Bikester Magazine Summer 2020 - english edition

SPRING / SUMMER 2020

© David Schultheiß
BIKESTER

DEAR BIKE FAN,
Our magazine is more than just 68 pages of inspiring stories and great
photos; it’s also a step into the future for Bikester. In years to come,
we’ll no longer be solely at home online, but rather a bike retailer
that you can actually touch. This pioneer issue is the first part of this
development. We hope that the adventurous stories within will inspire
you to create your own unforgettable biking memories.
A bike isn’t just good for racing, crossing the Alps or touring the Wild
West. It is, above all, an irreplaceable part of everyday life. Moreover,
the rapid development of the e-bike is creating completely new and
exciting opportunities to fundamentally change the way we move
around. This is especially true in urban areas. In 2020, the bicycle
represents, more than ever, the most flexible, cheapest and healthiest
mode of transport. In this issue, we want to put this beyond doubt.
We’ve also just opened our first Bikester store in Stockholm. Of course,
we’re working every day to make buying a bike online even easier.
But even 360-degree photos of a bike can’t replace the experience of
hopping in the saddle for yourself and feeling the perfect fit. From now
on, we can offer you exactly this feeling – as well as personal advice
from real experts – in Stockholm. And the best thing? The shop itself
is just a short ride away from a beautiful nature reserve.
Enjoy the magazine and the sun!
The Bikester Team
3

© David Schultheiß
BIKESTER

BIKES CAN MAKE
THE CITY AN URBAN
PLAYGROUND
5

NO MATTER HOW OLD
YOU ARE, WE HAVE THE
RIGHT BIKE FOR YOU
BIKESTER

© Falk Wenzel
7

© Yoann Barelli
LET US HELP YOU
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
BIKESTER

CONTENT
04
GALLERY
This is Bikester
12
THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE
Mountain biking in Norway’s fjords
19
WHAT WE ARE INTO
Philipp’s VOTEC VXs
20
ELLA & THE E-BIKE
Training for MTB races on an e-bike?
25
BIKE TOURING IN THE WILD WEST
Going through Arizona and Utah
30
YOUR SPRING/SUMMER WARDROBE
What to wear when the weather gets warmer
36
WHAT WE ARE INTO
David’s Fixie Inc. project
37
7 REASONS TO RIDE TO WORK
The time for excuse-making is over!
40
CYCLING 2.0
How the e-bike transforms mobility
46
SMARTFIT FRAME SIZER
Getting the right size bike online
48
ONE GANG, ONE GEAR
Riding fixed across the Alps
53
CHANGING THE CHAIN MADE EASY
Smooth performance for your drivetrain
58
WHAT WE ARE INTO
Julia’s Orbea Orca Aero
60
VOTEC GRAVEL FONDO
Flammkuchen instead of caffeine gels
9

ELECTRIFY
THE EVERYDAY
SINGL
S P E E
E - B I K
P O W E
YOU’LL FIND ALL PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS ISSUE
IN BIKESTER’S EASY-TO-BROWSE ASSORTMENT.
BIKESTER

BIKESTER
MAKES IT EASY
E
D
E
R
HUGE SELECTION, WELL ORGANISED
With more than 35,000 products from 500 established and innovative bike brands, we know
exactly what’s important when it comes to new bikes, clothing, accessories and parts. We’re
proud to offer clarity in a sea of choice.
SERVICE AND ADVICE BEFORE AND AFTER
PURCHASING
Not everyone can be an expert – that’s why we’re more than happy to help. Whether you’re
choosing a new bike, searching for the right spare part or looking for your local service
partner, we’re here for you.
STAY INFORMED - VOUCHERS AND EXCLUSIVE
DISCOUNTS
Newsletter subscribers regularly receive exclusive benefits. Subscribe now, get your voucher
and never miss a special offer again!
FULL AVAILABILITY, PROMPT DELIVERY
No unnecessary waiting. Everything you can buy from Bikester is available and ready to send
out. We do all we can to make sure your order goes out immediately. Orders placed before
4 pm are usually shipped the same day.
100 DAY FREE RETURNS
Sending stuff back is never fun, so we try to make this process as easy as possible. If trying
things on and making your mind up takes a bit longer, it’s no problem at all. Bikester purchases
can be returned – completely free of charge – up to 100 days after you’ve received them.
BACKSPIN E-BIKE (2020)
11

THE
ULTIMATE
ADVENTURE
Photos: Niklas Wallner
BIKESTER

The #ULTIMATEADVENTURE competition took us on an unforgettable boat trip
through Norway’s fjords to hit wild and seldom-ridden trails. Silvio, Andreas, Jutta and
Max won their places alongside elite enduro racer Robin Wallner, his brother Niklas
(a master photographer) and the one-man film-making powerhouse, Scott Secco.
13

GETTING ON BOARD
Our mixed bag of riders, light-chasers and
Bikester crew met for the first time in
Ålesund. Our love for riding brought us
together, and over the next couple of days
we’d discover just how quickly bonds are
made when you share a passion.
We met our local MTB guide on board: Ole
from H+I Adventures, a mountaineer who’d
fallen in love with biking. As he laid out the
plans everyone noticeably relaxed. We were
left to enjoy the cruise, drink coffee and
check out the beautiful boat we’d call home
for the next few days.
BIKESTER

The next morning, we woke up in the middle
of the Norwegian fjords with our bikes ready
to go. After breakfast, we hurriedly set off from
the pier at Stranda to the ridgelines above.
Our first day in the saddle set the tone for the
next two. We took a small road up the hill and
turned onto a rugged hiking trail, soon having
to push our bikes. Ole told us that this would
be a “there and back again” type of ride. So,
while we made our way through forest, over
boggy, rocky marshland and up into the
rugged alpine zone, we looked back over our
shoulders for good lines.
Our first proper descent began on a cold,
windy ridge, a little fewer than 1000 metres
above the fjord. We followed gently graded
rock slabs onto steeper ones and mixed in
RIDE 1
small portions of a rocky hiking trail as we
rode down to the lake; all with plenty of
technical lines to choose from.
We happily regrouped to tackle the long path
back up. There’s a flow to be found on these
unspoilt, natural trails. You quickly learn
to stay sharp or you catch your front wheel
between rocks – the beauty of riding here lies
in its technical and adventurous character.
Arriving back, we enjoyed cold beers and cake.
Bikes were stacked on the deck, and our pile of
muddy clothing miraculously vanished. Only
10 minutes after we’d returned, ropes were
untied and we set sail for the famous Geiranger
fjord. Tired from the ride and mellow
from the beer, we were more than happy
to kick back, shower and enjoy the cruise.
15

