Düsseldorf > Dijon
31/05/26-05/06/26
860 km of gravel allroad bikepacking in complete autonomy
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Route
The start will be given from Schicke Mütze, in the heart of Düsseldorf. The plains around Cologne and their headwind open the way to the hilly landscapes of the Eifel. Between lakes, forests and regular elevation, this crossing remains engraved in memories.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, the views widen: vineyards, agricultural hills and forests follow one another. Some steep ascents will spice up the route.
The route then plunges into the Vosges, where the relief becomes more pronounced. The coniferous forests, the freshness of the air and the scent of sawdust accompany the progress.
The last 200 kilometers offer a smoother terrain — the profile softens before the last burst towards Dijon and the finish line.
The Challenge
The Grain is an ultradistance bikepacking challenge in complete autonomy. Each participant manages their food, hydration, repairs and sleep.
Thanks to a GPS tracker and a dedicated application, the tracking is done in real time throughout the route.
The adventure spans 860 kilometers and 12 000 meters of positive elevation, to be completed in less than 135 hours. Use the entire deadline or challenge yourself on a shorter time, this is a choice based on your body and your abilities. Beyond the deadline, the journey can continue — free, but outside the organization's framework.
Allroad
The Grain, is a thought-out route for the gravel in the broad sense: of compact and rolling gravel, punctuated by technical sections in the Vosges, and small asphalt roads to regain rhythm or climb steep slopes.
All reconnaissance has been done with 40 mm tires, the perfect balance between comfort and performance.
We recommend sections between 35 mm and 45mm: thinner for performance, wider for comfort — each has their own balance, but it's in this range that The Grain takes on all its meaning.
The Grain Partners
The Grain
The Grain erzählt eine persönliche Geschichte – die von Pierre-Charles Flipo, Mitorganisator des Events.
Heute lebt er in Dijon, verbrachte jedoch mehrere Jahre in Düsseldorf, wo er Teil des Schicke-Mütze-Teams war. Dort entstand seine Leidenschaft für Gravel und für das, was Menschen rund ums Rad zusammenbringt.
Doch The Grain ist mehr als eine individuelle Geschichte. Es steht auch für eine französisch-deutsche Verbindung, für Freundschaft und gemeinsame Begeisterung.
Dijon und Düsseldorf sind beide als Hauptstädte des Senfs bekannt – eine augenzwinkernde Gemeinsamkeit, die dem Event seinen Namen gab.
The Grain steht damit zugleich für die Senfkörner, die alles verbinden, und für die Kieskörner, die unter den Reifen knirschen – ein Symbol für Bewegung, Austausch und Abenteuer.
Getting to Düsseldorf / Returning from Dijon
The Grain is a self-supported adventure – both on the route and for your travel to the start in Düsseldorf and back from Dijon.
Both cities are well connected by train across Europe, making travel sustainable.
Getting to Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is easily reached by rail:
- From France: trains from Paris, Lille, or Strasbourg, sometimes with a connection in Cologne.
- From Germany: frequent and fast trains via Deutsche Bahn (DB).
Returning from Dijon
Dijon has excellent rail links to many major cities:
- Direct trains to Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg, and Lille.
- Easy connections to other destinations in France and Europe.
Getting home or continuing your bike journey is straightforward and flexible.
Travelling with your bike
Some trains allow bicycles with an advance reservation. In most cases, you’ll need to remove the wheels and pack your bike in a travel bag.
All course scouting for The Grain was done by train – it’s both practical and in line with the event’s spirit.
There are no official shuttles before or after the event. Participants are fully autonomous for their travel arrangements.