The routes are still in the planning stage. Distances, elevation gains, and route layouts provided below reflect the current planning status and may change over time. After the onsite route inspection, the final GPX tracks will be made available in the participants' GBI profile.
Itinerary
Day 1: Prague – Usti nad Ladem
The adventure begins! In front of the tour hotel in Prague, the Tour Director gives the traditional farewell to up to 400 riders — all full of excitement, anticipation, and maybe a bit of respect what will happen the next days. After just a few kilometers, we reach the banks of the Vltava River and gently follow its shimmering waters out for a while. The stage is now changing between gently rolling waves and flat sections. At Roudnice nad Labem we meet the Elbe river and from now to the end of the stage the river will always be with us closely. Terezín is an interesting city on our way. The ancient fortified city is know for its important memorial of the second world war. Once we left Litomerice behind, the scenery is changing significantly, as we now cross České středohoří with its picturesque volcanic hills, green valleys and spectacular outlooks.
Track 2 will do two detours from the regular track today. Soon after the tour start, at Kralup nad Vltavou, we will cying in a loop to the west and meet track 1 at Roudnice. Later the day, a second detour will lead us deep into the hills of České středohoří with some great view to the Bohemian Basin.
Route profile: hilly – a perfect warm-up day
Day 2: Usti nad Ladem – Limbach-Oberfrohna
The second day starts impressive. The first 23 km we cycle along the foothils of the Ore Mountains. At Hrob we will turn into the mountains and we have to climb 500 m up for the next 9 kilometers. On the following descent we cross the Czech-German border and pedal easily through the nice Mulden Valley to the village of Mulda. We are now in the southern part of Saxony and cycle through culture landscapes and before we reach Chemnitz, the former cultural capital of Europe (2025) we have to climb two more hills of about 150 m. From here it is not far to our first GBI camp in Limbach-Oberfrohna, where we will be welcomed with applause and cooled drinks.
Instead of rolling along the foothils, Track 2 directly turn into the mountains. At Mikulov both tracks unite and follow the same route for the rest of the day.
Route profile: mountainous – the queens stage
Day 3: Limbach-Oberfrohna – Apolda
Today we enjoy the gentle hills of southern Saxony and Thuringia. After leaving Ronneburg we cross the large area of the National Garden Exhibition 2021 (Bundesgartenschau). The nearby city of Gera makes a great spot for a coffee break before we continue through the beautiful Thuringian countryside. From Hartmannsdorf we cycle for 30 km on a perfectly paved old railroad track, that is now reused as a cycling path. After crossing the Lache River, we head up the day’s final climb, before reaching the charming town of Apolda, where the camp is already waiting for us.
Track 2 heads off the main route southward near Gera. Here, riders will encounter several promising hills as well as some fairly sparsely populated areas before merging with Track 1 east of Jena.
Route profile: hilly – a steady up and down
Day 4: Apolda – Leinefelde
This stage leads us across Thuringia from east to west, through a quiet cultural landscape dotted with small villages and farmland. The day begins with some rolling hills, then flattens out nicely as we ride through peaceful rural scenery. From Sömmerda, we’ll follow the course of the Unstrut River for a while. In the second half of the day, the terrain becomes a bit hillier with more elevation gain before we reach the stage finish in Leinefelde.
After the nutrition point, Track 2 will turn north and cross the Thuringian Plateau with some more hills before reaching the camp.
Route profile: hilly – a day to enjoy
Day 5: Leinefelde – Volkmarsen
Today is the day of the river cycling routes. We set off on the Leine Cycle Path and, after a short ride, come to the idyllic spa town of Heiligenstadt, and crossing the border into Lower Saxony shortly afterwards. Behind Arenshausen, we leave the Leine and it’s just a short stretch across country before we reach the Werra River at Witzenhausen. We follow it for the rest of its course to Hann. Münden, where the Werra and Fulda rivers join to form the now called River Weser. For sure, the Weserstein, which marks this confluence, lies on todays route. We now follow the Fulda for a little while, but later the river romance comes to an end. The more strenuous second part of the stage lies ahead of us. The route now involves constant ups and downs, and we will be glad to reach our destination near Volkmarsen.
At Arenshausen, Track 2 initially continues along the Leine before heading into the Münden Nature Park just before Göttingen. The Hohe Hagen, at almost 500 metres, is the highlight of today’s stage, before we meet Track 1 at the Weserstein.
Route profile: hilly – nature at its best
Day 6: Volkmarsen – Hagen
The longest day of the tour! A real challenge – but of course not without support. From the nutrition point onwards, a shuttle bus offers a ride for all tired legs.
Shortly after the start, we reach the Sauerland region with its green hills. There are several long hills to conquer until we reach Brilon. Immediately from the start and behind Marsberg there are two gravel sections of each 3 km length. At Brilon we follow the River Möhne downstream and reach the Möhnesee, a beautiful reservoir with much touristic infrastructure like cafes or restaurants. We cross the reservoir on the dam and cycle through the woods to Arnsberg. Every now and then we meet small rivers, winding their way through the hills of the Sauerland. Our route takes us through Iserlohn and finally to Hagen. This is where we’ll spend our last night in the camp together - traditionally an emotional time, a bit bittersweet, but full of anticipation for the big finish.
Today’s Track 2 isn’t really any more challenging than Track 1. However, it avoids the gravel sections of Track 1 and is therefore a good choice if it’s rainy or for anyone who wants to have it safe and prefers to ride exclusively on asphalt.
Route profile: very hilly – an unforgettable day in the saddle
Day 7: Hagen – Düsseldorf
The closing stage is designed for pure enjoyment and emotion!
First, we cross the town of Hagen and follow the Ennepe river through the valley of the same name to Gevelsberg. From here, it is not far to Wuppertal, and we cycle along the Nordbahntrasse, a former railway track with probably much pedestrian or cycling traffic, and tunnels, that require front & rear lights today (!!), through almost the entire city. Now it gets a little hilly again before we reach the Neandertal – a name that everyone knows, but many have probably never travelled through. The small river Düssel leads us toward the city that bears its name. Rolling into Düsseldorf and crossing the city from east to west as one big charity peloton is always a goosebump moment.
Track 2 leaves the regular track for a final time behind Hagen and detours deep into the hills before joining Track 1 in Wuppertal.
At the Vodafone Campus, a particularly special celebration awaits us this year: live music, great food & drinks, family, friends, colleagues — and distinguished guests including the CEO of Vodafone Germany and the Mayor of Düsseldorf.
For the first time in many years, GBI returns to its roots — so expect an unforgettable finale and a unique atmosphere long into the evening.
Route profile: gently rolling – the perfect finish
Track 1
Recommended for all kinds of bikes including road bikes. Only paved roads on the track. If short sections of the track are not paved, it will be no problem to cycle there even with thin roadbike tires.
Shorter and less challenging than track 2.
Track 2
Recommended in particular for road bikes, as the distance is longer and more climbs than on track 1. If short sections of the track are not paved, it will be no problem to cycle there even with thin roadbike tires.
