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These borders don't play a major role in Schengen Europe, but the physical ones do. After all, almost 300 kilometres of route and more than 4,800 metres of elevation gain are a challenge even for well-trained racing cyclists. For comparison: the "queen stage" of the Tour de France 2017 had 4,600 metres of elevation gain over 181 kilometres.
Fortunately, the road bike Stoneman also relies on the tried-and-tested gold-silver-bronze principle: as with the MTB variant, starters can plan their lap depending on their fitness level: 1 to 3 days are possible and then each "finisher" receives the corresponding precious metal trophy. If you book a suitable accommodation package, all you need to worry about is your calf muscles and enough energy bars in your jersey pocket. Good luck and off you go!
Cheers to the highest
Roughly speaking, the route leads from Oberwiesenthal to Altenberg on the German side and back in the Czech Republic. You can start practically anywhere, but the Oberwiesenthal region is not a bad tip for tackling the first few metres of altitude.
With renewed vigour, we first head up the Keilberg or Klínovec from Pürstein. At 1,244 metres, it is the highest peak in the Ore Mountains and the Fichtelberg, number two, is only a few kilometres away. After these two "heavyweights", you have already covered around 15 per cent of the altitude kilometres and perhaps treat yourself to a brief panoramic view of Oberwiesenthal. The ride to Bärenstein is pretty leisurely until you reach the summit of the same name. What follows is the typical Erzgebirge up and down. It rarely gets really steep, and fortunately there is no comparison with the Tour de France. Although many roads from the valleys climb steadily uphill for several kilometres, it never gets really tough. You often look at the GPS display and see that you have added another 100 metres in altitude. The ride into the valleys is correspondingly relaxed and some stretches become pure enjoyment. The valley road between Rübenau and Olbernhau is particularly beautiful. For 13 kilometres, the Natzschung valley descends gently so that you can enjoy the tour for 20 minutes as a pure wellness event. The sunlight shines through the green canopy of the treetops and the stream murmurs picturesquely nearby...
The dumpling stage
But 300 kilometres are still 300 kilometres. And those who have agreed on two daily stages with their "inner bastard" can look forward to the well-deserved stage finish in Holzhau, Bärenfels or Altenberg.
On the way there, there is still the Schwartenberg to conquer and several valleys to cross, the names of which you can hardly remember in the rush of speed.
On day two, the picture changes: instead of occasional short visits to Bohemia, we now travel almost exclusively through the Czech Republic. This has two major advantages: In almost every village, no matter how small, there is a pub where you can take a short break - only in an emergency, of course. Perhaps with a small beer. And a goulash with dumplings, because it looks so good at the neighbouring table. The second advantage is the roads. Mostly with a first-class road surface, they often stretch for kilometres in a dead straight line through the forest, with only the occasional car whizzing past. Once you have found your stride here, your head will clear in no time at all. For kilometres, you feel completely at one with yourself and in harmony with the bike, the road and nature. And perhaps it's precisely these moments that make you get back on the saddle again and again.
Information on
Stoneman Miriquidi Road
- 290 km long circular route between the spa town of Oberwiesenthal and Altenberg with 4,900 metres of elevation gain
- Runs in Saxony and the Czech Republic along and on the Ore Mountains' Pultscholle
- Access to the route is possible at accommodation partners and refreshment points
Accommodation recommendation, overnight stay
- 18 accommodation partners are fully equipped for racing cyclists
- They are located in the immediate vicinity of the route
- They have a bike wash, a lockable bike room and a mini-workshop
- They have starter packs available
- Overview of the Logis partners: road.stoneman-miriquidi.com/accommodation-racing-bike-hotel
Worth seeing along the route
- Oberwiesenthal health resort with Fichtelberg and Fichtelberg railway
- Bärenstein mountain
- Jöhstadt with Preßnitz Valley Railway
- Mountain town of Marienberg with horse-drawn railway and Saxon-Bohemian Ore Mountains Museum
- Saigerhütte Olbernhau
- Seiffen toy village with open-air and toy museum
- Neuhausen with Schwartenberg and nutcracker museum
- Holzhau
- Town of Altenberg with mining museum, botanical garden and high moor Georgenfeld
- Osek Monastery
- LitvÍnov with Wallenstein Castle
- Chomutov with zoo park and alum lake
- Kadaˇn with old town centre and castle complex
- Klášterec with porcelain and clock museum in the castle
- Boží Dar with Klínovec
Starter packs
- Available at all Logis partners and distribution points
- Secure your place in the finisher list as a gold, silver or bronze finisher
- Provide you with the most important information about the tour
- In 3 versions from EUR 29
Further route suggestions
In the brochure "Zweirad-Liebe - Mit Rad und Mountainbike durchs Erzgebirge" or at www.erzgebirge-tourismus.de/radfahren.
Literature/Maps
All official starters will receive the road book in A6 format and the current GPX track in the starter pack.
Package deals
- For gold, silver and bronze tours
- On request as a site or stage tour
- From EUR 139 per person in a double room
Further information
Tourism Association Erzgebirge e. V.
Adam-Ries-Straße 16, 09456 Annaberg-Buchholz
Phone +49 (0)3733 18800-0
road.stoneman-miriquidi.com
