Viking Bike Winterchallenge , O-CTF und Grav...... 2026

The Viking Bike Winterchallenge, O-CTF und Gravel is an autumn off-road cycling event beginning at the BBZ sports hall in Schleswig, a historic Viking city in northern Germany. Approximately 120 participants arrive with gravel bikes and mountain bikes. The day is divided between self-navigation and guided groups catering to various speeds. Seven guides, including Mark Tonn, assist the groups, though riders must still manage typical off-road challenges, such as jammed chains or slick surfaces. The route connects Schleswig’s heritage with rugged northern landscapes. It goes by the Danewerk World Heritage site, the Viking settlement of Haithabu, follows the Schlei river, and then proceeds into the lake district north of the city, covering Ahrenholzer See, Idstedter See, and Langsee. A recent gravel loop crosses the Wellspanger Niederung, a wide low-moor region designated for future rewetting and climate protection initiatives. The ride involves more than just easy forest paths; dry leaves cover the ground, some areas become boggy, wooden bridges within the Tiergarten enclosure can be slippery, and the return leg towards Böklund includes short, steep inclines.