With the days growing longer and the temperatures rising, for those who don’t bike all year long, now’s the time to get out the old trusty, two-wheeler for a tune-up and spin around the neighborhood.

If you don’t own a bike, or want advice about places to visit on two wheels, consider stopping by your local Outdoor Recreation Center to rent a bicycle or seek travel tips. The Outdoor Rec staff or your local Safety Office can also advise you on how to get your bike properly equipped for hitting the road with all the required safety features such as front and back lights, reflectors, a helmet and bell.

Once you’ve oiled your chain, pedals and derailleur, inflated your tires and checked to make sure everything is in good working order, it’s time to head out on the trail.

Fortunately, for those living in Germany and many other European countries, there are plenty of marked bicycle paths. Signs (usually with a bike symbol) indicate distances to towns and other sights through the local forests and other locations.

For those just starting out, bike rides along the streams and rivers offer enjoyable day trips that don’t demand the stamina required for hill climbing. Marked paths between Mainz-Kastel and Frankfurt along the Main River, from the Main River up the Nidda River at Frankfurt-Nied toward Karben and up the Rhein River from Mainz in the direction of Rüdesheim offer bikers easy rides that pass vineyards, palaces, outdoor eateries and lots more.

Starting a bike ride at the Wiesbaden-Biebrich Schloss is always a highlight. With plenty of parking adjacent to the palace park, bikers can start out by checking out the wild ring-necked parrots that reside in the park area behind the palace. From the park, head over to the Rhein River bank and follow signs north toward Eltville and beyond.

There are plenty of restaurants, wine stands and other opportunities for breaks along the ride, or consider taking the ferries at Oestrich-Winkel or Rüdesheim across the river for the ride back down toward Mainz.

Likewise the ride along the Main River from Mainz-Kastel toward Frankfurt takes bikers through a host of villages, past ideal picnic spots along the river and inviting beer gardens for a traditional German lunch break.

Another enjoyable river ride is the route from Hanau to Aschaffenburg, passing through the picturesque town of Selligenstadt along the way.

As with most bike rides in Germany, if you run out of steam coming or going, you can always hop on the S-bahn or train with your bike for part of the trip. Be sure to look for the specially marked bike carriages on the local trains and the bike symbol on the S-bahns where bicycles may be transported.

It’s your health — take care of yourself — and enjoy your time in Germany.