Shades of Speed enters its fifth edition in 2026 and features an expanded programme. All routes will take place without timekeeping and road closures. Organiser Marcus Burghardt, a former professional with 17 years of experience in the peloton, has designed three new road routes for the anniversary edition that are reminiscent of his active time as a racer. The event will take place over two days, with three new road routes and two new gravel routes on the programme on Saturday. On Sunday, participants can choose between six different routes. Registration for the event starts on 1 December 2025 at 20:00. The earlier you register, the cheaper the starting places.
Shades of Speed with new tracks
For the five-year Anniversary Burghardt has developed three new routes that include his personal favourite climbs from his professional career. These routes lead through the foothills of the Bavarian Alps and are all offered on Saturday. The route "Die Hochries" covers 130 kilometres with 1800 metres of elevation gain and starts in Bad Feilnbach. The route leads via Sudelfeld, where a drinks station is set up, to Kiefersfelden for the first refreshment stop. The route then leads through the Inn Valley towards Rosenheim and back to the starting point via the Samerberg, where the second refreshment station awaits at the Duftbräu brewery.
Shades of Speed on Saturday
The second new route is called "The Wendelstein" and stretches over 160 kilometres with an altitude difference of 2500 metres. This tour also starts in Bad Feilnbach and leads over the Sudelfeld. After the first refreshment stop in the Inn Valley, the route heads up into Austria to Rettenschöss, Walchsee and Buchberg before returning to the Inn Valley and back to Bad Feilnbach via the Samerberg. The third new route, "Der Kaiser", is the most challenging of the new Saturday routes, covering 190 kilometres and 3800 metres in altitude. It also leads over the SudelfeldThen into the Inn Valley for the first refreshment stop and on to Austria to the Spitzstein car park, where the second refreshment stop has been set up.
The monument: the 300-kilometre challenge
On Sunday, Shades of Speed offers six different routes, with "The Monument" being the queen's stage with 306 kilometres and 3100 metres of elevation gain. This route leads via the Eggstätter-Hemhofer Seenplatte and Seeon Monastery to Waging. From there it continues to Austria to Lake Obertun and back to Waging. The southernmost point of the route is in Bad Reichenhall. On the way back, participants will pass the Adelholzner Alpenquellen in Siegsdorf, where a party station with a live DJ will be set up.
Shades of speed with festival character
For the 2026 edition, the organiser is offering a festival pass for the first time, allowing participants to conveniently book two routes. Prices for the two-day event start at 99 euros. Registration takes place via a contingent system, with the next contingent being activated immediately after one is exhausted. According to the organisers, experience shows that the first, cheaper contingents are sold out within a few minutes.
Background and philosophy of the event
Marcus Burghardt founded Shades of Speed after the end of his professional career, which he had to end due to a serious crash. The former professional cyclist wanted to create an event that reflected his passion for cycling. In addition to cycling, Burghardt attaches particular importance to three other aspects: Culinary delights, team spirit and charity. During the event, participants can enjoy regional specialities prepared by chefs from the region.
"I would love to stand at the finish line the whole time, handing the participants their finisher medals and listening to their experiences of the day. For some, 70 kilometres is a challenge, for others it's 300 kilometres. But the joy of having achieved something is always the same. My team and I organise Shades of Speed precisely to experience these emotions," explains Marcus Burghardt on the event website.
It is important to know that Shades of Speed is a cycling weekend without timekeeping that takes place on roads that are not closed to traffic. The focus is on the shared experience and the joy of cycling in scenic surroundings, not on competition and best times.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
