The German Cycling Federation (BDR) is now inviting cyclists to take part in the Cycling Marathon Cup Germany (RMCD) 2024, starting on 1 May in the Rhineland. The BDR defines cycle marathons as long-distance tours on the road, each of which is over 200 kilometres long. There is no timekeeping and no route closures. The route often leads over challenging climbs through the German low mountain ranges.
The event series comprises 21 selected tours throughout Germany. Signposting, refreshment stations, breakdown assistance and first aid stations are provided. A jersey is awarded for successful participation in five cycle marathons; participants who complete ten tours are awarded the title of "super finisher".
New in 2024 are the events in Rodgau, Erftstadt and Lünen as well as the return of the event in Nortorf.
The RMCD dates 2024:
01.05.2024 - "Joseph Easter" Cycling marathon (RLP)
The BDR Cycling Marathon Cup Germany starts again this year at DJK Ochtendung in Rhineland-Palatinate. At 6.00 a.m., the marathon participants will be sent off on the 218-kilometre route, which has over 2,800 metres of elevation gain. The Eifel, the Moselle valley, the Hunsrück and five stream valleys promise a beautiful tour.
www.djk-ochtendung.de
05.05.2024 - North Sea Cycle Marathon (SCH)
RSV Husum's 205-kilometre route begins on the Eiderstedt peninsula, where there are thatched barge houses and unspoilt pastureland. The loop to the famous Westerhever lighthouse is considered the highlight of the route. Permission has been granted to ride along the outer dyke here. Freshly baked waffles and vegan spreads are available at the Tetenbüll refreshment point. Then it's off to Beltringharder Koog, where salty air and thousands of seabirds await the cyclists. Back in Husum, fish sandwiches are served.
www.rsv-husum.de
09.05.2024 - 1st Harema Odenwald Marathon (HES)
Sportfreunde Rodgau are offering two challenging marathon variants over 207 and 238 kilometres, which lead into the southern Odenwald Geopark, for their premiere in the Cycling Marathon Cup. There are an impressive 2,500 and 3,140 metres of altitude to master. Guided groups and eight shorter tours are offered.
ww.rtf.sportfreunde-rodgau.de
11.05.2024 - 5th Erftstadt-Venn-Radmarathon (NRW)
In 1976, RSC Erftstadt e.V. took part in the Cycling Marathon Cup for the first time, taking on a challenging route through the beautiful Eifel National Park that has been designed with great attention to detail. Around 2,300 metres in altitude have to be covered on the 205 km route. The serpentine ascent from Heimbach via Hasenfeld up to the Kermeter gives you that Alpine feeling and is rewarded with a view of the Rur dam. The cycle marathon leads to the High Fens and the neighbouring cycling nation of Belgium.
www.rsc-erftstadt.de
19.05.2024 - Rhön Cycle Marathon (HES)
"Whitsun is the time to ride in Bimbach" - provided you have booked your starting place early enough. The Rhön Cycle Marathon was already part of the 1990 Cycle Marathon Cup and is more popular than any other: the two cycle marathon routes over 212 km and 256 km are sold out.
www.rhoen-radmarathon.de
25.05.2024 - Erztaler Marathon (SAC)
Just outside Dresden lies the spa town of Hartha, where the Tharandter Wald cycling team starts its cycling event with tours of between 40 and 230 kilometres. Starting at 6.30 a.m., groups will set off through Saxon Switzerland and the Eastern Ore Mountains. The 230 km and 3,300 m cycling marathon includes a detour to the Czech Republic.
www.radteam-tharandterwald.de
02.06.2024 - From Hermann to Wilhelm (NRW)
The scenic route leads along the Teutoburg Forest, over the hilly Lippische Bergland into the panoramic Weserbergland. Two historical monuments are visited along the way: the "Hermann" near Detmold and the "Wilhelm" near Porta Westfalica. At 223 kilometres and 3,100 metres in altitude, this challenging cycle marathon is one of the most mountainous events in the Cycle Marathon Cup.
www.tsve.de/radsport
Cycling Marathon Cup in the centre of Schleswig Holstein
02.06.2024 - Bike Challenge Mittelholstein (SCH)
The Bike Challenge Mittelholstein starts on the market square in Nortorf. RSG Mittelpunkt Nortorf has brought together the best of the region. From the southern edge of the Westensee Nature Park, the route leads through the Aukrug Nature Park with its wooded sections and rolling hills as well as the lowlands of the Stör. There are two refreshment stops in Aukrug and Kellinghusen, serving jacket potatoes with quark, among other things. The supporting programme also includes two gravel routes.
www.nortorf.bike
08.06.2024 - Tecklenburg Heights Cycle Marathon (NRW)
Cycling marathon cup for the second time: The Ibbenbüren organisation team is organising its cycling marathon over 205 kilometres and 2050 metres in altitude for the second time. Participants can expect a great route around Ibbenbüren, over the climbs of the Tecklenburger Höhen and in the flatter area towards the Ems. The routes are rural with little traffic and many beautiful views of the Tecklenburger Land.
www.marathon-ibbenbueren.de
09.06.2024 - 31st Heide Marathon (NDS)
From Altwarmbüchen, just outside Hanover, the RadTourenClub organises its RTF and once again offers a 215-kilometre marathon. It goes right across the Lüneburg Heath with few metres in altitude. The start for the event in the Cycling Marathon Cup is at 8.00 am.
