These are the daily reports from No. 8 (2025), written by Marei Moldenhauer.
Preview: Taunus Bikepacking No. 8
It’s finally time again: Taunus Bikepacking is back for its 8th edition! What once began as Jesko von Werthern’s personal training loop for the Transcontinental Race has evolved into a 1000 km masterpiece – and possibly the most tangled, scenic, leg-destroying loop you can ride in the Taunus region. The route is what happens when you try to draw a line through every climb in the region without ever crossing your line.
Robin Gemperle, the fastest rider of TBP No.7 2024 ©Nils Laengner
Soon, around a hundred riders will once again invade the Taunus region—filling its quiet hills with the hum of tires on gravel, bursts of laughter, the occasional curse word echoing off a climb, and yes, maybe a bit of that unmistakable bikepacking aroma. Locals may glance up from their “Frühstücksbrötchen” and wonder what all these sunburnt, dusty or muddy, tired wanderers are doing rushing through their villages, always seemingly in search of food. The answer? Something between an adventure, a race, a pilgrimage, and a beautifully irrational way to spend a week.
Search for Food TBP 2024 ©bite.of.me
Given that the Taunus itself is only 75 km long and 35 km wide, you might wonder: how does one squeeze in a full 1000 km here? Easy. You go up, down, around, and back again. And again. And again. It’s disorienting, beautiful, and—if you’re not careful – tempting to skip a loop or two when you see the same village sign for the fourth time. But resist! Jesko has spent years refining this course, and there’s a reason people are coming back for it.
©Nils Laengner
Sure, it’s beginner-friendly in the sense that you’re never far from civilization (or a bakery), but don’t be fooled – with 20.000 meters of climbing, it’s not exactly a gentle intro. There are no real mountains in the area but the hills just keep coming and coming. By day three, your knees, achilles, and brake pads might be filing complaints. Fingers crossed for silent hubs, happy knees, and bolts that stay put.
Hannah Ghazi-Idrissi during TBP No. 7 2024. ©Nils Laengner
The start and finish lies in the cozy Eppstein Project campground – a perfect place to roll out and, hopefully, roll back in. The weather can be a wildcard. Taunus No. 6 was a desert – hot and dry. No. 7 was a mud feast with rain and even thunderstorms. For now it looks mostly dry, with chances of rain and thunderstorm for the day of the start – sunday. So, bring sunblock, waterproofs, and nerves of steel. At least one of them will come in handy. As for bikes: it’s 99% rideable if you bring the right gear ratio. Choose wisely.
Finish line at the Eppstein Project TBP No. 6 2023 ©Nils Laengner
Riders to Watch
I don’t just want to highlight the fastest riders. Each person on this startline has their own story of how and why they got here. I can only share a few of them, but I’m sure there are many more worth telling.
First thing’s first: Cap number 1 doesn’t go to the fastest – it goes to the wisest. The most seasoned Taunus veteran. The assignment of cap numbers actually follows a carefully calculated system, with points awarded for starting and finishing previous TBP events. This year that honour goes to Thomas Metz. He’s been at the start line every single time. Quiet, consistent, and from the Taunus himself, Thomas rides bikes for a living and might finish in the top 10 for fun. One to watch.
Kristian Buljan: Four starts, three finishes, one win, one second place (last year, just behind ultracycling GOAT Robin Gemperle who won TCR shortly after). Kristian’s back to race and for another TCR warm-up lap – because, apparently, it’s tradition now.
Kristian Buljan during TBP No. 7 2024 ©Nils Laengner
Manuel Truccolo: Riding with Enough Cycling Collective, Manuel boasts an impressive ultra-distance résumé: winner of the Bohemian Border Bash, podium finishes at Italy Divide and Hellenic Mountain Race, and winner of the Atlas Mountain Race pairs category. With such credentials, could he challenge Robin Gemperle’s 2024 Taunus Bikepacking record of 2 days, 13 hours, and 26 minutes? Time (and probably weather) will tell.
Antti Lihavainen: Special mention as he will not only ride the taunus bikepacking but already has a hell of a ride in his legs as he is still on the way to the start. By bike. From Stockholm. This is pure determination and bikepacking spirit. On his last try (where he rode to the start as well) he missed the finishers Party due to mechanicals, but earned the nickname “Fast Walker” for speed-hiking up hills. His gear ratio wasn’t prepared for the Taunus but his legs were.
Mareike Sanner: Missed the party on her first try, helped as a volunteer last year, and now she’s back – ready to chase the finish line and the finish party. Go Mareike!
Manfred Fleck and Armin Brunner have been riding bikes longer than many riders have been alive. They don’t need fanfare or finish-line sprints – they may ride in the background, but they bring experience you can’t measure in watts.
Nathalie Hoogeveen: Last year’s heartbreak: second woman, derailleur snapped 70 km from the finish, rode singlespeed until she finally had to give in to her bike failing when her chain snapped as well. This year? Revenge ride. She just took second female at Utrecht Ultra, so keep an eye out.
Nathalie Hoogeveen during TBP No. 7 2024 ©Nils Laengner
Bettina Bögl: Fastest woman at Bohemian Border Bash. Enough said.
Lisa Nemetz: TCR? Done. Transibérica? Done. Now, it’s time for her first off-road event, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to the Taunus and the gravel world.
Whether you’re here for the party, the personal challenge, a race, or just to explore the Taunus in all directions (usually uphill ☺ ). Taunus Bikepacking No. 8 promises beauty, brutality, and probably a bit of both. Good luck, ride safe—and don’t forget to smile when you pass the same village sign for the fifth time. You’re definitely still on course. Probably.
