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Bikes of DEAD ENDS & dolci 2023

Bikes of DEAD ENDS & dolci 2023

24 April, 2023

The new sibling to DEAD ENDS & cake, the inaugural DEAD ENDS & dolci dishes out five remote checkpoints around Ticino, Switzerland, each at the end of a dead end with the sweet promise of dolci. This is certainly one for the grimpeurs with a sweet tooth!

Follow along with Peta McSharry's roving reporting here.

Chloé Epinat

Name: Chloé Epinat

Age: 34

Cap number: 24

Location: Zürich, Switzerland

Bike: Specialized Diverge (or Josette)

Key items of kit: The most special item on my bike will be my manual breast pump that I will have to carry with me along the challenge as I am still breast feeding my 7 months old baby...

Adrien Thuillard

Name: Adrien Thuillard

Age: 32

Location: Saint-Blaise, Suisse

Bike: Scott Addict 10 Disc ; 1x oval chainring 40t from Wolf Tooth (not on the picture) ; SRAM Force XPLR 10-40t cassette, SRAM Red eTap AXS rear derailleur, SRAM Rival for the rest of the transmission ; Syncros RP2.0 Disc wheels ; Panaracer GravelKing Slick 700x32c (not on the picture).

Key items of kit: Apidura Racing and Expedition bags for a total capacity of 14l. For the electronics parts, I have a Garmin 1040 Solar and a huge Exposure Lights Exposure Lights Six Pack MK11 GM 5000Lu.

The most important thing : y mascot Scotty 🧸. I know it's time for a power nap when I talk to him and he replies.

Melissa Gewiese

Name: Melissa Gewiese

Age: 32

Location: Innsbruck, Austria

Bike: Liv Brava Cyclocrosser

Key items of kit: TopTube Bag full of Snacks

Michele Miani

Name: Michele Miani

Age: 43

Location: Italy

Bike: Mason InSearchOf, SRAM AXS 12 speed groupset and Hunt trail wide wheels.

Key items of kit: Rusjan kit bags.

Juliane Bötel

Name: Juliane Bötel

Age: 38

Location: Garmisch Partykirchen

Bike: Lapierre Xelius SL

Key items of kit: Good mood carried in the heart, needed gear in several packs :)

Matteo Steiner

Name: Matteo Steiner

Age: 41

Location: Ponte Capriasca, Switzerland

Bike: Canyon Grail CF SL 8 GRX Di2 with 38mm Panaracer Gravelking slicks (tubeless).

Key items of kit: Topeak Backloader 15L, Revelate Designs half frame pack and Revelate Designs mountain feedbag (waterbottle/food holder). Light sleeping bag and some warm clothes and safety kit (emergency bivy sack, first aid kit, charger and cables, bike repair kit).

Gijs Derksen

Name: Gijs Derksen

Age: 37

Bike: Cube Nuroad

Key items of kit: Restrap saddle, toptube and barbag.

Eric Weber

Name: Eric Weber

Age: 33

Location: Konstanz, Germany

Bike: Tour de Suisse Gravel Custom Build with SRAM Rival AXS XPLR 1x12 Groupset and powermeter. 40T front and 44T rear for the steep climbs. Hunt Aero 50 carbon wheelset with tubeless 40mm Schwalbe G-One RS. SQlab 612 saddle and SQlab bar tape. Pro Explorer dropbar 440mm paired withProfile Design 35+ aerobars. Garmin Edge 1030 for navigation and Lezyne lights.

Key items of kit: Ortlieb 4l framebag for electric, spareparts and some food. Geosmina assrocket for sleeping bag an clothes like primaloft jacket and some hygiene products.

Linda Farczadi

Name: Linda Farczadi

Age: 36

Location: Lutry, Switzerland

Bike: Open MIN.D. with Dura Ace 12v. A 11-34 cassette will help ensure I can get up all those steep dead ends. Crankset is Rotor Aldhu Carbon with 165mm cranks and Dura Ace rings. Wheels are climber’s dream DT Swiss Mon Chasseral, with 28mm tubeless tires. The Sworks Mirror saddle and SQ Lab handlebar will ensure that all touch points are as comfy as possible.

