Thomas Giger

Portrait Thomas Giger

Function

Managing Director

Thomas Giger founded Swiss Sports Publishing GmbH (later Ride MTB GmbH) in 2001 to give the "Singletrail Maps" he had launched a professional structure. One year after founding the company, he takes over the magazine "Move" and later renames it "Ride". Singletrail Maps and the magazine still form the foundation of the company today. Giger is one of the co-founders of the three most important mountain bike events in Switzerland: the Bike Days in Solothurn, testRIDE in Lenzerheide and the Ride Mountain Bike Congress.

Activities

Founder and publisher of the mountain bike magazine Ride

Founder and publisher of the mountain bike maps Ride Trail Map

Author of the Ride Trail Books

Various appearances in the media, at congresses and in panel discussions on the subject of mountain biking

Active as a trained mountain bike guide (level 2), active as a guide since 1994

Founder of the Herbert.bike project

Achievements

2000: Launch of the Singletrail Maps

2002: Takeover of Move magazine, then continued under the Ride brand

2004: Founding member of Bike Days

2006: Founding member of testRIDE in Lenzerheide

2008: Development of the mountain bike concept for Davos Klosters

2013: Founding member of the Ride Mountain Bike Congress in Chur

2014: Publication of the book "Perspectives on mountain bike tourism

2016: Launch of the Herbert.bike project

2016: Relaunch of Ride.ch and launch of the tour database

2017: Realization of the web map of the Singletrail Map

2019: Award from Ride for the best trade magazine in Switzerland

2021: Ride receives the "European Publishing Award

2024: Ride print magazine relaunch with new cover and icon

Contact

giger@ride-mtb.com

ride-mtb.com/blog/giger

Facebook

Instagram

Content created by Thomas Giger

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Prättigauer Höhenweg - offizielle Route

The Prättigauer Höhenweg is probably the most attractive MTB route in the Prättigau. In this official version, the first part up to Grüsch Älpli is great. Then, unfortunately, the entire descent rides along gravel roads.

Alp Clünas Extended

The route over Alp Clünas is one of the great trail classics in Scuol. In this version, the well-known route into Val Tasna is extended and supplemented with the chairlift ascent in Ftan.

Rob Warner enters the music business as a rapper

Rob Warner swaps his headset for a microphone and makes his rap debut in New York as "Lil Rob". Between bike culture, hip-hop and self-irony, the cult commentator shows that flow doesn't just work downhill.

Prättigauer Höhenweg

The Prättigauer Höhenweg is one of the most beautiful routes in the Prättigau and is strongly reminiscent of the Dolomites. In this original version, the route rides along the entire Rätikon.

Are exoskeletons heralding the end of e-bikes?

Exoskeletons are currently attracting a lot of attention - and now they even want to make the classic hub motor of an e-bike superfluous. The manufacturer Hypershell claims to transfer up to 1000 watts of power directly to the thighs using a hip motor.

Ride has also increased in 2025: These are the annual trail statistics.

Ride takes stock of the year 2025 in a nutshell: over one million hits on the tour database, 226 newly researched tours and 34,000 kilometers added to the Ride Trail Map. Here are the Insides for the past year.

Alternatives are now required: for example the Walensee tour

The Alps are in the middle of winter, but there's no snow in sight. Instead, first-class biking conditions prevail in many places. Even on tours that are usually only ridden in summer. For example, the Laubegg route high above Lake Walen. Here is video proof that there are currently alternatives to skiing.

Liguria asks mountain bikers to pay

What until now has been more of a theoretical nightmare scenario for the mountain bike scene will soon become reality in places like Finale: from 2026, mountain bikers in Liguria will have to buy an access ticket for trails as a contribution to financing trail maintenance. Particularly controversial: only out-of-town bikers are affected, while hikers and locals are not.

Concrete is great - says a mountain biker...

With "Damn Big Dams", Scottish mountain biker Kriss Kyle provides an impressive example of how extreme sport, architecture and storytelling can be combined. He moves at dizzying heights along massive dams and uses the concrete as a playing field for precise lines, jumps and controlled maneuvers.

