyone) over the Bergisches Land hills east of the city. Riders are sent off in start blocks, assigned by their stated average speed.

Routes and distances

Two distances are offered, both rolling rather than mountainous. The organiser does not publish a list of named climbs, and these figures are those on its current route pages, which also warn that route changes are possible for 2027.

The Velodom 120 covers 121 km with 1,170 m of climbing. It is a rolling course across the Bergisches Land with long straights, short climbs and the cobbled passage up to Schloss Bensberg, finishing in Cologne. This is not a course built around one big ascent: it is about holding a group on the flats and spending your energy wisely on the short ramps.

The Velodom 60 covers 65.8 km with 490 m of climbing, over the same type of terrain. It also includes the cobbled passage to Schloss Bensberg and finishes at the Rheinauhafen, making it the shorter way to the cobbles.

There is no fixed finish-time limit. Instead, the organiser sets a minimum average speed of 25 km/h including feed stops, checked at several points on the course; riders who fall short must stop or take the sweep wagon to the finish, and are recorded as DNF. The Velodom 120 has two feed stations and the Velodom 60 has one, offering refillable bottles, isotonic drinks and energy gels. Riders must be at least 14 (under-18s need parental consent). The official GPX files are listed as coming soon, and the organiser says route changes and start-time adjustments are possible for 2027.

Registration

Online registration for the 2027 edition opened on 7 July 2026. The organiser reported 4,780 registrations after the first week and said the 2026 event had sold out months in advance. Its opening press release quoted early-bird fees of €70 (Velodom 60) and €90 (Velodom 120); the homepage now lists €100 and €125, and every price tier on the event pages is marked “Ausgebucht” (booked out).

The registration page links to an official starting-place exchange (Startplatzbörse), and starter packs can be sent by post if booked by 15 April 2027. Race-number collection details have not been published.

Full details are on the official website.

Why ride it

The organiser pairs the amateur races with the elite race on the same weekend, and its professional route features a cobbled passage up to Schloss Bensberg, which the amateur routes also include. The organiser describes Rund um Köln as Germany’s oldest one-day race. Finally, the start and finish are both in Cologne itself, so there is no transfer between a remote start town and your hotel.

Where to stay

The start and finish are in the city centre of Cologne, so riders can simply base themselves in the city and arrive the day before to avoid a rushed morning. We do not yet list certified cycling-friendly hotels near this start, but you can browse more cycling-friendly accommodation and book early, as the weekend of a major race is busy.