"Drive until your legs are empty. Roll out the sleeping bag. Put the bars in. That's it. That's freedom."
(Dominik Scherer (41), social worker)
He spent hours, or rather days, pondering the question of questions: What is the difference between a tour and an adventure? Dominik Scherer (photo above) has already had plenty of time to let his thoughts run free. When he gets in the saddle, it usually takes longer. On the Tour Divide, the mythical self-supported race from the Canadian to the Mexican border, he covered 4,500 kilometres in three weeks. He has already cycled over the Alps more than a hundred times. As a guide. On his own. Non-stop. And also with a single speed bike. "Bike Punk" is written on his steel hardtail. And "Cars-A-Coffin" - cars are coffins. He has spent half his life in the saddle. Nevertheless, it took him years to find the answer to the question: What makes a tour an adventure? "It's all about the light switch," says Dominik: "On a normal tour, you switch on the lights in the evening. At home or in the hotel. Not on an adventure." It is the unconditional merging with nature that defines adventure, philosophises Dominik. One evening ten years ago, he simply drove into the Alps until it was pitch black. Then he rolled out his sleeping bag on the Geiseljoch at an altitude of 2,000 metres. "That was so beautiful. It still gives me strength today," says Dominik as the sun burns down above him. Silently and elegantly. Without any switches.
"When I tell people what I do, a lot of people shake their heads. They think I'm crazy." (Andrea Kohlndorfer (42), marketing consultant)
Hotel? Breakfast buffet? Beach holiday? "Brrr," Andrea Kohlndorfer shakes her head theatrically as soon as these signal words enter her ear canals. She can't imagine anything more insipid than well-organised wellness nonsense. When she feels like relaxing, she struggles towards a summit with bivouac equipment. Up in the last light of day. Sleeping under the stars. Back in the morning light. Gladly on trails that make most bikers' knees shake. Freeriding, say some. Bike mountaineering, say others.
She herself says: "Complete madness. But so unbelievably awesome!"
Andrea used to have a rather dysfunctional relationship with summits and downhill trails. "My city bike almost killed me once. After that, I had a huge fear of riding downhill. I also have a fear of heights."
The fear of falling diminished over the course of countless tours and several riding technique seminars. The fear of heights, on the other hand, crumbled in a single night. A couple of mates had persuaded her to go on a night ride. They set off at one o'clock in the morning. After all, they wanted to be standing on the rugged, 2628 metre high Alpspitze at sunrise.
"Of course, nobody had told me beforehand that the route also included via ferratas," grins Andrea. The experience was so emotionally powerful that she staggered off her bike back down in the valley, full to the brim with happiness hormones. She has now spent the night on almost every summit of the main Alpine ridge. She euphorically fires off anecdote after anecdote. You can literally hear the fire of passion crackling in her voice.
"There are people who pay money for a parachute jump or something like that on holiday to get a kick out of it. I think that's totally weird," she grins and adds: "I have my own personal short holiday three or four times a week on my bike. An insulated mat, sleeping bag, an edge of cheese - that's all you need.
It's not about country names, but about creativity. She smiles: "It's no effort. Except that you have to make an effort."
"The great thing about mini-adventures is that you can experience them every day. You don't even have to take a holiday for it." (Falk Diefenbach (48), carpenter)
A buzzing, like an intergalactic swarm of bees. The heads of the pedestrians jerk reflexively towards the road. On sunny days like this, crowds of cyclists whizz across the Isar bridge near Munich every second. But no one has ever seen this before: a bike whose frame is barely visible because of all the panniers. And whose 29er monster tyres produce a loud, sonorous hum when rolling on the asphalt. "The bike combines everything I love. Biking and being outdoors," says Falk Diefenbach, after squeezing the reporter's hand in greeting with his iron carpenter's handshake.
The black off-road monster is a survival mobile and escape vehicle. Designed for travelling through forests, countries and mountains far away from infrastructure. Just away from the built-up areas where the houses stick out of the ground like stumps of concrete. If he had to, Falk could survive on his bike even in the depths of Mongolia. Living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom - everything has been distilled down to the bare essentials. Every detail has been precisely worked out. The disc brakes work mechanically so that they can be repaired anywhere in the event of an accident.
