The Silk Road, the Atlas Mountains, and now 7,500 km from Norway to Portugal. What sounds like an adventure anthology is the daily reality for top gravel athlete and Unbound XL winner Sebastian Breuer. Whether it’s the euphoria of crossing a continent, the danger of being caught in a snowstorm, or the unexpected challenge of a broken handlebar along the way, Breuer’s rides are as much an emotional journey as they are a physical one. We caught up with this exceptional athlete to talk about the ups and the downs, the skills he has relied on, and the lessons he has learned along the way.
It’s cold, bitterly cold. -7 °C, to be precise. The smell of oil fills my nose; beyond that, I can’t feel much anymore. Just the rock-hard ground beneath my exhausted body. There’s nothing here in this open petrol station in the Atlas Mountains that offers warmth or life. What am I even doing here? Yet, the moment my eyes start to close, my mind floods with images of the staggering beauty I have seen on my journey: long, winding trails through rugged mountain ranges, desert landscapes, green oases. And incredibly friendly people. The aroma of delicious omelettes and tagine wafts back to me …
These reflections come from Sebastian’s experience in the Atlas Mountain Race; a 1,145 km bikepacking race through Morocco’s High Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountains, featuring 20,000 metres of ascent. What drives a full-time employee from the quiet German town of Bensheim to take on some of the most gruelling ultra-distance events around the world, competing against professionals and fellow ambitious amateurs? In bikepacking races, you’re always on your own. Alone, on a bike, carrying only the bare essentials, in a meticulously planned setup that leaves little margin for error.
Sebastian, an ex-radiologist, former Bundesliga cyclist, and previou European XCM champion, shared the story of his unique path into the gravel racing scene in our first conversation. But how does he balance the three-way stretch between elite sport, career, and personal life? We were curious to find out about the high and lows of an action-packed life, and see if there are any lessons to be learnt in our own lives.
Staying on-track
First things first: we want to know how Seb manages to juggle elite sport, his career, and his personal life. His answer is quick and straightforward: “It’s crucial to define your goals clearly and pursue them. And to learn from setbacks and get back up quickly.” An example from his MTB career: two weeks before the 2021 Mountain Bike Marathon European Championships, Seb learned from the German Cycling Federation that he wasn’t being selected after all. His big goal at the time, the European Championships, slipping away? No way! He fought for a wildcard, got organised, raced – and clinched the European title. Shortly after, he also won the German national title. His extraordinary determination and resilience are written all over his face – skills he’s relied on time and again.
The MTB marathon race scene soon became too monotonous for Seb, and he turned to long-distance gravel racing, which combines elite sport, freedom, and adventure. For him, it’s the perfect mix. But as Seb explains, it also demands serious commitment and a strong will. “Things don’t always go smoothly; you have to take action yourself and tackle uncomfortable situations.” It seems he is a man comfortable with leaving his comfort zone. Seb seems to view his life as a Venn diagram: one circle for sport, one for his personal life, and one for work. And in the overlap? Huge success, right? “No, it’s not quite that simple,” Seb laughs. “You have to be well-organised to make sure nothing falls by the wayside.” The 34 year old relies on a mixture of structure and flexibility, qualities that come naturally given his job at Schwalbe. Between testing, training camps, and consulting for pro cyclists and triathletes, he’s often on the road. Sometimes Seb trains on these trips too, but mostly he’s at home in the Odenwald, training in the cold and darkness either side of long days in the office.
You have to stay organised. I’ve adjusted my goals to focus on long adventure races that really excite me.
Meetings, calls, dog walks, cooking, training… His life is a balancing act which he’s fine-tuned over time. “I’ve adjusted my goals to focus on long adventure races that truly excite me. I’ve cut out races like the World Series – I want time for my wife, our coffee start-up, and some downtime.” Got it. Now, his programme includes fewer ultra-long adventure rides, but each with its own challenges: meticulous preparation, strategic planning, ticking off lists right the way up to the start line. Then, from the second the starting gun fires, it’s all about living in the moment, allowing yourself to learn from every experience – even the bad ones.