The rumbling engine served as our wake-up
call, and we snoozed for another hour as the
boat moved gently along towards Fjora. As
we docked, everyone was ready for our most
ambitious day of riding yet. This time we’d
gain over 700 metres of elevation. The racers,
ex-racers and our camera guy set a brisk pace
up front while Max, Jutta, Ole and I chose
to hang back a little, saving energy for when
it would really count. Emerging above the
treeline, we were treated to a spectacular view
over the fjord, where we enjoyed a second
breakfast before restarting our hike to the
top of the peak.
Now the bit we’d all been waiting for:
the descent. The top sections were a
tangle of granite rocks and loamy patches
RIDE 2
just begging to be shredded. We had a
blast ripping down the valley, popping
off rocks and getting loose into corners.
Ole’s route made clever use of the elevation
we’d gained. After some traversing, we
descended on flowing trails over alpine
meadows into the steepest part of today’s ride
– a chute full of technical challenges that spat
us out below the tree line. This section was
followed by a couple of rocky pinball sections
with switchbacks that perfectly showed
who’d honed their cornering skills in the Alps.
Back on the boat, it was time for another cold
beer. We hadn’t been onboard long before
someone suggested a swim – what better
way to end the day than jumping into the icy
water?
BIKESTER

The next morning we were itching to tackle
the long climb up the valley. The morning
hikes were tough work, but we’d got used
to this rhythm – and knew it’d be worth the
effort. As we left the trees behind us, the sun
came out and turned the dew on the meadows
ahead into a shimmering carpet. A mix of
rideable sections and steeper alpine hiking
completed our final ascent. Yet, the panorama
surrounding us and the excitement of going
down left no room for tiredness. We stuck
to what we’d learned: riding those raw alpine
trails together; cautiously where necessary,
wildly and playfully where possible. Further
into the trees, a snaking trail section led to
what felt like a never-ending series of chutes.
RIDE 3
With no chance to bail (even if I’d wanted to)
and Silvio right on my wheel, this was a real
helter -skelter ride.
The final section turned out to be one
of the best. A natural, flowing line, with
plenty of kickers and berms, invited
everyone to let loose and took us all the
way to the boat. We weren’t a minute
early. Tash and Chris got us back on board
and Sven set the course back to Ålesund.
17

LEAVING
During the cruise home, there was some
sadness as we realised the voyage was ending.
Life on board the Gåssten was one of the
coolest parts of the trip, taking us to hidden
spots that no road could have. We came
prepared for all weathers and all conditions,
but we still weren’t prepared for the raw
intensity of the fjords.
I’m sure we’d agree that the name ‘Ultimate
Adventure’ didn’t do the trip justice.
Adventure usually means a level of suffering –
and there was none of that! Instead, we rode
awesome trails, enjoyed ourselves and made
new friends who share the same passion. We’ll
ride again together soon!
BIKESTER

VOTEC VXs Elite
29“ full-sus trail bike
© Florian Albeck
WHAT WE
ARE INTO
PHILIPP — VOTEC VXS
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Philipp and I’ve been at Bikester for
about four years. I coordinate marketing
agreements between ourselves and other
manufacturers: for example, if a brand has
something new in the pipeline, I’m one of the
first to hear about it and make sure that we
market these new products in the best way.
Outside the office I’m still really into riding
big mountains and longer climbs – and believe
it or not, I still like to get up those climbs
under my own steam! I studied in Innsbruck
and found my ideal endurance sport there
in biking. Occasionally I do marathon MTB
races, but I definitely don’t need to compete
to enjoy riding.
Which bike do you ride and why?
I’ve been riding a VOTEC VXs for a while
now. For years I swore by the classic race
hardtail mountain bike (with 26“ wheels, of
course). At some point, I wanted to know
what 29“ and full suspension were all about,
and now I’m completely sold on both. The
advantages of 29ers are no secret and a fullsuspension
mountain bike with 120 mm of
front and back suspension still offers a certain
playfulness to me. At the same time, it greatly
enhances downhill capability and is less tiring
over long distances.
I swapped the original tyres for some slightly
thinner tubeless tyres that you might find
on race-ready full-sus. Rolling resistance and
weight are now noticeably better. In addition,
I’ve adapted all contact points on the bike to
my personal needs: that means ESI grips, a
lightweight yet comfortable SQlab saddle and
a negative-angle Newmen stem to put more
weight over the front wheel.
19

ELLA
THE
E-BIKE
CANNONDALE’S NEW HABIT NEO
GETS A SPECIAL AMBASSADOR
The Habit NEO is quite a departure for Cannondale: with
a carbon front triangle, it’s one of the first bikes worldwide
to be coupled with the new Bosch Performance CX motor.
Equally exciting was Cannondale‘s decision to go with
Scottish enduro rider Ella Conolly as the face of the Habit
NEO for the launch video.
Despite her young age and being relatively new to the pro
Enduro scene, Ella has already won a stage at the Enduro
World Series, so we think it’s fair to say that she can get
up mountains pretty easily without a motor. We had a chat
with her and found out why she’s so enthusiastic about
e-bikes – despite her World Cup-level fitness.
BIKESTER

© Cannondale/Laurence Crossman-Emms
21

© Cannondale/Laurence Crossman-Emms
BIKESTER

ELLA
CONOLLY
Tell us about your cycling career so far.
I decided to give mountain biking a go after
my little brother started racing cross-country
in our hometown. Gradually I progressed
from racing regionally to nationally, then got
selected for the British Cycling development
program for cross country. During the first
couple of years on the program, I raced the
Junior World Series, and in my third year
the U23 World Cups. At the end of 2017, I
switched to Enduro because I simply wasn’t
enjoying cross country anymore.
Had you ever ridden an e-bike before
you got your first Habit NEO?
No, this was my first time on an e-bike. I
had my doubts: I thought e-bikes were for
lazy riders who didn’t want to struggle up
mountains on their own. I now understand all
the advantages and they certainly have their
place in the bike world.
How was your first ride on the Habit
NEO?
My mind was blown – you should’ve seen
the grin on my face! The way it handles
down the descents and climbs up steep
technical terrain is amazing. We’d get to
the top so quickly that I’d forget I was
on an e-bike on the way down – it rides
that well. It exceeded all my expectations.
With your EWS-level fitness, you don’t
really need a motor. In which situations
do you choose the Habit NEO over a
‘regular’ bike?
I use the Habit Neo to go to places I didn’t
think I’d ever reach on a bike – for long rides
in the mountains you can get so much further
in one day with the assistance the motor
provides. If I have limited time to ride, it
allows me to ride a few more trails. Also, if
I’m riding with people who are considerably
faster than me, it gives me a little boost so I
can keep up with them.
Have you found a way to incorporate the
Habit NEO into your regular training
routine?
Yes, it can be very useful. If I still want to do a
short ride on a rest day it allows me to get out on
the trails without getting too tired, especially
on turbo mode! Similarly, if the focus of my
ride is on descending and I don’t have access
to a lift, I can get in a lot more runs during
a day instead of just using my own power.
Would you like to see e-MTB races
happen?
I’m still undecided on this one. There are
set limitations on e-bikes’ power output
for races, which means the best rider is still
going to win, so why not race a bike without a
motor? But then again, you could race harder
to reach the trails, and some Enduro races use
lifts. So why not replace those with an e-bike?
Personally, I feel there are many other uses
for e-bikes and I can’t see myself using one
for racing. But ultimately, the more people on
bikes and enjoying racing the better, so it’ll be
exciting to see how it evolves.
23

