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GBI Deutschland 2021

The green center of Germany with its wooded ridges, castles and well-tended medieval towns is the destination of this GBI tour.

Welcome to Thuringia!

 

August 6 - 9, 2021

Tour pics
IMG 0666 k
IMG 9617
GBI Europe 2016 Tag 2 2053 k2
IMG 2208 0412 k
GBI Europe 2016 Tag 1 4056 k
DiSe IMG-20201125-WA0001 Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal
Unstrut Radwanderung 12.04.08 017
RoGu DSC07176 Werra Unstrut
LZa IMG 4425 k
General information

On this tour we will discover the green center of Germany in a unique way. We visit Erfurt, Weimar and Eisenach with the world-famous Wartburg, follow the Werra and Unstrut and climb the heights of the Thuringian Forest. Incidentally, we can convince ourselves that Thuringian cuisine does not only consist of sausages and has excellent beers and wines.

Tour highlights 
  - Discover many old and new sites in Erfurt
  - Visit the house of Goethe in Weimar
  - Pedal relaxed along the Werra and Unstrut rivers
  - Enjoy the Thuringian cuisine
  - Stroll on the traces of Martin Luthers on the Wartburg
  - Climb the mountains of the Thuringian Forest

 

In Thuringia, flat areas and hilly to mountainous areas alternate frequently. We have planned the tour so that as many highlights as possible can be taken with you and you can get an impression of the beauty of the Thuringian landscape. Look forward to a few days away from everyday life with the GBI.

The Global Biking Initiative wants to show you the most interesting places in Europe the sportive way. We are proud of our international participants, that makes it easy for everybody to make new friends from other countries. Our main goal is the continuous support of charity projects worldwide. We achieve this by engaging the participants to raise funds, that support charity projects in their home countries.

Here you'll find a summary of this tour.

Tour summary (PDF)

More information needed?

There might some things missing on our event page or you have some specific questions?

Feel free to contact us.

Michael Leuenberger
Tour director

Send a mail

Charity

As the GBI is a charity ride, you have to register for a GBI country (typically your home country) and raise funds in addition to the participation fee for the local supported charity in this country. The minimum donation for this event is 50 €. Each participant is kindly requested to raise more than the minimum donations to support our charity projects.

No clue how to raise funds?
Uncertain how and who to ask for donations?
Check out our tipps for your fund raising activities!

More information
Services & prices

Participation

The minimum number of participants for this tour is 15 persons. As soon as this number is reached the departure will be guaranteed! It is not advised to book any flight, train, etc. by yourself, that can not be cancelled, until the departure is guaranteed.

 

Participation
from 389 €
Participation at the GBI Deutschland 2021

This is the fee for all services of the tour, described under 'What is included'.

Early Bird registration (from March 1, 2021)
- Double bedroom: 389 €/person
- Single bedroom: 469 €/person

Regular registration (from May 1, 2021)
- Double bedroom: 439 €/person
- Single bedroom: 519€/person

Additional night prior to the tour (August 5) can be booked separately.

Extra night
from 89 €
Pre-Night in Erfurt

Accommodation in a 4* hotel in Erfurt for the night prior to the tour (August 5, 2021).

Early Bird registration (from March 1, 2021)
- Double bedroom: 89 €/person
- Single bedroom: 139 €/person

Regular registration (from May 1, 2021)
- Double bedroom: 99 €/person
- single bedroom: 149 €/person

Transport
50 €
Bike transport

Bike transportation service from Duesseldorf to the start location prior to the tour start and bike transportation back to Duesseldorf after the end of the tour.

Bicycle
129 €
GBI rental roadbike

For this tour we are offering our Cannondale roadbikes for rent during the tour.

The rental fee covers the complete duration of the GBI tour, incl. transport to the start location and from the finish location and technical maintenance by the technical bike service.
The hirer must bear the risk of damage and burglary. We recommend to sign a private insurance.

For more details and tipps to find the right bike size see also our rental bike flyer.