"There's a fashion phrase that people like me like to use: leaving your comfort zone. - That's rubbish. For me, there's nothing better than spending the night outdoors," says Falk: "It's pure relaxation." Whenever he feels like it, Falk sets off. Sometimes after work so that he can be back at work on time the next morning. Sometimes he follows his nose for days on end. In August, he wants to take part in the new self-supported Bikepacking Trans Germany race. 1600 kilometres through Germany. Non-stop. Without refreshment stops. "Placement doesn't really play a role in something like this. After all, the fun shouldn't be jeopardised." What's it all about then? Falk ponders, watches the Isar flow silently for a moment. Then: "It's about managing things. Being outside. It's about having something left over from every tour that's good for the piggy bank of happy moments."
"I think birdsong in the morning is a thousand times better than the highway to hell under the rubber start arch." (Gunnar Fehlau (43), cycle journalist)
Long and relaxed, instead of short and hard: Gunnar Fehlau has been celebrating adventure biking for many years. He rode the route of the legendary Trondheim-Oslo long-distance race on his fatbike - in winter. He competed in the Tour Divide, likes to go on extravagant overnighter trips and is the founder of the infamous Grenzstein Trophy. Hardly anyone knows more about planning and equipment.
What is the definition of adventure?
Adventure begins when I am open to the unpredictable - when I give up control and no longer follow an exact plan. The fewer liabilities I have with civilisation and everyday life, the better it gets.
Why do people long for adventure even though they have a cosy flat near the supermarket?
That's exactly the point. Everything is clear, clean and plannable. We all live in cocoons, sometimes I think it's a bit like in the films "The Truman Show" or "Matrix". We want to feel ourselves directly, to perceive nature - without filters.
Is it possible to plan adventures, or are they mutually exclusive by definition?
Of course, that seems like a contradiction at first. It's like improvisation in jazz: it's not on the page, it's not planned. But there's room for it in jazz. And that's how it works on a bike adventure too: you have to give yourself space for the adventure in terms of time, space and mind and then set off with confidence and joy.
How much adventure potential is there in a fully developed country like Germany?
You might think that adventure tours are only just getting started in Germany, but I know so many people who have always done it somehow. I can also remember one-day trips with my mates where we slept in the forest for a night. We were 15 or 16 years old and had a few bottles of malt beer with us. There are still so many untrodden paths, and no biker has ever set up a bivouac in so many places.
What adventures can you experience as a biker on your doorstep?
It's certainly different for everyone. I have two modes: race and relaxed. Racing means self-support races à la Tour Divide, where you're on your own for weeks on end. The Grenzstein Trophy along the former inner-German border, which I launched a few years ago, is a similar challenge. It's about pushing yourself to the limit, and the joy lies in successful surfing right on the edge of the performance gap - over many days. There are more and more events in Europe. In principle, however, you can also start right on your doorstep and simply set yourself a specific route. In relaxed mode, you can get out on your bike and into nature to clear your head.
And for me, nothing beats an overnighter, i.e. a relaxed tour with an overnight stay outdoors. What's so great about sleeping outside?
With the races, it's simply a question of time. It's quicker. You ride until dark and continue straight away at sunrise. An overnight stay in a hotel is simply too long with check-in and breakfast times. Generally speaking, there is hardly any other place where you can feel the current season so finely and perceive it with all your senses as during a night in the forest.
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Gunnar's tips
The appeal of adventures is the surprise factor. Nevertheless, you shouldn't leave everything to chance. Gunnar Fehlau tells us what to look out for.
Route planning
Don't stress: Plan long tours at a travelling speed of 12 km/h, then there is time for breaks. Always plan several routes to the same destination that intersect from time to time. This way you remain flexible and can switch to a different route if necessary. GPS navigation is great. Nevertheless, never drive without an analogue map. It calms your nerves and still gives you the best overview in the event of problems.