The start is on Sunday June 15th. Riders are leaving the base camp in one minute intervals from 8 in the morning. Nils Laengner and bite.of.me and Kilian Vitt will provide the photography, so make sure to follow the Taunus Bikepacking Instagram channel and you can already listen to the podcast preview – there will be a podcast coverage for the first time this year so make sure to follow that:https://open.spotify.com/embed/show/6U0jIj7jqHnpOf2UMMRmnT?utm_source=generator&t=0
This report is brought to you by me – Marei Moldenhauer – ultracyclist, 2023 Taunus participant, and currently riding the ups and downs of knee rehab. Sharing this report with admiration, nostalgia, and a whole lot of love for this event. As I take over the race commentary this year, I know I have big shoes to fill. Jesko has always done the commentary himself, in addition to organising the race – and he did it brilliantly. He’s a gifted storyteller. It’s an honour to follow in his footsteps and to carry on the tradition of sharing the stories that unfold out there on the road.
“Nothing that’s worth anything is ever easy” ©Nils Laengner
Day 0: The storm before the calm
Already since yesterday riders are coming in – or rather, tumbling out of trains, cars, or already big bike rides – into the Eppstein Project, the idyllic meadow that tomorrow will transform again into the starting line of the Taunus adventure. If all goes to plan, it’ll also be the finish line – riders returning not just dustier and wearier, but carrying new stories and experiences, that nothing can give you but a perfectly unreasonable, beautiful and hard ride through the taunus region.
The Check-in is in full swing. ©Nils Laengner
While the sun and the heat are beating down relentlessly, tents go up, caps and trackers are handed out, stamp cards tucked into frame bags, and the media team is busy snapping portraits in the shade. Somewhere between it all drifts the soft scent of cinnamon rolls — warm, sweet, and probably already all eaten by hungry, carb-loading cyclists. The WhatsApp group chat, meanwhile, is in meltdown for a week already: bikes, bags, sleep systems, food strategies – it’s all being compared, questioned, and endlessly re-packed.
©Nils Laengner
„Are you really taking this little?”
„My bike is so heavy”
“Managed to forget my helmet… anyone got a spare one I could borrow?” …
Some are rolling in fresh, others… not so much.
One rider has already done his fair share of pedalling. Cap #17 Antti Lihavainen casually rolled in yesterday after a 1300 km ride from Stockholm. 700km of those were into headwind. His first request on arrival? A beer. His second? A shower – at least before facing the portrait camera (fair enough).
Cap #17, Antti Lihavainen rode by bike to the start. From stockholm. ©Kilian Vitt
Cap #25 Insa Puchert is back for her second Taunus ride. During the bike check, a small dent in her front wheel raised some eyebrows – it creates a soft, rhythmic bump with each rotation. Mechanic Markus couldn’t fix it but gave her the green light. She came here hoping to beat her previous time, but training didn’t go quite as planned – so now the pressure’s off. “I just want to enjoy it this time,” she says, smiling.
Cap #4, Kristian Buljan, has opted for a minimalist setup.
“No mosquito spray because that encourages me to continue riding.”
Apparently, being eaten alive is part of the strategy. Let’s see if the mosquitoes are on board.
Yesterday and again today at 09:00 pm, riders still have the opportunity to watch last years movie at the camp together. I can really recommend it, if you want to get an idea what this event is about. You can watch it here:https://www.youtube.com/embed/hpvV7FBTVbg?si=6dnpR_r_8IFE7rge
Movie night. ©Nils Laengner
It is the few days before a race that can really mess with your head. Many decisions still to make. So many things to doubt. Potatoes to cook. Legs to shave. This isn’t the calm before the storm. This is the storm.
But then the moment comes. When you clip in, and the tires roll forward – ready or not – the noise begins to fade. The Taunus doesn’t care how well you packed. It just asks you to ride your bike.
From 08:00 am tomorrow, riders will head out one by one, each a minute apart – first into the morning light: cap #99 Armin Brunner. Last to leave the field: cap #1 Thomas Metz.
Nils Laengner and bite.of.me and Kilian Vitt will provide the photography, and make sure to follow the Taunus Bikepacking Instagram channel and listen to the Podcast, there will be updates during the week as well.
Day 1: Out of the Tent, Into the Rain
It was an early start this morning in Eppstein. Breakfast was served at 6:30 – müslibowls and Salamibrötchen disappearing into the mouths of sleepy cyclists, while the rain poured down relentlessly. Riders gathered under tents, holding their coffee mugs and exchanging feelings, strategies and laughter. All of them wondering – how will it feel, to roll out into this rain, in just a few minutes?
Breakfast ©Nils Laengner
Despite the wet conditions, luckily the Taunus was spared the worst of the thunderstorms rattling just east of the region. Here, it‘s mostly wet socks but still good spirits. Before setoff, group photos were snapped with smiles and rain covers, then riders filed into the start tent from 8 a.m. in one-minute waves.
A lot of rain this morning, but luckily the worst part is east from the Taunus. And probably tomorrow will be better.
And this year, 17 women are lining up – more than ever before. Still far from equal, but a step in the right direction. At the very least, I’ll try to give them equal space here.
TBP veteran Jens Bacher was on the road to support and catch some voices of the early taunus bikepacking. When he asked Cap no. #18 Jonas Mahlert what the best thing about the beginning of an ultra is, the answer came fast:
“It’s the knowledge that from now on, there’s nothing else to do but ride, eat, and sleep. And that’s a very freeing thought.”
