To get straight to the point: the North2Peak is a real beast. It demands physically, mentally, and also of the equipment.
The North2Peak, organized by the two Hamburgers Lisa and Philipp, shows in an impressive way that you can also build a demanding bikepacking event in the North that does not need to hide.
If you just look at the pure numbers, you can quickly underestimate the North2Peak: 1,000 km and 12,000 meters of elevation gain, from Hamburg through the Lüneburg Heath and Südheide, up the Brocken, through the Harz mountains, the Weserbergland, the Deister, and then back again through the heath and the Schwarzen Berge. A lot of terrain, gravel, sand, and forest trails, little asphalt.
But on closer inspection, most of the elevation gain is concentrated on only part of the route, which gives the event a certain spice and difficulty. Specifically, it’s 10,800 meters of elevation over 650 km. That’s 1,640 meters per 100 km, which makes the North2Peak comparable to the Atlas Mountain Race, the Bohemian Border Bash Race, or the GST.
This year I wanted to ride another demanding event and therefore registered for the North2Peak long distance of 1,000 km. In addition, there was a short distance, set up as a 370 km overnighter.
According to the organizers, there were a total of 55 registrations for the long distance and 30 for the short distance (limited due to campsite capacity).
Day 1: Heath
Saturday, September 13 – 202 km / 1,377 meters of elevation
And so we all met on the morning of September 13 at the old Elbe Tunnel in Hamburg, where our journey began. Together we rode as a group through the port area into the Harburg Hills, where at the Kärtner Hut the event officially started.
I had prepared well for the event and wanted to ride rather moderately in the first days. My plan was not to cover more than 200 km on the first day, so that I would still be in good shape in the following days when the mountains came.
The pack of riders broke up on the first climbs in the Harburg Hills, and in smaller groups we rolled south. The first destination after 78 km was Checkpoint 1 in Wilsede in the Lüneburg Heath. We took a short break there, but with so many heath visitors it would have taken too long to get food. So just refilled water, and I already had food on board for two days anyway.
And on we went toward Südheide. This section was shared by both the short and long distance, which was nice because you could ride together until just before Eschede. After 170 km the short track branched west to a campsite. However, the route up to that point had already been quite demanding, since apart from CP1 there was no real supply. So I first rested in Eschede with a cold Coke and a warm meal. There was rain again and again during the day, which made the heath trails more demanding to ride. Back then, however, I had no idea what was waiting for me on the way back through the heath.
With 170 km already on the clock, I decided to end the day in an inn after 200 km. I had not slept well the night before the event, had been nervous and restless like never before, and so I was happy for a good dinner and a few hours of restful sleep.
Day 2: Brocken
Sunday, September 14 – 192 km / 2,956 meters of elevation
I started shortly after 6:30 in the morning and rode toward the king of the event: the Brocken. On this mountain I wanted to see how well prepared I was and how I would plan the rest of the ride. But the way there was still long. By my calculation, I would only begin the ascent in the afternoon.
A storm low from the west worried me a bit, although it was only lightly windy and the sun was shining from a blue sky. On the Brocken, however, the weather can always change. I had already been up there this year during the Grenzsteintrophy – but the North2Peak route led over the Kleiner Brocken and then up the Hirtenstieg with its concrete slab steps to the summit.
In Ilsenburg I decided to take one last break at the gas station and get food before starting the climb. Some other riders had the same idea, so I met Lennart there again, with whom I had already ridden the day before, and also Sandro, who was actually much further ahead, but had forgotten his wallet in a shelter and thus had to take a considerable detour. The three of us started the climb together and would also spend the following days together.
The sun was shining and contrary to my fears the climbing worked quite well. Of course it was very strenuous and also very steep, but when the distinctive summit came into view and Philipp greeted us from above, all the hardships were forgotten.
We quickly took the obligatory summit photo and then raced down to Elend and Sorge.
I felt liberated – the Brocken was a kind of watershed for me, connected with the unsuccessful attempt at the GST earlier this year.
