1300 km with 24000 m of climbing. This race along the border of the Czech region of Bohemia will not only test you physically, it will be a journey to be remembered for the rest of your life.
Story and pictures by Max Riese
Let’s be honest: The hardest ultra races, with brutal climbs are supposed to happen in the Alps or any of the super famous high mountain ranges right? We know the czech people for their great beer, their hearty food and the culture of vibrant cities like Prague. But for extreme terrain and brutal climbs and trails? Well if you think of it, some of the best and hardest athletes call the Czech Republic their home.
Insiders will know about it already. The Czech Republic is blessed with beautiful mountainranges, like Saxonian Switzerland, the Bohemian Forest, or the Giant Mountains. Further there are already established bikepacking races like the 1000 miles Adventure. But most important people will know Ondrej’s other event the Bohemian Border Bash. Riders who already participated in this gravel event know the beauty of Saxon Switzerland and the Czech/German border region. The hospitality of Czech people, the quality of food and a great network of small gravel roads and trails qualify the Country as an excellent spot for a bikepacking race.
So what can you expect out of this race? It will test you mentally and physically. Even if you don’t experience the fierce conditions we faced while scouting the route, it will be hard. With hardly any flat sections and literally any surface you can think of. From bumpy small tarmac roads, over fast rolling gravel roads to technical single trails, you will find it all. It will be fast. It will be scenic. It will catch you by surprise whenever you feel you’ve got a hang on it.
Oh and if you thought that the next restaurant/gas station/hotel is always just around the corner? You will be surprised by how big and remote the Bohemian Forest is. It is gigantic. A lot of the route takes you to seemingly untouched, natural places and dark moody forests. In general you will not deal with a lot of “traffic”. Even on the small bumpy tarmac roads you will encounter very few cars, not even a lot of hikers. But as soon as you find a village you will be able to find food, drinks and maybe even accomodation. A big plus is that, for most of us, the Czech Republic is very cheap to travel.
Oh and if you thought that the next restaurant/gas station/hotel is always just around the corner? You will be surprised by how big and remote the Bohemian Forest is. It is gigantic. A lot of the route takes you to seemingly untouched, natural places and dark moody forests. In general you will not deal with a lot of “traffic”. Even on the small bumpy tarmac roads you will encounter very few cars, not even a lot of hikers. But as soon as you find a village you will be able to find food, drinks and maybe even accomodation. A big plus is that, for most of us, the Czech Republic is very cheap to travel.
If you opt to race this route full on you will of course miss a lot of this. If you take the time you might find some hidden gems while exploring czech hospitality, knedlíky and pivo in one of the villages. Either way you might go on a journey you will not forget.
Bohemian Border Bash RACE will start on September 4, 2021. You will have to complete the route until September 11, 2021 9 PM to be ranked within the GC.