8th Albstadt Biker Marathon
1850 circular knitting machines to be shipped in 2002. The affiliated PC-board producer STP had to file insolvency due to the drastic and continuous downturn of orders.
The participants rode an approx. 86 km long circular course around Albstadt at an altitude of about 1,600 metres. Along forest and wooded paths, as well as asphalted stretches, the participants experienced one of the most beautiful mountain bike courses in Germany. Due to the wet, cold weather conditions and plentiful rainfall, however, the route was also deep in mud in some spots. After only a short time it was difficult to tell most mountain bikers apart, as they became heavily soiled with mud and dirt along the way. Nevertheless &endash; this hardly dampened the spirit; on the contrary, it seemed to spur on the ambition to complete the course even more.
Apart from the many top and licence riders, this marathon is also a favourite meeting point for many hobby bikers who want to put their physical condition and strength of will to the test. But also many volunteers from the clubs were busy the whole day, helping to look after participants at the catering points or acting as course judges to ensure that things ran smoothly and fairly along the way.
The MTB team from Mayer & Cie. participated in both the men's class and the seniors. With only two drop-outs the team was able to hold its own very well. Even when the final placing in such a sport's event is only secondary, the team was justifiably very proud of some very good positions achieved in the main field.
Anyone who knows the course, especially in such weather conditions, and the level of exertion associated with it, will appreciate that all who crossed the finishing line deserve a round of applause. At the end high-pressure hoses were needed to free both the cyclists and their equipment from the mud!
Here's looking forward to a repeat in 2003!
[ Jul 24, 2002 ]
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The Mayer & Cie. MTB Team at the starting line.
Sales manager Oliver Scharf pedalling fast and powerful.
A member of the Mayer & Cie. MTB Team in the middle of the pack.
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