Before the record attempt began TOUR spoke to Sebastian Breuer about it. The film created as part of the project will soon celebrate its premiere. More later.
Breuer started in Norway, right on the Russian border. After 150 kilometres, he reached the Finnish border and it started to rain. It stayed that way until the end of the day. But much worse than the rain were the mosquitoes. Stopping was tantamount to being sucked dry. On the third day of the record-breaking ride, the queen's stage was already on the agenda, with 388 kilometres and almost 3000 metres of altitude difference.
Muesli with filter coffee
Day 4, 255 kilometres, 4 hours of rain. Sebastian Breuer shared a snack hack in his komoot profile: muesli with filter coffee.
I really enjoy the combination when I want to wake up and recharge my batteries. - Sebastian Breuer
On the fifth stage, Breuer came to one conclusion: the record was no longer his main goal, encounters were more important to him. In addition, he had already realised in the previous days that some passages were so overgrown that they were not passable without a machete. He decided to adapt the route to his liking.
Route customisation
The next day, we started straight away with a new route. Breuer describes the situation as a relief. He no longer had to strictly follow the predetermined route of the European Divide Trail, but could organise the tour entirely according to his own taste. The freedom and ease that came with the decision to adapt the route was only spoilt by the weather that day. It was lousy, but he found encouragement in the best cinnamon bun in Sweden to date.
The weather remained miserable on day 7 of the European Connect Trail and a bridge that didn't exist required a long diversions before a long climb at the end of the day gave Breuer the rest. Otherwise it would have been too easy. A stomach bug on day 9 put the icing on the cake. Breuer calls the "only 180" kilometres that he nevertheless covered "a short day".
One third done
Time to celebrate, a third was done and a moose was spotted. At last. Breuer was able to enter Denmark the next day with a clear conscience. But first there was still a mission to fulfil: To find Sweden's largest cinnamon bun, which is said to be available in Gothenburg. It wasn't the best, he writes after the successful mission. But at least it was big.
Then it was off to Germany. Thanks to live tracking, people waited along the route and cheered on the long-distance cyclist. In Germany, Breuer invited people to join him via social media and there were various group rides with lively participation. A podcast was also recorded.
Day 15 was half-time. And this was celebrated properly, as Breuer arrived in Cologne in the evening. There was a pizza party and a big surprise: his wife and dog welcomed the adventurer, which was a great reunion on all sides!
The next stage took Sebastian Breuer home. The route had to take a detour for one night in his own bed. Then he continued south with reduced luggage. Everything that Breuer had discovered to be useless in the first two weeks was thrown out.
14 days to the finish
Switzerland, the French Alps, the Italian Alps, midsummer and rain brought variety. In the south of France, Breuer was literally barbecued by temperatures of up to 39° Celsius. Did he accidentally land on a motorway due to overheating? In any case, the section of day 22 is not suitable for re-touring!
The heat also accompanied Sebastian Breuer through Spain. Setting off early, taking regular breaks, drinking plenty of fluids and consuming enough calories were his strategy for getting through. A long siesta would have made sense, but there was no time for that.
On the 26th day of his journey, he travelled into familiar territory. The Badlands route also led through the Sierra Nevada, where he 2022 victory.
Things get tough again just before the end
No more is to be revealed at this point. There will be an opportunity to watch the film about the tour on the big screen in Cologne on 31 January.
Film premiere in Cologne
- When: 31 January 2025, 19:30
- Where? Cologne, Residenz- An Astor Filmlounge
- Ticket price? 10 Euro
- Afterwards? After-movie party at the Rose Bikes Store Cologne
The trailer for the film
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5 questions for Sebastian Breuer
You wanted to set a new record on the European Divide Trail. But you changed your route on the way. How did it feel to let the FKT go by changing the route?
Sebastian Breuer: It was suddenly very easy because I suddenly felt this incredible sense of freedom and wanted to realise my very own project. So my route, with my name and suitable for people to follow. The original EDT (European Divide Trail, editor's note) is no longer like that. Unless you have a machete, axe and shovel with you...
Can you recommend your route for retracing?
Absolutely. There is something for everyone and, apart from the section up the Sierra Nevada, not particularly technically demanding for a comfortable travelling speed.
What was the ratio of gravel to tarmac?
I think in total 50:50.
Which parts of your equipment did you unpack and leave at home?
For example, I left the mosquito net and a few "winter clothes" in the caravan.
What's next on the agenda?
The Traka Adventure is my big goal, 560 kilometres and 10,000 metres in altitude.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
