Laura, how long have you been riding a gravel bike and what fascinates you about gravel riding?
What made you decide to sign up for the Gravel Trans Jura?
That’s a difficult question… After my brother died, I suddenly felt drawn to road cycling again after a break of several years. I sold my road bike in 2019 because I needed the money. After that, I rode my bike from time to time, but I was never really happy. I bought another road bike in 2023 and switched to a gravel bike in 2024. And because I loved cyclocross so much and associated it with many positive memories of experiences with my brother, I wanted more. The GTJ was already appealing to me last year. However, this wasn’t possible with a baby. This year, I needed a break from the children and work. I wanted a few days just for myself, so I signed up without further ado—which increased the “pressure” to actually take this break. I simply felt that I needed to process something that I couldn’t do at home.
How did you prepare for it?
Honestly… hardly at all. I bought a bike and some suitable bags and went on a two-day trip (one night). But with all my other commitments, I couldn’t really prepare specifically for it. I cycle from time to time and ride my bike the short distance to work. But I’m stubborn and I really wanted to do it!
I was just aware that it could be tough. That I would have to be prepared for anything. Whether that was in terms of accommodation, my body, or the weather—I was really afraid of rain and cold. But because I was prepared for everything, nothing was really bad.
And who was with you at the start?
My little sister, Jana. Unfortunately, she had to give up for health reasons.
If you had to choose one moment/place from your Gravel Trans Jura, which one…
… moved you the most emotionally?
Jana’s decision that she has to give up. That was so strong of her—she’s also stubborn.
… pushed you to your physical limits?
I actually had little trouble physically because I was mentally prepared for anything. But the 1 million climbs were tough. 😉 I especially hate pushing my bike, and every time I had to WALK because the climb was simply too difficult for me to ride, I cursed Christian and the route crew… 😉 But once I reached the top, it was either the descent or the view that made me forget the climb!
… makes you laugh, even when you think about it today?
Many things… But I think the funniest was the night we spent in a hotel on Lac de Joux, where there was no staff. Another participant happened to welcome us and showed us where to get the keys and store our bikes. And so all the GTJ participants helped each other, we ordered pizza together and it was a lot of fun.
Or when we found a cell phone belonging to a participant who then told us that he had already ridden the same route once today because he had missed the checkpoint.
Or every time we turned left or right and assumed that there would definitely be another climb NOW.
Meine zufällig gefundene Begleitung, mit der ich dann bis zum bitteren Ende fertig gefahren bin.
… impressed you most in terms of scenery?
Creux du Van!
… touched you the most in terms of interpersonal relationships?
The awesome community that gravelers form. It’s so relaxed and pressure-free. You can be yourself, and everyone is proud of each other.
What advice would you give to someone participating in the GTJ for the first time in 2026?
Turning right always means CLIMBING!
It’s always uphill.
But joking aside!
I would get good equipment, bags that are WATERPROOF, shoes that dry quickly, and short rain pants!
Oh, and better to have one spare inner tube too many than one too few.
And slippers. I didn’t have anything with me except my cycling shoes… A pair of flip-flops won’t make the world go round.
And very important: I would allow plenty of time for breaks, breakdowns, and beautiful moments. For a coffee or a chat! It’s a wonderful event that deserves to be enjoyed every moment.
Will you be back?
If my principal allows me to, yes!