What's included

 3 x hotel accommodation (August 6 - 8) in single or double bedrooms with breakfast and private bathrooms. Some hotels even have a pool, sauna or spa. In some locations not all double bedrooms are equipped with twinbeds.
 2 x dinner, incl. Lutherschmaus (dinner with entertainmaint) in Eisenach
Quick and easy event registration
Detailed and up-to-date event information on the website
GPX tracks of all days and tracks for download
GBI mobile app with useful tour information
Route information and daily news
Invitation letter for visa application (on request)
Different cycling teams to suit different abilities and aspiration levels (number of teams depending on number of participants, min. 2 teams)
Teamleaders equipped with GPS routing devices
Service car along the route for pick-up service and with bike repair box
Daily luggage transport to each stage venue
Nutrition points with drinks and energy bars each day
GBI drink bottle
Online photo service
 Participation certificate
Convenient pre-check-in service
Support of charity organisations in your home country
A lot of fun, unforgettable moments, great international and cross-cultural companionship, challenging moments and radiant eyes

Excluded Services

Everything not explicitely listed above incl. entrance fees, public transportation (bus, train, ferry), transfer to individually booked hotels, lunch & dinner, accident and health insurance, etc.

Tour description

 Currently we are working hard to design the most suitable route for you. The given routes, locations and distances show the current planning and are subject to change in the coming months. The final tracks will be available approx. 6 weeks prior to the tour start

Itinerary

Day 1: Erfurt - Nebra
After the official welcome and briefing, we start our tour in Erfurt. We reach Weimar, the city of Germanys top poets Goethe and Schiller, very soon. Now we follow the Ilm and Saale river to Naumburg, where the UNESCO heritage of the Naumburg Cathedral is worth at least a photo stopp. Behind Naumburg we meet the Unstrut and the corresponding cycle path takes us to the wine town of Freyburg, where e.g. the famous Rotkäppchen sparkling wine is produced. In Burgscheidungen we have a beautiful view from the castle garden into the Unstrut valley and to our stage destination Nebra, which we reach soon.
Track 2: Shortly after the start, we leave the regular track and wind our way up to the Großer Ettelsberg. On the way we pass the former Buchenwald concentration camp. After leaving Apolda we turn towards the Saale river, which we meet at Dornburg with its beautiful rococo castle and after a rapid descent into the valley.
Route character: slightly hilly (Track 1) to hilly (Track 2)

Day 2: Nebra - Mühlhausen
Our way initially leads us largely flat along the Unstrut. Shortly after the start we pass close to the place where the famous Nebra Sky Disc was found and make a detour to the Memleben monastery. At Heldrungen we can see the Kyffhäuser mountain and the Emporer Wilhelm monument in a distance. After cycling through Porta Thuringia, we leave the Unstrut and at the latest at Wasserthaleben we notice the increasingly hilly landscape. We are heading towards Mühlhausen with its medieval city center and the remarkably city wall, that is close to the geographical center of Germany.
Track 2: From the Unstrut valley we take a ride to the Kyffhäuser mountain, the highest point of the day. We cross the mountain completely, including a stop at the Emporer Wilhelm monument. Before we reach Mühlhausen, we make a short detour to the official center of Germany near Niederdorla.
Route character: hilly (track 1), hilly to mountainous (track 2)

Day 3: Mühlhausen - Eisenach
On the third day we will accompany the Unstrut again for a short while. At Dingelstädt we turn onto the Kanonenbahn cycle path. With its numerous viaducts and tunnels it provides plenty of variety. After approx. 30 km we reach the highest point of the day and pedal (with some challenging counter climbs) down into the Werra valley. At Treffurt there are numerous relics of the German-German history, e.g. the agent lock and the listening post on the Heldrastein. From here, perhaps the most beautiful section of the Werra Valley brings us to Creuzburg with its beautiful medieval bridge and on to Hörschel, the gateway to the Rennsteig. A little later we reach our today's destination Eisenach, where we can see the mountainous ridges of the Thuringian Forest with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Wartburg.
Track 2: As soon as we leave the Kanonenbahn cycle path, we climb up to Katharinenberg, cross Track 1 at Großburschla and follow a car-free mountain road to the Heldrastein, which, with its significant ascent, lets you forget the scenic beauty for a short time. Behind Treffurt, both tracks reunite on the way to Eisenach. If you like, you can take a detour to the Wartburg at the end of the day.
Route character: wavy, but with a long ascent to the beginning (track 1), slightly mountainous (track 2)