©bite.of.me
Of course, some are here to race. Jens told me there are some fast setups out there – lightweight, minimal sleep systems, eyes focused far ahead. The beauty of TBP has always been that it allows space for both: The one counting miles, and the one collecting moments, and some probably doing something in between.
Cap no #5 Markus Recker ©bite.of.me
At the front, we currently have Cap no. #20 Janek Schwenker, who did the Taunus Bikepacking last year and finished 7th, now leading the pack. I just found out he rode here from Freiburg by bike. He’s apparently fit, motivated, and clearly off to a strong start. Close behind: #74 Manuel Truccolo and #4 Kristian Buljan who, as I earlier reported, wants to use the mosquitos as motivation not to stop too much. Let’s hope for him the rain stops soon – so the mosquitoes can join the race too.
Cap #4 Kristian Buljan ©Nils Laengner
Cap no. #45 Marco Domanowski isn’t racing the leaderboard. No room for delay, no time to lose, because there’s something – or rather someone – waiting at the finish line. He must be home in time for his own wedding
Meanwhile, to our female riders: Cap no. #54 Bettina Bögl is currently leading, #65 Deborah Salzmann and #13 Jeannette Schönbein following, but riding not too far from each other.
Currently leading: Cap #54 Bettina Bögl. ©Nils Laengner
A bit further back, Cap no. #68 Marina Weber-Kollassa is doing something slightly mad: she ran the Garmisch-Partenkirchen-Trail – 30 km and 1440 m of elevation– the day before TBP started. Trading trail shoes for cleats, apparently 1440 of climbing on foot wasn’t enough for her and she decided to skip rest day beween the ultra and the ultra.
Cap no. #10 Nina Kollrepp is another returner, back for her third Taunus. Last year she was part of the crew, but now she’s riding again – drawn by the “family feel” of the event and the desire to leave her comfort zone. Because that’s what gives you the opportunity to grow.
Not everyone could roll out this morning. Cap no. #90 Arno Fricke is sidelined with an infection in his arm – on antibiotics for now, but planning to start Monday or Tuesday, hoping to still make it to the Finisher Party. We’re rooting for him.
And unfortunately, we’ve already had some scratches and Did Not Starts (DNS):
Scratch report:
- #82 Florian Imgrund – bruised knee
Did Not Start (DNS):
- #91 Manuel Held – sick
- #72 Diana Grodnick – sick
- #52 Jan Schäfer – sick
- #33 Federico Bellomo – work commitments
- #30 Levent Cakir – Covid
- #11 Marco Störmer – tendonitis
©bite.of.me
The road ahead is still long. The weather, unpredictable. But the spirit of TBP is very much alive. Right now, 93 riders are pedalling, laughing, pushing forward – winding their way through forest and fog. Soon, the first night will settle over the Taunus.
More tomorrow – from the trails, from the riders, from wherever the ride loops next.
Nils Laengner, bite.of.me and Kilian Vitt provide the photography, so make sure to follow the Taunus Bikepacking Instagram channel and listen to the latest podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/153eC3bM0rswL9xfJFBdVc?utm_source=generator
Day 2: lost keys and ferry rides
The first night of Taunus Bikepacking has passed and while some were pushing through the night, some were sleeping. Or at least trying to. But let’s get to that later.
It’s nearly 38 hours into the race and it seems like we have a leader: cap #74 Manuel Truccolo reached CP1 first and is now far ahead from the pack, already at km 600. His stopping time is almost suspiciously low. Just 40 minutes since the start – no real sign of sleep. An incredibly strong ride so far.
Cap no. #74 Manuel Truccolo, currently leading the pack ©Nils Laengner
Currently second is #96 Moritz Banerjee, also showing no sign of having rested, with just over an hour of stopping time. Third is #43 Mathias Blockelet, who’s had a slightly more generous 2h27min of downtime.
Fourth at the time of writing is cap no. #4 Kristian Buljan. Close behind is #20 Janek Schwenker. He on the other hand, seems to be the only one in the front group who appears to have had a proper sleep: a solid 6 hours at a sports ground last night. With fresh legs and a clear mind, it’ll be exciting to see how much ground he can regain as fatigue starts to creep in for the rest.
#54 Bettina Bögl is still leading the women’s field – and she’s sitting in 12th overall. Her stopping time so far is only about an hour.
#68 Marina Weber-Kollassa ©Nils Laengner
#68 Marina Weber-Kollassa is around 30 km behind. Yes, she is the one who ran a 30 km trail race the day before TBP. She appears to have slept for 4 hours – possibly even in a real bed. That kind of recovery can really change the game. We’ll see how that plays out over the next stretch.
Third in the women’s field is #65 Deborah Salzmann, about 25 km behind Marina. Their start times were just a few minutes apart, so the distance is fairly accurate. Deborah had to deal with a tough setback: multiple punctures left her out of tubes, and she had to take the ferry to Bingen and back to find a bike shop – costing her around three hours. Now she’s stocked with four tubes, a new tyre, and even booked a hotel in St. Goarshausen to reset. She’s strong and steady. Respect.
#32 Nathalie Hoogeven is close behind her – they’ve been swapping places regularly. She also seems to have stopped on the first night for some well-earned sleep. Smart riding.
Cap no #6 Patrick Das unfortunately also had to take the ferry to Bingen and back after a broken spoke. Once fixed, he wisely rewarded himself with a banana split. Well done!