Highs and… damn deep lows
Seb’s first long-distance ride? “Back then, it wasn’t called bikepacking; it was just a cycling trip. After finishing school, I just set off from Krefeld and made my way to the North Sea, with nothing but a clean pair of underwear and a sawn-off toothbrush in my jersey pocket.” By 2019, he was packing a bit more for his first bikepacking rally from Turin to Nice, and he was hooked. The world, however, had other plans: due to Covid, the legendary Transcontinental Race (TCR) was postponed to 2022. Seb secured a spot. “I was so excited for the TCR, a self-supported race across Europe: 4,400 km from Belgium to Bulgaria. But before long, I was struggling to connect with it emotionally. Too much stress, poor organisation, and honestly, no fun. Early on, I just saw it as prep for Badlands.” Then came a tough blow during the TCR: “I started feeling knee pain, and tried to push through it. But the pain became unbearable.” After 1,914 km, Seb had to pull out. “Of course, it was gutting, and I’d have liked to finish. But Badlands was always the big picture. So I was able to shift my full focus there and work on tackling the knee issues.”
Health issues are nothing new for Seb. Even before the TCR, between riding The Traka in Girona and Unbound in the USA, he came down with Covid. “For a long time, my first trip to the States was up in the air. It was really tough, as it was meant to be a highlight.” Unbound in Kansas is a classic, considered the birthplace of gravel racing, where the whole town goes wild for the event. “I recovered just in time, and only got back on the bike once I was in the States.” Starting the race untrained? “I just wanted to experience the atmosphere. All the big names are there, celebrated like film stars. To finish in 16th place was obviously more than cool, but for me, Unbound is all about the American adventure – the race itself is secondary. The USA is just… the USA.”
Badlands… to this day, I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Even though it was one of the hardest things I’d done up to that point, I loved every second of it.
Then came Badlands – an emotional rollercoaster.
Then came the event Seb had been eagerly anticipating: Badlands! A non-stop, self-supported race through some of Europe’s most remote and demanding terrain. In Almería, Spain, riders face 780 km and 16,000 metres of climbing – and yes, Europe has deserts! In 2021, Seb had to drop out due to a dangerous wasp sting, but a year later, he came back and clinched the win at Badlands. “It was an indescribable experience; to this day, I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Even though it was the hardest thing I’d done up to that point, I loved every second of it, and it completely changed my life as an athlete.”
But there were also moments when Seb was pushed to his absolute physical and mental limits. “At that point, I told myself: just keep moving, keep closing in on the finish, no matter what. The only goal was to make it to the end.”
Giving up wasn’t an option for me at first, so I pushed on. But eventually, my physical battery was completely drained.
Finishing. That was also Seb’s goal on his longest journey to date: Chile. “Across Andes was my first race after winning Badlands. Everyone had huge expectations for me – I was supposed to set a new course record. In the end, it was maybe all a bit too much, an unfamiliar kind of pressure. I know how to handle it now, but back then, I didn’t. I felt empty, exhausted. Giving up wasn’t an option at first, so I pushed on, but eventually, my physical battery was completely drained. That DNF was tough, of course. But once again, the journey itself was worth it – an experience that helped ease the sting of dropping out.”
Racing as an Adventurer… and Problem Solver
In long-distance racing, you have to feed your body an incredible amount of calories. But what if there’s nothing available? “At the 2023 Atlas Mountain Race in Morocco, my timing was a little unfortunate – there were only a few shops along the route, and I passed them all at night, when they were closed. It really gets you down when all you have left is your last energy bar.” But then there was a moment when Seb was able to order an omelette and tagine at a checkpoint. Pure bliss. And the joy didn’t stop there: “The marshal invited me to his home after the race. It was an amazing experience to see how people live there – from the youngest kids to the great-grandmother. They welcomed me with incredible hospitality.” We ask Seb about the race itself: “Atlas was something completely new again, my longest race to date. I’ve never felt so close to my limit, not before and not since.” And it paid off – Seb finished in 3rd place.