Key items of kit: Navigation will come from Garmin Edge 1040 Solar, and lights powered by Exposure. Trusted Apidura race setup with 5L saddle bag, frame pack, top tube bag and food pouch.

Yves Wyckmans

Name: Yves Wyckmans

Age: 54

Location: Switzerland

Bike: Cervelo Aspero with Shimano GRX drivetrain (46/30) paired with 11-36t SRAM cassette to provide extra low 30x36t gear for long steep climbs. Set up for maximal comfort with Hunt hookless carbon 35 gravel wheels, carbon handlebar and carbon seatpost. Tubeless 40mm Gravelking slick (rear) and semi slick (front). Cervelo stock saddle.

Key items of kit: Mix and match of Apidura, Geosmina and other bags depending upon final volume of luggage. Ever useful Granite Rockband strap for any unexpected items to attach to frame. Custom build 18650 battery powered 1000lm light of which spare batteries serve in powerbank.

Kaddy (Katharina)

Name: Kaddy (Katharina)

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland

Bike: Road bike Specialized SL7, Shimano Ultegra Di2 11 speed. Tyres are Continental Grand Prix 5000 in 28mm.

Key items of kit: Apidura Racing Packs: Top tube 1L, Frame 4L and Saddle 7L. Lamp is a Supernova mini.

Loïc Marin Lamellet

Name: Loïc Marin Lamellet

Age: 27

Location: Flumet, France

Bike: Frame : No brand :-). Drivetrain & brakes SRAM Force, Wheels: DT Swiss CRC 1400, Tyres : Pirelli Cinturato velo Lights : K-Lamp EXR1600 & Lezyne strip drive pro Aerobars : Profile design ergo 43a

Key items of kit: Apidura frame bag for dolcis! Downtube bottle for repair kit and 2 bottles.

Nicola Stäubli

Name: Nicola Stäubli

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Bike: MONoPOLE Toolbike No O1 steel frame with 24“ rear, 20“ front wheel. Platform rack to carry drybags. Pinion C1.12 internal gearbox. Gates belt for drivetrain and steering.

Key items of kit: Rectangular custom frame bag by PACKS bags.

David Geraci

Name: David Geraci

Age: 38

Location: Switzerland

Bike: Canyon Ultimate SLX 2023

Key items of kit: Apidura Bags, Nitecore BR25 front light and Nitecore NU05 v2 rear light.

Caroline Roehrl

Name: Caroline Roehrl

Age: 33

Location: Chur, Switzerland

Bike: riding my Ribble CGR SL, which I just upgraded with a SRAM Force eTap AXS 2x12 (with the help of my brother who is way more talented in bike mechanics than I am)

Key items of kit: MYOG handlebar bag for snacks, electronics and other small items; ORTLIEB waterproof saddle bag (borrowed) for my ultralight sleeping pad, sleeping bag, down jacket and other clothing - if the weather is unwelcoming, I might leave the bivy gear at home and sleep in hotels.

Jona Riechmann

Name: Jona Riechmann

Age: 36

Location: Rosenheim, Germany

Bike: Bombtrack Hook EXT C, Gearing: 38t Oval chainring with a Leonardi Racing General Lee 11S 9 - 45 cassette and Leonardi Racing Aluminum Cranks 170 mm, Quarq Powermeter. WTB Byway 34 tyres tubeless.

Key items of kit: Bags: Ortlieb Fuel Pack and Frame-Pack RC Toptube. Supernova Airstream 2 Upside-Down Front Light. Seido Acceleron Carbon Wheelset and Drive Side Bottle Cages.

Carolin Gehrig

Name: Carolin Gehrig

Age: 35

Location: Flims, Switzerland

Bike: Specialized Crux Pro

Key items of kit: Eagle MTB Cassette gets you up everywhere! ;-)

Emma Pooley

Name: Emma Pooley

Age: 40

Location: Switzerland

Bike: WyndyMilla “Massive Attack” road bike 2019. Wheelset GS Astuto 650c special “sense composites” build. Same bike and wheels as used for the everesting world record in 2020.

