At the premiere, however, it quickly became clear that, in addition to an old mountain bike, a good dose of courage was also required. The new festival was not just about ogling icons, but also about racing on the original tracks from the 1993 European Championships. Which caused many a participant to break out in a cold sweat and get weak in the knees.
VINTAGE BIKE MASTERS
- Downhill and cross-country races on the original tracks of the 1993 European Championships
- Joy Rides on the original route of the Swiss Bike Masters (30, 75, 100 km)
- Eligible to start: Bikes built up to 1999
- Concours (choice of the best classic
- Expo area with catering and parts market
- 215 registered participants 2023
- Location: Klosters/Switzerland
- Next date: 20 to 22 September 2024
- Festival pass for 3 days: 239 CHF
- Info: www.vintagebikemasters.com
It was high time that there was finally a big festival to honour the good old days for mountain bikers. Vintage races such as the L'Eroica have been hugely popular with racing bike fans for years. The number of such events is growing. The MTB scene, on the other hand, did not have anything like this to offer until now, apart from smaller, local meetings. For the Swiss Alexander Beeler, collector of iconic bikes and organiser of a classic road race, the time had come to put together a large, multi-day festival. After all, as he puts it, the development of mountain bike technology has been much more radical, formative and exciting than the evolution of the racing bike.
Of course it's nonsense to say that everything was better in the past. The technical development of the MTB is the best proof. But when it comes to great emotions versus sheer performance, vintage is ahead: the greatest heroic stories, the greatest achievements, the craziest designs, the most genuine friendships were always in the past. This can only be truly appreciated by those who have already really let off steam with modern material. Vintage brings back a piece of youth. Priceless. - Alexander Beeler, Organiser Vintage Bike Masters
The idea: A journey through time with the hottest bikes of the early mountain bike years
The much-anticipated 1st Vintage Bike Maters was eagerly awaited. Alexander Beeler had chosen the perfect location with the Swiss monastery. The tranquil mountain village not far from the Austrian border was the venue for the 1993 European Championships, which are considered an important milestone in MTB history. In order to ensure that the festival was not a pure bike porn fair, but to allow participants to really travel back in time, the most important cornerstones of the three-day programme were races on the original tracks from back then: downhill and cross-country races on the 1993 European Championship tracks. That alone would have been spectacular - after all, the collector scene is better known for its adoration of MTB relics than for off-road action. But Beeler had another icing on the cake: the legendary long-distance shocker Swiss Bike Masters, which was discontinued sometime in the noughties, was also to be exhumed as part of the festival. Completely, or not at all. Organiser Alexander Beeler spared no expense or effort to present the perfect weekend for the classic bike scene. Total budget for the event: 100,000 Swiss francs. Everything was perfectly organised. Only one thing could not be planned: the weather.
Friday, day 1: Downhill race. The weather forecast had foreshadowed it days beforehand. Nevertheless, it was a shock for the participants and the organisers, as the previous day the weather had still been midsummer. A dark mountain range of clouds, from which 4 degrees cold continuous rain lashed down, had descended on Klosters like a bell of horror. The hoped-for pictures of happy time travellers in brightly coloured neon outfits were not going to happen. Which was a shame, because nice photos on as many social media channels as possible would have been essential to further boost the event. However, the hard core of those who had travelled to the event didn't let it spoil their fun and took to the start in a mix of vintage clothing and functional clothing. The route from the Madrisa mountain station showed in an interesting way how radically the sport has changed over the years.
The big question: How does a downhill race feel on a classic bike?
If you had ridden the route on a modern touring bike, it wouldn't have caused any anxiety at all. With the old bikes, however, the not really steep, not very rough trail became a trembling ride of the very finest kind. Especially for those who weren't riding a fully with disc brakes. And that was most of them. The majority rode hardtails with long stems and cantilever brakes, which were hopelessly overtaxed by the conditions. Bikes built up to 1999 were permitted, and at that time there were already brute downhill machines that looked more like motocross bikes than mountain bikes. However, as hardtails from the early nineties are the classic prey of the collector scene, the race was mainly characterised by delicate models of this type. The adrenaline-fuelled riders looked daring as they hopped through the steep start passage. One of them broke through the flutter tape in the first left-hand bend because the brake pads had no friction effect on the rims despite the brake levers being fully pulled. For another, the side-mounted shock absorber fell off the homeopathically dimensioned AMP parallelogram fork.
Despite the horrendous meteorological conditions, everyone had fun. The carefree feeling of the early days actually flared up a little. If only the weather had been better. Unfortunately, a glance at the weather app gave little hope for the next day.
Casual: Local residents had set up a refreshment station for the riders, where the soaked bikers could fortify themselves with coffee and cake between the runs. A nice gesture that gave the event a family feel. In the run-up to the event, there had been heated discussions in classic bike forums about the Vintage Bike Masters supposedly being too commercialised. One of the reasons for this was that there was no camping site like at the Swiss Bike Masters, but only the option of expensive hotel accommodation. In view of the rain, however, most people were happy not to have to sink into a tent or camper on a sodden meadow.
