Despite a weather forecast for cold and damp conditions, Timo Rokitta headed to East Germany to take part in a 300 km gravel event to finish off his gravel riding season in style. Want to find out how he got on, then read on…..

For my gravel season finale, I consciously chose a special long-distance event on German Unity Day which was located in East Germany. It was meant to be more than just a sporting challenge — it was an opportunity to combine athletic ambition with a historically significant date. The German Unity Day symbolises unity and overcoming boundaries, values that also shape the spirit of gravel endurance racing.

Choosing an event in East Germany was no coincidence: it was important to me to celebrate this occasion in a region that has long been overshadowed by major sports events. The route not only offered challenging sections but also passed through landscapes that vividly reflected the area's history and cultural transformation.

By chance, I stumbled upon the ultra500 Gravelride during the summer — an epic event covering over 500 kilometers around the state of Saxony. The shorter version, the ultra500 Sprint, with “only” 300 kilometers, also seemed tempting. Ultimately, only about 15 out of the original 30 registered participants showed up at the rainy start in Leipzig. The forecast of a chilly 10-12 degrees C and light rain deterred many. The variety of bikes ranged from classic gravel bikes with aerobars to massive monster MTBs — everything was there.

After a brief speech by organiser Mirko and a small round of snacks with energy bars and bananas, we started promptly at 9 a.m. in drizzly rain. The initial kilometers took us past Leipzig's football stadium, where a Champions League match between Leipzig and Juventus Turin had taken place the night before. The first part of the route led along fast tracks through the Leipzig Neuseenland, skirting the clear lakes of the region.

An unexpected obstacle awaited us in Langenleuba-Oberhain, where the track suddenly ended in the middle of a farmyard. The owner loudly informed us that the directions on komoot were incorrect. So, we had to turn around and improvise! After a short detour, we managed to get back on track.

Next, we passed through the charming town of Penig, picturesquely situated on the Zwickauer Mulde river. The historic old town, with its timber-framed houses and narrow alleys, dominated by the imposing Penig Castle, offered a brief break. I quickly snapped a picture of the waterfall from the bridge as the front of the group disappeared out of sight.

Beyond Penig, we encountered a slippery singletrack along the Zwickauer Mulde, followed by a notorious DDR-style concrete slab path before Burgstädt. Every bump reminded me, fortunately, that my dental fillings were still intact. After about one-third of the route, we finally reached Chemnitz, the former Karl-Marx-Stadt.

Here, the challenging part truly began: over bumpy forest paths and steep climbs, the route took us through towns like Flöha and Falkenau. In Oederan, a picturesque town on the northern edge of the Ore Mountains, I made a quick stop to dispose of some energy bar wrappers. Fittingly, right next to an old DDR-era concrete trash can — history all around! Another rider laughed and explained our route to a group of mushroom-picking locals. Their stunned expressions said it all.

Then it got really tough: steep climbs, deeply rutted forest tracks, and muddy trails forced us to push the bikes at times. Before reaching Dresden, we picked up the pace, speeding over gravel paths and perfectly maintained forest trails.

After a quick pit stop at a gas station on the outskirts of Dresden, where I refueled with some Coke and mounted my lights, I headed along the Elbe River back towards Leipzig. As night fell, heavy rain set in. At a bus stop, I put on my rain jacket and gritted my teeth — at that moment, I was seriously fed up.

A highlight was the view of the illuminated Albrechtsburg Castle in Meissen, majestically towering over the Elbe. The last climb took us over a lonely hilltop and through dark forests far away from civilization. I only encountered a few curious foxes crossing the path.

Finally, in Wurzen, the first lights of civilisation reappeared. Along the Mulde river, I quickly rode back to Leipzig, whose lights were already visible in the distance. Right at midnight, I arrived at the finish — exhausted but happy — after exactly 13 hours and 29 minutes of riding.

A worthy finale to my gravel season. But who knows, maybe it’s not over yet — with 200 kilometers of off-road action in the Netherlands at Drenthe200 planned in for December 29th... Stay tuned!

If you would like to follow in Timo’s tyre prints, you can find his route here: