Cycling: 240 kilometers, 6.200 meters in altitude - such numbers put even the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon in the shade. The Black Forest great! on September 13th in Oberried is perhaps Germany's toughest cycling marathon.
Originally, organizers Johannes Kratzert and Christoph Hammann-Kloss did not even think of competing with the large and renowned cycle marathons in terms of altitude difference. The passionate racing cyclists from Freiburg just wanted to organize a Black Forest tour that would cover as many of the best-known and most beautiful peaks as possible in one day. When they had finished planning their loop over road bike hot spots such as Kandel, Feldberg, Belchen or Schauinsland and looked at the numbers, they had to swallow themselves: 6.200 meters in altitude for the big lap - that surpasses almost all bike marathons in the Alps. The original round even had to be defused this year because the construction work on the Kreuzweg ascent was not completed in time. The most important aim of the Kratzerts and Hammann-Kloss' event is to pass on the organizers' fascination with the Black Forest.
The altitude record is simply a result of the route: it goes either up or down, flat sections are scarce apart from the breathtaking passage through the Wildgutach Gorge. There are four routes between 100 and 240 kilometers to choose from. On the shortest lap you climb over four mountains, on the two middle laps over six each and on the long route over eight Black Forest peaks. Depending on the route, there are up to seven refreshment points on the passes and in particularly traditional and typical Black Forest locations. The drivers can expect rich and, above all, regional food - to replenish their energy stores and devote themselves entirely to the Black Forest experience. The pasta party the night before is also regional: Instead of spaghetti, there are Knöpfle from Baden-Württemberg.
The Black Forest great! takes place for the second time in 2015. 35 starters dared to take part in the first edition last year, and there are already over 100 registrations for this year. The entry fee has been 1 euros since August 70st and 1 euros from September 80st. Included are, among other things, the start number, route signs and GPS track, aid stations, medical care on the route and at the finish as well as a surprise gift for all finishers. Anyone who rolls back into Oberried after a hard 240 kilometers should bring back aching legs and the realization that the Black Forest is one of the most beautiful and toughest racing bike areas in Germany.
More information and registration