Key items of kit: Bags: Apidura 3L saddle bag & top tube “snack bag”. Handlebar bag Alpkit mini dry bag. Lucky item: my favourite IRIS socks, and anti-chafe gel.

Simone Eder

Name: Simone Eder

Age: 42

Location: Basel, Switzerland

Bike: Canyon Endurace - My little black one on Hunt wheels with the sexy AbsoluteBlack oval rings. 30mm Continental tyres should be good for steep bumpy Ticino downhills...

Key items of kit: A little framebag full of salty potatoes to balance the overdose of Dolci. A little warm layer to stay cozy on the go and a GOOD spare light system to avoid stupid mistakes from the past.

Debora Seger

Name: Debora Seger

Age: 28

Location: Innsbruck

Bike: Scott Contessa Addict 2020

Key items of kit: Bags: Ortlieb Seatpack 11l, Ortlieb Framepack 4l, Apidura Snackpack Lights: Lupine Piko, Lezyne Zecto Rear Sleeping System: Cumulus X-Lite 300, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Snacks, Snacks, Snacks, ...

Laurie Charron-Lozeau

Name: Laurie Charron-Lozeau

Age: 28

Location: Lausanne, Suisse

Bike: Cervélo Aspero 2021, Shimano GRX 810 1x groupset, 40T chainring, Gabaruk 11-50 cassette, 650b DT SWISS GRC 1400 Spline wheels, Continental Terra Speed 40mm tires (tubeless).

Key items of kit: Apidura bolt-on top tube bag (1L), MAAP x Apidura saddle pack (7L), Velodrom x Duo Bags handlebar bag (2L), Bontrager Iron Pro RT Front light, Knog Plus Free rear light. No sleep system (emergency bivvy only). Lucky item: my Lausanne Gravel tie-dye shirt !

Hannes Meyle

Name: Hannes Meyle

Age: 35

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Bike: This super niche bike is my interpretation of gravel: Decathlon Rockrider XC 900 Team Edition with SRAM XX1 AXS groupset and Hayes Dominion T2 brakes. I slightly modified the bike with some items from my "Restekiste", such as the Roval Control SL wheels, Specialized saddle and Ceetec handlebar. The Ergon grips and short stem provide a comfy Grandpa position on long rides. I suspect it might not be the ideal bike for Dead Ends and Dolci, even if I take short cuts. Therefore, to increase my chances of getting to all the dolci, I mounted a Profile Design aero bar and Schwalbe Thunder Burt tyres. At least I have plenty of tyre clearance for mud (or snow...).

Key items of kit: My Lupine Piko R should bring me through the night without missing the checkpoints. I do not plan on sleeping, therefore I will only use an Apidura top tube bag and Apidura food pouch plus a small backpack. My lucky item is certainly the food pouch in combination with the aero bar: Now I can nibble my Pringels chips while being aero!

Rémy Girardin

Name: Rémy Girardin

Age: 37

Location: Bern

Bike: OPEN up

Key items of kit: Framebag and Foodpouch from PACKS (@packs_bags), Saddlebag and Toptube Bag from Apidura, Saddle from Infinity Bike Seat,

Nathalie Schneitter

Name: Nathalie Schneitter

Age: 37

Location: Solothurn, Switzerland

Bike: Trek Domane SLR 6

Key items of kit: - ortlieb saddle bag two

  • ortlieb accessory bag
  • supernova M99 mini pro front light
  • fidclock bottles

Stephan Deininger

Name: Stephan Deininger

Age: 35

Location: Zürich, Switzerland

Bike: Bike: "Zurigo", custom and handcrafted allroad steel-frame by Dreiercycles, Zürich. Components: Sram Red AXS + Ingrid crankset, one-by (38, 10-44) with mechanical Yokozuna Ultimo breaks; Enve 4.5 AR (+GP5000 TL, 32mm) with SON Delux dynamo hub (Supernova tail light + Sinewave Beacon front light); Alpitude saddle, Enve seatpost + Aero SES handlebar + Aero Clip-on.

