2022 Strasbourg to Munich

Ride report contributed by one of our riders.

The 2022 edition of One More City saw us make a welcome return to mainland Europe to continue the journey now that Covid-19 travel restrictions had been fully lifted. We were also honoured to be joined for the ride by Hannah Ludwig from Team Uno-X Pro Cycling.

On Day 1 We started from where we left off in 2019 - outside the magnificent Cathedral in Strasbourg to ride 160km and climb 1800m to Donaueschingen. Winding through the cobbled medieval streets, the hustle and bustle of Strasbourg city centre soon gave way to the tranquility of the canal towpaths as we settled into the ride. We crossed the border into Germany where our first major climb awaited on the beautiful Texaspass with some serious hairpinnage, followed by a well-earned lunch. More climbing followed and then we were rewarded with Kaffee und Kuchen finishing with a 25km descent to end the day’s stage in Donaueschingen.

Day 2 was where we discovered that the Danube was indeed beautiful & blue. The day started with the rider groups chasing each other along a series of twisty paths, witnessed by some curious goats (who quickly lost interest when they realised we wouldn’t share our Veloforte with them) before being high-fived by a group of cheering school children. Coffee and very excellent pastries got us ready for the obligatory gravel section and then we broke for lunch. The second half of the ride took in caves, tunnels and a suitably impressive castle before ending for the day at Bad Schussenried. The autumn colours were looking their best which made for a beautiful backdrop. Another 150km and 1500m done.

Day 3 was the big one. The longest stage and a lot of climbing. But first breakfast & One More City welcomed One More Kitty with a helpful Robot Kitty Guest Star lending a paw with the clearing up. It was all about the mountains & Il Lombardia as we headed for the Austrian Tirol and some utterly stunning autumnal scenery, which was deep balm for the soul. Having had a couple of sunny days, the weather reverted to more traditional One More City conditions with rain and some gusty winds. But frankly, who cares when you have your full wet weather kit & a glorious landscape to ride through. We also went full Austro-German on the nutrition front with curry wurst, Black Forest gateau and Kaiserschmarrn. All in all a magical day and we all finished in Bad Kohlgrub before the sun went down & the heavens opened. 174km done, 2300m climbed & just 130km to go.

The final day on Sunday 9 October started misty & ethereal as we set off for the final 133km to Munich. The first section of the ride included more climbs & descents as we headed towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen and saw our first snow on the mountains in the distance. There was an extra hill-climb challenge under the ski-jump at Garmisch-Partenkirchen for those who fancied a little something extra while the rest of us sampled the Kaffee und Kuchen. Then it was flat & fast for the final kilometres to the finish and a warm welcome at the Rapha Clubhouse in Munich who had opened up specially for us.

It was an immense privilege to be able to take part in the ride & was both challenging & highly enjoyable. As ever, it was the people who made the ride, with huge support and camaraderie. As ever, the riders were provided with amazing support by Reeta, Luis and Andy. Overall we rode 600km and climbed 7000m in 3 countries over 4 days to fund vital research into secondary breast cancer. The journey is never over and 2023 will see the group picking up the route again in Munich and heading over the Alps towards Venice.

You know who you are - but a shout-out to my group - new faces & old friends - who provided support & many laughs. And as ever, the inspirational @clondon7 whose vision & quiet determination drives @onemorecity ever forward a personal achievement for me as I managed to finish just as the sun went down & the heavens opened. 174km done & just 130km to go...

Photo credit: Saskia Martin