The Grain 2026

Following a single 860-kilometer route, riders travel from the banks of the Rhine to the landscapes of Burgundy, crossing a diverse mix of forests, hills, and rural regions along the way. The event begins at Schicke Mütze, Düsseldorf’s well-known cycling café and community hub, which is also involved in the organization.

From the start, the route heads into the volcanic hills of the Eifel before continuing through the forests and valleys of Rhineland-Palatinate and eventually crossing the Vosges mountains into France. The track combines gravel roads, forest tracks, and quiet secondary roads, with significant elevation gain and long stretches through remote terrain. Riders follow the same GPX route and must manage navigation, pacing, sleep, and resupply entirely on their own.

The Grain is intentionally non-competitive and designed as a personal challenge rather than a race. Participants ride in full autonomy, choosing their own rhythm while adapting to the terrain and conditions along the route. The event emphasizes the spirit of self-supported bikepacking while highlighting the cultural and geographic connection between two historic mustard capitals: Düsseldorf and Dijon.

The first edition takes place from May 31 to June 5. Riders depart from Schicke Mütze in Düsseldorf and make their way south toward Dijon, following a demanding route that blends gravel riding, exploration, and long-distance endurance across Germany and eastern France.