The scene meets in Riva del Garda, Italy. Hardly any well-known manufacturers, industry insiders or professional bikers, who misses the BIKE Festival Garda Trentino.
Surrounded by the perfect Alpine panorama, BIKE celebrates the biggest season opening party in biking in 2023. The hottest companies present new bikes, parts, clothing and accessories right on Lake Garda. Touching allowed! Due to the public holiday on the first of May, the festival is even going into extra time this year, offering a whole four days of unforgettable bike experiences for visitors from all over the world. Among them, as always, big names: Riding technique gurus, influencer stars and the movers and shakers of the colourful mountain bike world - they all come to the BIKE Festival. Riva is cult, Riva is a must!
400 brands to touch and try out
On the Expo-Area of the BIKE Festival Riva around 170 different manufacturers with 400 different brands will be bustling around the northern shore of Lake Garda in 2023. Whether the big names, such as FSA, Scott, Bosch, or the manufacturers of exclusive small series: Everyone brings their latest products to Riva. The perfect opportunity not only to marvel at the latest new products, innovations and eye-catchers, but also to try them out for yourself. Well over 1000 mountain bikes and e-MTBs will be available to test free of charge at the outdoor trade fair. Visitors to the BIKE Festival Garda Trentino can try out the latest products on two signposted test circuits and ask the manufacturers any questions they may have. Guided tours by Fahrtwind and a large selection of shuttle rides lead to the best trails on Lake Garda.
Free after-ride beer with Bitburger 0.0
A successful bike day naturally includes an ice-cold beer. Festival partner Bitburger 0.0 takes care of the after-ride drink. In the immediate vicinity of the main stage, thirsty bikers can refresh themselves free of charge with non-alcoholic Bitburger products in the Chill Out Area. All marathon participants will of course receive a fresh finisher beer. Around the Expo Area, visitors can also look forward to numerous product samples, attractive trade fair prizes and competitions. Live music and a party atmosphere are also a must at the BIKE Festival in Riva. At the Open Night and the BIKE Festival Party, you can party with like-minded people.
Pleasure biking and racing events for everyone
Like every year, the Riva Scott BIKE Marathon a highlight of the BIKE Festival Garda Trentino. Over three different distances, marathon bikers can compete with professionals and enjoy the best trails on Lake Garda at the same time. Always included: beautiful panoramas and experiences for eternity.
In 2023, Bosch will once again be challenging e-bikers to the epic E-MTB Challenge powered by Trek. E-mountain bikers can take on a varied mix of uphill, downhill and orienteering routes. Different performance levels guarantee riding fun for all athletes and the most versatile e-MTB rider wins.
Young bikers will get their money's worth on Sunday at the Junior Trophy. The fun race for children aged between three and fourteen takes place on age-appropriate routes. The prizes will be presented by the young professionals of the BIKE Junior Team.
New in Riva: The Lake Bash Gravel Challenge
The gravel bike is the ideal vehicle for enjoying the Italian mountains on the northern shore of Lake Garda. The new Lake Bash event format is a gravel challenge with a pleasure factor. On Sunday 30 April, participants can decide for themselves whether they want to tackle the 100-kilometre main lap at racing pace or at a more leisurely pace. Time will be taken on four sections, while the rest of the 2000 metre elevation gain is purely for enjoyment. The refreshment stops with local specialities and genuine Italian cappuccino are perfect for this. If you don't want to do the full loop, take the "juicy" route with 40 kilometres and 800 metres of elevation gain.
Dream trails at the FUNduro
The premiere of the FUNduro at the BIKE Festival in Riva is all about riding fun. The new route of the enduro race is close to the festival site and offers the best conditions for maximum trail fun. On a lap that combines dream trails towards Altissiomo with the famous "Marmitte dei Giganti", there are only a few metres in altitude to contend with. The overall victory will be decided on three stages. In addition, a special classification will honour the most skilful enduro rider of the event. To ensure that all participants get their money's worth at FUNduro, some sections will be made easier.
Learn from the best at the BIKE Academy
At the BIKE Festival in Riva, too, the BIKE Academy will once again be offering numerous workshops with the best in their field. The BIKE Academy is designed to offer its participants an exclusive insight into the work of the BIKE brand and the editorial team behind it. Experts from the BIKE editorial team pass on their expertise in small groups. Places with the professional guides and coaches are limited. In various BIKE technology workshops, the programme includes gravel as well as classic mechanic topics. Seminars on the topics of brakes, wheels and drivetrain are planned. There will also be a technical course on crossing the Alps on an e-MTB and other exciting workshops. Registrations will start from 01.04.2023
The BIKE partners are offering a total of eight seminars. These include, for example, the ergonomics experts from Ergon on the subject of bike fitting and the tyre professionals from Kenda on the subject of tubeless. At a meet and greet with the talents of the BIKE Junior Team, young bikers can ask their role models questions. Jasper Jauch will take interested visitors on an exclusive "pedal to the metal" ride and then challenge them to a joint trackstand challenge at the BIKE stand.
The sponsors of the BIKE Festival in Riva
Jan Timmermann
Editor
