Meet me at the waterside

Thomas Frischknecht is a cyclist through-and-through. From road, to cyclocross to mountain biking, Frischi has excelled at them all. But with the emergence of Gravel bikes, it feels like stepping back to the exciting times of the first off-road cycling and delivers the same joy. With a rapid evolution in bike design and the opening of new ways of travelling, Frischi and wife Sibylle are enjoying the freedom brought to them by their SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned.

With a sense of adventure and the water to guide them, the pair aim to travel from the north-western Swiss city of Basel along the Rhine, Switzerland’s largest river. Straddling the border between Germany and Switzerland, the Rhine will serve as their guide. Embracing adventure, the two set-off without any maps or route planning, choosing instead follow the river banks to their destination.

With a sunny ride sun along the Rhine behind them, they travel north along the Alb when they are forced to race some impending weather before arriving at the idyllic Hotel Gasthof Sommerau in the heart of the German Black Forest. The traditional food and drink are enough to recharge the batteries after just under 100km.

Taking a more relaxed approach to bikepacking, Frischi and Sibylle travel light – foregoing tent, sleeping bag and stove in exchange for a hot meal and a warm bed at huts or traditional restaurants. With this approach, minimal baggage is required and they can enjoy dipping in and out of civilization as they please.

In the morning, with fresh legs, the duo depart on their way heading south back to Switzerland and their final destination - the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen, Europe’s biggest waterfall. To make it there, they explore the amazing Schlücht- Canyon to connect back with the Rhine.

• Photos: Kifkat

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