Seaside Ride: Graveling with Greipel: The "Gorilla" invites you to a cycling festival in his home country

After 15 years as a professional and a correspondingly high number of training kilometres, at some point you will have explored all the roads in the surrounding area, both near and far. Especially when the starting point of the activities is by the sea and is surrounded by water on one and a half sides. This is the case with André Greipel. Born on the Baltic Sea, the 43-year-old has made his home town the centre of his life after his career.

Halfway between the Hanseatic cities of Rostock and Wismar, where a humpback whale recently made headlines, lies the Baltic seaside resort of Rerik. Quiet and tranquil in winter, bustling with thousands of bathers in summer. Greipel starts his laps from there today. However, no longer on a racing bike and less on tarmac, but on a gravel bike over forest soil and through coastal sand. "It's just another way to get to know the beautiful area here," says Greipel in an interview with TOUR. He now wants to offer this opportunity to all cycling enthusiasts who are in the mood for a lot of togetherness, cycling without the pressure of racing in a picturesque setting and a programme that offers everything from a relaxing sauna session and exotic cuisine to good music and is designed to be suitable for families.

Greipel: "I've always had this idea in my head"

"I've always had this idea in my head," says the former world-class sprinter. "But I didn't have the confidence to realise it on my own. Then I got Rico on board. He has the contacts in the catering and music scene." Rico is Enrico Mannweiller. Among other things, he runs a beach bar in the town and brings his own sporting experience from the triathlon. "Our aim is to bring together everyone from the cycling bubble who wants to be active without the pressure to perform and introduce them to an underestimated region for amateur athletes," says Mannweiller, outlining the idea behind the Seaside Ride, which was first organised in Rerik a year ago.

Around 230 participants took part in the premiere of the Seaside Ride 2025 and were surprised when, after 100 kilometres along the flat Baltic Sea coast and inland, there were 900 metres of elevation gain on the speedometer. The gravel ride was at the centre of the three-day event. And it will be the same this time. "But we're riding a completely different route," says Greipel. The route remains a surprise for the time being. "But the route has been finalised. And it will live up to the name Seaside Ride this time."

Seaside Ride No. 2 will characterise Rerik from 12 to 14 June 2026. Arrival on Friday evening, swimming together in the Baltic Sea, sauna, live music, small talk with cycling professionals - relaxation and slowing down are core elements of the festival. Then the ride on Saturday. "Last year, there was also demand for a road ride, which is why we've now added this to the programme alongside the gravel ride," says Greipel, explaining one of the key additions to the new edition. There will also be a Bambini tour. Children have free entry for the entire weekend. The family aspect is another central theme. And the organising team is also trying to include everyone. "Of course, we have to provide some exclusive content for reasons of fairness. But the cycling fair, the concerts - everyone can take part, you don't have to take part in the race and you don't have to pay anything," explains Mannweiller. "The festival site is open to everyone."

Bikepacking film with smock

Once the athletes, who are sent out in small groups and accompanied by "Luftikussen" - puncture repairers with inner tubes and air pumps - have returned, it's time for yoga or cinema. Bike manufacturer Rose is showing its bikepacking film "Explore Freedom" with Marcel Kittel, which can otherwise only be seen on selected dates in some cities. For those who do need a bit of competition, there will also be an ergometer competition and an award ceremony where the fastest riders on some Strava segments of the rides will be honoured. "We don't want any winners or losers, but something like this creates a fun atmosphere on the site," says Mannweiller. And this should continue long into the night. "It's a party and sport. Of course, we don't want to get drunk here. It can also be done in style."

On Sunday, a breakfast together, a bit of sport and the final Tour de Tolerance await. "That really is another political statement. We don't want to tell anyone how they should think, but what is a social problem is tolerance," says Mannweiller. "And we will simply ride through the town with everyone who can identify with the fact that people let you have your opinion and, above all, respect it, as long as it is not anti-constitutional."

Afterwards, the riders part ways. "We'll be happy if everyone who comes here goes home blissfully relaxed and with tired legs," hopes Greipel. "With a better feeling. And perhaps also questioning a little whether the path we've taken is the right one. But in any case, our aim is for everyone to go home in a better mood. I think that's important in this day and age."

Seaside Ride 2026 - the most important facts in brief

• from 12 to 14 June in the Baltic seaside resort of Rerik
• Cycling combined with art and culture with a festival feeling
• Gravel and road rides between 60 and 130 kilometres / route length freely selectable on the day of the event
• Further information and registration: www.seasideride.de