Day 4: Eisenach - Erfurt
Today we cycle a large part of the day along the northern foothills of the Thuringian Forest. We reach the highest point of the tour in Crawinkel with about 500 meters of altitude. We cycle through the Jonastal to Arnstädt, the oldest city in Thuringia. Finally, we meet the Domplatz in Erfurt, before we reach the finish line of the tour at the tour hotel, the starting point of the tour.
Track 2 turns from Sattelstädt into the Thuringian Forest and shortly afterwards reaches the Inselberg, which can be seen from afar, with its steep inclines. After a rapid descent, there is a long uphill climb to Oberhof with its numerous winter sports facilities. Both tracks unite in Crawinkel for the onward journey to the tour destination in Erfurt.

Route character: very hilly (track 1), mountainous (track 2)

Date Route Track Distanc Climb
August 6, 2021 Erfurt - Nebra 1
2
116 km
146 km
510 m
1080 m
August 7, 2021 Nebra - Mühlhausen 1
2
113 km
136 km
430 m
860 m
August 8, 2021 Mühlhausen - Eisenach 1
2
105 km
107 km
640 m
940 m
August 9, 2021 Eisenach - Erfurt 1
2
99 km
132 km
440 m
1580 m

The tracks of the different stages differ in general regarding their length and the climb as well as the surface.

Track 1

Recommended for all kinds of bikes including road bikes. Only paved roads on the track, if there is a need to use some (short) gravel sections, these are possible to cycle even with road bikes. If possible the track follows cycling paths.
Shorter and less challenging than track 2.

Track 2

Recommended in particular for road bikes, but possible for all kinds of bikes. Only paved roads on the track, if there is a need to use some (short) gravel sections, these are possible to cycle even with road bikes. If possible the track follows cycling paths.
The distance is longer and more climb than on track 1.

Venues

Day 1 (Tour start)

Erfurt
Hotel Carat****

Optional accommodation at the 4* tour hotel in Erfurt. The tour starts at this hotel on Friday morning.

Erfurt
Erfurt

Day 1

Nebra
Hotel Schloss Nebra***

We spend the night in a beautiful hotel in the vicinity of river Unstrut and the castle ruins of Nebra. A sauna and various massages invite you to a relaxing end to the day.

In the evening we offer a dinner, that is included in the participation fee.

Nebra
Nebra
Nebra

Day 2

Mühlhausen
Hotel Stadt Mühlhausen***

A modern hotel with a wide range of sports facilities accommodates us on this day.

Mühlhausen
Mühlhausen
Mühlhausen

Day 3

Eisenach
Hotel Eisenacher Hof****

At the foot of the Wartburg, the Lutherhotel Eisenacher Hof spoils us after an eventful day of cycling. We will enjoy a 'Lutherschmaus' with medieval dishes and drinks and a stylish drama that night (included in participation fee).

Eisenach
Eisenach
Teams

Each GBI participant cycles in a team, guided by an experienced teamleader. Teamsize is limited to ten riders maximum because of legal requirements.

You can choose a team, which fits best to your experience, your objectives and your preferred track.

Find your team

TEAM Dolce Vita
Manfred Götz
Track 1 (19 km/h)
Languages: German, English

Der Team-Name ist Programm. Wir fahren keinen Wettkampf, sondern wollen die Tour geniessen. Es geht morgens zeitig los und wir nutzen den Tag in seiner vollen Länge. Eine ausgedehnte Mittagspause (Dolce Vita) ist fester Bestandteil der Tages.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The team name is programme. We are not competing, but want to enjoy the tour. We will start early in the morning and using the whole day for the stage. An extended lunch break (dolce vita) is essential part of the stage.

