What a weekend! The conditions at E1 Roßbach were quite interesting to say the least. We have seen a lot. But this stop is known for its quite demanding and partially very steep stages. With this year’s conditions, it made for an absolutely challenging mix.
E1 Roßbach Prologue
On Saturday, we got a first impression of Stages 1-3. When dry, the trails were quite technical but manageable. Typical of the Spessart, the ground was mostly soft forest soil, which was still dusty during training and prologue. However, there was already a storm warning for the entire region for Saturday evening, so we were prepared for the worst. The forecast: 20 liters of rain overnight, plus more downpours on race day.
…
…
Race Day in Roßbach Gets Off to a Great Start
What can I say? The weather app was spot on, and the race in Roßbach turned into a complete mudbattle from the very beginning. Right on Stage 1, I had a nasty fall and was worried about my wrist afterward. The spot where my Garmin had been just moments before looked pretty beat up (luckily the watch was found again, thanks to the course marshal!). Not ideal, but after a few mental debates with myself, I was able to continue. We still had six more stages, 900 meters of elevation, and another 23 km ahead of us. Good thing I read a book on resilience a few weeks ago. Each of the other stages had its own unique character, and the four blind stages were spot on. I think it would have been an absolute blast in dry conditions.
…
…
And to all those thinking: “Oh, you should be able to handle wet trails.” Well, of course! I’ve seen and ridden a lot, but muddy, steep trails that have already been ridden at race pace by around 500 riders are no picnic. However, this challenge certainly added a valuable experience for me. And there will definitely be a next race.
Pros
- Large WC AND shower container right at the paddock
- Vegetarian options for meals and delicious cakes
- Versatile stages
- Friendly community
- Bike wash
Cons
- Hard to say because anything that wasn’t great was really due to the weather conditions and can’t be held against the event.
Everything else was top-notch.