These are the 2026 dates for the Ride Camps

Ride is known for its extensive print reports and large tour database. But the ride makers also take to the trails in person at the ride camps. They start in Barcelona in March, followed by numerous camps in the Alps and the Finalissima in Genoa in October.

Winter can kiss our ass: bike park in Chur opens on December 20

The Alpenbikepark in Chur is (involuntarily) giving mountain bikers a little Christmas present and opening the bike trails before the holidays. The reason is the significant lack of snow and the first-class biking conditions.

Deleting is not a solution! That's why there are also illegal tours at Ride

Should routes closed to mountain bikers be published? This is a question that Ride MTB has been asking for twenty years. The delete button has no effect in the age of the internet, says Thomas Giger in his blog. Transparent communication of the ban is much more effective. That's why illegal routes remain online at Ride.

Here comes the first bike with magnetic suspension

The inventor Colin Furze is no stranger to mountain biking and has repeatedly made a name for himself with witty inventions. His latest: a magnetic suspension. Nonsense engineering at the highest level of entertainment!

Netflix buys the MTB World Cup

Netflix has bought the Hollywood giant Warner Bros. Discovery, whose portfolio also includes the MTB World Cup, for 83 billion dollars. However, the impact on mountain biking is still uncertain.

No more money: Bad Wildbad is on the brink of collapse

The northern Black Forest is rumbling: the company operating the Bad Wildbad bike park is closing its doors at the end of the year due to financial problems. The park could not be operated profitably. Its future is currently uncertain.

The Gravity Card gets a new generation

The Gravity Card is the most extensive mountain lift ticket in Europe. It gives you free access to 32 bike parks. To 2026 with two new additions: the Wexl-Trails (A) and the Val di Sole Bikepark (I).

These hoteliers have oil in their blood and wax on their hands

The ski season is in sight and many snow sports resorts have already opened for business. Ideally, mountain bikers who are switching to bikes for the next few months should also stay in hotels that have a heart for cyclists in winter. Ride shows which hotels are particularly worthwhile.

Ride is getting fatter and fatter: The Trail Map has increased by 15 percent

The digital Ride Trail Map is at the heart of Ride. The route network is constantly being updated and expanded, with 31,000 kilometers added in 2025. There was a strong focus on the French Alps. Madeira is also a new addition.

Is Mount Etna the next big trail hype?

As soon as the Bayrische Rundfunk radio station published its MTB report on Mount Etna, MTB Mag followed up with a video production of the Sicilian volcano. It seems that the mountain is the next big thing among mountain bikers.

Ride double with Western Alps Trail after

Back in summer 2025, Ride added numerous routes in the French High Alps to its tour database. In November, a further 18 highlights were added to the Southern Western Alps.

Ride loses its most influential subscriber

Since November 6, Ride has had one less special subscriber. Walter Giger passed away after a short illness. The father of editor Thomas Giger was more important to Ride than he realized during his lifetime. A very special obituary for a very special person.

Monte Generoso Nordseite

Mountain bikers know Monte Generoso from the classic route down into the Valle di Muggio. If you prefer something steeper and a little wilder, take the path through the north side of Generoso with direct access to Lake Lugano.

Col de Furfande

The Col de Furfande south of the Col d'Izoard is one of the great and flowing trail tours in the Queyras, where you don't have to be a filigree technician for great trail fun

Grand Sassière – Finale Ligure (Matthew Fairbrother)

The ultimate kick: from 3750 meters to the sea in 300 kilometers

The Aiguille de la Grand Sassière is considered the highest point in the Alps that can be reached on a mountain bike. Now the young New Zealander Matthew Fairbrother has ridden from the summit to Finale in one day. From ice to sand, so to speak. 15 hours in one go, 300 kilometers and 6000 Elevation loss. Respect!

Col de l'Oule

The Col de l'Oule leads from Briançon down into the Vallée de la Clarée and, unlike the many super-fluid trails in the region, is a great technical riding challenge in an Alaska-like environment for once.