But this time I did everything right: I did not let myself be beaten, I changed my training again, I practiced nutrition and supply on the road, I kept believing in myself and adjusted other things. And successfully so, because now I was finally Martin again, who naturally copes well physically with such strains, and who had regained his old strength and toughness.
So I rode buoyant and confident into the southern Harz, which I admittedly underestimated. The kilometers around Benneckenstein, Sophienhof, Ilfeld and Hohegeiß were equally beautiful and demanding. After 193 km we decided to spend the night in Ilfeld, where Steffen welcomed us in the darkness of his empty hotel and even served us breakfast the next morning.
The day’s elevation gain could already be felt, but also how the body was adapting and adjusting to the climbing of the coming days.
Day 3: Harz
Monday, 15.9. – 140 km / 3,131 meters of elevation
Anyone who reduces the Harz to just the Brocken is mistaken. After sleeping in the southern Harz, we rolled towards the western Harz with increasing wind and changeable weather. St. Andreasberg and Torfhaus were the destinations we headed for in pouring rain and ever stronger storms. We froze during the breaks and sweated during the climbs. I knew this area very well, having trained here for the Silk Road Mountain Race. So I was able to show Lennart and Sandro the most beautiful spots and explain the canal system at Torfhaus. Even if you’ve been there many times: the Harz always delivers and it’s simply a magnificent landscape.
Unfortunately, the heavy rain caused my Karoo 3 navigation device to short-circuit, and I had to rely on the support of my two fellow riders. Somehow, water had gotten into the charging port, and when I tried to plug it in, it shut down and wouldn’t turn back on. Very annoying, but in the rain, the Hammerhead is unfortunately not really suitable for Bikepacking, especially since the display reacts to raindrops, which caused fellow rider Patrick to ride a few extra kilometers—one drop led to an unnoticed detour, and he rode in circles.
But Sandro and Lennart were good substitute navigators. Additionally, I was able to order a new navigation device at Checkpoint 3 – EnjoyYourBike in Hanover – which I would pick up there.
The efforts of the southern and western Harz were clearly reflected in the day’s mileage on Day 3: 140 km, but with more than 3,100 meters of elevation. And we had to work very hard for those, especially since many were gained on rough gravel and very steep trails.
We had a goal: Checkpoint 2 on the Iberg at the Albertturm. Since we wanted to get past this point, we didn’t pause in Osterode but rode directly into the final 15 km climb up to the Iberg. At dusk, we reached the tower and the checkpoint.
In the darkness, we rolled down the kilometers to Seesen, where we spent the night.
Speaking of overnight stays: I actually had a bivvy with me, Sandro only an emergency bivvy, and Lennart had nothing at all. So we slept in fixed accommodations, which are plentiful and which we always booked in the afternoon. Those who want to do the whole thing with a tent will also find many campsites. And there is no shortage of huts and shelters, although they are not as abundant along the entire route as they are in the Harz.
I found the option with guesthouses ideal in this case, because honestly, a warm shower and a good meal were very welcome after the very strenuous and sometimes cold hours during the day.
However, this also makes you slower: in pure bivvy mode and with more ultra-feeling, I probably could have ridden the whole thing faster, simply because I would have ridden longer in the evenings and started earlier in the mornings. That would have meant less sleep. But I found the way I did it ideal, considering the weather and the strain.
Day 4: Storm
Tuesday, 16.9. – 119 km / 2,409 meters of elevation
It had already been hinted at, but storm front Zack really picked up speed and didn’t spare our little group. So we left the Harz in strong winds and crossed the Weser Uplands towards the Deister with lots of wind and rain.
The climbs were no longer as long, but they were punchy and mostly in the forest. Due to the persistent rain, the difficulty of the route had changed, the trails and paths were softened and muddy, and we had to proceed more cautiously.
The track led from Seesen via Bad Gandersheim to Einbeck and further along the low mountain ridges via Stadtoldendorf to Bodenwerder. The weather was very changeable and increasingly stormy. Just moments ago the sun was shining, and shortly after it was rainy and cold.
