The desire for adventure is part of human nature. We instinctively want to experience things that we don't experience in everyday life. Just like Neanderthals in the past, who wanted to discover new forests and gorges instead of just hanging out in a cave with a growling stomach - so do humans today. Often, however, the need for adventure lies dormant deep within us and we just make resolutions. Anyone can have an adventure, you just have to get started. We had a heated discussion in the editorial team about which bike adventures are among the most exciting. You can read our very subjective ranking below.
What actually is an adventure? Wikipedia describes it as a high-risk endeavour that is very different from everyday life. We wanted to find out more and asked adventure expert Rüdiger Nehberg.
"For me, adventure is a self-designed experience that hasn't already been pre-planned by others. It's a venture whose risks I weigh up beforehand and for which I prepare myself as best I can to minimise them, but I still don't plan everything through. I want to experience excitement and not fall asleep. That's why I also give the residual risk a fair sporting chance. Without risk, there would be no adventure." (Rüdiger Nehberg, adventure legend)
The 10 best mountain bike adventures in the world
We pondered for a long time in the editorial office about which race or tour offered the greatest adventure factor. Superlatives served as an aid.
1st Kungsleden - Lapland
The North Trail
Adventure does not have to take place in a racing format. Quite the opposite. Some even claim that there is no sense of adventure with stress and pressure to perform. For bikers with this opinion, the Kungsleden seems perfect. The trail winds its way 425 kilometres from Sweden via Norway to Russia. You don't need to be in good shape to cross the Alps here. You won't find any tough climbs here. The special thing about the Kungsleden: The unique tundra landscape with lakes, marshland, rivers and lots and lots of solitude. Most of the time, you only come across a few hikers here. Striking: The wooden footbridges through the moorland. There are huts along the trail where you can spend the night. Real adventurers, however, sleep in a tent somewhere off the trail. Info: www.kungsleden.de
Do you like ..., if you like solitude and great scenery, but are not an ambitious altitude metre eater.
Feasibility: 3 out of 5 stars
2nd summit overnight stay
The weekend solution
Minimal effort with an intensive experience factor. Even a busy businessman can fit an overnight stay at the summit into his tight schedule. There are no excuses here. It doesn't matter whether you set up camp on your local mountain or tackle bigger peaks. After work, head up the mountain with a friend or on your own, light a fire, sip a flask, tell stories and forget about everyday life. Super-concentrated adventure - for free. We say: everyone should do this once a season. You won't regret it. By the way, bike extremist Gunnar Fehlau prefers to spend the night a little below the summit rather than at the very top.
Do you like ... anyway!
Feasibility: 4 out of 5 stars
3rd Yak Attack - Nepal
Torture race!
The Yak Attack can call itself the highest bike race in the world. It takes twelve days from the Nepalese capital Kathmandu through the Annapurna massif. There, the maximum of 40 starters cross the Thorong-La (5416 metres), the highest pass in the world that is accessible all year round. Refreshment stops during the stages? Not a chance. The shelters are mostly wooden huts where temperatures drop below zero. From the fourth stage onwards, only ten kilos of luggage per person are allowed. The thin air is a particular problem for the participants. So far, no foreigner has ever won the race. The route is a real challenge even without a race format. Information on guided tours is available at: www.himal.de; Info about the race at: www.yak-attack.co.uk.
Do you like ..., if you have masochistic traits and want to test the maximum performance of your body.
Feasibility: 1 of 5 stars
4th Andes Trail
The longest and toughest race in the world
A race across an entire continent is not something you can easily fit into your annual holiday. 137 days, 107 stages, 11,000 kilometres and 100,000 metres of elevation gain are the key figures that conjure up pure incomprehension in the face of every amateur biker. The race starts in Quito (Ecuador) and leads through the whole of South America to Ushuaia (Argentina). Only very few manage to cover the entire distance. Afterwards, you can proudly call yourself a South American connoisseur. More information under: www.bike-dreams.com
Do you like ..., when you have all the time in the world, civilisation means nothing to you and all other adventures are too lax for you.