Habit
NEO
Press play.
FEATURED BIKE: HABIT NEO 2
We took our most fun trail bike and put a motor in it. A light BallisTec Carbon frame, impressively
agile handling, Proportional Response size-tailored suspension and Bosch’s most powerful drive
unit all help you wring more flow out of every trail. It’s playtime. cannondale.com
BIKESTER

BIKE
TOURING
IN
THE
WILD
WEST
© Joanna Mackiewicz
25

HI, I AM JOANNA! IN MY NORMAL LIFE I WORK AT BIKESTER, BUT LAST
SPRING I FULFILLED A DREAM OF MINE: I TOOK PART IN THE BIKE
JAMBOREE PROJECT, CYCLING WITH TWO MATES THROUGH ARIZONA
AND UTAH. HERE’S A TASTE OF THE EXPERIENCE. ENJOY!
© Joanna Mackiewicz
BIKESTER

Bike Jamboree was the first round-theworld
bike relay. It started in Gdańsk
in May 2017 and led to the 24th World
Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, before
heading back to Poland by December
2019. The distance was divided into
monthly stages and just like any proper
relay, a baton was passed from stage to
stage. Hundreds of people got involved.
I led the 25th Stage from Arizona to
Utah. Our baton takeover happened at
a spectacular location – the rim of the
Grand Canyon.
THE WILD
WEST ON
BIKES
Who, as a child, didn’t want to live in the
Wild West? My mind was full of images of
cowboys and chieftains in Arizona and Utah.
Even though those times lie firmly in the
past, the red rocks are still there. You can still
almost see Winnetou on the top of a distant
mountain. So, swapping horses for bikes and
chasing kilometres instead of outlaws, we
spent a month cycling through the two states.
CANYONS
EVERYWHERE!
Grand Canyon was just the start – our trip
was a festival of canyons: Little Colorado
River, Canyonlands, Marble and many more!
A day didn’t pass without one, and they give
the area its unique, rough landscape.
The Antelope Canyons are particularly
remarkable – formed by sandstone erosion
that has created a wealth of beautiful tones
and shapes. However because of flooding,
they’re only accessible by guided tour.
One of my favourite places was Bryce Canyon
National Park: a collection of spectacular
amphitheatres and rock formations called
‘hoodoos’.
THE BEST
SURPRISES
It wasn’t just the nature that made this trip
special, but the people we met too. They were
curious about bike touring, open to swapping
stories and helpful.
For instance, we met Jonathan, a Navajo
man, in the middle of nowhere. We enjoyed
a traditional dinner with his family; learning
about each other’s cultures. We have different
histories, languages and lifestyles, but share a
love of cycling: as a teenager, Jonathan cycled
around Navajo Country and still loves bikes.
We were always keen to talk about the project.
One cute moment was meeting two young
boys in Blanding, UT, who were completely
fascinated by our bikes and gear. They even
shared their first MTB experiences with us!
I’m sure that in a few years, they’ll be kings of
Slickrock Trail and I hope we inspired them.
Admittedly, we didn’t bike the entire way:
there’s a tunnel in Zion National Park we
weren’t allowed to cycle through. There’s no
other way to get to Springdale, but a friendly
ranger flagged down a couple in a pickup and
asked them if they could drive us through.
They agreed without hesitation.
We experienced lots of kindness on the road,
and I found myself thinking of the bike as a
kind of amulet, bringing us luck.
SNOW & HEAT
There are many benefits to off-season travel,
but the weather can be a challenge.
Before sunrise and after sunset, we needed
down jackets. Sometimes we had to dig
ourselves out of the snow and the sun was
occasionally fierce enough to force us out of
our tents. But generally, we were lucky – the
snow insulated well and it only rained when
we slept indoors.
27

© Joanna Mackiewicz
SO MUCH TO
DO, SO LITTLE
TIME
It was great cycling along Monument Valley;
a movie location you’d recognise from Forrest
Gump. Compared to its hilly surroundings,
the relatively flat area offered a brief respite
from the constant climbing.
Halfway through, we rewarded ourselves with
a rest in Moab – an adventure hot-spot for
climbing, rafting and more. Moab is heaven
for MTBers; the Slickrock Bike Trail is
familiar to those passionate about the sport.
There’s also plenty for roadies, with miles of
tarmac through top scenery.
On a break from cycling, we rafted along the
Colorado River. Our guide entertained us
with geological facts and dad jokes – the ideal
way to recover before continuing our journey.
ONE THING
ENDS &
ANOTHER
BEGINS
Our trip ended in St. George, UT, and we
passed the baton on with mixed feelings. But
we were proud of ourselves. We had ridden
almost 1700 km with 15000 m of elevation,
and our highest point was 2900 m above sea
level (during heavy snowfall!). We had also
visited six national parks and many famous
sites.
It has been my greatest bike touring
experience so far.
BIKESTER

© Joanna Mackiewicz
29

© Gonso
BIKESTER

YOUR
SPRING/
SUMMER
WARDROBE
The ultimate test for cycling clothing isn’t
winter as you’d expect; it’s spring into
summer. At least you can rely on it being
cold, wet and windy in the darker months.
But as soon as the first crocuses bloom,
all certainty flies out the window. Until
late March, you’re dealing with morning
temperatures in the single digits, which
rise during the day. Depending on where
you live, snow showers are forecast until
April and after that it doesn’t get much
easier. Although, generally speaking, it
gets warmer, temperature differences
increase considerably. Heading off in
a shady 6 degrees and coming back
in a sunny 21? What the heck are you
supposed to wear? And then there’s the
summer heat, which glues every piece of
clothing to your body.
Bad news first: unfortunately, there isn’t
one single garment that’ll cover all your
needs. Riding off in early morning fog,
enduring a shower or two on the way
and returning in bright sunshine – there’s
no one-garment-does-all that could
possibly handle that. And, there’s another
challenge: phases of higher exertion
alternated with calmer stretches. Climbs
and descents are one example but even
on flatter sections, headwinds or faster
training buddies will work you harder
too. This puts particular demands on
your clothing in terms of breathability,
wind protection and warmth. In periods
of higher effort it needs to ventilate,
whilst in calmer moments it must also
keep your body warm.
The good news: By combining several
layers of functional clothing carefully
coordinated to work with each other,
you can withstand almost any weather.
You don’t even have to look like you’re
going on a major expedition. Modern
functional clothing still doesn’t pass for
business casual, but it’s subtle enough
not to violate everyday dress codes.
However, it’s important to remember that
combining several layers is of little use
if you haven’t considered their functions.
The most expensive base layer top is
useless once a cotton sweater and nonbreathable
rain jacket are placed on top
of it. Sweat will be quickly wicked away
from your skin, but it will end up stored in
your sweater because the rain jacket will
form a barrier. As a result, not only will
your clothing get wet very quickly, you’ll
also cool down.
31

