After completing the 700 km road course at Cowlands last year, I was keen to take on the new 2025 route and push my limits once again.

This time: 540 km of finest gravel through Bavaria’s Karwendel mountains. 

We wanted to keep up the pace—yet stay in the daylight as much as possible to soak in the full magic of the Karwendel range. That meant fewer breaks, more flow, and full commitment from sunrise to sunset.

It quickly became clear that Gabriel, who scouted the route, had taken part in a Nelson Trees race before. A brutal 25% ramp up to Plumsjoch with 600 vertical meters forced me to push my bike the entire way. In comparison, the overgrown moor section almost felt like fun.

My frustration levels were thoroughly tested - but so was the new Bike Packing Setup. But maybe that’s exactly what it’s for.

The weather? Not quite as sunny as the two perfect weeks leading up to the event. Dark clouds loomed over Munich at the start – but somehow, we dodged every shower. Until the very end: just 2 km before the finish, a thunderstorm rolled in. The skies opened up. Time for rain gear. Time for the ultimate gear test. 

We crossed the finish line soaking wet and surrounded by lightning, but with big smiles on our faces. After two days and just under 8 hours, we made it back to Munich.

But that’s the beauty of these events: everyone rides their own race, at their own pace. It’s always an adventure. And this one unfolded right on Munich’s doorstep.