For #67 Tamara von Werthern (and yes, if the name rings a bell – she’s in fact Jesko’s sister), this is her very first bikepacking event. She’d never slept outside before. Her goal: ride around 100 km per day. For her very first night sleeping outside, Tamara chose a spot straight out of a storybook: a tower overlooking Hofheim, the town where she and her brother Jesko grew up. A beautiful place to sleep – or so it seemed. What followed was less romantic: freezing winds, zero sleep, and the kind of night that makes you question every life choice leading up to it. Come morning, things didn’t get easier. When she finally decided to get moving, her bike lock key had vanished. Gone. Nowhere. After unpacking and repacking all her bags (6 times), she surrendered to reality, walked to a nearby hardware store – and broke into her own bike. Not exactly how she might have imagined her Taunus debut. But still: challenge faced, problem solved. Mission very much accomplished.
When #67 Tamara von Werthern finally got to break the bike lock
It’s easy to look at this from the outside and point out mistakes – but if you’ve ever slept out alone for the first time, you’ll know: there’s so much to think about. And finding a perfect spot to sleep rarely works on the first try, believe me – I’ve been there myself!
©bite.of.me
Trail magic this year again doesn’t seem to dissapoint. Coffee, Tea, Juice and fresh-baked goods for everyone.
One very positive note: Cap no. #90 Arno Fricke started his ride today at 5 pm, after recovering from an infection and finishing his course of antibiotics. He’s hoping to still make it to the finish. We’re cheering him on.
And now, the second night is falling over the Taunus. Legs are growing heavy. So are the minds. The freshness of the start has long faded. Riders have already overcome their first real challenges – mechanicals, sleep deprivation, endless climbing, saddle sores, stomach issues.
For me, this is where the ultra truly begins. From here on, it’s no longer just about physical strength. It’s about finding something deeper – patience, resilience, mindfulness. Wherever you are out there tonight – whether you’re curled up on a mat under the stars, or pushing through the dark with tired legs – I wish you a good night.
Because the night in an ultra holds a kind of magic. An air mattress becomes a heavenly bed (quite literally, with the stars above). And riding through the dark brings its own kind of wonder: when the world goes quiet, the sound of your hub, the whisper of wind through the trees, the crackling sound of tyres over gravel – everything becomes deeper and more intense, you just have to listen.
So – ride safe, and don’t forget to look up now and then. The stars are out as well.
Scratch report:
- #85 Jens Zickermann – not feeling well
- #59 Stephan Klonk – no energy, unfit
- #69 Stefano Gennaioli – saddle issues
- #97 Alex Dorner – back pain
- #73 Nils Opgenorth – strained lower leg
- #76 Manfred Fleck – gear shifter broken
- #44 Harry Nebbe – derailleur broken
- #76 Tobias Kraft – sick
Nils Laengner, bite.of.me and Kilian Vitt provide the photography. Make sure to follow the Taunus Bikepacking Instagram channel and listen to the latest podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0y3vKaxHQu3Mgx1kLQTvDM?utm_source=generator
If you’d like to see more of the atmosphere, there’s another beautiul Movie from last year’s edition that’s well worth watching. It captures the heart of the Taunus: https://www.youtube.com/embed/QrgnMiUxR0U?si=qKD8RC17QjbPFBnb
Day 3: Fountains, Fish, and Fighting On
Now as the sun is going down and thereby setting an end to the third day of taunus bikepacking, it is time to report again from the trail.
There’s been quite a lot going on out there – so let’s try to make sense of the field.
First things first, #74 Manuel Truccolo is still riding incredibly strong. He’s currently at km 890, with only around 125 km to go. If he continues at this pace, he might cross the finish line early tomorrow morning. Word is he didn’t sleep particularly well last night – three hours on a wooden bench at a bus stop, wrapped in nothing but an emergency blanket. But if his legs noticed, they’re not showing it.
#74 Manuel Truccolo with the legendary kiosk owner Günther from Lykershausen. A true Taunus classic. (Probaby making sure no Pfand is being wasted.) ©Nils Laengner
Whether he sleeps again tonight or not, it looks likely he’ll be the first to arrive in Eppstein.
Chasing him are #96 Moritz Banerjee and #4 Kristian Buljan, both roughly 80 km behind Manuel. Moritz and Kristian are not too far from each other – so there might still be a race unfolding in the background.
Bettina Bögl ©Nils Laengner
Meanwhile, in the women’s field, #54 Bettina Bögl is still leading and riding steady and strong – and now 10th overall. Behind her are #45 Marina Weber-Kollassa and #13 Jeannette Schönbein.
On the first night, #46 Vanessa Kopp, #41 Julian Heckl and #31 Malte Burdinski camped on what seemed like a peaceful patch of grass near Wehen. It was – until the sprinklers came on in the middle of the night. Vanessa, still wrapped in her sleeping bag, had to hop away from the water jets, half-asleep and fully soaked.
But the big story of today? A sudden wave of DNFs – highly unusual, and likely not a coincidence. At least nine riders scratched due to food poisoning, and several others had to stop for hours, battling nausea, vomiting, and worse – but are now slowly rolling again. While we can’t pinpoint a single cause, suspicions are rising. Some riders mentioned the fountains. Others recalled eating sushi. Yes, sushi.
It’s giving Atlas Mountain Race vibes (food poisoning is quite common there) – even the camels are here for the show.
Even Media Car 1 isn’t immune – two crew members are currently a bit feverish and running low on energy. No scratches here though – luckily for us.
We might never know the exact cause… Either way, to those still out there: maybe think twice before you drink from mysterious wells or enjoy raw seafood mid-ultra. Just saying.