After a final group photo, it was off to the accommodation to warm up. In the evening, there was only a small welcome meeting with an award ceremony. Organiser Alexander Beeler was not able to relax and enjoy the meeting. The weather forecast predicted snow for the next day. It was now clear that the two long marathon routes would not be able to be run as planned. Everything had to be rescheduled. Routing, marshals, refreshment stations. A crazy stress.
Suddenly snow: the rebirth of the cult Swiss Bike Masters marathon went differently than planned
Saturday, day 2: Marathon: When the Swiss Bikes Masters was held for the first time in 1994, it immediately gained a reputation as the ultimate endurance test. Alongside the Cristalp, from then on it was regarded as the toughest long-distance beast on the mountain bike scene. No wonder: 120 kilometres and 5000 metres in altitude wear down even the fittest. After numerous editions, the marathon eventually faded into obscurity. For those participants who still know the legend of the Swiss Bike Masters, the revival was nothing less than a sensation. The field of participants was correspondingly large. At least on the short 30-kilometre lap with 1300 metres of elevation gain, as this promised to live up to the name Joy Ride in the weather conditions.
As with the downhill, the surface was comparatively benign. However, the two long, tough climbs were tough. The participants had different temperaments. While some cruised along the route chatting together, others struggled down the metres in altitude with a tight chain and the taste of blood in their mouths. The lovingly run refreshment stations were nice, inviting you to linger and offering cappuccino and delicious baked goods. By now it was clear what great potential the Vintage Bike Masters has. But also how much the weather has to do with it.
Blue skies, stars and mountain bike icons: Finally a perfect day all round
Sunday, day 3: Cross country race. Sun! Warmth! Blue sky! Was this a dream, or was it actually reality? The suddenly lovely weather was pure relief for the participants and the organising crew, which was immediately apparent from the atmosphere on the festival site. Everyone was in high spirits. The owners of the polished icons, who draped their bikes for the concourse and the vote for the best classic. The people strolling around. The dealers. Those who had already moved and were eagerly awaiting the cross-country race. And also the celebrities. Former world champion Christoph Sauser had already been there the day before with his coffee trolley. Ex-DH world champion Giovanna Bonazzi, ex-CC world champion Silvia Fürst and ex-World Cup star Chantal Daucourt were also part of the festival on the second day. MTB legend Mike THE BIKE Kluge was also visibly delighted on the site. Unfortunately, he could not take part in the race, he apologised. His back was just a little bit buggy! No matter, with the twinkle of an enthusiast in his eyes, Mike kept churning out one story after another. The press and fans were thrilled.
When I look at the bikes here, one thing in particular comes to mind: we're really lucky that we got out of that time alive. The material was adventurous. It was simply crazy what we rode around the racetracks. We were artists, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to ride bikes like that. - Mike Kluge, World Cup legend
Shortly before 13:30. The most beautiful bike of the festival has been chosen, now it's time for the trophies of the cross-country race. The start box is well filled. Almost everyone has changed into their old clothes. It's a feast for the photographers. Right at the front, in the front row, former world champion Christoph Sauser is dressed to the nines. Sauser is one of the great names in MTB racing history. The 1993 European Championships were his first international championships. The bike he is competing on is a Specialized Stumpjumper from 1981, series number 1, the first series MTB in history. On loan from a classic collector.
Lactatorgy at its best: a cross-country race like heaven and hell
The course begins surprisingly gently. For almost two kilometres, the gravel path winds its way through the valley in gentle undulations before a sharp left-hand bend abruptly buries any hopes of further impetuous racing. Steep at first, then like a wall, the path rears up in front of the shocked group of cyclists, initially without any bends, before finally turning into what feels like an endless zigzag. The initial frenzy had already taken its toll on the legs, but now the lactate-scarred legs are literally begging for mercy. 300 metres in altitude in one go. A terrific slog that immediately splits the field into its constituent parts. The lead group, which has shrunk to four riders, initially stays relatively together. Sauser is there, of course.
After three laps and 30 kilometres with a total of 900 metres of climbing, the riders gradually come panting into the finish area. The effort is clear to see, but the pure bliss radiates from the faces of those arriving. Organiser Alexander Beeler also looks relieved and liberated. His vision of the Vintage Bike Masters has come to life. He paid 50,000 Swiss francs out of his own pocket to make the event possible. Due to the bad weather, there were fewer participants and fewer day visitors. He has gone the extra mile. But the chances are good that things will go better next year and the Vintage Bike Masters will become a permanent fixture for classic bike enthusiasts.
This is how legends are made. Great adventures in the most adverse conditions with happy faces all round. A response in social networks that we don't even come close to experiencing at our other events. Half of the participants travelled from all over Europe. Real superstars right in the middle of it all. Even our many young helpers from the region felt the vibes and were enthusiastic ... and that really means something. We are very confident about the further development of this unique event. - Alexander Beeler, Organiser Vintage Bike Masters
