The chapters of her life read a bit like the story of the first bike of her dreams, which Julia ordered when she was 19. It arrived in a box, shipped directly from the USA to Lichtenfels in Upper Franconia: an Intense M1 – in pieces. Julia had tears in her eyes. There was no way she’d ever manage to put this downhill monster back together… But she packed all the parts back up and cycled to the nearest bike shop, where they helped her out. And so it came to pass that, at some point later, she ended up working in that very bike shop herself, to fund her studies and her bike park hobby.
Discovering the big wide world on an enduro bike
After completing a carpentry apprenticeship, she went on to study interior design and graphic design. Alongside her studies, she honed her riding skills with the help of YouTube clips until she was able to compete in the Enduro World Series, which allowed her to discover the world: Canada, Mexico, Bali, Morocco, Spain, Scotland – Julia describes these trail experiences in her book with her characteristic sunny enthusiasm for the country, its people and nature. Of course, she also had to cope with a few setbacks along the way. But she managed to pull herself out of such lows, thanks to her life motto: Live in the here and now.
Anyone who has ever met Julia in person – whether on the trail, at an enduro race or on one of her riding technique or bike maintenance courses – knows just how well she can share her own rich and varied experiences. She always treats people as equals, with calmness and enthusiasm. A zest for life that she has now channelled just as effectively into the text and illustrations of her new book.
So you’ll be delighted to follow her, page by page, through the richly illustrated episodes of her life, until the jigsaw puzzle finally comes together to form a complete picture. From the Land Rover workshop in the countryside to the wide world of enduro trails and back again to the Bavarian Chiemgau, where she now runs a campsite with her husband – who is also a keen cyclist – and their two children.
Verdict: Well worth reading and, especially at Christmas, a cheerful and heart-warming gift for any mountain biker.
“Days Like These” by Julia Schaefer, 192 pages, 150 photographs by leading cycling photographers, also available as a signed edition, published by Delius Klasing, Price: 24.90 euros.
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
