Southern Germany and single trail riding are not normally mentioned in the same sentence. Now the Black Forest biking greats Markus Bauer and Simon Stiebjahn are adding a new, exciting component to the Singer Wäldercup in Titisee-Neustadt - the Trail Hero, a singletrail event for everyone. The premiere of the Trail Hero will take place on September 30th with the start and finish at the Hochfirst ski jump. This will give the event even more of an identity as an end-of-season weekend for the whole family in the Black Forest. The organizers from RSV Hochschwarzwald are not only showing themselves as innovative organizers with the single trail event.

Last year, the two organizers Simon Stiebjahn and Markus Bauer took a new approach as part of the Mountain Bike Bundesliga by offering a shortened cross-country race. Quite successfully. But the duo and their colleagues are still working on their event.

This year, the event on September 29 and 30 will be supplemented by a previously missing component, as Simon Stiebjahn, Chairman of the RSV, explains:
"Our aim was to integrate an event for everyone into the Singer Wäldercup and fortunately we quickly found a main sponsor for this in Mesa Parts".

Markus Bauer, a member of the board team, makes it clear that they want to do more than just establish the umpteenth marathon: "We want to create an event weekend that establishes itself internationally, a format that points to the future." And so the "Mesa Parts Trail Hero" is definitely different to what we have seen so far.

The race for everyone has been designed as a Sunday event. Starting and finishing at the Hochfirst ski jump, it rides over 32 kilometers and 1250 meters in altitude. The route can be completed once or twice, the decision can be made flexibly during the race shortly before the finish. Of the 32 kilometers, 19 consist of single trails around the Hochfirst. That's a number that makes bikers' hearts beat faster.

Because 60 percent singletrail is a unique feature for a marathon, at least in German-speaking countries, and therefore a distinguishing feature, the child was given the name Trail Hero.
"This sets us apart from other marathons," says Stiebjahn. "It's about enjoying trails in the Upper Black Forest."
The route is not too technically demanding, the trails "roll well and are fun", emphasizes Stiebjahn.

Photo hotspot and Rothaus Wheelie Challenge

The special features are not enough. Stiebjahn, Bauer and Co. have come up with even more special features. At the top of the Hochfirst there is a photo hotspot, as they call it. Participants can stop there briefly and have a photographer take a personal highlight photo with the Feldberg and Lake Titisee in the background.
Shortly before the finish, there is the "Rothaus Wheelie Challenge" at the end of the Hochfirst ski jump. Anyone who manages to ride on the back wheel for a certain distance will be rewarded with a six-pack of Rothaus Maidle beer.

"We thought about how we could give the event a special character," says Stiebjahn, explaining why she decided to include such extras. "And to create an innovative bike race," adds Bauer.
At the same time, these two features make it clear that the marathon is primarily aimed at amateur bikers. Although there will also be a licensed block, if only because the many people with a license in their own club RSV Hochschwarzwald do not want to be deprived of the fun, the marathon is primarily aimed at everyone.

The "Mesa Parts Trail Hero" will be limited to 600 starters in order to ensure quality and enjoyment without too much congestion on the many single trails.

This new facet complements the fourth edition of the Singer Wäldercup, alongside the Kids Cup on Saturday morning, the pro races on Saturday afternoon, party in the evening and a family-compatible weekend in the Upper Black Forest. There will also be more exhibitors on the event site this year. "We are trying to gradually expand the festival character," explains Bauer.

At the end of September, the professionals can relax and enjoy the "end of season" character of the Bundesliga final and celebrate a party on Saturday evening.
"The feedback last year was positive. I think we will have even more top riders at the start this year," Bauer is convinced.

www.waeldercup.com