ONION PRINCIPLE
BASE LAYER
The most important layer is the one that lies
directly against your skin; the so-called base
layer. It should be very breathable, effectively
transfer moisture and keep the body dry and
warm. Form-fitting tops made from functional
fibres on a polyester base or merino wool are
the right choice here. Merino wool is slightly
less moisture-conducting, but generally keeps
you warm better and remains nicely odourfree.
Lightweight merino undershirts are also
a good choice in baking sun, as – thanks to
their natural properties – they also cool. If
you’re into intensive sports in real heat, super
light mesh undershirts can help quickly wick
sweat away from the skin.
MIDLAYER
The second layer of clothing (the midlayer)
provides warmth, but must also absorb the
moisture from the base layer and transport it
further outwards. Depending on the weather,
this can be a thin or thicker cycling jersey made
of synthetic fibre, merino blended fabric or
fleece. On cooler spring days, a winter jersey
with long sleeves, a high collar and brushed
inner might be a good choice. As soon as the
weather gets milder, lighter jerseys with short
sleeves can be worn, possibly supplemented
with a pair of arm warmers. This way you can
still decide while on the road that long sleeves
are too much – and take the arm warmers off.
For legs, you’ll find classic cycling shorts of
various thicknesses as well as 3/4 models,
which are especially recommended for people
with sensitive knee joints.
OUTER LAYER
The shell is the third and outermost layer – and
it protects against the elements. Pay special
attention to airflow here. What’s perceived as
a pleasant, cool breeze in summer feels like
biting cold at the beginning of March. Wind
vests, light cycling wind jackets and a variety
of softshell cycling jackets with wind stopper
function do an excellent job of balancing
protection and breathability. Some of the
windbreaker layers also provide additional
protection against light rain.
You can only ride through long periods of
rain with specialised rainwear. Here too,
great importance should be attached to
breathability. Absolutely waterproof rainwear
is of little use if you don’t get wet on the
outside, but on the inside instead. To ensure
that water protection and moisture transport
go hand in hand, manufacturers rely on
special membranes or coating solutions (often
called DWR for ‘Durable Water Repellent’).
Forearm ventilation, mesh areas on the back,
or two-way zippers, also allow temperature
control in rainy climates. And for your lower
half, you’ll also find a good selection of long,
3/4 or even short rain trousers which can
be worn over normal cycling shorts. These
at least keep your bottom dry. Even more
practical in everyday life, many also protect
your thighs or the entirety of your legs from
rain, wind and also dirt.
BIKESTER

© Castelli
33

MARCH_COMMUTING INTO WORK
At the end of March, your alarm clock rings
at sunrise. During the course of the day it
should get pretty sunny, but that won’t help
much now; the view out of the window still
reveals thin frost on parked cars. Your 14 km
e-bike commute to the office is set, but
in these conditions it’ll require the right
wardrobe. A GripGrab merino base layer,
a long-sleeved jersey from Shimano and
Vaude’s Wintry IV Pants will provide the
warmth you need. An outer layer made
up of long O’Neal rain pants and a Vaude
Luminium rain jacket will provide extra
protection against the elements. Reflective
details ensure good visibility in low light,
while GORE WEAR’s windproof C5 gloves
keep your hands warm on the handlebars.
MAY_QUICK’N’DIRTY HOME TRAILS
From your balcony, you watch the clouds
swirling threateningly around the nearest
mountain. There it goes again. But you’re
desperate to get a quick session in and the
weather app says: “stable, with a fresh 14
degrees”. It’s still dry – at least from above.
The combination of Endura’s padded inner
shorts and MT 500 rain trousers will do for
that. The main thing is to keep your butt
dry. ION K_Sleeve pads also keep weathersensitive
knees warm and better protected.
This merino baselayer from Icebreaker and
your lightweight Fox Ranger long-sleeved
jersey are enough on top. The climb warms
you up quickly. In the hip pack, instead of a
hydration bladder, you’ve got a light Endura
Singletrack jacket and Giro MTB gloves
today. Both are still needed on the descent.
Mud pack, here we come!
BIKESTER

JULY_SPORTIVE TIME
For days, a heavy heat has blanketed the
city. The thermometer has climbed over
30 already this morning. The sportive you
marked in your calendar a long time ago,
is, of course, still happening. For this, you’ll
need the airiest outfit your wardrobe has to
offer. Biehler’s Neo Classic Ultra Light Bib
Shorts are extremely light without being
transparent. With the UYN Motyon UW Bra
you don’t need an undershirt. Although it’s
not very popular in road bike circles, on days
such as these, there’s really no alternative to a
sleeveless jersey like the Assos UMA GT NS
Jersey. Because it’s so hot, you’ll need gloves
to avoid slipping off your sweaty handlebars
during the home stretch. GripGrab’s Aerolite
InsideGrip Short Finger Gloves were made
for this very moment. Oakley EVZero shades
make sure your eyes can stay on the road at
all times.
© Endura
35

Fixie Inc. Floater
Single-speed bike
© Florian Albeck
WHAT WE
ARE INTO
DAVID — FIXIE INC. FLOATER
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m David. I’ve been at Bikester for seven
years now, with a few interruptions. I work
in Product Management on new, exclusive
bike models for our shop and maintain an
overview of market trends and innovations.
I also try things out myself in order to
make decisions about components or new
standards. I have moved to Stuttgart and love
cycling here: it’s nice and fast, the local fixed
gear scene is really fun. Riding fixed makes a
political statement when you’re in the middle
of an avalanche of cars.
Which bike do you ride and why?
I ride my FIXIE Inc. Floater the most by far
– and of course, with a fixed rear sprocket. It
gets me quickly and reliably to the office every
morning and it’s a fun bike to upgrade. We’ve
already done an alpine crossing together, as
well as a monster day tour from Stuttgart
across the Black Forest to Freiburg. The bike
is a steal for the price: agile, fast and superefficient.
The sturdy frame can withstand a
lot – which is just as well when you’re locking
it up in the city or taking it on the train.
Speaking of upgrades; testing different parts
has left its mark. From the stock build, pretty
much only the frame remains. The latest part
I’m trying out is a wide handlebar with an
extra centre position. It gives me better
control, more power on the hills and perfectly
accommodates a small handlebar bag. I added
an old tube to the front frame triangle for use
as a “luggage compartment” for my rain jacket,
but this certainly isn’t a standard feature!
BIKESTER

