Cycling: Marathon riders against cross-country fans is the motto of the Red Bull 26 inch. With the help of GPS data and a self-defined route, 60 athletes pass 26 customs stations in the middle of the Unesco World Heritage Site.
This official competition of the Federation of German Cyclists offers hobby racers the opportunity to measure themselves against the professionals. Whoever is the first to deliver their 110 coins to Rheinfels Castle after around 26 kilometers wins.
Rheinfels Castle in St. Goar is the largest and most imposing castle ruins on the Rhine. Its history as a customs castle dates back to 1245, making it the start and finish point of Red Bull 26 inches. In between there are around 110 kilometers for the participants. The route and thus the ideal strategy are chosen by the athletes themselves. They have to find 26 customs posts along their route where they can collect a coin. The customs offices remain secret until just before the start.
The participants only determine their tactics on the day of the event: For orientation, they receive a GPS device on which all 26 customs posts are stored and a map with the 26 target points. There are no paths to be seen, that would be too easy. Only an arrow on the GPS device shows them the direction in which the nearest customs office is located. The participants then decide for themselves in which order they approach the destinations. You have seven hours
Time to master the route and complete about 1.200 meters in altitude. Only at the end will it become clear which combination of tactics and fitness will lead you back to Rheinfels Castle the quickest – up the last few steps on foot, right up to the tower with a view of the Middle Rhine Valley.