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24 hours in 24 picturesTOUR at the 24-hour race in Kelheim

Stefan Loibl

, Kristian Bauer

 · 01.09.2022

24 hours in 24 pictures: TOUR at the 24-hour race in KelheimPhoto: Pia Nowak
After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the 24-hour race in Kelheim celebrated its comeback. TOUR was also at the start with a team of five and looks back on the 24 exciting hours in the saddle with a picture gallery.

The Kelheim 24-hour race has been running since 1997, making it Germany's oldest cycling race in this day-long format. The route has remained unchanged since the premiere and is at least as nasty as it is beautiful: after the serpentine climb below the Befreiungshalle and another "puller" on Stausacker Berg, it is mostly flat. The 16-kilometre loop with 170 metres of elevation gain is not closed to oncoming traffic, but there are hardly any cars. A highlight is the ride through the beer tent in the old town of Kelheim. The transition area is also located there, between celebrating spectators and brass band music. Many visitors come to the centre of Kelheim, especially on Sunday. The race is organised by RSC Kelheim, which has already donated 187,000 euros from the entry fees to charity since 1997.

24 hours in a world of its own

After some back and forth in the run-up to the race, we entered the mixed category for TOUR as a motley crew of five. Online editor Sandra Schuberth, 33, brought experience from multi-day gravel races with her. TOUR intern Alisa Rathke was the youngest at 22 and was riding her first ever bike race. She was joined by Austrian Martin Meindl, 48, who was a member of the TOUR Jedermann team in 2014, and TOUR digital boss Stefan Loibl, a Kelheim veteran who rushed straight from his holiday to the start line. Organiser Kristian Bauer, a TOUR hobby sports editor with plenty of marathon experience, had previously only experienced the 24-hour race as a reporter. In addition Photographer Pia-Sophie Nowakwho accompanied us on the 24-hour lap race and in our spartan accommodation - a rented garage in the centre of Kelheim. Our picture gallery shows some of the great photos. You can read the complete report on the Kelheim 24-hour race in TOUR 9/22 - currently available in stores, as a digital edition and in the DK Kiosk app.