Key items of kit: Restrap Race saddle bag (7l), Dawn to Dusk + BMC integrated top tube bag, Garmin Edge 530, 2x 600ml bottles,

Nick Becker

Name: Nick Becker

Age: 54

Location: Kreuzlingen, Switzerland

Bike: STEVENS Xenith Shimano Ultegra DI2 50/34x11/34 DTSwiss PRC 1400 50mm Schwalbe Pro One TLE 30mm

Key items of kit: Lupine SL Nano AF & Garmin Varia RTL 515 Apidura Racing Top Tube 1L & Frame 4L & Saddle 5L I can‘t get no sleep ;-)

Eva Parascandolo

Name: Eva Parascandolo

Age: 46

Location: Konstanz

Bike: Stevens xenith, shimano ultegra di2, 50/34 x 11/34, dt Swiss erc 1100/35, Schwalbe pro one tubeless 30 mm. Light: Lupine sl nano af + Garmin Varia rtl 515,

Key items of kit: Garmin Edge 1040, apidura race frame pack 2,4 l, toppeak top tube 0,7 l, apidura backcountry saddle pack 6 l

Justine Burkhalter (insta: ju.andropow)

Name: Justine Burkhalter (insta: ju.andropow)

Age: 34

Cap number: 15

Location: Zürich

Bike: My horse is called "Tessi" and it's a gravel bike from Scott (2020). It has the DT Swiss wheelset of my roadbike. I choose my gravel bike for the granny gears!

Key items of kit: Ortlieb saddle bag for my sleeping bag, down jacket and some clothes, Ortlieb accessory front bag for smaller stuff like gloves, legwarmers and snacks. I tried to pack as light as possible, because it is my first event and my excitement weighs heavily enough! :)

Michal Fok

Name: Michal Fok

Age: 38

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland

Bike: Cervélo Aspero 2021 - Shimano GRX with Garbaruk components - 40 x 11-50 gearing - Ultradynamico Rosé JFF tires 700x42

Key items of kit: Apidura : saddle pack 7L - frame pack 4L - top tube pack 1L Exposure : Toro MK12 front light - TraceR rear light Wahoo Elemnt Roam V2 lucky item : inflatable pillow

Dominik Süsstrunk

Name: Dominik Süsstrunk

Age: 35

Cap number: 15

Location: Zürich

Bike: Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon with Shimano GRX 810.

Key items of kit: Heavy wheels for a heavy rider =)

Dani Hofstetter

Name: Dani Hofstetter

Age: 45

Location: Frauenfeld, Switzerland

Bike: BMC Teammachine with Shimano Dura Ace 52/36 x 11-30t.

Key items of kit: Ortlieb Framebag, Wahoo ELMNT Bolt and lots of sugar.

Sabina Müller

Name: Sabina Müller

Age: 59

Location: Kreuzlingen, Switzerland

Bike: Stevens Xenith

Key items of kit: Saddle bag, top tube bag, 2 water bottles and light.

Nicole

Name: Nicole

Age: 41

Location: Basel

Bike: SUP

Key items of kit: Ortlieb Saddle Bag and several smaller bags from Apidura, EVOC and Restrap

Simon Geiser

Name: Simon Geiser

Age: 28

Cap number: 68

Location: Bern, Switzerland

Bike: ARC8 Eero, Shimano GRX Di2 1x11 with 40x10-50t Garbaruk cassette and Disco wheels.

Key items of kit: PACKS custom frame bag, Apidura top tube bag, Apidure saddle bag. Shutter Precision Dynamo Hub, Exposure Lights and ProfileDesign Aerobars

Ellen Martin

Name: Ellen Martin

Age: 31

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Bike: Mason Bokeh with 28mm slicks.

Key items of kit: Custom top tube bag from Spearfish, South Dakota & “Watch the Femmes” pin from Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio.