Now, as darkness settles once again over the Taunus, it’s not just legs that are tired. Foggy minds, fragile stomachs, empty batteries.
And yet, somewhere between exhaustion and tired legs, something shifts. That strange idea of riding 1000 km through the Taunus starts to feel… normal. Everyday life begins to feel far away. The body finds its rhythm. The effort becomes familiar. Even comforting. I hope that for many riders out there, this is exactly what’s happening now.
A beautiful line from #67 Tamara von Werthern, posted earlier today:
Amazing, the up and down, and how wonderful it feels when things go up, when it is possible to continue another day, when people are kind, when you have the basics. I love the changing landscape I am travelling through, I love the experience. Thank you, Taunus Bikepacking.
So wherever you are tonight – sweaty, sick, soaring, smiling, or simply still moving – may you find a quiet place to rest, a working derailleur, and one good reason to keep going. (And may the sprinklers stay off.)
Sleep well if you can. Or ride strong if you want.
Scratches today include:
- #7 Andreas Hölderle – diarrhoea
- #9 Georg Heckens – food poisoning (spoiled sushi)
- #64 Robin Findewirth – vomiting (bad food)
- #75 Tobias Kroczek – stomach issues
- #88 Tim Zimmer – same food as Georg
- #80 Maximilian Bambey – knee problems
- #39 Steven Demyttenaere – hit by a car, can’t keep food down
- #83 Ben Brophy – sickness, nausea
- #16 Pascal Streng – food poisoning
- #14 Moritz Schön – stomach issues
- #29 Alexander Gleiß – knee pain
- #20 Janek Schwenker – electronic shifting battery dead, forgot cable
Nils Laengner, bite.of.me and Kilian Vitt provide the photography. Make sure to follow the Taunus Bikepacking Instagram channel and listen to the latest podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/42452U16Rijr6F3R2VG8H4?utm_source=generator
Day 4: Almost there. In a very Taunus kind of way.
First of all, we have our first three finishers.
#74 Manuel Truccolo ©Nils Laengner
#74 Manuel Truccolo arrived as the first finisher around 10 am this morning after 3 days 1 hour and 23 minutes. Huge congratulations on such a strong and steady ride! When he rolled in, he looked well – tired, of course, but grounded. He asked for a beer, had a Fingerhut (foxglove) tied to his saddlebag for decoration – not knowing it was poisonous– and spoke warmly about the route.
#74 Manuel Truccolo ©Nils Laengner
He hadn’t slept much in the past day – just a few short power naps, having thrown away his emergency blanket earlier. The night was cold, and this did show in his eyes. Then he took a well-deserved shower on the camping ground and immediately fell asleep afterwards – well deserved and very much understandeable. As he put it himself:
“It’s not easy. It’s never easy. But it’s beautiful”
#74 Manuel Truccolo right after taking a shower – taking a well-deserved nap ©Nils Laengner
About five hours later, #4 Kristian Buljan rolled in to take second place. The podium came as a surprise to him – he just pushed hard at the end and wasn’t expecting to land in second.
“Amazing to be on the podium for the third time in a row – it was a great competition.”
#4 Kristian Buljan ©Nils Laengner
And then came #96 Moritz Banerjee, just 2 hours and 37 minutes after Kristian. He had found a warm hut with toilets the night before and had slept well – something he values highly. Moritz signed up last minute, has little ultra-cycling experience, and came with no expectations. He doesn’t enjoy pushing sleep deprivation and prefers to keep things human.
“The ups were high, and the downs were low. I had fun – and I’m grateful to be here.”
Now they’re all at the camping ground, resting and enjoying the calm of Eppstein – a calm that won’t last long, because many more riders are rolling in soon. I promise.
In the Women’s Field: It’s Getting Closer
#54 Bettina Bögl is still leading and currently sitting in 7th overall. She said she’s enjoying the lead – but nearly 900 km and 3.5 days of riding with only 3–4 hours of sleep in total is taking its toll. She’s feeling the effort now but is determined to hold her position and finish strong. Go, Betty!
Behind her, slowly gaining, is #68 Marina Weber-Kollassa – and she’s riding with impressive consistency. Marina is new to bikepacking, but not to ultras – she’s an experienced ultra-trail runner and adapted to the constant effort. She bought her bike specifically for TBP and had never ridden more than 120 km in one go before this. She doesn’t follow the tracker, doesn’t know where she is compared to the others. She said when she wants to go home, she just rides faster.
“It’s about acceptance and being present – and knowing an up follows every down.”
Her plan for today: ride to Wetzlar, then 10 km more – so there’s less than 100 km left tomorrow. Classic ultra logic.
Currently third woman and 25th overall is #65 Deborah Salzmann. Deborah has slept more than most – taking longer breaks of 6, 7.5 and even 10.5 hours over the past nights. That rest seems to be helping. She’s riding steady and strong.
Sadly, #32 Nathalie Hoogeveen had to scratch today. She seems to have caught the same stomach issues as many others on this edition and is now stuck with painful cramps. She had been enjoying the ride until now but is feeling the toll of doing two ultras in one month. Maybe it’s time for round three next year?
#32 Nathalie Hoogeveen and #55 Lisa Nemetz ©bite.of.me
To all the women out there: you’re amazing.
This sport still has so few of us, and every one of you is making a difference by being out there. Riding. Pushing. Taking up space. We don’t have many role models – so we are the role models. For every little girl who might one day think: I could do that too.
Let’s keep going.
#13 Jeannette Schönbein and #34 Ulrike Glaser fixing the bike, #55 Lisa Nemetz in the background ©bite.of.me
At this point, nobody’s fresh anymore. The legs are cooked, the hands are getting numb, the head keeps spinning around the same thoughts (or songs) again and again.
