GBI Deutschland 2023

This time on our GBI Deutschland tour we are discovering the Franconian part of Bavaria. We cycle through the (lovely) Tauber valley and the (at least as lovely) Altmühl valley and end after a detour on the Danube in the World Heritage city of Regensburg.

'Grias di' to the first GBI tour in Franconia!

4. - 8. September 2023

General information

Through the lovely Tauber Valley and in the Altmühl Valley we discover the Franconian region in a very unique way. We visit great cities such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Kelheim or Regensburg, take a relaxed ride along rivers and rest in cozy beer gardens.

Tour highlights

- Fall in love with the Tauber and Altmühl valleys

- Discover the medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber

- Enjoy Franconian cuisine & centuries-old brewing traditions

- Accompany the Danube on its way

- Marvel at the World Heritage Regensburg

This cycling tour is intended for everyone and is ideal for couples who want to travel together but have different ambitions and performance level. In the river valleys, the climbs are really manageable, even if at the end of the day there are still some meters in altitude. The more demanding track 2 detours to the Franconian mountain ranges, so that even more ambitious participants will get their money's worth. Look forward to a few days off 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.

Oliver Harzen

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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

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

Route overview

Date	Route	Track	Distanc	Climb
4.9.2023	Wertheim - Rothenburg o.d. Tauber	1 2	99 km 137 km	900 m 1370 m
5.9.2023	Rothenburg o.d. Tauber - Weissenburg	1 2	105 km 150 km	510 m 1120 m
6.9.2023	Weissenburg - Beilngries	1 2	96 km 134 km	750 m 1390 m
7.9.2023	Beilngries - Regensburg	1 2	78 km 89 km	390 m 730 m
4.9. - 7.9.2023	Wertheim - Regensburg	1 2	378 km 511 km	2560 m 4610 m

Itinerary

Day 1: Wertheim - Rothenburg ob der Tauber
After the official welcome and tour briefing, the teams start their tour near the mouth of the Tauber river. We follow the Tauber upstream all day. First we follow the narrow Tauber loops with a few small hills to Gamburg. It now continues via Tauberbischofsheim to Bad Mergentheim, mostly straight ahead and without any major challenges. Now the Tauber winds its way a little harder through the valley and after passing Weikersheim and Creglingen we soon reach our stage destination in the lovely town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. In order to reach the medieval town towering high above the river, we have to push the pedals hard to climb 100 meters up.
Track 2 detours at Königshofen from the river and soon we reach height at the Franconian hills. In Ochsenfurt we meet the river Main and at Marktbreit we say goodbye to the river again and climb to the hills again with some challenging ups and downs. Shortly before Rothenburg we meet track 1 again.
Route character: wavy (Track1), very wavy (Track 2)

Day 2: Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Weissenburg
In Rothenburg we leave the Tauber Cycle Path and follow the Altmühl on its way from now on. But first we will visit the source of the Altmühl at the Hornauer Weiher. Now it tends to go permanently downstream, but always with small hills that we have to cross. Parts of the route are directly at the river and sometimes we cycle a little off the water. In the upper reaches of the Altmühl, the valley character is not as noticeable as in the following days. We pass Colmberg with a beautiful hilltop castle that rewards a detour with a great view. We meet several nice places such as Leutershausen or Ornbau with beautiful historic town centers, and where the decision to take a break is always worth a thought. After we have passed the large lake Altmühl and Gunzenhausen, we leave the river and have to climb some more meters of altitude before we reach our hotel in Weissenburg.
Shortly after we left the Hornauer Weiher track 2 descents rapidly to Burgbernheim and behind the village we climb up 170 m again. Some more challenging hills are waiting for us and after crossing the city of Ansbach we meet track 1 again.
Route character: wavy (Track1), very wavy (Track 2)

Day 3: Weissenburg - Beilngries
When we meet the Altmühl in Treuchtlingen, the most impressive part of the Altmühl valley is laying in front of us. The sides of the valley come closer and closer, often with a castle on the top. After crossing Solnhofen we meet the 12 apostles, bizarre rock formations along the valley wall. Also today we pass by many beer gardens that want to keep us from cycling. Home-brewed beer is often served in the restaurants and Franconian cuisine. Eichstätt in the middle of the stage is a good spot for a lunch break. Following the curvy valley with nice villages we finally reach the vivid city of Beilngries with our comfortable hotel with wellness and pool.
Track 2 detours in Eichstätt to the Franconian heights and has to climb 150 m directly after leaving the river. There are three more tough climbs and along with it demanding descents on our way. Thalmässing offers a good opportunity for a break before we meet track 1 again in Kipfenberg.
Route character: wavy (Track1), very wavy (Track 2)

Day 4: Beilngries - Regensburg
On the last day of cycling we can enjoy the last impressions of the Altmühl valley. The old Ludwig-Danube-Main-Canal accompanies us partially. before we meet the Danube in Kehlheim. The Liberation Hall, built high above the city, is a beautiful photo motif and with a challending detour up there you have a great view of the Danube valley. From now on we are cycling along the Danube river to Regensburg. The tour finish is not far from the impressive historic city center, a famous world heritage.
A short detour from Riedenburg bring us on track 2 to the surrounding hills. With up to 10% the climb is quite challenging, but rewarded with great views into the Altmühl valley. The (last) climb in Kehlheim is up to the Befreiungshalle high above the city before we continue on track 1 to our final tour destination.
Route character: flat (Track 1), wavy (Track 2)

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)

Wertheim

Hotel Wertheimer Stuben, Wertheim

Optional accommodation at a family-run hotel in Wertheim directly on the Tauber. The tour starts near the hotel.

Day 1

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Hotel Rappen, Rothenburg ***

We spend the night in a beautiful hotel very close to the historic city center. In the evening we enjoy half-board with a 3-course menu.

Day 2

Weissenburg

Hotel Wittelsbacher Hof

This cozy hotel in the city center of Weissenburg hosts our group on this day. In the evening we strengthen ourselves with a 3-course menu.

Day 3

Beilngries

Hotel Die Gams****, Beilngries

The family-run 4* hotel offers everything your heart desires. In addition to a 4-course evening menu, the hotel offers its own neighboring spa house with pool, sauna and fitness room (charged).

Day 4

Regensburg

Hotel Avia****, Regensburg

At the end of the tour we spend the night in a family-run 4* hotel not far from the world heritage city center. In the evening we enjoy the 3-course menu and will celebrate the tour afterwards at the hotel bar.

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 Bergwertung

Peter Nassauer

Track 2 (24 km/h)

Languages: German, English

In this team we are cycling mainly for sports & fun. We jointly agree on the number & duration of stops and when to start the day.
I am cycling with a road bike and already finished three GBI tours.

OPEN TEAM

TEAM GBI Orga

Michael Leuenberger

TEAM Ich schwanke noch

Michael Lenk

Language: German, English

Wir fahren sportlich und haben viel Spaß.
Jeden Tag entscheiden wir individuell, ob wir Track 1 oder Track 2 folgen. Die Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeit sollte etwa 24 km/h sein.

OPEN TEAM

TEAM Valley lovers

Alexander Schade

Track 1 (21 km/h)

Team with moderate speed on the easier track 1.
Few stops per day depending on the participants.

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.