it’s all about the mix
A divers and mixed peloton is just more fun. From the very beginning we are doing a 50 / 50 gender split. Adding some mixed pairs, men are outnumbered by women at the startline of DEAD ENDS & cake 2022 (48 women / 42 men). This is a good thing an maybe even a worldwide first time to have more women in the peloton of a longdistance bikepacking event!?!
But a good mix in the peloton is not only between genders. It’s about rookies and seasoned veterans, first-timers and experienced riders. More than half of the riders have never ever ridden so far in one ride or climbed as high as they will this weekend! But they can rely on tipps and the experience of many others who have finished ultradistance races all over the world.
Our riders are from 16 different nations and from ages 21 to 61!
And then there is a mix of different approaches: try to collect all cakes as fast as possible OR take the scenic route and ride in party-pace? There will be finisher times under 24 hours and others will enjoy a full three days of cycling. Nothing wrong with both approaches.
dots to watch – the fast and furious
As we don’t know who will go fullgas and who will take some more time to enjoy the views, it’s hard to predict the favourites of this years DEAD ENDS & cake. There are some riders that are among the best when it comes to selfsupported ultracycling and then there are a lot of riders we don’t know (yet) what they can and will deliver.
Last years winner Adrien Liechti is currently riding in the front group of the Tour Divide and won’t be here to defend his throne. But there are some very fast people hungry for cake. Chris Thomas,TCR-Veteran (5th place at TCR No7), has some unfinished business at Safiental, where he payed his toll for the high speed and „creative“ route planning at Dägelsberg in last years edition. Jana Kesenheimer made herself a name with a stellar ride at the Three Peaks Bike Race (First women, 5th overall). Axel Brenner finished 2nd at one of the most challenging races in the calendar – Silk Road Mountain race – a grueling 1900 kilometres through Kyrgistan. Sandra Schuberth has quite some legs and is on fire at the moment! First women and 9th overall at Seven Serpents! Last years 3rd place at DEAD ENDS was the first bikepacking-race for Simon Geiser. With a 5th place at the Race around Rwanda and a victory in the pairs category at Pedalma „Madrid-Barcelona“ two weeks ago, he showed that he is one to watch for upcoming races! At last years SUCH, Loïc Marin-Lamellet did beat DE&c Organiser Dominik and took victory in his first ever Ultrarace. After a strong TPBR Simone Eder has put a lot of effort and time into managing a family, a job and an efficient training plan. Belgium-Rider Xavier Massart has done many bikepacking-races and experience is as important as the power in your legs. As in any bikepacking-event, there are so many more strong riders always good for a surprise.
dots to watch – the adventurous
Other riders are more known for detailed route planning and long hike-a-bike shortcuts. Hetty Key is going for a route that has no intention to be fast – but packed with views and narrow tracks far away from traffic. Others have been spotted testing out hike-a-bike systems to carry their loaded bikes over mountain passes (Robert Natau, Samuel Meili). Checkpoints Safiental and Nurdagn are so close on the map (5,7 km) – but so far if you take the road that connects both points (70 km). Our Vertical Coffee Pair Denise and Simon are known for their adventurous route-scouting (strongly influenced by Emma Pooley 😅) and both are very strong climbers. Not particularly known for great organisation but one of the best in adapting to situations is ultra-veteran Fabian Burri who has been racing all over the world. Michael Kobel spent the weeks prior to the start riding / hiking the European-Divide Trail and won’t be impressed by some hike-a-bike and difficult terrain. Our local bike-messengers are better known for a lot of laughs, chatters and singing along the route than fast times and perfect planning. Experienced bikepackers and route planners Sara and Andreas did ride as a duo last year and it looks like they are serious about racing each other this year! No hike-a-bike plans for both of them – fullgas?? „The women all ride“ Kollektiv from germany has three riders in the line up (Johanna, Sandra and Wiebke)!
There are so many more known and unknown fast and experienced riders – who is your favourite??