www.rtc-altwarmbuechen.de
15.06.2024 - Schwalm Valley and Heights Marathon (HES)
The Schrecksbach cycling group is organising a cycling marathon for the 9th time. The route leads through a typical low mountain range landscape characterised by the Schwalm and Vogelsberg mountains. The first difficult climb over the Eisenberg exceeds 636 metres above sea level and gradients of up to 8 percent are reached. The "high point" is the Hoherodskopf at 764 metres. A total of 3,200 metres of ascent have to be mastered on the 205 km long route on roads with very little traffic.
www.radsport-schrecksbach.de
16.06.2024 - Jura Cycle Marathon (BAY)
SV Lupburg is organising the Jura Cycle Marathon in Bavaria. The event in the Cycling Marathon Cup offers a varied route through the Upper Palatinate Jura landscape. According to the press release, the Jura Cycle Marathon is an insider's tip among RTF cyclists as it is cycled on side roads with very little traffic. All 1,500 starting places are currently taken - fully booked. However, RMCD series riders receive special starting rights.
www.jura-radmarathon.de
13.07.2024 - 19th Lusatian Lakeland 100 (BRA)
This major event offers running, skating, walking, swimming and cycling throughout the weekend in and around Großräschen. With 320 metres of climbing, it is the flattest cycling marathon in the Cycling Marathon Cup. After the start in Großräschen, you cycle almost 50 kilometres off public roads.
www.seenland100.de
14.07.2024 - Sparkasse Mittelholstein AG Canal trip (SCH)
The Rendsburger Bicycle-Club is taking part in the German Cycling Marathon Cup for the fifth time. Part of the route, which was newly trialled last year, runs along the Kiel Canal. A highlight of the tour will be the ascent to the highest point in the region, where you can enjoy a marvellous view of the panorama of the Hütten mountains. There is a guided cycle marathon group for beginners with a target average speed of 25-27 km/h.
www.rbc-1894.de
21.07.2024 - Holsteiner wave ride (SCH)
RSC Kattenberg is the traditional representative of Schleswig-Holstein at the Deutschland Cup. The wave ride is the programme for the event, which starts in Kaltenkirchen just outside Hamburg. Although there are only 1,200 metres of climbing over the 220 kilometres, it's a constant up and down and there is also the well-known North German wind. The route leads into Holstein Switzerland and along Lake Plön until just before the gates of Lübeck.
www.rsc-kattenberg.de
03.08.2024 - Göttinger Dreiländermarathon (NDS)
The RSC invites you to the 6th Göttinger Radtourenfahrt and for the fourth time you are also taking part in the RMCD with a cycle marathon. As we are located in the south-east of Lower Saxony, the other two countries mentioned in the three-country marathon are Hesse and Thuringia. We start with the first few metres of elevation gain and a good shot to the Weser, which we follow for several kilometres and then continue along its source river, the Werra. Hesse is crossed at one point and then the route takes a long loop through Thuringia, where the highest point of the tour is crossed at 507 metres above sea level. The 214 km route covers over 3,200 metres of challenging elevation gain.
www.rsc-goettingen.de
04.08.2024 - Ost-Seen-Roller Cycle Marathon (MEV)
Known for the Federal Cycling Meeting 2022 in Schwerin, the cycling association and its clubs are organising this cycling marathon in Mecklenburg. Starting in Schwerin, the route leads to the Schaalsee biosphere reserve, on the western side of which it heads north across Schleswig-Holstein territory. At Wohlenberger Wiek and Wismar Bay, you can get a taste of the Baltic Sea before heading south again towards the state capital. Shortly before the end, cyclists are led over the land bridge between the northern and southern parts of Lake Schwerin.
www.ostseenroller.de
11.08.2024 - Pirker GRENZErfahrung (BAY)
According to the organisers, it will be a border experience in two respects. Firstly, Pirk is located in the Upper Palatinate, just 30 kilometres from the Czech border. On roads with little traffic, the route leads through the hilly landscape of the northern Upper Palatinate and over a length of 55 km through the neighbouring Czech Republic. The 3,150 metres of elevation gain challenge the riders' fitness, but the climbs are not extremely steep. Time and again, the route offers sweeping views of the landscape, some of which extend as far as the Bavarian Forest.
www.grenzerfahrung.vcc-pirk.de
01.09.2024 - 9th St. Pauli Marathon to hell (HAM)
FC St. Pauli's cycling department has been an integral part of the NordCup for years and is now taking part in the German Cycling Marathon Cup for the third time. At the "Marathon to hell", the starters are sent off on a cycle tour to Ratzeburger See and around the Schaalsee biosphere reserve to the sounds of AC/DC's "Hells Bells".
www.fcstpauli-radsport.de
01.09.2024 - 1st Lüner "DAY ON BIKE" with Sparkasse an der Lippe (NRW)
RV Lippe 23 Lünen e.V., a newcomer to the RMCD, invites you to take part in a varied programme. The marathon circuit covers 217 km with 900 metres of elevation gain through the nearby Münsterland region.
www.rsv-luenen.de
08.09.2024 - 12th Prinzen-Rolle Cycle Marathon (RLP)
VfB Polch in Rhineland-Palatinate is once again hosting the last event in the German Cycling Marathon Cup: the Prinzen-Rolle Cycling Marathon will be held for the 12th time with the accompanying Maifeld-Mosel-RTF. The 214 km route covers 2,600 metres of climbing. The Moselle with its vineyards and the Eifel with the Hohe Acht are the highlights of the tour.
www.vfb-polch-abt-radsport.de
Kristian Bauer
Editor