It’s the part of the ride where you no longer question whether it makes sense – you just do it. Because just continuing to ride is easier than thinking about it. I mean… drawing a straight line – the finish line is never far, but here in the Taunus, we don’t do straight lines.
We go up, down, back around, and then do it all over again – to make sure we really deserve that arrival.
Almost there. In a very Taunus kind of way.
©bite.of.me
Scratches today include:
- #32 Nathalie Hoogeveen stomach issues
- #86 Ole Perske achilles tendon inflammation
- #47 Moritz Kreilinger stomach issues
- #25 Insa Puchert hurting tendon
- #45 Marco Domanowski too many issues
- #81 Johannes Eckstein very bad knee pain
Nils Laengner, bite.of.me and Kilian Vitt provide the photography. Make sure to follow the Taunus Bikepacking Instagram channel and listen to the latest podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/1T5tRioe9ctQMPBjblFJjc?utm_source=generator
Day 5: First female finishers .. and a Fox
This morning, #54 Bettina Bögl and #68 Marina Weber-Kollassa rolled into the Eppstein Project as the first and second woman, and 7th and 8th overall.
#54 Bettina Bögl, first female finisher of the TBP 2025 ©Nils Laengner
Bettina finished in 4 days and 13 minutes, Marina followed about 1 hour and 45 minutes later.
It was just after sunrise when #54 Bettina Bögl rolled back into Eppstein. She laughed and said:
“It feels really good. No more sitting on the bike!”
She loved how “rideable” the route was. Compared to previous events she’s done, Taunus Bikepacking felt more accessible in that regard. Less pushing. More flow.
#54 Bettina Bögl ©Nils Laengner
Bettina’s performance was steady, strong, and above all: consistent. And even as she crossed the line, the smile was still there – and a mix of exhaustion, pride, and that happiness that only comes when you’ve accomplished something really, really hard.
Marina’s finish is no less remarkable. It was her very first bikepacking event. No training rides, no big expectations. She had done ultra trail runs before – but this time, she swapped trail shoes for pedals.
“I never thought I was that good,” she said. “I was really scared I’d be the last person. I just didn’t want to be last. And now I’m in the top 10!”
She hadn’t been away from her daughter this long before and wasn’t sure how they’d all manage. She decided to ride through the final night without sleep, just to make it back in time. Because she secretly hoped her husband and daughter might be there at the finish.
#68 Marina Weber-Kollassa, her husband and daughter at the finish line ©Nils Laengner
And they were. Her daughter, wearing a tiny helmet and rolling up on a little balance bike. The next generation, it seems, is ready.
Bettina later said Marina made the race exciting for her – pushing her to ride faster. Neither of them slept in the final night.
The race for third woman is still on – and right now, #55 Lisa Nemetz is holding that position. She’d had just 2 hours of sleep in the past 36 hours and is ready for some tent time. She says she thinks #65 Deborah Salzmann is chasing her – fast. She says she herself is rather slow and steady, but it’s working. It is her first off-road event, so we think she’s doing really great actually!
“I’ve improved off-road a lot. At first I was so careful, but I learned a lot from watching others.”
She’s stocked up with food and iced coffee – poured into a small Coke bottle – and is ready for the final push.
Meanwhile, somewhere in Langhecke, there’s a little oasis called Gino’s Italian Garden Café – a patio built out of a shipping container, with espresso, quiet, and old Italians sitting in the sun. It was Jesko who found it on a route recon and convinced them to put out a sign for riders. Gino’s wife made one on the spot – marker pen on cardboard.
©Nils Laengner
And that’s where #70 Sean Teevan showed up. 5 km before Limburg, Sean was hit by a dog, fell, and landed hard. He went to a hospital where he got stitches in his elbow and knee. He was apparently really impressed how fast he was treated in hospital – he said in Ireland he’d have to wait for hours… well… Speaking as a doctor: that’s not exactly unheard of here either. So Sean, consider yourself lucky – and well looked after!
#70 Sean Teevan and Gino ©Nils Laengner
And finally #53 Michael Voigt had a rude awakening when a fox stole his food bag – which also contained his tracker, phone, and wallet. He noticed just in time and chased the fox across the field. He got everything back (minus a hydration bladder, now thoroughly chewed). The fox has not been seen since. Possibly well fed now.
©Nils Laengner
Day 5 is wrapping up. Some are arriving, some are still far out. There are still two days left until the official cut-off – and even after that, the track remains. The climbs, the views, the moments – they don’t disappear when the clock runs out. The Taunus will still be there.
#67 Tamara von Werthern ©Nils Laengner
So take your time. Enjoy the silence, the small towns, the long evenings. The finish line is a place – but the ride itself is the real reward.
Scratch Report:
- #48 Florian Feid – cold symptoms
- #58 Hans Lanser – navigation device failure
- #99 Armin Brunner – crash with hip pain (post-op)
- #41 Julian Heckel – severe neck pain
Nils Laengner, bite.of.me and Kilian Vitt provide the photography. Make sure to follow the Taunus Bikepacking Instagram channel and listen to the latest podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5OrKdBCrsLUiwaUmYB7zCn?utm_source=generator
Day 6: One Route, Many Stories
This morning, we welcomed the third woman to the finish: #55 Lisa Nemetz. It’s her first off-road event, and she can be seriously proud of how she handled it.