Nutrition
If you venture into a deserted zone, you should do as the camels did: always leave civilisation well fed and fuelled up with water. The food you take with you should be a good mix. Fruit, bread, sweets. In summer, don't buy anything that can spoil overnight. Take advantage of the cold! Frozen fish can cool down your after-work beer when it thaws.
Overnight stay
Mosquitoes are annoying. Wet clothes too. So don't roll out your sleeping bag directly on the banks of a river. The water level could rise, for example after a thunderstorm. And there are almost always midges near the water. If you want to sleep in, you should choose a west-facing slope in summer (shade!). It's best to take all the clothes you want to wear in the morning with you in your sleeping bag. They will stay warm and dry.
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The golden rules
Mountain bike adventurers should always follow these eight rules.
- Nature reserves are taboo. No fires when there is a risk of forest fires. Avoid grazing areas!
- Leave nothing but tyre tracks. Pack rubbish in a bag and take it with you.
- Drive anti-cyclically: It is best to only visit tourist hotspots during the off-season.
- Keep your luggage as small as possible and always have lights with you.
- Never cycle without a sufficient supply of water. Top up whenever possible.
- Don't rely on a campfire in the evening. Always pack a cold meal - bread, biscuits, bars, etc.
- When travelling in a group, do not rely on your fellow cyclists. Be self-sufficient.
- Never combine an adventure ride with a training session. Reserves are important.
Internet hits
The best addresses for bikers who want to plan an adventure.
- Bikes, equipment, stories: there is a lot of interesting information here, but only in English. Info www.bikepacking.com
- Reports and photos from the German scene. Plus all the information on the legendary Grenzstein Trophy. Info www.overnighter.de
- Popular, English-language online magazine. Info www.bikepackersmagazine.com
- Experience reports, videos and much more. Info www.salsacycles.com/culture
Practical apps for adventure bikers
Even hardened adventure enthusiasts like to use their smartphone these days. We can recommend these apps to bikers:
Agricultural weather
Farmers want to know exactly what the weather is going to be like. And this app was designed especially for them. Bikers are equally delighted with this digital marvel. Detailed weather information including precipitation forecasts and ground temperature map - available for every location and updated several times a day. Free of charge.
Rain radar
Will the dark mountain range of clouds be unleashed over you in a moment? Or will it stay dry? And when exactly will the sun shine again? This app provides precise answers. It shows the exact path of rain clouds and gives precise forecasts of when and where it will be wet from the sky. A top app for outdoor enthusiasts. And it's also free.
Komoot
With this app, planning a tour is child's play. Whether by bike or on foot, you can find the right route in no time at all. Multi-day adventures, short trips, the choice is huge. If you want, you can use voice navigation to navigate along the trail. There are also detailed offline maps in case you don't have an internet connection.
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If it takes a little longer ...
If you're travelling far from the infrastructure, you need good equipment. But beware: if you buy rubbish, you will not only be lugging a lot of excess weight over the trails, but will also quickly ruin your touring experience.
1. surly
It is the US company's philosophy, cast in iron, not to build rubbish bikes for posers, but robust tools for intensive bikers. The ECR model for 29+ wheels was specially designed for bikepackers. The simple frame is welded from 4130 CroMoly tubes, protected against rust and has numerous eyelets. Six sizes (in the photo: XS). Frame price: 849 euros. Info www.cosmicsports.com
2. sleeping pad/air mattress
An outdoor night without a comfortable insulating mat is hell. But it shouldn't get on your nerves when biking. New models can be rolled up tiny and weigh just 300-400 grams. Perfect! You can buy suitable air mattresses here.
