On the final day, the road turns inward. As wheels stop spinning, something deeper begins to move. Grief, growth, and quiet revelations surface in the stillness. New friendships spark, old defences soften, and shared joy weaves through the closing hours. In this space between ending and beginning, the Taunus leaves its mark.
The third fastest woman finishes and attention shifts to the characters and stories the mid pack, where riders are ‘touring mode’ to squeeze as much as possible from the final hours of experience.
Two mothers finish in the top 10 - one driven by the chase, the other riding her own race. Behind them, a pack of women battle for the final podium place as the finish draws near.
Emotions surface, reflections settle in, and one rider’s crash leads to an unexpected discovery.
The first rider of this edition has crossed the line. This episode follows his final moments and the calm resolve of the podium: three riders defined by humility as much as speed.
Beyond the front of the race, we hear from those still moving — riders pushing through illness, doubt, and the parts of the course that test more than legs. One rider in particular discovers strength where she didn’t expect it, on ground she once feared to cross.
At a glance, it’s the same road—but inside the Taunus Bikepacking Adventure, two very different worlds unfold. One is a relentless solo mission: riders pushing themselves to the edge in pursuit of personal limits and checkpoint glory. The other is slower, warmer—built around shared stories, quiet laughs, and long climbs with friends. In this episode, we visit Gunther’s Place, a small café transformed into a legendary oasis by its owner: an unexpected superfan who dishes out free food, drinks, and boundless enthusiasm to every passing rider. We also follow race leader Manuel Truccolo as he reaches Checkpoint 3, maintaining his lead with quiet determination. It's a tale of intensity and generosity - of two worlds, one route.
As the Taunus Bikepacking Adventure rolls into its second day, pairs of riders are starting to form — alliances built on shared rhythm, mutual grit, and long hours on the bike. The leader has now reached Checkpoint 2, marking the halfway point of his journey. Along the way, riders have carved their way through sun-soaked vineyards and sleepy villages, but the strain is beginning to show. Bodies are tiring, equipment is failing, and the true weight of the race is setting in.
The Taunus Bikepacking Adventure rolls out under heavy rain, turning nervous excitement into soaked reality. But as the skies clear, riders begin to find their rhythm on the steep, winding roads of the region. In this episode, we follow the early hours of the race—through first punctures, scrapes and crashes, and the brutal gradients that define the Taunus terrain. Along the way, bonds are formed at refuelling stops with friends both old and new. It’s a day of fresh legs, fresh challenges, and fresh tracks laid down on the long road ahead.
The adventure begins! In this pre-race episode, we drop into the buzzing atmosphere of registration day at the Taunus Bikepacking Adventure. Riders from around the world arrive, check in, and meet their fellow adventurers. We capture the nerves, excitement, and quiet confidence as bikes get prepped, dots go live, and stories start to unfold. It’s the calm before the storm—and the perfect moment to feel the energy building.
Welcome to the Taunus Bikepacking Adventure podcast — a daily audio dispatch from the heart of one of Europe’s most beautiful and well hidden ultra-cycling events.
This is our preview episode — a chance to set the scene, meet the voices behind the ride, and understand what drives people to push themselves, alone and unsupported, across the rugged spine of Germany.
Over the coming days, we’ll bring you short, sharp episodes direct from the road — interviews with riders, moments of reflection, and the raw sounds of the ride as it unfolds.
The wheels are about to turn. Let’s begin.