From the 24 hours of one day you usually sit approximately nine in the office, then take care of the household, run some errands, maybe squeeze in an hour of workout and then go to bed. 24 hours, however, can also be spent differently: in the bicycle saddle. For years, this option has fascinated national and international cyclists at Rad am Ring.
Every year the 24h races on the Nürburgring attract more cycling enthusiasts who want to take the race track in the Eifel under their tires for a whole day and a whole night. Perhaps because the 24-hour races on asphalt and also as a mountain bike version off-road show cycling in a manner so pure, emotional and also so merciless as hardly any other competition. There are still a few starting places available for individual starters, for teams of 2, 4 and 8. If you decide very spontaneously, you can register on site.
MTB marathon: off-road with Karl Platt
The MTB marathon, which enters its third edition in 2019, is also enjoying growing popularity. After a year's break due to race planning reasons, the multiple Cape Epic winner and German mountain bike marathon champion Karl Platt returns to the Ring. Or rather into the off-road area around the race track. Three distances of 25, 50 and 75 kilometers are to choose from - and since it is a track that will be ridden several times, anyone can compete with the professional. No matter which distance you choose. Or you focus on yourself, the scenically varied course and the 600 meters of altitude difference that you have to master per lap.
Touring on the Ring: cruise free of charge on an e-bike
The idea of competition is very present at Rad am Ring - and that's a good thing. Nevertheless, the organizers would also like to make the fascination of the Nürburgring a tangible experience for those who neither want to ride with time taking nor to train for months to master the challenging race track, including the crisp 17 percent ascent Hohe Acht. There will be the opportunity to tour the Nürburgring by e-bike on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for relaxed touring riders and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for more sporty riders - thanks to sponsorships free of charge. If you don't own a motorized bike yourself, you can rent one from the new fleet of Rad am Ring rental bikes, which will move into its temporary location in pit 33 during the event. In addition, there is a high-quality e-mountain bike from Focus worth almost 4,000 euros to be won. Simply fill in a participation card at one of the "Rad am Ring on Tour" stations or on site at the Nürburgring and hope that fortune will be of service to you.
Varied framework program: entertainment off the saddle
Even if you don't want to ride your bike at all or not all the time, you won't be bored at Rad am Ring, either. There will again be an extensive framework program with a pasta party, a trial show and course to test your own trial skills, live music, interviews with experts on stage in the Expo Area, the opportunity for exhibitors to show you the latest cycling trends, to try them out right away and to take a look at various types of e-bikes at a small exhibition. For the first time there will also be the option for accompanying persons to jet a lap across the Ring in one of the track vehicles. You cannot get closer to the race without riding it. And it's hardly possible to get any closer to depicting cycling in all its facets. From July 26 to 28 it's therefore worthwhile to stop by the Nürburgring. No matter which performance level, which type of bike, whether active or passive cycling fan.
About Rad am Ring
Rad am Ring is a cycling event that has been held at the Nürburgring since 2003. The course leads through the ultra-modern Formula 1 arena as well as over the legendary Nordschleife. The heart of the event are the 24-hour races on the traffic-free, partly illuminated race course and with team quarters in the pit lane and alongside the race course. In addition to the ultra- and long-distance events at Rad am Ring, there will be various amateur races, a time trial, a mountain bike marathon and touring rides without timing. The public races are part of the German Cycling Cup, Germany's largest amateur race series. Since 2018, Rad am Ring also offers cycling experiences like tours, trainings, tests and tracks without competitive character – the motto being “riding fun for everyone”.