The downhill route from Magglingen to Biel is a classic in the Swiss downhill scene. Recently, however, the fun has come to an end in winter: although the route is still passable, the cable car operators are refusing bikers access to the funicular. The reason given is the heavy soiling of the track in winter.

The local downhillers are not happy about this - in contrast to a "traditional" funicular user. He seems to like the winter closure very much. In a letter to the editor of the Bieler Tagblatt, he takes obvious glee in the fact that the downhill riders now have to pedal up to Magglingen under their own steam. "You can bet that the comfortable downhill pirates will run out of breath before they reach Leubringen and have to capitulate and give up." The mountain bikers won't let that sit on their heads.

"Bet" accepted!

Serge Rau, the operations manager of the Biel downhill trail "BielTrail", reacted in a sporting manner to the provocative letter to the editor and challenged the author to a duel on Facebook: "Dear Jost Rindlisbacher from Biel (letter to the editor in the Bieler Tagblatt). The manager of the BielTrail hereby invites you to the Biel-Magglingen mountain race and right back down again - anyone can do that :-). Whether racing bike, XC bike - it doesn't matter. We are looking forward to an amusing race!"

With his invitation to the mountain race, Rau, who is deeply rooted in the downhill scene, demonstrates a great sense of humor. Now it remains to be seen whether the eloquent Mr. Rindlisbacher will back up his words with deeds. If the duel does not materialize, Rau will still consider holding the "mountain race". After all, the downhill riders, many of whom are well-trained, are not prepared to accept such a claim and are ready to prove otherwise - with or without "competition".

The "bone" of contention