Monte Pelvo - Col du Longet

Normally, you reach Monte Pelvo (Caramantran) from Col Agnel, which involves several push sections. However, if you approach the summit from Saint-Véran, as in this version, you can do this largely by riding. Especially if you are on an e-mountain bike.

Sorebois-Trails

The Corne de Sorebois lies at the very back of the Val d'Anniviers and is accessible by cable car from Zinal and Grimentz. The best thing about it is that great MTB trails ride down into the valley in all directions.

MTB manufacturers have lost their grip on the ground

The mountain bike industry is in crisis. Not just because of the overcrowded camps. It has lost its way and lost its compass, according to guest commentator Marco Toniolo.

How gravel sport wanders around the terrain

Gravel is on everyone's lips. And many mountain bikers are surprised to see new faces suddenly appearing on their trails: Hipsters on racing handlebars, usually in a good mood - and just as often pushing. Bike editor Dimitri Lehner has picked up on this trend in a trenchant column.

Col Fromage – Gorges du Guil

The Col Fromage offers a top tour in the Queyras region with its long northern descent into the Gorges du Guil.

Col Fromage Supertour

The Col Fromage is one of the hottest MTB tips in the Queyras. In this version, it is part of a superlative trail circuit including a descent into the Gorges du Guil.

Mont Brunet

Mont Brunet lies high above Ceillac in the Queyras. The tour impresses with an almost 100 percent single trail section. Even the ascent rides along trails. The route is an unexpected highlight of the region.

Petit Col des Encombres

The Petit Col des Encombres connects the Maurienne region with Val Thorens and provides great MTB terrain with lots of very varied trails, especially on the south side.

Verletzter Fabien Barel im Krankenhaus (November 2025)

Multiple vertebral fractures: Fabien Barel has now also been hit

The gravity scene is currently experiencing a black November of injuries. After Adolf Silva suffered serious back injuries at the Rampage, former world champion Fabien Barel has now also been hit. Diagnosis: several fractured vertebrae, severe head trauma and numerous bruises.

Mont Froid

Mont Froid is located between Mont Cenis and the Maurienne region. The route offers a great and long singletrail descent against a magnificent natural backdrop.

This is the video proof: The descent from Mount Etna belongs in the Champions League

The volcano Etna is the all-dominant local mountain of Sicily. And it is also frequently ridden by mountain bike. The descent is one of the most extraordinary in Europe. An impressive documentary film has now been made to match.

Has Graubünden missed the trail?

Graubünden was once the high-flyer and pioneer in mountain biking. "Carbon instead of fitness" and then from 2009 the big hit with graubündenBike. But now this MTB draught horse is lame: there is a lack of direction because people have been patting themselves on the back for too long and too often.

Nassereither Alm Südabfahrt

The trail density around Nassereith is high and offers a variety of diverse descents. A particularly rewarding route for technically experienced riders is the beautifully scenic southern variant of the Nassereither Alm.

Revier Mountain Lodge Lenzerheide im Sommer

All you can sleep: Das Revier launches hotel flat rate

The Revier-Hotel in Lenzerheide is one of the best-known mountain bike hotels in Switzerland. From its base in Lenzerheide, the hotel group is now expanding across the Alps and is considered a pioneer in the industry. They are now offering a hotel flat rate: an annual price with unlimited overnight stays.

Really now? Here comes the motorized sneaker.

People are motorizing their lives. The e-bike was just the beginning. It was followed by the electrified hiking pants and the ascent aid on ski tours. Now comes the next step: the motorized running shoe.

Ride delivers an Eastern Alps offensive in October

The tour database was expanded in October to include numerous new singletrail routes in the Eastern Alps. These include many routes in Friuli and Austria. A total of 48 newly researched tours were added in October 2025.

Grieskogeljoch – Muttenjoch

The Muttenjoch is a trail classic in Paznaun. In this version, it is combined with the Grieskogeljoch. The result: a full enduro tour in a unique setting.

