Questions & Answers

We hope you find the answers to your questions here. If you have any further questions, you can also contact us at info@ridegravel.ch

New event location

  • In 2025, the Gravel Ride & Race will take place at a new location for the first time. The new location is the vonRoll site at the PH/University of Bern (Fabrikstrasse 8, 3012 Bern).
  • A map of the new location will also be available in advance, and signage on site will be as accurate as possible.

Site plan

Situationsplan

Parking

  • Parking spaces are available for a fee at Park + Ride Neufeld (Neubrückstrasse 166, 3012 Bern). Follow the signs to the event site.
  • We recommend traveling by public transport.
    • Bus line 20 to Bern, Länggasse
    • Bus line 101 to Bern, Güterbahnhof

Cloakrooms / Showers / Luggage storage / Toilets

  • Gravel Ride & Race participants can leave their luggage at the helper point.
  • The changing rooms and showers are located 600 meters from the event site in the Oberstufe Hochfeld school building (Hochfeldstrasse 42, 3012 Bern). See directions.
  • The toilets are located in the building where race numbers are issued. There are also several portable toilets on the event site.

Race number distribution

  • Race numbers will be distributed in one of the buildings of the University of Teacher Education. Please refer to the site map and signage on site.

Start procedure

  • Athletes may line up in the appropriate starting blocks no earlier than 15 minutes before the start time.

Route

  • Ride: 23.5 km, 290 meters of elevation gain
  • Race: 52 km, 965 meters of elevation gain
  • The entire route is signposted.
  • In consultation with the various authorities, the route will not be announced in detail in advance.
  • Leaving or shortening the official route will result in disqualification.
  • After 19.5 km, the two routes separate: Ride (23.5 km total) and Race (50 km total). The junction is marked with a large sign and a marshal is on site.
  • The total distance is indicated every 5 km along the route. The last three kilometers are displayed in reverse order: 3 km, 2 km, 1 km.

Get off your bike here

  • At Wohlensee, at around km 40, there is a 30 m descent down some steps.

Timekeeping / Start and rankings

  • Timekeeping is used for both the Ride and the Race.
  • For the Ride, a list of finishers is kept, sorted by start numbers.
  • For the Race, there are rankings sorted by gender, age groups, and licensed riders.
  • Start list: https://trackmaxx.ch/entrylist/?race=gr25be
  • Rankings: https://trackmaxx.ch/results/?race=GR25BE
  • The rankings are updated in real time. By entering a name or start number, you can see who has finished and when at any time.

Time limits

  • The finish line closes at 3:45 p.m. for both the ride and the race.
  • The maximum ride duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
  • The maximum race duration is 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Time cut

  • There are two time cuts in the Race:
    • After 19 km: After 60 minutes of riding time, at 1:00 p.m., no more riders will be allowed to continue.
    • After 35 km: After 150 minutes of riding time, at 2:30 p.m., after that, the race will no longer be scored regularly (with timekeeping/ranking).

Category change Gravel Ride & Race

  • A change of category from Ride to Race or Race to Ride is possible on site. The additional fee must be paid in cash or via Twint when picking up your race number. There is no refund for a change from Race to Ride.

Late registrations

  • Late registrations can be made on site, directly via QR code at the race number distribution. Payment is made directly online. Cash payments are only accepted in emergencies.

Route maps

  • The detailed route was not published in advance. This is a requirement of the permit issued by the cantonal Office for Forestry and Civic Communities. However, participants received a GPX file on Thursday.
  • A rough outline of the route can be seen at: https://ridegravel.ch/bern/en/event/courses/

Spectators (viewing points)

  • The best viewing points for spectators (accessible on foot or by bike, not by car):
    • Glasbrunnen, Bremgartenwald: 2 passages, 9 km & 14.5 km
    • TCS Camping Eymatt, 20 km
    • Former Holenacker/Gäbelbach Zoo: 2 passages, 21 km & 44 km
    • Frauenkappelen, crossing Hauptstrasse: 35.5 km

Award ceremonies and raffles

  • 3:15 PM: Gravel Race & Ride
    • Award ceremony: Top 3 gravel men & women / winners in age groups / team classification
    • Raffle: For all Gravel Ride & Race riders
  • 5:15 p.m.: Kids Gravel
    • Raffle: For all Kids Gravel participants

Expo

  • The expo is located in the parking lot of the University of Teacher Education.
  • There are around 40 exhibitors.
  • Many exhibitors have test bikes that can be tried out on an official test track.
  • The test track is marked in yellow. Please refer to the site map and signage on site.

Food trucks

  • All Gravel Ride & Race participants will receive a voucher worth CHF 12.00. The voucher is in the starter bag. These vouchers can be redeemed at any of the food trucks or the coffee and beverage stand. Please note: No change will be given.
  • The food trucks are open until 5:30 p.m.

Washing station and bike parking

  • The bike wash station and the guarded bike parking area are located right next to the start number distribution point.
  • Bikes in the bike parking area must be collected by 5:30 p.m. at the latest.

First aid station

  • The first aid station is located in the immediate vicinity of the start and finish, next to Kids World.

Refreshment and mechanic stations

  • The official mechanic stations are located at: 2 km, 15.8 km, 22.3 km, 26.8 km, 36.7 km, 45.8 km, and in the start/finish area
  • Any materials obtained at the repair stations will be invoiced after the race
  • The official PEAK PUNK catering stations are located at: 10.2 km, 15.8 km, 26.8 km, 36.7 km

Lost property

  • Found and lost items can be handed in or collected at the information point in the exhibition area.