From the very beginning, what has fascinated me so much about cycling is the efficiency and the distances you can cover. It is quite possible to cross an entire country or even a continent on a bicycle. For me, it is by far the most beautiful way to travel. As the speed is fast enough to cover several hundred kilometres in a single day and yet slow enough to appreciate the country and its people. I had already crossed several countries in Europe, but never my home country.

Bikepacking Trans Germany (BTG) was a mountain bike race across the country. It was inspired, among other things, by the legendary Tour Divide in the United States. The route crosses Germany from southwest to northeast, from Basel to Rügen. Natural areas such as the Swabian Alb, the Ore Mountains and Lusatia lie along the way. It also brings you closer to landscapes you've probably never heard of and shows you an unknown, beautiful side of the country that only very few people know. On small paths and unpaved roads off the beaten track, you will experience a Germany that feels like a well-kept secret.

Ever since I first heard about the BTG, I've dreamed of taking this route under my studded tyres. In the summer of 2020, the time had come. Due to the worldwide pandemic, other events had been cancelled, so the opportunity arose for me to start at the legendary BTG at short notice. Although there was no joint start this year and a slightly different route – starting in Rheinbach near Basel in Germany without the usual sections in Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic – these restrictions did nothing to dampen my anticipation.

I took the train to Basel and cycled along the Rhine to Rheinbach and the start line. There I spent another day fueling up and resting. Again and again, I met other riders who were getting ready for the off. Although officially there was no joint start, many had decided to start on the originally planned date, just like me. Josh, who I already knew from other events, was one of them. We spontaneously got together and rode a large part of the route together. Towards the end, we lost sight of each other, but we met again at the finish in Rügen. Here, we celebrated the end of this crazy tour together in a restaurant.

I am still reeling from the impressions of this trip. It opened my eyes to the beauties of my home country as no other route has ever done. Except for one, I slept outside every night and experienced nature even more intimately.

A big thank you goes to Achim and Thomas, the inventors of the route, as well as the many scouts. By the way, there are now plans for a joint start again. To keep up to date, take a look at the following website: btg-grand-tour.jimdosite.com.