Review Lake Constance Cycle Marathon:
The 1st Lake Constance Cycle Marathon celebrated its premiere on 24 August 1974. The then president of RMV Aero Altenrhein, Hans Frei, designed the concept with four tours and entry fees of between 20 and 40 Swiss francs. The entry fee included a refreshment bag with contents. The club president and two friends worked late into the night the previous evening to signpost the route. No authorisation was obtained from the authorities. With 800 participants, the premiere was a great success. In the second year, there were already 2,200 starters - more than the prepared 2,000 hand-sewn route bags. This time there was even a licence and a report on Swiss television laid the foundations for a successful future. In the 1990s, the number of participants peaked at up to 12,000 - which led to traffic problems and participant restrictions. The new target was a number of around 3,000 starters - the total number on all routes is still in this range today.
Interview with a record-breaking participant
Nobody has probably started the Lake Constance Cycle Marathon (BRM) more often than Alfred Kraus from Bergisch-Gladbach. The 83-year-old was once again at the start of the 50th Bodensee Cycle Marathon. TOUR lets him look back on his personal marathon history.
TOUR: How often have you competed in the Lake Constance Cycle Marathon?
Kraus: I have counted my medals. There are 34 gold medals from the long distance over 220 kilometres and one silver from the medium distance over 150 kilometres. This year I rode the 150-kilometre lap because there was someone in our group with knee problems.
TOUR: How did your love affair with Lake Constance begin?
Kraus: I played underwater rugby in the national league for 15 years at TSG Porz, which is near Cologne. When I was 45, I said it was too strenuous for me and then I started cycling. Since then, I've ridden RTFs every year (editor's note: cycling tours on non-blocked routes without timekeeping) and the end of the season is the Bodensee Cycle Marathon. I live in Bergisch Gladbach and we usually cycle there with the group on Friday and back again on Sunday.
TOUR: Do you remember the first time you took part?
Kraus: Oh yes! 220 kilometres is a damn long distance. We drove a bit too fast and the first time we were so exhausted that our wives only just recognised us. But if you know the route, it's no problem at all. However, there is one tricky spot: if you take the ferry from Constance to Meerseburg, you have to turn left. It's all about chain left, because when you come round the corner, the road climbs at 17 per cent.
TOUR: You are 83 years old - but still fit enough for the 50th Bodensee Cycle Marathon?
Kraus: Yes, watch out. I have a little aid with me, and you know the Mahle engine? It's in the back of the hub and supports me with 40 Newton metres. That's not much, but it helps a bit on the climbs. I rode the Swiss side without the motor, but I switched it on on the way up the German side.
Catering at the Lake Constance Cycle Marathon
TOUR: Didn't there used to be any refreshment stations?
Kraus: No. Everyone got one of those food bags that you had to hang around your neck. Just like the pros, but they threw them away and we always had to keep them and then they always slipped off - so that was a disaster.
TOUR: Do you remember what was in there?
Kraus: There was a banana in there, a Biberli (editor's note: sweet pastry), massage stuff for the legs and maybe a little cap. So it wasn't much.
TOUR: What did you like so much that you kept coming back?
Kraus: I love the. Lake Constance and enjoy travelling around. I also like the event and then I can say I've done Lake Constance again. You meet lots of people and you can chat and talk shop on the ferry crossing from Constance.
TOUR: At times there were 12,000 participants in the Lake Constance Cycle Marathon. How did that work?
Kraus: That was a disaster back then. We all cycled past the water, the cycle paths below. You can imagine that now, when tens of thousands of cyclists are all riding behind each other, you can't get out of the side road because the main road is closed. And it was also dangerous to ride: some were pushed off, into the meadow and crashed because there were too many on the route. Afterwards, they limited the number of participants to a maximum of 5,000 and took the route into the vineyards.
TOUR: Do you already have plans for 2024?
Kraus: I think I could report back now. I've told the boys that we need to train a bit more and I want to ride the 220 kilometres again next year. My son has already said yes and is travelling with me. So the team is almost there!
Link tip: Road bike tours on Lake Constance
Kristian Bauer
Editor