© Robin Spielmann
RIDE
TO
WORK
Annoying traffic jams, late trains, full buses – if you take a car or public transport to the office,
you’re risking a bad mood before you even start work. And then you’ve still got the trip home
to look forward to! Sound familiar? Then it’s high time you started cycling to work. Changeable
weather is no excuse; the spring is notorious for that, and riding in a bit of rain never hurt anyone.
Besides, before you know it, you’ll be riding to work on warm summer mornings. But what are the
other benefits of cycling to work? Here are our seven ultimate reasons to ride to work (and back).
37

GET OUT OF YOUR
COMFORT ZONE
Bike commuting isn’t always fun and games,
and it can still rain a lot in the spring and
summer. A ride in drizzle reminds you that
you’re alive and mudguards will prevent a lot of
water splashing onto you. Besides, riding home
in the pouring rain justifies that warm cup of 1tea and slice of cake when you get indoors.
2MORE RIDING =
MORE FOOD
Hunger comes calling at some point during
the day no matter how active (or inactive)
you are. However, if you haven’t done any
exercise, it’s difficult to pig-out with a clear
conscience. If, on the other hand, you’ve
already worked up a sweat, your metabolism
will be revved up and you can treat yourself.
After all, you also need energy for the journey
home. Remember: the further you ride, the
more cake you can eat!
3
MORE TIME IN
THE EVENING
Use your daily ride as a training session.
Deliberately set off a bit late in the morning
and give it some gas! Or perhaps you can take
a detour via a hilly nature reserve on your way
home? As the evenings get longer, you’ll have
more time to ride right after work. In any case,
after you get home, you will have already done
your sport for the day and can dedicate yourself
to other fun things – for example, reading our
lovely new Bikester magazine!
BIKESTER

4
GO NEW WAYS
We all think we know our local area inside
out. But do we really? Cycling can help
you discover completely new sides of your
neighbourhood. Route planning software like
Komoot can help you explore undiscovered
corners and find hidden highlights. For fun,
why not route your ride to work a totally
different way tomorrow? At the very least,
you’ll notice something you hadn’t before.
5HEALTHY & HAPPY
5Cycling makes life difficult for would-be colds
5because it strengthens the cardiovascular and
5immune systems. It’s also easy on the joints
5and good for the back – perfect for everyone
who sits on their bum all day long. What
more could you want? Mental well-being
perhaps, which also happens to be a fortunate
by-product of regular cycling. Your bike not
only makes you healthy and happy but also
more productive, stress-resistant and efficient
– so it’ll make your boss happy too!
SAVE MONEY
Cycling saves you money. And lots of it! The
money for fuel costs, insurance, repairs or
expensive monthly tickets can be spent on
something much more fun instead – a new
6bike, for example?
7PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
Driving is bad for the environment – that’s no
secret. Cycling offers the perfect opportunity
to use roads sustainably without churning
stinking exhaust fumes into the atmosphere.
As cyclists, we love nature. This way, we can
also contribute to its preservation. So, keep
riding your bike and protecting the earth – we
won’t get another one!
39

CYCLING
2.0
BIKESTER

THE E-MOBILITY
REVOLUTION HAS
ARRIVED
Most cyclists aren’t interested in speed or performance data;
we ride because it’s practical, healthy and saves time. Add in
parking, maintenance costs and protecting the environment,
and cycling can make owning a car seem unappealing.
The two-wheeled revolution is accelerating thanks to e-bikes;
now everyone can go faster with less effort. They flatten
hilly roads and make riding further and carrying children
easier. The old cliché of e-bikes being only for older riders
is over. No wonder most bike manufacturers have embraced
the trend – today there’s an e-bike for all types of cycling.
Great performance, discreet motors and batteries are the
results of better cooperation between bike brands and motor
manufacturers.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
E-bike, pedelec, s-pedelec – for newcomers to the e-bike world,
these names can be confusing. In everyday life, the terms ‘e-bike’ and
‘pedelec’ describe the same thing: a motor only supports you when you
pedal. Their output is limited to 250 watts and the motor stops once
you reach 25 km/h. They are legally considered bicycles and make up
the lion’s share of e-bikes.
Their more powerful cousins, ‘s-pedelecs’ (s for speed), offer assistance
up to 45 km/h, with up to 500 watts of output. Each European country
has its own rules regarding them, though you usually need a driver’s
license, insurance and number plate to use one legally on the road.
BETTER TECHNOLOGY =
BETTER VALUE
© CUBE
Modern technology comes at a price; the increased power and speed
of e-bikes requires specialised components throughout the bike.
Components that originally appeared on high-end performance
bicycles. Hydraulic disc brakes, suspension, new axle standards and
higher-quality tyres, are now common on modern e-bikes. Bike leasing
or cycle-to-work schemes can make the financial decision to buy an
e-bike easier for those on the fence. Ultimately, however, the added
value lies in the utility. Yes, it’s still cycling, but e-bikes can inspire
you to ride more, as well as saving on commuting costs and time on
public transport. In the best case, they’ll make your car surplus to
requirements – all the while keeping you fit.
41

CITY E-BIKES:
ASSISTANCE FOR
EVERYDAY LIFE
A traditional city bike with a motor is great for
getting about town. It helps you cut through
city traffic and on longer commutes, meaning
you arrive at work relaxed instead of sweating.
You can also use bike paths and transport kids
on a child seat or in a trailer. Thanks to the
motor, you only need a few gears.
Kalkhoff Endeavour 3.B Move Wave –– City e-bike
Winora Sinus Tria N7f Eco Wave –– City e-bike
Orbea F25 Gain –– City e-bike
BIKESTER

E-TOURING BIKES: MILE
MUNCHERS
Cube Touring Hybrid Pro 500 –– E-touring bike
Robust e-touring bikes let you comfortably
cover greater distances and are suitable for
multi-day tours with luggage. You still have to
pedal, but the motor delivers plenty of extra
power with each turn of the cranks. Large
batteries, increased range and a growing
network of charging stations along popular
cycle paths enable longer rides at a faster
pace. As with regular touring bikes, you can
expect lighting and mudguards as well as a
comfortable geometry. In addition, many
e-touring bikes have a suspension fork and a
suspension seatpost.
Serious Intention –– E-touring bike
© Orbea
43

WILD CARDS: FASTER,
STRONGER, SMARTER
Some bikes aren’t easy to categorise, and the
following three e-bikes make their own rules.
With unique styling and specifications, they
smash preconceptions of what city mobility
can mean. Whether you’re on the way to work
or out shopping, these bikes will surely get
you noticed. Viewing these creative concepts,
it’s clear to see that the combination of
bicycle and electric motor is already inspiring
designers to push the envelope.
Ruff Lil Buddy –– Urban e-bike
Kona Ute Cargo –– Cargo e-bike
Orbea Katu –– Compact e-bike
BIKESTER