I soon realised that it doesn’t matter if you win or come in last; you always take something away from the experience.” The exceptional athlete has a few examples ready: “It’s definitely not fun when you miss a turn because you’re unfocused, like I did in the Atlas Mountains and on the Badlands route. Having to cover an extra 5 or 10 km under extreme conditions, often uphill, is brutal. Or when you track down a hotel via Google at the Atlas Race in Morocco, only to find it abandoned when you arrive in the evening.”
Most of us would probably curse our last ounce of energy into the desert at that point. “Sure, it’s a crushing blow in the moment, but even that pushes you further. Now, I always carry a sleeping bag, a mini tent, or some form of shelter. It means you’re mentally prepared if, say, you go 400 km without seeing a thing in Kyrgyzstan.”
I soon realised that it doesn’t matter whether you win or come in last; you always gain some kind of experience.
Kyrgyzstan. There, at the Silk Road Mountain Race, Seb was leading the pack alone on a 3,800-metre ridge when a snowstorm hit. “Within two minutes, I was freezing. I searched the area, but there was nothing – just an abandoned excavator. Then, somewhere off the trail, I spotted a light. I rode towards it, and found a trailer with a few men warming themselves by a small stove with blankets, who took me in.”
Sometimes there are lows that you have to keep pedalling your way out of. And Seb went even lower in Kyrgyzstan: “After a fall, the left side of my handlebar broke off. I still had 150 km to go and a 4,000 metre mountain to cross, and I thought, ‘I’ve come this far and I want to finish this thing, so I’ll just have to get through it.’” In this case, “getting through it” meant ignoring the dangling piece of handlebar and balancing his way up and down with what was left – quite the feat of strength and balance.
After a fall, the left side of my handlebar broke off and was just hanging there. I thought, ‘I’ve come this far and I want to finish this thing, so I just have to get through it.
Right, you grow with your challenges. Challenges? Sounds like schoolwork, and that’s not far off. Maths seems to be part of the deal: calculating fat burn, calorie needs, wattage… and then there are all those variables. “Most people think ultra-endurance riders train 8 to 10 hours a day. But that’s not true – time-wise, I keep my training short and intense, with intervals. That way, you can also push your threshold higher.” And as we learn, that’s come in handy. “At Badlands, I had a mechanical issue with my gears, and had to push 500 watts in a high gear to keep moving. That’s when it comes down to whether you keep going or drop out.”
But what is it all for?
Despite a few setbacks, Seb has achieved incredible success. A major highlight: winning Unbound this summer, in the gruelling 350 mile XL format, no less. Chasing titles? Collecting trophies? Eyeing his name on the rankings with greedy satisfaction? Not Seb. He’s driven by something else entirely: “What really pushes you forward is discovering yourself, breaking out of your shell, and testing your limits.”
When you get close to the limit you set for yourself, you realise there’s so much more you’re capable of than you ever imagined.
The knowledge gained from experiences like this can be applied to so many areas of life. Sharing them and inspiring others is Seb’s passion. In his TED Talk to university students, Seb described the catalyst that – take note – lies within each of us. “It’s important to take on challenges and set your own limits. Don’t be held back by others who don’t know their own abilities, and try to impose their boundaries on others.”
We also learn of another key aspect: “Beyond physical performance, the mind plays a crucial role. When you get close to the limits you set for yourself, you realise that you’re capable of so much more than you ever imagined.” As an extreme athlete, consultant for professional athletes, and entrepreneur, Seb applies this insight to all areas of life. One situation still has us curious: insights from his recently completed ride from Norway to Portugal.
From Coast to Coast: A Ride from Sea to Sea
The European Divide Trail is the world’s longest mostly off-road bikepacking route. Riders go solo, tracked but following their own schedules, rather than in a race with a mass start. This ultra-distance route was modelled after the Great Divide MTB Route across North America, a nearly 5,000 km journey from Alberta to New Mexico.