Our goal for the day was Springe, a town in the Deister and only about 80 km from Checkpoint 3 in Hanover. But the difficulty of the route, and especially the weather, thwarted our plans. And when we stood wet and shivering from the cold in the supermarket in Coppenbrügge, it was clear: today is more or less over, and it was already getting dark.
At the Coppenbrügge train station, there was a Bike&Bett with a pizzeria, and that came just at the right time. After a good meal and a hot shower, we quickly went to bed, because the next morning we wanted to make up time and start earlier.
Day 5: Redemption
Wednesday, 17.9. – 208 km / 2,326 meters of elevation
On long rides like this one, you don’t motivate yourself by always keeping the entire route in mind and counting down the kilometers. Instead, you set smaller goals. In our case: “two more mountain crossings,” through the Saupark and then the Deister. And then all the climbs are behind us, and we basically roll via Hanover straight to the finish.
So motivated, we sat on our bikes early in the morning and rode through the darkness toward dawn. Behind Coppenbrügge, the track wound its way up into the Saupark. But before we got there, there was a crack—and Lennart’s rear axle had broken. The strain of the last 700 km had taken its toll.
Not the first damage in our little group—Sandro had broken his carbon rim on the side the day before and was riding through the mountains betting that the tire and tube would hold.
Unfortunately, Lennart had no choice but to end his North2Peak here and take the train back.
Sandro and I continued, quickly leaving the Saupark behind and meeting two other participants in Springe. Our paths quickly diverged, as we went for breakfast and the other two had just started.
Patrick, one of the two, we would catch up with again shortly afterward in the Deister. His knee was acting up and hurting so much that he could only pedal on one side and often had to push. And yet he made it to the finish in Hamburg. Incredible! I don’t know if I would have had that kind of willpower.
Behind Springe, the last mountains awaited us. According to the map, a total of 10 steeper climbs, which we then counted down one by one. But it was very hard work, and I was in a really bad mood at times because it was so exhausting. And in between, the route even led down a mountain bike park. Not ideal in the wet and mud. Shortly afterward, we met Philipp again, who had already removed this section from the route, making us the last ones to tackle it.
But eventually, it was done, and the last hill was conquered. What a relief. We high-fived and then rolled with the storm at our backs to Hanover to Checkpoint 3.
There I got a new navigation device, and after a short refreshment, we set off on the final 250 km to Hamburg.
The day had really taken its toll on us—after all, it was more than 2,000 meters of elevation over about 90 km, which had to be fought for. On the plus side, the weather wasn’t as rainy, and the wind mostly pushed from behind.
After 200 kilometers for the day, we were already very tired and decided to spend the last evening in a small heath hotel in Winsen an der Aller. This place was more of a coincidence, but it was a fitting conclusion to a great adventure. They gave us a separate room away from the restaurant guests so we could eat in our dirty and smelly clothes.
Afterward, they provided us with a care package for the early start the next day, and in the especially comfortable beds, we were able to recharge for the final kilometers. What we didn’t know yet: the last day would also be the longest one for us.
Day 6: Finale
Thursday, 18.9. – 213 km / 1,067 meters of elevation
The weather forecast actually gave hope, suggesting it wouldn’t rain as much as feared. In the early morning twilight, we rolled towards the Südheide, where sandy trails and blocked tracks greeted us. It started to drizzle, and so the sand turned into mud.
But we didn’t let it get us down – what could possibly happen now? In Munster, we took a break and stocked up. We paid special attention to minimizing downtime, as we wanted to reach the finish in Hamburg by 5:30 p.m.
Soon after, we rolled out of Munster and back into the Lüneburger Heide. But a flat tire on Sandro’s rear wheel forced us to stop. While installing the new tube, the cassette (which is removable) unfortunately fell off, and the small spring that sits on the axle flew into the tall grass and mud. Without it, there was no resistance in the freewheel, and Sandro could no longer ride.