© Pearl Izumi
45

THE SMART WAY
TO CHOOSE THE
RIGHT FRAME SIZE
OUR NEW ONLINE SIZING CALCULATOR:
SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE
That’s the bike I want: the specification
and price are right, and I love the colour.
But what’s my size? A huge selection, fast
availability and attractive prices – buying
a bike online has many advantages.
Unfortunately, being able to test ride it
isn’t one of them. Nevertheless, there
are ways to ensure you order the right
size. At Bikester, we offer an easy-to-use
online sizing computer developed with
renowned German bike fitters Radlabor.
It’s for good reason that our bike fitting
partners won one of the coveted gold
awards for their Smartfit online sizing
tool at Eurobike 2018. In the following
article, the developers explain how the
new software can provide each customer
with their perfect size.
ONE SIZE DOESN’T
FIT ALL
© M. Ohliger
Detailed bike sizing information can be hard
to find online. On manufacturers’ websites,
in online shops and on various forums, you’ll
often find a mess of conflicting information
that can be difficult to decipher. Size tables
make statements like: “if you’re between
178 and 183 cm, buy size L“. But can such
generalised information really be useful?
We’re not convinced. A 56 frame from brand
X can be very different to a size 56 frame from
brand Y; all generalized statements, tables or
diagrams reach their limits sooner or later.
BIKESTER

REACH
STACK
STACK & REACH INSTEAD
OF TRADITIONAL FRAME
HEIGHT
Road bike top tube and seat tube
measurements used to be almost the same
in the days of perfectly horizontal top
tubes, so road bike sizes traditionally went
by the length of the seat tube. However,
this type of sizing can be problematic with
modern frame shapes in which the top tube
slopes downwards toward the seat tube. It’s
also much harder to identify a relationship
between these two measurements on
mountain bikes. For the correct position on a
bike, it’s best to get an accurate frame height
(‘stack’) and frame length (‘reach’).
A LOT OF EXPERIENCE &
A LOT OF DATA
Our new Smartfit online sizing tool uses
so-called ‘body segment lengths’ in the first
step: average arm length, inseam and torso
length are calculated by body size. For the
next step, individually-entered height, arm
and inseam lengths further refine the size
recommendation. This information from
the rider is used alongside various ‘textbook’
seating positions from extensive studies
and years of bike fitting experience. The
seating position is defined as the relationship
between saddle, pedals and the handlebars.
These so-called ‘contact points’ provide a
generalised ideal position for the rider. Of
course, this first step is independent of the
frame size or geometry of particular bikes.
A CONCRETE
RECOMMENDATION
Once the software has an idea of the rider’s
dimensions and ideal seating position, it
calculates which size would be the best fit.
This step requires an extensive and up-todate
geometry database of contemporary
bike models. Thus, the frame size
recommendation doesn’t only depend on
the rider’s measurements, it uses these in
combination with the precise dimensions of
a particular model of bike.
THE TOOL IN USE
Forget about all ergonomic technical terms
or calculation models. These work invisibly in
the background, and the customer has a very
simple interface to work with. On the product
page of the desired bike, the customer first
clicks ‘calculate size’. In a three-step process,
the tool first asks for gender and height.
Next, the customer is shown average arm and
leg lengths based on an extensive database
of anthropometric measurement data. Both
can then be customised for a more accurate
result. The tool uses the Smartfit algorithm
to calculate the individual best frame size for
the selected bike. Leave the stress of finding
the right size behind and order your perfect
bicycle today.
47

© Lucas Hofer
BIKESTER

ONE GANG
GEAR
RIDING FIXED ACROSS THE ALPS
When we first heard about this idea, it almost
knocked us off our bikes. Cycling the Alps
is a dream for many cyclists, but this story
takes it that little bit further. Two Stuttgart
cycling clubs joined forces to cross the Alps
on fixies, including riding legendary mountain
passes like the Col du Galibier and Col de
la Madeleine. Anyone familiar with cycling
knows how tough this is, even for super-fit
riders on geared bikes, let alone fixies!
49

© Lucas Hofer
THE STUFF OF LEGENDS
500 kilometres. 9.000 metres of climbing. An average gradient of 6 %
Doing the whole thing on a fixie? You must be kidding! However,
Hannah, from the Heaven & Hell Cycle Club, didn’t need much
persuading:
“Riding fixed from Geneva to Nice? Perhaps naively, I accepted straight
away. At that time, I’d only been riding for half a year and had never
climbed a mountain pass, but I thought ‘why not?’ – even just to show
that riding fixed isn’t just for urban hipsters!”
Christoph from the Velohelden cycle club also immediately signed up:
“I was sceptical, but agreed right away; how could I say no when all the
others were in? Fixed, wet, cold, fast and steep – perfect!”
Luckily, the others were also up for the challenge: a few words of
motivation here, some encouragement there, and the group was
complete.
FOR LOVE OF FIXED GEAR
To understand this trip, you have to understand what a fixie is. A real
fixed-gear bike has only one ‘fixed’ gear: this means that the cranks
rotate when the bike is in motion. There’s no freewheeling and no
backpedalling – either you pedal, or you don’t ride!
What may seem impractical or dangerous to other cyclists is what these
riders live for. Riding a fixie offers a direct connection between bike and
rider, and many claim it’s cycling in its purest form. Bike philosophy
aside, the fact is: riding without gears is extremely liberating and the
bikes look great too!
WHAT GOES UP…
THE FINE LINE
BETWEEN
SUFFERING &
HAPPINESS
To stop the riders’ legs falling off while climbing the Alps, they went
with two gears: 49/16 and 49/18. For really steep climbs, they used the
18-tooth cog and for the rest the 16-tooth. But how does this work?
Well, just like in the early days of the Tour de France: you ‘shift’ gears
by taking off and flipping the rear wheel, which has a different sprocket
on each side of the hub. It’s clear how difficult the climbing stages were
when you hear Roman talk about the first day on the Col du Galibier:
“Going too hard will kill your legs! Every turn up to the top (2642 metres
above sea level) burned my thighs as my smile gave way to a serious,
concentrated facial expression. Riding ‘zig-zags’ on a fixie is the best
way of getting up steep hills and is extremely demanding, especially
near the end.”
But no matter how painful it gets, the end eventually comes, and
the panoramas are worth it! Roman describes the fine line between
suffering and happiness:
“I tried to block everything else out and enjoy the beautiful scenery. I got
into a rhythm; pushing and pulling, and after a while, it got easier. The
cloud formations and views on the pass made up for all the suffering!”
BIKESTER