Tafamunt

A great, flowing single trail is hidden at the very back of the Montafon. There are a lot of hikers here during the vacation season, but off-season at off-peak times, the trail offers a great trail experience

Pezinerspitze

The Pezinerspitze is located at the entrance to the Paznaun valley and impresses with a varied descent and a great panoramic view from the summit.

Ischgl Iron Bike

The Ischgl Ironbike Marathon is a classic among the race courses in the Alps. The tough course provides an insight into the region of Ischgl, even if the trail part of such race courses is usually rather manageable.

Berglisee

The Berglisee is a small, cold bathing lake high in Paznaun. For mountain bikers, it is attractive for all those who like steep trail descents.

Frischknecht looks back on the doping era in tears

As part of the sports series "Champion of Champions", several former top athletes show their personal side. These include Thomas Frischknecht, who looks back in tears on the doping-contaminated era of cycling.

Race Back Home: Here comes the full emotional charge

Home game with goosebumps guaranteed: in Crans-Montana, the Thömus maxon team experiences the highlight of an intense season. The final episode of Race Back Home shows what happens when passion, pressure and love of home come together.

Where did the MTB sport take a wrong turn?

The sport of mountain biking is currently being shaken up. And not just the producers, who can't find their way out of the Covid party hangover. The sport is also in turmoil, as Maxi Dickerhoff analyzes in a readable and in-depth blog post.

It's busy here until the end of October

October is often one of the highlights of the MTB season. While the mountain railroads have already closed in France or Italy, the season lasts until the end of October, especially in Switzerland. Here are the shuttle tips for October.

Controversial gravel hype: what's your opinion?

In mid-September, Ride went on an excursion with the print magazine. A sensational excursion into the world of gravel bikes. The entire print issue N°99 is devoted exclusively to this topic. And now Ride would like to know from its readers what they think of this excursion.

This is the wet dream of engineering students

Luca Bühlmann (30), a Master's graduate from the FHNW School of Engineering and Environment, has fulfilled a dream: an enduro bike built with precision, passion - and a view to the future. Instead of carbon, he uses recyclable materials and the components come from a 3D printer.

Nino Schurter: Baby luck instead of a podium!

At the Lenzerheide World Cup, the sparrows were whistling from the rooftops and on closer inspection it was obvious: Nino Schurter's girlfriend Malene Degn is pregnant.

That was the Ride Partner Summit 2025!

Over 70 personalities from the bike industry, tourism and the media world came together at the Ride Partner Summit 2025 in Bern on September 18. The event at the "Turbo Lama" in Bern was all about networking and inspiration.

Here come the camper tanks in survival mode

Come what may! The camper vehicles from Motomuzi come from the wettest dreams of the survival scene. The crux: they are design studies. But with plenty of entertainment value!

I'm looking forward to the new freedom

Nino Schurter brought his great career to a brilliant end with the Lenzerheide World Cup. In a personal interview with Ride, the best mountain biker of all time talks about how he is doing, what he is looking forward to and how he sees the future.

Nino Schurter founds trail building company

The time of top athlete Nino Schurter ended with impressive farewell performances in Crans-Montana and Lenzerheide. Now it is becoming clear where his future lies: Together with two heavyweights from the Graubünden construction industry, he has founded the trail construction company GOATtrails AG.

I don't understand gravel racing. But I envy it.

Gravel sport is a mystery to many mountain bikers - gravel paths instead of epic trails, uniformity instead of individuality. In his blog post, Thomas Giger takes the new sport apart, recognizing in it what the MTB sport is increasingly losing: the joy of life.

This is the gravel edition of Ride

Gravel is currently the megatrend in the cycling world. With the September issue (N°99), Ride ventures into this hybrid world of gravel and explains the sport of gravel from the perspective of mountain bikers.

Zieleinfahrt Nino Schurter WM 2018 in Lenzerheide

Schurter's debut in Lenzerheide on Sunday

The Lenzerheide World Cup on September 21 will be a very special show: it will be Nino Schurter's last major World Cup appearance. No one else has shaped the sport of mountain biking over the last two decades like him. Sunday's race is the opportunity to honor his cross-country career with an unprecedented crowd of spectators.

Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.

Thomas Giger | Ride MTB