The founder of the European version, Andy Cox, took it a step further in both length and difficulty, stretching a line from the Barents Sea to the Atlantic. Specifically, from Grense Jakobselv at Europe’s northernmost tip, to Cabo de São Vicente at its southwestern edge. In between: endless dirt roads and plenty of technical sections. Adventure-loving cyclists can dive right in, without needing to aim for a top time – there’s far more to this than just the 304 hours and 41 minutes of riding in 30 days. Oops, we’ve just given away Seb’s achievement, but for him, it’s about more than just the clock.
Journey Without Borders: European Divide Connect Trail
7,500 kilometres, 67,000 metres of climbing, 9 countries. Seb was fired up: “Where else can you ride across an entire continent, with all its facets – cultures, economic zones, ecosystems, and the countless encounters along the way? And the best part: I never needed a passport!” You can feel it – Seb values unity and togetherness. “Especially in today’s world, it’s crucial to connect, not divide, separate, or exclude.” He even gave the tour his own name: across his social media channels, you’ll see the logo: European Divide Connect Trail. It’s also on his support vehicle, which carried a photographer and his social media manager (spoiler alert: a short film is coming). But that’s as far as their help went. Seb was fully self-supported for route-finding, water, food, and nightly shelter.
A journey without borders – and yet, right on the first day, Seb encountered a border that gave him an uneasy feeling. “My route started right at the Russian border, just three metres away. For 20 km, I had no mobile signal. It was stifling; I could almost feel the exclusion, the tension in the air. Kirkenes has now become a refuge for Russian families and journalists. But on my journey, I wanted to show that we can move freely from the far north to the deep south of Europe, experiencing each culture along the way.”
After a few days, Seb opted to deviate from the original route – it had become overgrown, muddy, and in many parts impassable. “I didn’t mind that it meant I wouldn’t be officially listed as a finisher. For me, it was more about the adventure, on a route shaped by my own choices.”
Every adventure has its hurdles. It’s how you overcome them that counts.
Right from the start, Seb’s journey brought joyful encounters with some of the four-legged locals. “Elk, reindeer… they just cross your path.” Christmas in July. Of course, there were also low points along the way – constant rain, drops in motivation, obstacles on the trail. The toughest, however, were two days of stomach pain: “Every pedal stroke became a struggle. But the kilometres had to be covered, no matter what. Every adventure has its hurdles. It’s how you overcome them that counts.” Once again, Seb’s sheer willpower in tough situations shone through.
Small and large highlights kept the adopted Hessian’s spirits high, whether it was cinnamon buns or warm hospitality. And something truly special: the brief companions who joined him on parts of his ride through Germany, and a night spent at home.
The highest point of his adventure? “The 3,400 metre Pico del Veleta in the Sierra. It was a seriously tough ride, almost 100 kilometres uphill, and on day 27. But the epic sunset over Granada made it all worth it.” After that came the final stages, with temperatures soaring over 45°C, until Seb reached the destination he had been dreaming of for the last month: the red-painted lighthouse at Cabo de São Vicente. There’s nowhere further to go. Europe ends here, with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic.
And his top culinary choice across all his trips? Tagine or cinnamon buns? We forgot to ask, but maybe we can let the community decide. 😉
Sebastian Breuer’s Equipment
Seb packed his essentials for the European Divide Connect Trail, as well as for his other tours, in bags from Tailfin. We also had the chance to test the Tailfin Frame Bag ourselves – check out our review here!
For most of his gravel races, Seb has ridden the ROSE BACKROAD, and since this year, he’s been using the new BACKROAD FF, which we took a closer look at here.
However, for the European Divide Connect Trail, Seb converted his ROSE PDQ mountain bike into a gravel-ready rig. It’s fitted with drop bars, Schwalbe G-One tyres (45 and 50 mm), 30 mm rims, and a DT Swiss suspension fork.
For more information about Seb, check out his website and social media channels:
sebastianbreuer.de
YouTube: Seb Breuer
Seb´s Trail Documentary
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Words: Simone Giesler Photos: Paul Hahne, Loris Reitschmidt, Pierre Barton