© Lucas Hofer
51

...MUST COME DOWN!
True fixies don’t have brakes, and riders slow down by pedalling slower
or skidding. But riding brakeless in the Alps? Probably not the best
idea. So the troop agreed on at least using front brakes. Rocketing
down Alpine passes on a fixed gear is foolhardy enough as it is. Marc
from the Heaven & Hell crew put it best:
“…the descents were great because we had a big gear and the gradient
was never that steep – we could really fly down.”
WOULD THEY DO IT AGAIN?
As crazy as it all sounds, the gang had a lot of fun in the mountains;
not least thanks to the great atmosphere and the tough alpine passes
that turned fellow sufferers into close friends. Thankfully, there were
no accidents or noteworthy mechanical failures during the whole ride,
even though the team really punished their bikes. Hannah summarises
the adventure as follows:
EVERY SINGLE
MINUTE WAS
WORTH IT
“It seemed like a little madness, the right people, and simply being up
for it made this adventure a success. Even if it was hell for my body or
the stupid screw on the rear wheel didn’t work, every single minute
was worth it.”
When asked if they would recommend crossing the Alps on a fixie,
the team all gave a resounding “yes!”. The most important things are
preparation and a motivated, reliable group. And of course, a little bit
of craziness doesn’t hurt, either.
© Lucas Hofer
BIKESTER

CHANGING
THE CHAIN
MADE EASY
It’s essential that your drivetrain runs smoothly,
especially for the start of a new season. Even after many
kilometres, the chain should still glide smoothly over
the sprockets and shift crisply – just like when it was
new. Regular maintenance can protect the components
and prolong their service life, but at some point, even
the best drivetrain will need replacing.
You should first check if your chain needs replacing
after about 2,000 kilometres – neglecting to replace a
chain can also damage your cassette, and a worn chain
puts more stress on the sprockets than a new one.
In the following guide, we show you, step-by-step,
how to check for chain wear and successfully install
a replacement. With the right chain and a few special
tools, this is something that all would-be mechanics
can comfortably do.
53

DO YOU NEED A NEW CHAIN?
CHECK CHAIN WEAR
A chain checker tells you in seconds if you
need to replace your chain. Attach the
unmarked ‘nose’ of the tool to the mounted
chain. Rest the tool on the chain. The degree
the marked nose sinks into the chain (without
forcing it) tells you how much it has already
stretched. If the marked ‘nose’ of the gauge
disappears right into the chain, it’s time for
a new one.
TIPS FROM THE
WORKSHOP
PROFESSIONAL!
“A chain checker isn’t expensive and belongs
in every decent home workshop. If you
change your chain in due time, your cassette
and chainrings will last longer.”
“Moisture, dirt, salt and riding many
kilometres take their toll on a drivetrain. You
can increase the service life of your chain with
regular care and good lubricants.”
Red Cycling Products –– Chain Wear Indicator
BIKESTER

HOW TO CHANGE THE CHAIN
OPEN THE CHAIN
Shift to the smallest sprocket and chainring
to remove tension from the chain. Attach the
chain tool (if you do this at the bottom it’ll
be easier), and screw it down onto one of the
pins to open the chain.
If your old chain has a master link, you can
open it with special pliers.
DETERMINING THE
CORRECT CHAIN LENGTH
Place the old and new chains side by side
to see how many links should be removed
from the new chain. You should also be able
to clearly see how much the old chain has
stretched.
If you close and open the chain in the same
way (pin or link), shorten the new chain
with a chain tool so the ends look identical
afterwards. If you’re using a quick link for
the first time, the links on both sides must
be inner links. The new chain should have
the same number of links as the old one,
including the quick link.
55

THREADING THE CHAIN
The new chain (shortened to the correct
length) should be placed over the chainring,
through the front derailleur (if one is fitted),
threaded over the smallest sprocket on the
cassette and then through the cage of the
rear derailleur. Please note: some chains have
a specified running direction. A piece of wire
bent into a hook can be used to temporarily
connect both ends of the chain together and
hold everything in place.
CLOSING THE CHAIN
1. CHAIN PIN
Most replacement pins now come as a ‘double’
pin. There’s a thinner end which is used to
guide the pin though the links and hold it
in the correct place; then, using a chain tool,
the pin is pushed through the chain until it’s
almost flush with the outer plate. The thinner
‘guide’ part of the pin will now be all the way
through the chain; it’s disposable and can be
snapped off at the groove using a pair of pliers.
Chain tools can sometimes slightly compress
the links when pressing a new pin through.
If your newly joined chain is a little stiff, it’s
usually enough to just wiggle the chain back
and forward a little, and the new joint will
loosen up. Job done!
BIKESTER

CLOSING THE CHAIN
2. QUICK LINK
It’s even easier to close a chain with a quick
link. This is a chain link that comes in two
parts and then – when clipped together –
locks the chain completely, but also allows the
chain to be unlocked quickly when necessary.
First, you must check the direction of the split
link, then place each half of the link on the
correct end of the chain. You can then push
the pins though, joining the split link. It’s in
position but still not locked at this point. Pull
the rear brake and press forward on the pedal:
this will cause the pins to slide correctly into
place and lock the chain securely; you will
normally hear this ‘click’ into place.
1
2
THE RIGHT TOOLS
To change a chain, you need a chain tool
and a new chain that matches the number of
gears on your bike. If your old or new chain
closes with a ‘quick link’ and doesn’t require
a traditional chain tool, you’ll need special
pliers to open and close it.
1 Red Cycling Products –– Multi Chain Tool
3 4
2 KMC –– Joining Link Wrench
3 Park Tools –– NP-6 Workshop Pliers
4 Topeak –– Chain Hook & Wear Indicator
57

Orbea Orca Aero M20i
Team Disc
Aero road bike
© Florian Albeck
WHAT WE
ARE INTO
JULIA — ORBEA ORCA AERO
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Julia and I take care of communication
for our Bikester retail stores. It’s extremely
exciting to help define how Bikester feels
in the flesh – in other words, where you can
physically experience the brand. I spend my
free time taking part in sports; especially
triathlon (up to mid-distance). Of course, the
bike plays a special role in my life – not just
professionally – but also as a training partner
and as equipment for competition.
I was a late starter with triathlon, but that
doesn‘t mean I don’t give it my all as an
ambitious amateur. I guess I’ve got a healthy
dose of ambition in me!
Which bike do you ride and why?
I really looked forward to getting my Orbea
Orca Aero: it wasn’t easy to find an ‘off-theshelf’
bike for smaller women that not only
met all my requirements but was also visually
appealing and not a ‘girl’s bike’. When you
want a frame size of 47 cm, your options
suddenly shrink. This happens especially when
you include a sporty position with a slight
drop from saddle to handlebars to your list of
desired specifications. I found everything in
the little Spanish ‘Orca’, and I’m really happy
with it. With its added Swissside Hadron 625
Aero wheels and integrated handlebar/stem
unit (Vision Metron 6D), it’s ready to race.
I’m very much looking forward to future
rides and races. ORBEAUTY or ORBEAST?
It’s a bit of both, really, and that’s why it’s the
perfect match.
BIKESTER