#55 Lisa Nemetz ©bite.of.me
Lisa rode very consistently and stopped little. This played out well for her. On the final day, she had the feeling of being chased by #65 Deborah Salzmann, which gave her the final push towards the finish line.
Deborah, however, hadn’t actually checked the tracker much at all. She simply rode fast during the day and prioritised good sleep at night. Her ride was steady and focused—but most of all, it was joyful. She rode for the experience, not for the ranking.
Along the trail, there haven’t just been riders, but wildlife too: dogs, foxes, even wild boars were spotted. But one of the smallest creatures turned out to be among the most annoying—yes, ticks. Lisa Nemetz ended up with nine(!) ticks during the ride. That’s not just unpleasant – it can be dangerous. These little creatures can transmit serious illnesses. So: if you’re still out there, keep checking your skin and be careful.
People now out there on the course are little by little feeling the toll on their body. So far it seems they’re still enjoying the ride. #37 Dani Haudenschild rolled through Braunfels today – an idyllic town with cobblestone streets, a historic market square, and a castle in the middle. He looked surprisingly fresh as he searched for lunch, smiling and calm.
#37 Dani Haudenschild ©Nils Laengner
“It feels more like touring now,”
And then he added:
“I don’t know what it is about this event, but it really gets me emotional. You’re so raw, every little thing brings tears to your eyes. It’s been a good time so far, even though it’s been incredibly hard.“
You might remember #90 Arno Fricke: he had to delay his start because of an infection in his arm where he had to take antibiotics and began his ride on Monday – already late into the event. But now, he’s out there, rolling steadily through the field like Pac-Man. He says he enjoys riding through the field like this and meeting and speaking to all these people who are so different.
Unfortunately, his brand-new Coros head unit gave up on him right at the start. When he turned it on, all he got was a pixelated mess. So he navigated for four days using only his watch. But the battery eventually died, and—of course—he hadn’t brought the charger, not expecting to rely on it. Now he has got headphones in and is navigating by Komoot voice directions. He is already at km 900 so he might finish very soon – quite some time before the finishers party, which is really impressive.
#67 Tamara von Werthern. It is her first ever bikepacking trip and she never slept outside before ©bite.of.me
Already some time ago, Arno ran into #67 Tamara von Werthern at CP1. She was navigating by phone after her Garmin died early on. The only problem: no signal at the checkpoint. She hadn’t downloaded the second part of the route and didn’t know about offline maps. So she took a picture of Arno’s map screen and tried to navigate using that. She got lost a couple of times but somehow found her way in the end.
It’s this mix that makes the event what it is: the ultracycling veterans and the ones learning as they go. Different stories, different rhythms – but out there, under the same sky, they’re all moving through the same landscape facing the same challenges. The Taunus doesn’t care how you do it. Just that you do. That you keep going, in your own way and pace, against the odds and with whatever you’ve got.
There are a bit less than 24 hours left until the finisher’s party. For those still out there: ride safe, ride strong and fingers crossed for everyone still out there trying to make it to the finish line in time.
Scratches today include:
- #89 Volker Dupp stomach issues
Nils Laengner, bite.of.me and Kilian Vitt provide the photography. Make sure to follow the Taunus Bikepacking Instagram channel and listen to the latest podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6owXhEq4kQOVfZgtrlDXFS?utm_source=generator
Day 7: The ride is over but the memories stay
And just like that, Taunus Bikepacking No. 8 comes to an end.
#13 Jeannette Schönbein and #34 Ulrike Glaser ©bite.of.me
A week that began in rain, thunder and nervous excitement now will slowly fade into memory – and for most, Monday will bring a return to everyday life. The bikes get cleaned. The legs rest. The dots disappear from the map.
But what stays? The stories. The lessons. The personal development. The sense of pride of having done something this hard and beautiful.
#19 Philipp Kuhlmann ©bite.of.me
Bikepacking – especially unsupported bikepacking events and races – often feel like a personal challenge or even conflict between body and mind to me. I argue with my legs, my stomach, my doubts. I negotiate with myself. And like any real conflict, if I manage to work through it, the relationship that results on the other side is stronger. Why? Because I’ve learned what it takes to come out the other end. I’ve seen my (unhealthy) patterns, my breaking points – and maybe even outgrown a few of them.
Now there are exactly 5 riders on the route still: #62 Nikki Sommers, #22 Mareike Sanner, #17 Antti Lihavainen, #57 Katharina Cichon, and #67 Tamara von Werthern. Unfortunately it is unlikely they’ll make it to Eppstein before midnight – but as I’ve said before, the finish line is just a place. The ride itself is the real reward. On the map, their dots move slowly and consistently now. Go Nikki, Mareike, Antti, Katharina and Tamara! I wish you all a beautiful ride.
Their dots are joined by the immobile, grey shaded ones of those who had to scratch. Each of those tells a story too – and sometimes choosing to scratch takes more courage than pushing on. Whether it’s a mechanical issue, illness, or just knowing your body well enough to stop before something worse happens – it’s never a failure. It’s just another kind of learning. A recalibration. A step on the long path of figuring this all out.
Most likely #31 Malte Burdinski will thereby be our lantern rouge, meaning the last rider to cross the finish line. He completed the loop in 6 Days, 9 hours and 58 minutes. Congratulations Malte!
As for the rest of the night – it belongs to the riders and the team.
To stories swapped over pasta, pizza and beer. To laughter about the track, ticks and trail magic. To finally meeting the dots we chased, passed, or briefly saw sleeping while we quietly passed them.
#55 Lisa Nemetz ©bite.of.me
There’s a sense of connection that forms when people go through something similar – even if their experiences, approaches and speeds were very different.
