Self-supported bikepacking adventure
ca. 1,000 km, ca. 20,000 vm, max. 99 riders
Taunus Bikepacking is a self-supported bike ride taking in all of the Taunus region, using unbeaten paths along well known and lesser known sights.
What is Taunus Bikepacking?
Not a race and not a commercial event, simply what each rider makes of it. It might be a journey to discover the region, a chance to leave their comfort zone, an adventure, a challenge, a good opportunity to find out what it is for you. Let’s find out. Each on their own and yet never really alone.
This route leads to the borders of Taunus as well as deep into its heart, including many ups and downs. The elevation profile is challenging, with about 20 meters of elevation per kilometer. There are no long flat bits. Many of the climbs are relatively short but steep and the surface keeps on changing. After this ride you’ll know the Taunus better than most locals.
The track runs mainly away from roads on quiet farm and forest lanes and a few trails. You’ll find shelter huts, hotels, campsites, fountains as well as resupply options along the route.
What does Self-Supported mean?
The essence of riding self-supported: you don’t rely on anyone else but yourself.
You are capable of making your own decisions, you take everything you need along the way and if you get in trouble, you help yourself. Riders of Taunus Bikepacking don’t get any organized support. There is no mechanical help, no medical support, there are no predetermined stages or sleep spots. In short: Riders are expected to navigate and fix all their own problems by themselves without relying on resources that other riders would not have access to. They can take advantage of anything that is available to all, including commercially available services such as shops, hotels or bike shops. All riders are being tracked with GPS for safety purposes.
In a world that makes it increasingly easier to rely on others and technology to take short-cuts, we strive for the opposite. This is NOT meant to make it harder for riders or even punish them, but to enable them to have true self-supported adventure and to help them realize what they are truly capable of. Because we strongly believe that trusting yourself is empowering and ultimately enriching the life of anybody that embraces this mindset. Because nothing that is worth anything is ever easy.
Taunus Bikepacking is an idea by Jesko von Werthern.
Inspired by Mike Hall, Adrian O’Sullivan and many others.
A bit about the organiser
Jesko was born and raised in Taunus. He finished The Transcontinental Race four times, Transatlantic Way Bike Race three times, Race through Poland, Bikepacking Transgermany, Mainfrankengraveller, Greffelründsche and many other long-distance rides. Taunus Bikepacking was born out of his idea to create a local long-distance training loop and has evolved into a yearly event since 2018, when a bunch of friends rode the track in self-supported style for the first time.
Logo design by Stephan van Raay (www.viavelo.cc)