A Polished Start, Early Morning Departure, and Preparation
The alarm went off shortly after six this morning. After a quick breakfast, we loaded the car, and at almost exactly 7:00 a.m., my sweetheart and I set off for Sulzbach am Main, about 80 kilometers away, for the 18th Cross Country Spessart Tour. My first major MTB event that I wanted to participate in. After a good hour’s drive, we arrived there and were able to witness the first starters setting off for the big 64-kilometer loop. After signing up for the “small” – 32-kilometer loop, I treated myself to a coffee before changing, getting my bike ready, and heading to the start line at around 8:45 a.m. Since this was a tour and not a race or marathon, a larger group of ready bikers was sent out onto the course every 10-15 minutes.
Journey Begins: The First Climb and Initial Struggles
I was probably a bit over-motivated at the beginning and pushed quite hard for the first few meters over the road and dirt track. However, I was also radically slowed down by the first climb. This first climb was a fairly narrow single trail, which I completely underestimated and thus got stuck pretty quickly. And since it was quite narrow there and there were a lot of other riders behind me, a short break was called for before I could get back on the bike. That started well. After this first unpleasant experience, I continued along the route, which was really well marked with signs and chalk arrows.
And it was quite a challenge. 32 kilometers with around 800 meters of elevation didn’t sound that difficult in the description, but it got more so with every meter I rode, as there were hardly any opportunities to catch my breath in the form of easily rideable flat paths.
It alternated between uphill and downhill, and most of the time I had to concentrate fully on the route. And when there were flat sections, they were quite narrow and challenging single trails. After 8 kilometers, it felt like I’d been on the trail forever. And after 26 kilometers, I was already tired of the next climb, which—thank goodness—was also the last one.
The Route Map: Single Tracks, Chalk Arrows, and Challenges
Of course, this also meant that I’m not at all used to being out with so many other bikers. There was always someone in front of me or behind me. And depending on the section of the route, this unusual situation put a lot of pressure on me. At first, I tried to cope, but soon decided that there was no point and that I would rather try to do my own thing. That wasn’t a problem going uphill. Anyone who wanted to overtake me could do so, and I overtook everyone else. But going downhill was really difficult, as there were lots of wannabe heroes and cocky people out there, thundering down the trails without regard for the consequences. More than once, I was suddenly shouted at from behind. And a loud LEFT was the nicest request to be allowed to pass.
The best, however, was a biker who tried to get past me through the undergrowth on a fairly easy but narrow trail, but failed and fell right in front of me. Luckily, I had a feeling it wouldn’t work, and I was going slowly, so I stopped with the front wheel less than 5 cm from his head.
Race or Recreation? The Pressure of Group Riding
Overall, it was a really beautiful, varied, but also very demanding route, which demanded everything from me, even though I’m used to long climbs and descents. But it also showed me that I will not be taking part in proper marathons. If such excessive ambition is displayed in an event that is advertised as a tour, what will it be like when the real stakes are high? And I have to admit: it’s just not my thing. I might consider doing tours like this more often; I’m even registered for one in Oberursel in June, but it certainly won’t fulfill my dreams. I’d rather explore the Taunus alone or with like-minded people and let the recreational biker, who also likes to put himself through his paces now and again, show off.