So here’s to you, riders of Taunus Bikepacking 2025. Well done. Rest well. And may the spirit of this ride stay with you, just a little longer.
No Scratches today.
Nils Laengner, bite.of.me and Kilian Vitt provide the photography. Make sure to follow the Taunus Bikepacking Instagram channel and listen to the latest podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4tXIUqiBeOzp3T7CI6EWGg?utm_source=generator
A Word: What Self-Supported Really Means
The ultracycling world is small and unregulated. No governing bodies. No club structures. No prize money – even for events that call themselves “races.”
There’s just your own sense of pride and achievement when you cross the finish line. The Taunus Bikepacking does not call itself a “race”. It is, however, an unsupported ultra-bikepacking event and that means: there are rules
Ultracycling is growing, more and more people are applying for events and races and some people are starting to earn money with this sport. And I do believe that this is in general a good thing. Why not make something more visible, more popular that has been so positive for so many? However, with growing attention, it becomes even more important to understand and address the unique nature of these events. When you apply to such an event, you’re also accepting a framework.
So here are a few words about that. This isn’t about pointing fingers – it’s simply a reminder of what this is all about.
What does “unsupported” mean?
“Unsupported” sounds simple and in a way, it really is simple. It means: you don’t rely on anyone else to finish your ride. No help from friends, no private resupply, no mechanical support that others wouldn’t have access to. You don’t look for an easy way out. You don’t take shortcuts. When things go wrong, you look for a solution. Not in others, but in yourself. Some events allow “trail magic” – unexpected kindness like water or snacks provided by kind strangers. Some allow riding in pairs. Taunus Bikepacking is one of them. That can be beautiful. It creates moments of connection, with locals and with each other. And yes, being able to talk to someone for an hour or ride together for a while can lift you up a lot more than any energy gel. But even then: you carry your own gear, solve your own problems, ride the route kindly provided and scouted by Jesko.
Why the hard rules?
In a way, it is “just” a bike ride.. So why not let someone bring you that missing shifting cable? Why not take a shortcut if no one sees you? Well, because it is not just a bike ride.
1. Level playing field: First of all: Because the rules are the game. Like in any game – say Skat – if you don’t follow the rules, it’s no longer fair, and no longer fun for anyone playing. In ultracycling, that means everyone faces the same conditions.
2. Protecting the spirit of the ride: Finishing an ultra – really finishing it, by the rules – is an incredible feeling. You’ve cycled the whole thing. You’ve managed to find solutions to the problems. You’ve faced your own worst moments and moved through them, all by yourself. That’s where the transformation lies. That’s why it matters. Yes, it is hard. Incredibly hard. But also beautiful.
3. Maintain integrity: Even in events like Taunus, there are people who “race”. And even for those who don’t, finishing something like this can be special for so many reasons. I’ve heard from people who were once told they’d never be able to do sports again – and yet they finished ultra races like these, sometimes with tears of joy in their eyes. Without some rules, the line between “bike ride” and “challenge” blurs. And when someone breaks these simple rules, it can diminish the achievement of those who didn’t. The pride we feel after finishing an ultra that was really, really hard is tainted when it’s not earned through integrity.
4. Meaning through hardship: The constraints make every small win – finding food, fixing your bike, pushing through exhaustion – more meaningful. As humans, we tend to assign more value to things that are hard. At the finishers’ party, we all know: we’ve been through something. And that connects us.
If that’s not your kind of riding – that’s completely fine. There are many beautiful and rewarding ways to explore the world by bike. But when you enter an unsupported ultracycling event, you enter into a sort of contract – with yourself, and with the others on the route.
It is really hard to accept that you have to scratch from a race or event because you forgot to take the shifting cable and the bike shop can’t help you. It is difficult to accept you have to turn around when you realize your navigation has failed, skipping sections of the mandatory route. But it is part of the game to come prepared and take everything you need. To find creative solutions when things go wrong, to find your way. Mistakes happen to everyone. It is how you deal with them that makes all the difference. Mindfulness and patience are key skills, not only in these situations, but in everyday life. And if you take risks by not packing everything, packing lighter, or even just because you didn’t plan thoroughly, it can quickly end your ride. That is the game. If your solution is just to hope no one will notice, you might simply not be ready for the demands of the event, as harsh as it might sound.
If you take a look at the route, you quickly realize Taunus Bikepacking is not about taking the easy road.
There are only 99 places. This year we had 212 applications. Jesko had to turn down more than half of them who would have loved to ride this event. Sticking to the simple rules shows respect for not only the other riders on the course, but even the ones that didn’t even get a chance to be on the start line. That’s why it’s so important to have a level playing field. So that everybody involved can have the adventure they deserve.
A personal note: Ultracycling has changed my life – and changed me as a person. I was a shy and anxious child. I was afraid of the dark, afraid of the unknown. Routines made me feel safe. I didn’t like stepping outside them. I also didn’t trust myself or my body. I never saw myself as athletic. Like many women, I also struggled with body image for some time in my life. Ultracycling helped me overcome a lot of that. I’ve learned to sleep outside, alone. I’ve learned to take up space in the world, to trust my own judgement and my body. I’ve learned to be proud of my achievements, and I am learning to set myself ambitious goals, even if I might fail. I’ve come to appreciate my body for what it can do, not just how it looks. I’ve learned that I can get through hard things – and that’s a skill I now carry into many parts of my life.
That’s the freedom the rules give you. You earn your strength. And no one can take that from you.
The boundaries define the terrain – but within them, you find out what you’re capable of.
