You live in an old, discarded ambulance all summer long and only go biking. Sounds like a fairy tale. How did this lifestyle come about?
I was always impressed by the New Zealand downhill riders who competed in the World Cup as privateers without big sponsorship contracts. The guys have little money, but a lot of time for biking. A good concept, I think. About two years ago, I quit my job as a design engineer. The rest has developed.
What is it about mountain biking that appeals to you so much that you leave everything else behind?
I am fascinated by how much fun you can have with the simple technology of a mountain bike. However, the longer I live this lifestyle, the more I realise that the bike was just a tool and not the real reason I got out. What really makes me happy is spending time in nature with my best friends. Without biking, I would never have found that out. But I wouldn't have a problem hanging out on the beach with a surfboard either.
Then the other way round: what was so bad about regular life?
I quit my job at the office because I just didn't feel like sitting in endless meetings every day and discussing pointless things. I want to enjoy my life and not kill time in the office. Leaving my normal life behind was hard, but I haven't regretted it so far.
What do your friends say about your lifestyle?
I wouldn't say that our parents are jumping for joy. But we are accepted, especially because we don't scrounge around anywhere. Financially, each of us stands on our own two feet. Some of my friends are envious, others are sceptical.
You only work a few months a year. Surely you have to make compromises. Don't you?
From time to time it gets tight with the money, but I get through life. Of course, we live minimally. Visits to the gourmet restaurant are cancelled and we don't pay rent on Sputnik, our motorhome.
Are you actually homeless?
Not at all! When I'm in Thuringia from time to time, I live with my parents. Otherwise, my home is where the car is. But most people find that hard to imagine.
You live in a bus with two friends. How often do you get into each other's hair?
It's like being in a relationship, things fall out from time to time. What's really annoying is when someone has left a pot of soup on the cooker and after a few metres of driving it's all spilt all over the bus. That's when the fun starts and the odd word gets a bit harsh. Most of the time, everyone then goes for a bike ride and by the evening everything is fine again. When you've been living in such a small box for so long, you just need some distance. But that's actually limited.
Is there a dictatorship on the bus, or do all passengers have equal voting rights?
There is a healthy democracy in our Sputnik. Our travel planning is usually rather spontaneous. When we discuss destinations, one of us says, for example: "Let's go to Norway!" And the others usually agree. At least nobody has made a bad suggestion yet.
Ronny-Racing's trademark is the old ambulance. Does it have a deeper meaning?
The parts are simply practical. The box body gives you more space than in a normal van. What's more, ambulances are always in top condition. All the necessary repairs are carried out in the ambulance service and no hospital is fiddling with the speedometer or working with lazy tricks.
You've travelled all over Europe. Where are the best single trails?
We were in Hafiel (Norway/editor's note) this summer. The bike park was one of the best I've ever been to. The trails around Morzine in the French Alps are also insane. I would say the trails in France are the best.
What's the story behind the name Ronny-Racing? Do you also race, or where does the name come from?
I was at the German Downhill Championships in Tabarz this year. Every amateur athlete wants to be a pro today and goes to bed at half past nine. No party! I understand that with the top riders. But now they're all chasing after their competition. That's why I'm racing less and less. The name Ronny Racing comes from the first season, when we tried to bring a bit of looseness back into the racing scene with dungarees and party shirts. Here in Thuringia, a Ronny is a total beginner.
INFO ROBERT SCHULZ
Robert Schulz (28) has quit his job and flat and has been touring Europe in a discarded ambulance for two years. Together with two friends, he goes in search of the best trails under the name Ronny-Racing. The touring group lives off odd jobs and focuses on having fun.
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