The great uncertainty before the first round: What is in store for me? How good is my form? After all, you don't want to disappoint your team-mates...Photo: Pia NowakThe great uncertainty before the first round: What is in store for me? How good is my form? After all, you don't want to disappoint your team-mates...Cycling makes you hungry: after the first ride, there is enough time to prepare food for the night. Couscous salad with vegetables was on the menu.Photo: Pia NowakCycling makes you hungry: after the first ride, there is enough time to prepare food for the night. Couscous salad with vegetables was on the menu.
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A constant coming and going: While some are analysing their lap times, others are already getting ready for their next lap.Photo: Pia NowakA constant coming and going: While some are analysing their lap times, others are already getting ready for their next lap.Changeover zone in the heart of the old town: the changeover tent is well filled during the day. Nevertheless, it happens time and again that riders come in and no replacement is ready. As a team rider, you meet the same riders from other teams from time to time.Photo: Pia NowakChangeover zone in the heart of the old town: the changeover tent is well filled during the day. Nevertheless, it happens time and again that riders come in and no replacement is ready. As a team rider, you meet the same riders from other teams from time to time.Pizza as fuel for the tough laps at night.Photo: Pia NowakPizza as fuel for the tough laps at night.An Excel document as a substitute for a supervisor: we enter the lap times in the programme. Thanks to the stored calculation formulae, everyone knows their next start time. A decisive help when your head gets muddy during the night.Photo: Pia NowakAn Excel document as a substitute for a supervisor: we enter the lap times in the programme. Thanks to the stored calculation formulae, everyone knows their next start time. A decisive help when your head gets muddy during the night.You can't have technical defects in 24-hour races. Fortunately, the play in the crank was quickly fixed thanks to the help of the Radsport 2000 team of mechanics.Photo: Pia NowakYou can't have technical defects in 24-hour races. Fortunately, the play in the crank was quickly fixed thanks to the help of the Radsport 2000 team of mechanics.After every lap, there was a snack as a reward: jelly babies, biscuits and cake were very popular.Photo: Pia NowakAfter every lap, there was a snack as a reward: jelly babies, biscuits and cake were very popular.Additional equipment at night: If you go out on the track after 10.00 a.m., you need a light on your bike and a high-visibility waistcoat. With modern aero racing bikes, fitting these quickly becomes a challenge.Photo: Pia NowakAdditional equipment at night: If you go out on the track after 10.00 a.m., you need a light on your bike and a high-visibility waistcoat. With modern aero racing bikes, fitting these quickly becomes a challenge.
While the mood among the spectators rises in the late evening hours, things are usually quieter in the transition zone. This is because the first few laps have already knocked the legs out and tiredness sets in.Photo: Pia NowakWhile the mood among the spectators rises in the late evening hours, things are usually quieter in the transition zone. This is because the first few laps have already knocked the legs out and tiredness sets in.But by the time you enter the marquee at the end of the Kelheim 24-hour loop, you're wide awake and revved up again from the night's lactate shock on the Stausacker Berg.Photo: Pia NowakBut by the time you enter the marquee at the end of the Kelheim 24-hour loop, you're wide awake and revved up again from the night's lactate shock on the Stausacker Berg.Online editor Sandra shouldn't have minded the half-hour night rides. She has already won the Seven Serpents bikepacking race this year, which covers 800 kilometres non-stop from Ljubljana to Trieste.Photo: Pia NowakOnline editor Sandra shouldn't have minded the half-hour night rides. She has already won the Seven Serpents bikepacking race this year, which covers 800 kilometres non-stop from Ljubljana to Trieste.TOUR editor Kristian at work: The report on the 24-hour race in Kelheim for TOUR issue 9/22.Photo: Pia NowakTOUR editor Kristian at work: The report on the 24-hour race in Kelheim for TOUR issue 9/22.The home base of our frenzied flat-sharing community: the right-hand garage at a farm on the edge of Kelheim's old town. Another team was housed in the garage on the left.Photo: Pia NowakThe home base of our frenzied flat-sharing community: the right-hand garage at a farm on the edge of Kelheim's old town. Another team was housed in the garage on the left.The serpentine ascent to the Liberation Hall keeps your heart rate up even at night.Photo: Pia NowakThe serpentine ascent to the Liberation Hall keeps your heart rate up even at night.
The route is at least as nasty as it is beautiful: a few turns of the pedals after the old town centre, the road becomes a bit steep.Photo: Pia NowakThe route is at least as nasty as it is beautiful: a few turns of the pedals after the old town centre, the road becomes a bit steep.Bedroom: There is barely an hour to rest on the camp beds in our garage between jobs.Photo: Pia NowakBedroom: There is barely an hour to rest on the camp beds in our garage between jobs.The first rays of sunshine reach the damp, clammy team outfits on Sunday morning.Photo: Pia NowakThe first rays of sunshine reach the damp, clammy team outfits on Sunday morning.Nothing works without coffee! Even better if it comes from a hand-operated portafilter machine.Photo: Pia NowakNothing works without coffee! Even better if it comes from a hand-operated portafilter machine.We made it! Final rider Martin flies into the finish shortly before 2 pm. The whole beer tent celebrates him and the other riders with applause, the spectators and team riders stand close together.Photo: Pia NowakWe made it! Final rider Martin flies into the finish shortly before 2 pm. The whole beer tent celebrates him and the other riders with applause, the spectators and team riders stand close together.Many drivers look forward to the hoppy reward after 24 hours - whether after 7, 10 or 12 laps.Photo: Pia NowakMany drivers look forward to the hoppy reward after 24 hours - whether after 7, 10 or 12 laps.
The fastest 24-hour riders and teams are celebrated like gladiators in the packed beer tent on the town square.Photo: Pia NowakThe fastest 24-hour riders and teams are celebrated like gladiators in the packed beer tent on the town square.The TOUR team also had reason to celebrate: with 49 laps, they ended up in second place in the mixed category. The stylish trophy that Alisa is holding in her hands now adorns the TOUR editorial office.Photo: Pia NowakThe TOUR team also had reason to celebrate: with 49 laps, they ended up in second place in the mixed category. The stylish trophy that Alisa is holding in her hands now adorns the TOUR editorial office.

24-hour race Kelheim - Info

  • Date:8/9 July 2023
  • Info: www.race-24.de
  • Entry fee: from 150 euros (individual) / 400 euros (team)
  • Route: 16.4 km and 170 metres in altitude
  • Participation as an individual starter or in a team of five

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