T O O L S Y O U N E E D
59

FLAMMKUCHEN
INSTEAD OF
CAFFEINE GELS
THE VOTEC GRAVEL FONDO 2019
BIKESTER

© Falk Wenzel
20 19
-
Palatinate
-
Forest
61

Gravel has long been on Votec’s radar:
not only because the company offers a
range of gravel bikes, but also because
they support this type of cycling. It’s
riding far removed from mass starts,
performance pressure and sprints to
place 347th in your age group. The Votec
Gravel Fondo is therefore not a race,
but a weekend to have fun on your bike.
Sure, if you feel the urge, you’ll find other
super-fit people to challenge, but you
don‘t go to the event for competition’s
sake alone. Delicious food, a relaxed
atmosphere and all kinds of different
people – that’s the Votec Gravel Fondo.
Usually held deep in the famous Black
Forest, the 2019 edition mixed things up
and took place in a new location. It was
by all accounts a complete success.
This year’s secluded location in the
Palatinate Forest (in south-western
Germany) was the perfect spot for the
first camping edition in the event’s
history. Tent set up began on Friday while
Shimano’s mechanics worked to remedy
rattling gears and squealing brakes.
Shimano also gave everyone the chance
to ogle its new GRX gravel-specific
groupset. Wahoo were also on hand with
a slew of GPS devices to ensure nobody
would get lost in the woods. The mood
was great, and anticipation was high
– it was shaping up to be the best bike
weekend of the year.
© Falk Wenzel
BIKESTER

© Dan Zoubek
63

IT‘S GRAVEL
TIME!
© Falk Wenzel
Although a warm summer was predicted, we
had a few wet days preparing the event and
building the route. Thankfully though, the
gravel gods were smiling down on us and
the weather for the event was glorious, just
how we pictured the Palatinate forest for the
Gravel Fondo. The sun was out on 90 km of
the finest terrain: long gravel roads, flowing
trails and some asphalt sections – the perfect
mixture for a gravel rodeo par excellence.
After the halfway point, and with two-thirds
of the more-than-2000 m of climbing in the
legs, fuel reserves could be topped up with
Flammkuchen (a sort of thin German pizza)
and freshly-pressed grape juice. Those who
might have (understandably) overeaten were
then able to bypass the Kalmit climb and take
a slightly flatter shortcut.
As the saying goes: ‘Strava or it didn’t happen’.
So, even though most were taking it easy, at
least a bit of time ‘putting the hammer down’
was on the cards. Fed and watered, many
riders went all out to get personal best times
at Kalmit. Further timed Strava segments
offered riders the chance to show each other
what they were made of.
GRAVELLERS’ TAN
Just like the previous year’s edition, the ride
wouldn’t have been complete without a little
‘surprise’ near the end. Fortunately, this time
it wasn‘t a 25 % gradient hill to climb, but a
ditch to ride along that was little wider than
most riders’ handlebars. Grinning and covered
in dust, riders attacked the final section to the
Schwarzer Fuchs Guesthouse, where the cake
was already waiting.
A cold shower later and it was time to unwind.
The kitchen staff had done a great job and
prepared a cornucopia of regional specialities
and unusual salad creations. After the food,
the second part of the evening program
could begin. Guests Torsten Frank and Jon
Woodroof talked about their experiences at
the Transcontinental and Silk Road Mountain
Race and inspired the group to step out of the
comfort zone more often!
BIKESTER

GOOD MORNING,
SUNSHINE!
© Dan Zoubek
The second day of the event was designed
to show, albeit it in more compact form,
everything that the Palatinate had to offer,
with almost 60 km (or 40 km for those with
less time) of unadulterated gravel fun. The
dry, sandy ground was perfect for fast riding
and lots of fun, while the cake selection and
deckchairs at the refreshment point provided
a welcome break. Finally, after getting back to
the Schwarzer Fuchs, the 2019 edition of the
Gravel Fondo was complete.
© Dan Zoubek
THANK YOU,
PFÄLZER WALD
All good things must come to an end.
After a final cappuccino, the bikes and
tents were wistfully packed away as people
started to head home. Fired up from joyful
interactions, deep conversations, majestic
views and new friendships, it was back
to everyday life. For some, the adventure
went on for a few more days. Eurobike
followed directly, and on Monday a group
set off towards Friedrichshafen – by bike,
of course. The perfect first few training
kilometres for the Votec Gravel Fondo
2020, which according to the organisers
will be even more international, even more
varied and even tastier. See you then!
65

© VAUDE, Moritz Attenberger
IM
PR
IN
T.
Bikester Magazine
Published by:
Internetstores GmbH, Friedrichstrasse 6, D-70174 Stuttgart
info@bikester.com
Amtsgericht Stuttgart
HRB 741359 – Headquarters: Stuttgart
Managing Director / responsible for publication and content:
Dr. Hans Dohrmann, Thomas Spengler
Printed by:
Firmengruppe APPL Holding GmbH & Co. KG
Senefelderstrasse 3-11, D-86650 Wemding
Advertising:
Philipp Seyb
Data protection:
If you no longer want to receive advertising from Internetstores
GmbH, please contact our customer services at Friedrichstrasse 6,
70174 Stuttgart, Germany, or send an e-mail to:
info@bikester.com
Copyright:
All material is copyrighted. Reprinting or reproducing material
on paper, electronically or uploading it to any kind of network,
including the internet, is only permitted with the written consent of
Internetstores GmbH.
Editorial and graphics:
Anton Hoge, Bastian Steinecker, Ben Lubin, Bramm Clitherow,
Christian Wenglorz, Florian Winter, Jonas Christoph, Martin Ohliger,
Rosie Hendry
This magazine uses FSC-certified paper.
Contributors:
Dan Zoubek, David Schultheiß, Falk Wenzel, Florian Ahlbeck,
Joanna Mackiewicz, Jürgen Grotsch, Lucas Hofer, Nathaniel
Forrester, Niklas Wallner, Stephan Geiss, Yoann Barelli
BIKESTER

Birger Jarlsgatan 43, Stockholm
www.addnature.com
NO MATTER HOW YOU ADD NATURE,
WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK.
Allt inom outdoor & äventyr

From 2020 onwards, we commit to planting one million trees annually
to help reduce the quantity of carbon in the atmosphere.
As a company that operates on a global level, we are very aware of our environmental
impact and are working on a number of fronts to reduce our footprint.
While we have been taking steps towards change – our kit has been PFC-free since 2018,
we offer a repair service, and 1% of our net profi t goes to good causes –
we believe there is one over-riding challenge.
“The one thing we must focus on now is the climate emergency,” Endura’s founders
Jim McFarlane and Pamela Barclay point out. “If we don’t tackle climate
change then there will not be a planet to clean up.”
#1MillionTrees
endurasport.com/sustainability/