3. mountain equipment
The same applies to the sleeping bag as to the insulating mat: it should be comfortable and cosy enough for a good night's sleep, but should not take up too much storage space. Mountain Equipment specialises in premium equipment for adventurers. The Imperial Glacier SL 400 is filled with down. The outer shell repels water. It weighs only around 900 grams. The price: 319 euros. Info www.mountain-equipment.de
4. revelate designs
The bag manufacturer from Alaska is a cult favourite among hardcore bikers. Whether it's a round-the-world trip or a self-support race: those who venture into the wilderness usually stow their stuff in the robust, practical bags from Revelate Designs. The range of variants is extensive! The handlebar roll in the picture is a classic and costs 159 euros in the basic version. The saddle bag (6 to 14 litres of storage space) costs 189 euros. Info www.cosmicsports.com
5 Ortlieb
It's a small sensation: the German high-end manufacturer Ortlieb is entering the bikepacker segment - with four bags for handlebars, frame and saddle. All are top-quality and 100 per cent waterproof. The saddle bag is Test in BIKE 6/2016. You can buy the Ortlieb bags e.g. at Rose in the online shop.
6 Arcteryx
A glance at the price tag causes a slight fluctuation in blood pressure. But the Cerium LT Hoody is one of the best ultralight down jackets on the market. The body and sleeves are filled differently, depending on the requirements. 275 grams light, 379 euros expensive. Info www.arcteryx.com
7. tune
The extremely absorbent microfibre towel from bike refiner Tune is called the "drop catcher". Perfect for rubbing dry after a dip in a mountain lake. 80 x 40 centimetres, 70 grams. Price: 9 euros. Info www.tune.de
8th Vaude
When the weather gets bitchy, it's better to have a tent with you. The Lizard GUL 1P ultralight tent from Vaude is the first choice. It offers enough space for one person and even has a vestibule for luggage. Setting it up is child's play. And thanks to the carbon frame, it weighs less than 700 grams. Attention: Tent in the 3-season category. Not for the winter! Price: 599 euros. Here you can buy the Vaude tent for less.
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"Always check the weather before a tour and only take the equipment you really need."
Walter Lauter (59), IT administrator
Way of St James, inner-German border, crossing Tuscany, circumnavigating Mallorca: Walter Lauter loves extended hardcore tours with overnight stays outdoors. In summer as well as in winter. As a member of the Wilderness Survival organisation, he is always on the lookout for adventures.
Why don't you go to a hotel in the evening?
Rolling out the sleeping bag after a tour. Collect wood. If permitted, light a campfire. Calm down and enjoy the silence. Then fall asleep tired in a cosy, warm sleeping bag and continue your bike tour rested in the morning. That's much more than you experience in a hotel bed.
Why do people have such a longing for a campfire?
A campfire is something very elementary: it provides warmth. It is used for cooking and for preparing water. It repels mosquitoes and keeps potential wild animals away. And it brings light into the camp.
How much equipment do you need to spend a night in the forest?
That depends on the expected temperatures. And whether rain or snow is expected. To make sure I don't forget anything essential, I always go through my house virtually. Bedroom: light summer sleeping bag, sleeping mat, bivouac sack. Wardrobe: rain jacket and rain trousers. Bathroom: toothbrush, hand cream, rescue blanket. Kitchen: a few muesli bars, a ready meal, gas cooker. You don't need much, but don't forget any important things.
What is more important? The fun of riding, i.e. as little equipment as possible? Or the comfort of staying overnight?
Neither: I have fun riding even with a slightly heavier bike. I can also do without comfort as far as possible. The important thing is to spend a warm and dry night and not have to crawl into your sleeping bag hungry or thirsty. For people doing an overnighter for the first time, comfort should take centre stage. Otherwise they will quickly lose the fun.
What are the biggest mistakes you can make when packing?
There are several. If possible, you should not use a rucksack, but rather travel with various panniers. This way, your luggage is optimally distributed on the bike and you won't get back pain. A classic mistake is to take too much luggage with you. You don't need a spare jersey for a night out and - if the weather is right - you don't need a two-kilo sleeping bag monstrosity. You should always check the weather beforehand.
Your favourite piece of equipment?
A lighter, or alternatively a flint. This is essential for lighting a fire for cooking and keeping warm. I always have my dismountable titanium wood stove with me. You can even light it with pine cones.
