The summer heatwaves are over for now, and the days are getting noticeably shorter – time to set yourself a goal or two for the autumn before you head back to Watopia more often in winter. From test events to gravel races, there’s plenty on offer across the country – the following overview shows where it’s worth adding a date to your calendar now.
September
Sauerland Rodeo
If you like to get going early in the month and really push yourself, Brilon (North Rhine-Westphalia) on 5 September is the place for you: 200 km and around 2,000 metres of elevation gain through the mountainous Sauerland, all in a single day. It’s not a race.
Gravel Ground
From 11 to 13 September, the Ewald Colliery in Herten (Ruhr region) will once again be transformed into a major gravel ‘Testival’. It is organised by Delius Klasing, with Rose and Maxxis as title and main sponsors respectively. As well as the expo and guided tours, the programme features several side events, including the Rose Scary Schotter Race, Van Rysel Legends of the Halde and the Gravel Ground Rockets, plus a camping area right on the site.
Black Forest Bike Marathon / Scherzinger Gravel Cup
The well-established Black Forest Bike Marathon in Furtwangen (12 and 13 September) has also featured its own gravel category, the Scherzinger Gravel Cup, since 2025: 50 to 60 km and 700 to 900 metres of elevation gain via Brend and Katharinenhöhe. A portion of the entry fee goes to the Katharinenhöhe rehabilitation clinic.
Allgäu Gravel Rally
On 19 September, there will be a choice of three route lengths in Pfronten – 90, 106 and 125 km, with 1,000 to 2,600 metres of elevation gain in the Allgäu.
October
Lower Rhine Gravel
On 3 October, the route in Kalkar will be considerably flatter: 110 and 160 km with a comparatively moderate elevation profile (250/350 metres of climbing) – an alternative for anyone who, after the low-mountain events of the summer, fancies a return to flat terrain.
PanaromaGravel
On 4 October, there will be a choice of four routes in Bühlertal in the northern Black Forest, ranging from 50 km/800 metres of elevation gain to 133 km/2,900 metres of elevation gain, with four refreshment stations along the way, according to the organisers. For every starting place allocated, the Forestry Commission will plant a tree. The registration deadline is 28 September, and the participant limit is 725 starting places.
Ochsenkopf Gravel
From 16 to 18 October, things will get serious once again in the Fichtelgebirge: in Bischofsgrün, the programme features 30, 60 and 90 km races, with race pack collection and a course inspection taking place the day before. The minimum age is 16, and the registration deadline is 14 October. A guided community ride away from the race route is also scheduled for Friday – a relaxed start to the actual race weekend.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
