Planning an adventure is a demanding art; after all, it is in the very nature of adventure to defy plans. And yet, it is possible to build a framework that offers a touch of guidance, thereby turning a self-supported event into an adventure with character, but also with a few social elements…
A set route of 860 kilometres, plus 12,000 metres of elevation gain, all to be completed in 135 hours: the bare figures left little doubt that The Grain is indeed an ambitious event. Pierre-Charles has already gained wide-ranging experience in the adventure segment in France with his company scops.cc; four editions of the Along series, a bikepacking trip from Paris along the Seine to its source north-west of Dijon, have created a community that sets off on its journey with fun and confidence and relishes a challenge. Many of the riders also made their way to Düsseldorf to take part in the first edition of The Grain. Although the French community was clearly in the majority, there were also participants from Germany who were looking forward to the trip to France.
Participants began arriving on Friday; for many, a first visit to the starting point, Schicke Mütze, was on the agenda, along with sightseeing and a stroll around Düsseldorf. We were delighted by the compliments about our shop, particularly from the many cyclists who spend a great deal of time on and with their bikes.
On Saturday afternoon, the courtyard behind the Mütze finally became the Long-Distance-Society’s hotspot. Pasta salads and focaccia provided the tastiest form of carb-loading; visitors had fun and chatted animatedly, German newcomers exchanged tips with French self-supported cycling experts, and our local club bling helped with the organisation. Even after the transponders had been handed out and the extensive briefing had taken place, the atmosphere remained incredibly relaxed, with not a trace of nervousness. Finally, the participants headed off to their hotels, (Airbnb) flats or private accommodation to get the sleep they needed for the first stage with one last short night’s rest.
The weather gods couldn’t resist treating Düsseldorf to a proper downpour at 5:00 am on Sunday morning, but by the 6:00 am start, it had stayed dry for the time being. At 6:45 am, however, there was a massive thunderstorm that turned the sky and horizon on the left bank of the Rhine into a spectacle. The start went smoothly; after coffee and fuelled by heavenly banana bread from Bulle, nearly all gradually set off on their journey. Some riders waited until the storm had arrived to start under shitty weather, whilst others spent a little more time in Düsseldorf, waiting for the sky to look a bit friendlier.
Generally speaking, in the days leading up to the finish in Dijon, the weather had no qualms about showcasing the full spectrum of spring weather – whether it was 9°C and drizzly rain or 28°C and sunshine, we had it all, with the weather changing every half hour or so. Anyone accompanying the supporters who chooses their outfit on Sunday morning between 8:17 and 8:26 will often find themselves missing something warm in such conditions. But this hit the riders much harder; those who’d set themselves up for dry and reasonably nice weather had to add layers on the go or suffer. On top of that, the weather had a major impact on the route. A heavy downpour can easily turn a gravel section into a scree slope; just before Dijon, a section went from a firm clay surface to a peanut-butter-like consistency that wore down the brake pads and made shifting a matter of luck. Best wishes to the US of A – this isn’t just an Unbound thing.
Approaches to such an event vary greatly; some enjoy the natural surroundings, the trails and the views on offer, whilst others operate in their own little bubble, allowing only selective glimpses in and out, and seeking to put their own performance to the test. Whilst for some participants the route’s length and terrain, as well as the time window, defined the general challenge, there were of course also participants who saw the appeal in speed and whose aim was to complete the 860 kilometres in the shortest possible time. And so a grand, planned adventure turned into a multitude of very personal challenges and experiences, depending on one’s own fitness level and condition.
In a long-distance adventure like The Grain, different riders encounter different conditions at different times; that’s part of the concept. Whilst some spent the night in the great outdoors or on the outskirts of small towns with a tent or bivouac bag, others treated themselves to a guesthouse or an Airbnb flat. It would be nonsensical to believe that one system is better. Factors such as luggage and departure time play just as much a role here as the quality of sleep. Or you could go all out and plan 22 hours of riding over 24 hours, allowing yourself a quick rest leaning against a house wall to recharge.
For almost all of us, everyday life follows a set routine; everything is organised and regimented. A long-distance ride over such a distance, combined with an ambitious route, makes it clear that plans are nice, but can easily be completely useless when everything turns out quite differently. It’s important to be prepared for anything at all times, whilst remaining positive even in the face of setbacks and keeping confidence in capital letters.
We heard countless stories at the checkpoints and at the finish line, all of which are worth a full article, but unfortunately we too lack the time to write them all down. We are still completely overwhelmed by the magnificent community and the positive, relaxed atmosphere we were able to experience as companions of The Grain. Greetings to our colleagues at Baroudeur Cycles in Dijon for letting us take up a bit of space at the finish line. And also greetings to Bernhard Schaupp and the Rhineland-Palatinate Consulate in Dijon for their hospitality. We hope to celebrate The Grain together again in Dijon in 2027.
From Schicke Mütze’s perspective, Till, who completed the journey alongside Jonas, put it very well: it is a privilege for us, as a Düsseldorf-based bike shop, to be part of such an event. Thank you for that, and thank you to everyone who made The Grain possible, whether as riders, helpers, sponsors, supporters or in any other capacity.
See you in 2027.
Ride on,
Carsten