Robert Strom

Name: Robert Strom

Age: 24

Location: Konstanz, Germany

Bike: Stevens Super Prestige SRAM Force eTap AXS upgraded with a ZIPP 303S wheelset & a SRAM Force power meter crankset. Comfort finish: SQlab 612R saddle

Key items of kit: A set of Contec bikepacking bags filled with my secret weapon of choice: potatoes with salt!

Nicole Albrecher

Name: Nicole Albrecher

Age: 37

Location: Bern, Switzerland

Bike: ROSE Pro SL

Key items of kit: Some warmer layers, aid kit, repair kit for the bike etc. But mostly snacks, snacks, Snacks...

Max Riese

Name: Max Riese

Age: 32

Location: Salzburg, Austria

Bike: Cervélo Caledonia-5, 2022 Shimano Ultegra Di2 (52-42 / 11-32) Reserve Turbulence 40/44 wheels Ortlieb Frame bage, Fuel Bag Toptube Bag and Micro Two Saddle Bag Wahoo ELMNT Roam V2 Posedla custom 3d printed saddle

Key items of kit: Relying on very minimal kit with only emergency bivvy, 7mesh Freeflow Polartec insulated jacket and Oro shakedry jacket plus arm and leg warmers. Apart from MK3 Cargo Bibs and my Skyline Aero Jersey. First time in a while on battery setup without dynamo. So I carry a small 5000mAh battery pack, BBB front and backlight. As a backup i have a headlamp and my POC Omne Eternal helmet with integrated safety light. Worth mentioning is also a Wahoo Speedplay POWRLNK Powermeter and my Alba Delta photocromatic lenses. Quoc Night Mono shoes have custom insoles to prevent hot foot with constant high power output.

Ben Lerch

Name: Ben Lerch

Age: 32

Cap number: 11

Location: Switzerland

Bike: I'm riding a superlight Specialized Aethos S-Works. Went for the size 58 instead 56 to get a more comfortable position. Continental GP5000 30mm Tubeless tires for the best balance between comfort & speed. Standart Dura-Ace Groupset. Garmin 1040 Solar for navigation and enough battery power. Aerobars for more variation & comfort. Weight as shown: 7.9kg (Ortlieb bag still empty)

Key items of kit: Ortlieb Frame Bag for the essentials: clothes and food.

Liz

Name: Liz

Age: 30

Location: Innsbruck

Bike: Scott Contessa Addict 25

Key items of kit: sleep system, snacks, navigation

Ellen Martin

Name: Ellen Martin

Age: 31

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Bike: Mason Bokeh with 28mm slicks

Key items of kit: Custom top tube bag from Spearfish, South Dakota & “Watch the Femmes” pin from Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio. Revelate Designs underseat bag.

Roger Stalder

Name: Roger Stalder

Age: 50

Location: Weinfelden, Switzerland

Bike: Canyon Grizl

Key items of kit: 30/46 Chainring, 11-42 on the back. DT Swiss 1600 spline. Plus some special items to hunt the cakes and dolci‘s!

Eva Guenther

Name: Eva Guenther

Age: 35

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Bike: Orbea Orca

Key items of kit: 3 bikebags 🤞

Fernando Sanchez

Name: Fernando Sanchez

Age: 30

Cap number: 21

Location: Meride, Ticino

Bike: 3T Exploro Team ltd edition Sram XX1 10-51T rear derailleur , with 3T Torno carbon crank 44T and Sram Force etap axs lever. Wheels Swissside Gravon 420 carbon, with Vittoria Terreno Zero tyres 38mm

Key items of kit: Saddle bag: Pro discover Team gravel 10L Frame bag: Specialized/fjällräven Handlebar bag: Pro discover Team gravel.

Jule Gläser

Name: Jule Gläser

Age: 32

Cap number: 10

Location: Hachenburg

Bike: Ritchey Outback Shimano GRX 810 1x11 40-42 DT Swiss GRC 1400

Key items of kit: Lupine Rotlicht, Wilma Apidura Pouch, Frame 3L Topeak Rakete 7L.