OPEN TEAM
TEAM GBI Orga
Michael Leuenberger
Language: German, English

This team can only be chosen by invitation and is used for admin purposes.

CLOSED TEAM
TEAM Radfreunde
Dirk Josten
Track 1 (23 km/h)
Languages: German, English

OPEN TEAM
TEAM Trans Thueringia
Rolf Gutsell
Track 2 (25 km/h)
Languages: German, English

Sportliche Tour mit kulturellen, kullinarischen und landschaftlichen Erlebnissen.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sporty tour with cultural, culinary and scenic experiences.
TEAM Wartburg
Patrick Brüggemann
Track 1 (22 km/h)
Languages: German, English

OPEN TEAM

There is no appropriate team for you?

You can set up your own team and define, which track you want to cycle, the average speed as well as an appropriate team name.

Write an e-mail to support@gbi-event.org.

Downloads

The GPX files are now available per day and track.

After uploading them to your GPS device the name convention is as follows: GBI DE 21 [day, e.g. D1] [track, e.g. T1] [optional: part, e.g. part 1]

Important hints on the route (waypoints) are all contained in a separate file (Waypoints complete final.gpx). Make sure that you download this file, too!

If you are not experienced in uploading GPX tracks on your device, please check your user manual. Please avoid to ask the support team for technical issues regarding your device or app, as you might know, close to the tour we have very limited time and a lot to do.

You should check prior to the tourstart whether the download has worked properly and the tracks as well as the waypoints are displayed correctly on your GPS device! And make sure that you have the right maps of the Alps region installed on your device.

Important update 30.7.21

The GPX file of day 2 track has been updated!

Please download the updated file (GBI Deutschland 2021 Day 2 Track 2_WP final2) and delete the previous file from your navigation device!

GPX Tracks

  • GBI Deutschland 2021 D1 T1_WP final2.gpx (296.8 KiB)
  • GBI Deutschland 2021 D1 T2_WP final2.gpx (361.9 KiB)
  • GBI Deutschland 2021 D2 T1_WP final.gpx (227.2 KiB)
  • GBI Deutschland 2021 D2 T2_WP final2.gpx (390.2 KiB)
  • GBI Deutschland 2021 D3 T1_WP final.gpx (221.2 KiB)
  • GBI Deutschland 2021 D3 T2_WP final.gpx (238.6 KiB)
  • GBI Deutschland 2021 D4 T1_WP final2.gpx (267.5 KiB)
  • GBI Deutschland 2021 D4 T2_WP final2.gpx (381.0 KiB)
Schedule

 All dates and times are provisional! We will announce changes in due time.

Date Location Time Activity
August 5, 2021 Hotel Carat, Erfurt
Herrschaft's Gaststätte & Catering, Erfurt
during the day
19:30
Individual arrival to the GBI hotel (if you have booked the pre-night)
pre-night dinner (optional)
Day 1
August 6, 2021
Lok Erfurt Stadion parking, Erfurt
Hotel Schloss Nebra, Nebra
10:00
19:00
Official tour start
Included dinner (half board)
Day 2
August 7, 2021
Hotel Schloss Nebra, Nebra 8:00-9:00 Individual start of the teams
Day 3
August 8, 2021
Hotel Stadt Mühlhausen, Mühlhausen
Hotel Eisenacher Hof, Eisenach
8:00-9:00
19:00
Individual start of the teams
Lutherschmaus (included dinner)
Day 4
August 9, 2021
Hotel Eisenacher Hof, Eisenach
Lok Erfurt Stadion parking, Erfurt
8:00-9:00
afternoon
Individual start of the teams
Arrival at tour finish, individual departure
Sponsors

A GBI would not be possible without the strong support of our sponsors! A great thank you to those, who make this event happen!

partner
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DE-41564 Kaarst

info@gbi-event.org

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