Dear family and friends,
To become or stay the positive person you hopefully see in me, I regularly need to take a break and spend some as I call it “me time”. Away from my beloved family, friends and business I try to find my inner equilibrium, new inspiration and energy.
Its time again and so I am leaving on a personal journey with a clear destination but unknown outcome. I am on my way to the holy city Rome where I will participate at the ITALY DIVIDE, a non-supported, non-stop bikepacking race. The route is 936km long and leads through remote Italian backcountry but crosses the historical center of several beautiful cities as Siena, Florence, Verona and ends on the shore of lake Garda.
Beside some food stops, I will entirely rely on myself and be disconnected from all of you – not completely. You will be able to follow me on my journey via life tracker via the following link.
Click > here for live tracking
From experience I know, that your thoughts, encouragements and prays can energize me even if can not directly see them, so thanks in advance.
To save energy, I will go offline with my mobile, but hope to find some time and WIFI when I stop to post some impressions on Facebook.
Kind regards and hope to see you soon, Mark
Follow my bikepacking race adventure at the ITALY DIVIDE 2018
Departure in Rome, Italy is scheduled for Wednesday 25. April 2018 - 19:30 P.M.
In perfect conditions I plan to arrive in Torbole - Lake Garda after 4 - 5 days of self-supported more or less non-stop riding.
Click > here for live tracking
OSPA is a unique and nearly indestructible multipurpose-performance bike that requires only One Service Per Annum (1x yearly).
In an experiment that lasted the full year of 2017 (365 days) I rode the OSPA prototype without any mechanical support (except wear parts).
The full report of my experiences will be published in April 2018.
The OSPA and its core components
SQLab Innerbarends 411 - Review
I tested the SQLab Innerbarends 411 during entire 2017. I rode approx. 7000km and used them in very different conditions and versatile disciplines. From Cyclocross to XC races, from Bikepacking to 24h competitions and then countless commuting rides to work.
challenges 2018 for the OSPA bike and his rider
- approx. 6000 - 10'000 km on various soils (mud, sludge, rock, asphalt)
- participation in approx. 10 major bike events in various disciplines (MTB, cyclocross, bike marathon, etc.)
> learn more
This OSPA bike consists of selected components following the *SLCFE principle and will not be serviced for an entire year according the OSPA mission.
*Simple, Lean, Consistant, Fast, Economic
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”