Feasibility: 1 of 5 stars
5th Mongolia Bike Challenge
On the trail of Genghis Khan
Ten stages: Up to 1400 kilometres and 14000 metres in altitude. Any questions? If you want to complete this race, you need the stamina of a professional. Nevertheless, anyone can take part. The organised race leads through the sandy Gobi Desert and the inhospitable Altai Mountains. Overnight stays are in makeshift camps. If you don't have any problems with stamina, don't rest on your laurels - severe thunderstorms, typical local hygiene and fluctuating food rations put body and soul to the test. The route changes slightly every year. More information at: www.mongoliabikechallenge.com
Do you like ..., if you are looking for your physical limits and want to fly far away.
Feasibility: 1 of 6 stars
6th crossing of the Alps
The classic
Most mountain bikers will have a crossing of the Alps on their to-do list. There are quite a few routes. One of the most iconic and challenging is the Heckmair route. Iconic because Andi Heckmair was the first person to cross the Alps on a mountain bike (1989) and it is his route. Demanding: because you sometimes have to hump your bike here. It starts in Obersdorf. After 6 stages, 357 kilometres and almost 12,000 metres of climbing, the crossing ends in Riva. More information under: www.go-alps.de or www.heckmair-route.de. Two brand new routes are available at: www.bike-gps.de
Do you like ..., if you are fit and want to really get to know the Alps.
Feasibility: 4 out of 5 stars
7 Cape Verde
Heat biking
Adventurers with a phobia of bad weather are in the right place in Cape Verde. The climate here is dry and mild all year round. No wonder, as the Portuguese archipelago lies 460 kilometres west of Senegal. The main islands of Sáo Antáo, Santo Antá and Sáo Nicolau are particularly suitable for mountain biking. Old donkey tracks wind their way deep into the mountains. Skill is required on the cobbled paths, as some of the hairpin bends are so tight. There is still plenty to discover here, because unlike the Canary Islands, it is not yet so overcrowded. Perfect for crossing the island. Good: if you want to combine surfing and mountain biking. More information under: www.bikereisen.ch
Do you like ..., if you don't mind gaining metres in altitude in the heat and you like the solitary island life.
Feasibility: 4 out of 5 stars
8th Jura Trail
Three-day trip
It doesn't have to be the Himalayas to experience adventure. It can also be much less complicated. For example, a three-day tour in the heart of Bavaria. The Jura Trail is a good choice. The famous hiking trail is a 230-kilometre loop. Yes, you read that right. A hiking trail. Bikers are still allowed to ride here - with a few minor exceptions. The area is unspoilt and is perfect for adventurers who have a long weekend at their disposal. The 5300 metres in altitude to be pedalled are rewarded with postcard panoramas and flowing trails. GPS data and information can be found here: www.jurasteig.de
Do you like ..., if you're looking for adventure right on your doorstep, like Bavarian beer and have a bit of a kick in your calves.
Feasibility: 4 out of 5 stars
9th Way of St James
I'm off then!
A classic on foot - but the Way of St James is still relatively unknown among mountain bikers. BIKE blogger and outdoor extremist Walter Lauter completed the pilgrimage route this year. After four weeks, he had clocked up 2,500 kilometres and over 50,000 metres in altitude. The pilgrimage trail leads from Munich towards the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. When asked where it was most beautiful, Lauter did not want to commit himself. But it was definitely varied. No wonder: after all, you cross half of Europe on the route. He rode on dirt tracks, forest roads, single trails and via ferratas. It got better as he got closer to his destination and took his time, says Lauter. His tip: leave a buffer in your schedule. More information and Lauter's original route at: www.walter-lauter.de
Do you like ..., if you can also mountain bike in trekking bike mode and want to start from home.
Feasibility: 3 out of 5 stars
10th Grenzsteintrophy
German history
Bike adventurer Gunnar Fehlau launched the Grenzsteintrophy in 2009. The idea: an adventure race along the former inner-German border. The route starts at the Baltic Sea and ends 1400 kilometres later at the Czech border. The rules are simple: where and when you pitch your tent is up to each rider. Only outside help is forbidden. Once a day, the position must be communicated to the race organisers by telephone. The special thing about this Trophy: no entry fee, no service, no prize money. The Trophy is a self-catering race. There is only one fixed route and one common start. More information under: www.overnighter.de
Do you like ..., if you want to combine German history with your hobby and don't want to get on a plane.
Feasibility: 3 out of 5 stars
Laurin Lehner
Editor
