Concept
GB600 is a non-competitive long distance cycling event inspired by the Brevet culture.
Whether you are an experienced endurance rider or just about to embark on your first long distance ride with a bit of sporting ambition, everyone is welcome! There will be a mix of riding styles and backgrounds. Everyone rides at their own pace and to their own ability. As this is not a race, there will be no rankings or prizes.
The terrain consists mainly of asphalt and gravel paths (50/50). These paths are mostly smooth and not technically demanding. However, riding 640 kilometres with 5700 metres of climbing in 3 days is no walk in the park! High summer temperatures, mountain climbs and long days on the bike will be physically and mentally challenging. But with good stamina, a little ambition and some preparation, it's manageable for many.
It's important to listen to your own body and recognise your limits! It's not uncommon for participants to drop out along the way due to exhaustion, injuries, mechanical issues, or other reasons. That's perfectly okay! The route is planned so that you can easily return to Berlin by train.
At the end, we will celebrate everyone who has shared this adventure!
If you want to take on this challenge and enjoy cycling long distances (200km a day), then join the GB600!
Infrastructure & (Self) Support
To us, self-supported means completing the route on your own, without planned assistance from third parties, such as family or friends. Of course you can ask for help along the way from locals or fellow riders or stay in a guesthouse or similar accommodation.
We want to keep the barriers to getting involved in long distance riding as low as possible. Not everyone is a fan of night riding or enjoys sleeping alone in a tent in the wilderness! Even some of the more experienced bikepackers on our organisation team prefer to ride or camp with others!
The route has been planned in such a way that you will arrive at manned checkpoints in the communities after about 200 and 400 kilometres respectively. There you can pitch your tent for the night with other participants.
The principle of self-sufficiency applies along the way. This means that everyone needs to bring enough food and drink for the day. Before the event, you'll receive a roadbook listing possible places to stop and refuel, such as petrol stations and supermarkets. You can use this to plan your routes so that you never run out of food.
Carry tools and spare parts so you can make minor repairs yourself. The route takes you through smaller villages and towns. Bike shops are sometimes rare in the rural provinces. Shops along the route are listed in the road book. If you need to stop, the nearest railway station is usually not far away (except in the Giant Mountains, where access may be limited).
Nevertheless, prepare well and test your equipment (lights, clothing, sleeping system) and your set-up beforehand.
The essence of long-distance events like the GB600 is a sense of community, mutual support and the joy of shared suffering. If you lose your snack bag or have a mechanical issue along the way, there’s likely someone ready to assist with tools or offer an extra energy bar along the way!
Riding in groups
Because shared adventures create the best memories, you can register as a group (maximum 4 people) or join other riders along the way if everyone agrees. Everyone has different needs on long distance rides: Some people prefer to do their own thing or may not want to ride with strangers and this should be respected.
Cycling without profit
We're in it for the pedals and the adventure, not for the profit. We're a diverse group of cycling enthusiasts who run the GB600 as a hobby project in our spare time. We offer the GB600 on a cost recovery basis. Any surplus is donated to charity. You can find out more about the contributions here.