We searched for a long time, but unfortunately without success. In the end, we said goodbye, and I continued alone. How annoying – only 100 km to go, and then something so trivial stops you.
By now, the rain was getting heavier, but my motivation was high. I crossed the heath on sandy trails and rooty climbs, rolling relentlessly northward.
Until my front wheel slowed me down – specifically, my brake, which wouldn’t release anymore. By now, the entire bike and gear were covered in a mix of rain, mud, and sand. I could see that the brake pads were gone and the pad screw had come loose and was lost. But no problem: I always carry spares. However, I couldn’t install new pads because the pistons wouldn’t retract and everything was full of dirt and sand. So the old ones had to keep going – without pads. I just braked more with the rear.
Soon after, another stop. This time, the rear tire had lost air. I couldn’t find a hole until I came across an old one that I had previously sealed with a tubeless plug. That patch had worn down over 900 km of terrain and slipped into the tire, reopening the hole. Unfortunately, a new plug wouldn’t hold, and due to the dirty tire casing, it was hard to install anything properly. Plus, the increasingly heavy rain made everything more difficult. So I installed a tube, hoping not to face any more obstacles.
And so I rolled, now thoroughly soaked, into the Fischbeker Heide and the Schwarzen Berge. A few small climbs and rooty-sandy sections still awaited me. But by now, I didn’t care. Except for the creaking bottom bracket. It was getting worse. The compression ring on the crank side had loosened, giving the crank play. I couldn’t fix it because everything was so dirty that I couldn’t get the hex key into the screw. And I couldn’t scrape it clean either. Add to that the persistent heavy rain and the onset of dusk.
So I rolled with one brake, creaking and squeaking, completely soaked through the Alte Land, along the dike to the old Elbtunnel, and then the remaining kilometers to the Hamburg Stadtpark, where the rain suddenly stopped and Lisa and Philipp greeted me.
That was a very special moment because I had made it, and I was very proud of myself.
After a quick photo, I headed home for the final kilometers. Naturally, in the rain.
And what made me especially happy: Sandro made it too. He actually removed and searched two square meters of grass and found the spring. So he was able to reinstall the cassette and continue riding. After that, he had more than six flats, also because the tire patches wouldn’t hold in all the rain. His rear brake also failed. But he made it and successfully completed the event! Truly impressive!
What remains
North2Peak was a real surprise. I had planned for Thursday in advance but hadn’t anticipated the toughness and demands of the route. And yet, it was exactly right. The combination of scenic diversity and beauty with the challenging route design makes North2Peak a true ultra-event – something I hadn’t expected here in the North.
And the statistics paint a vivid picture: Of the 55 starters on the long distance of 1,000 km, 10 reached the finish. Of the 30 starters on the short distance of 370 km, 14 made it. Lisa and Philipp speak of an overall scratch rate of about 70%. On the long distance alone, it’s more than 80%.
Over the six days, I rode a total of 1,064 km with 13,250 meters of elevation.
What I especially liked was that the track avoided “pointless routes.” Every route decision had a purpose and wasn’t just for padding or ego. Yet it didn’t shy away from character tests – the spice in the Ultra soup.
But don’t let that scare you off, because with a first edition like this, many lessons are learned. You can benefit from them next year when Lisa and Philipp invite you to the second edition. Perhaps with tracking and a few adjustments and some new route sections.
But one thing will remain: the high standards for the track in terms of challenge and scenic beauty.
North2Peak Resources
And so you can start planning your participation, here are some resources you can use.
In any case, I recommend the initial podcast episode with Lisa and Philipp about North2Peak, where they present the idea and philosophy behind the event (in German only):
There will also be a “Bikes of North2Peak” article, where I’ll again showcase the bikes and gear of many participants. That should give you a good overview of what bikes are ridden here. Lennart and Sandro were on classic gravel bikes with 50/45mm wide tires. I rode a Salsa Fargo with 50mm tires.
And I’ll speak with Lisa and Philipp in another podcast episode in detail about the event, what they learned, what other ideas they have, and what you can look forward to next time.
