BAB
A legend returns
Clouds of dust or mud, cracking bottom brackets and cobbled roads over shallow hills. The whole village at the side of the road, all cheering on riders with spare inner tubes around their torsos. Berlin-Angermünde-Berlin was one of those legendary early cycling classics. We want to revive it. As a challenge on asphalt, gravel, cobblestones and dirt roads. Alone or in a pack. From the metropolis through the Uckermark and back. A wild ride through the finest Steppenwolf territory. A homage to past heroes on two wheels over 150, 200 or 300 km.
The fall classic
Berlin-Angermünde-Berlin is the Steppenwolf in compact form: a day in the steppes of Brandenburg that challenges everyone. It’s a ride that you can do alone or as a pack, without outside support. Our ethos and code also apply here. The start is shortly after sunrise in Bernau (near Berlin). From there you follow the GPX track over medieval cobblestones, concrete slab paths from the GDR, fresh gravel and some classic hills in the Uckermark and on the edge of the Oderbruch. Berlin-Angermünde-Berlin is not a race, but a wild and supportive ride on historic paths. Which bike you take part with is entirely up to you. To finish, you have to reach the finish in Bernau before midnight.
#BAB24
After the historic return of Berlin-Angermünde-Berlin in November 2022, we are entering our third year in 2024. In addition to the 150 and 200 km tracks, we are also organizing a BAB300.
Be there on Saturday, October 12, 2024!
Classic history
Summer 1896: Germany’s first cycle race is born with “Rund um Berlin”. Less than 15 years later, another classic is created in the north: Berlin-Angermünde-Berlin. On steel steeds without gears or other bells and whistles and without external support, the riders race over the cobblestone tracks or the adjacent summer paths. The race through the Uckermark became a real classic, with the length varying between 150 km and 240 km between the years. In the GDR, it was one of the most important spring classics, with Polish and Cuban riders also taking part in the 60s. It was later renamed the Erich Schulz Memorial Race in honor of Erich Schulz, a well-known cyclist who died young in an accident. After the last event in 1990, the race was over for the time being – until 2022. However, we are not returning to the road with professionals – but unsupported on the cobbled paths, GDR slabs and gravel tracks of the steppe.
Route
From Börnicke on the outskirts of Berlin, the route heads directly towards the Uckermark on October 12, 2024. The first few kilometers are still flat and it rolls well on the first paved road sectors. The first cobbled sections with the maximum number of five stars await around Chorin Monastery. And some of them also lead uphill: the short but crisp cobblestone climbs “Col de Liepe”, Maienpfuhl or “Mur d’Oderberg” are in no way inferior to their Belgian counterparts. The historic turning point is in Angermünde on the market square. On the way back, the hardest sectors still lie ahead for the starters of the 200 km track. Several checkpoints await them to regain their strength. After the boat lift, the hardest part is over, but as darkness falls, the slab paths behind the Oderbruch become mentally challenging once again. Back at the old brewery in Börnicke, you can proudly say that you have completed a classic route that is tougher than Paris-Roubaix. Live music and delicious food await you in the brewery.
There are three options for the route: A 150 km version with a higher proportion of asphalt, a 200 km version with 60 km of cobblestones and the new 300 km version with 85 km of cobblestones. Which bike you choose is up to you. You will receive the exact track in the week before the start.
The BAB 300 km starts at midnight, BAB200 at 7 am and BAB150 at 8 am.
Registration
No matter what you are riding, no matter who you are: it is important to us to enable as many different people as possible to take part. That’s why registration for FLINTA* (women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans and agender people) started first. Two days later, it will be open to everyone. There is a maximum of 99 places per track, there is no waiting list.
So that you can ride with your friends, you can register as a pack. All pack members register individually and enter the same name for the pack. If you are drawn in the lottery, the whole pack will automatically be drawn.
Registration starts for FLINTA* on September 01 and for everyone on September 04. It ends on September 7 at midnight, when all places will be drawn.
The basis for participation is agreement to the ethos, code (see below) and the Steppenwolfconditions of participation.
To confirm your registration, we ask you for a contribution towards expenses: As a completely voluntary project without sponsors, we are dependent on this. As a guideline, 20-70 €, depending on your income. We need this to cover all our costs. We also collect money for projects of the climate justice movement.
All bikes are welcome.
If you have successfully registered, we will inform you by e-mail in the days following your registration.
Codex
1. everyone acts on their own responsibility at all times. You are responsible for your own liability during the BAB. The BAB is not a race. Show consideration for other road users.
2. the BAB is a different kind of tour: you can take part as a lone wolf or as a pack. You must carry everything you need with you or acquire it on the way. Planned help from the outside, e.g. from supervisors, is prohibited.
3. the entire route must be covered under your own power. Which bike you choose is up to you, but we recommend a gravel or mountain bike. If you leave the track, return at the same point.
4. if you see a wolf you are either very lucky or should take a break.
5. the Steppenwolf is a no-flight-ride, i.e. arrival or departure by airplane is prohibited. Try to travel as climate-neutral as possible. Together we create sustainable cycling.