RIDER INTERVIEW - SVEN GELHAUS
In the ultra-cycling community, Sven remains relatively unknown, mainly because he hasn’t participated in any official races yet. However, he has an impressive portfolio of cycling projects and bikepacking adventures. We asked him about his journeys, what motivates him, and why his Instagram profile includes the tagline “Solo Cycling.”
Who are you, and how would you describe yourself?
I’m Sven. I’m 46 years old, and I’ve been cycling passionately for several years now. Passion is what drives everything in my life.
What do you mean by passion?
Whatever I’ve done in life—if it touched my heart and consumed my thoughts—I’ve pursued it with total conviction and dedication. It’s all or nothing for me. While others may call it obsession, I call it passion. For a long time, I poured that energy into freediving, then into my career as a designer, and now into cycling.
What fascinates you most about cycling?
It’s the freedom that comes through consistency. When I cycle up to the summit of an Alpine pass, I feel an indescribable sense of freedom. That feeling is only possible because I’ve spent hours climbing steep gradients beforehand, almost tethered to the bike. The longer I ride, the more convinced I am that I can achieve anything.
How do you define “achieving anything”?
I’m drawn to ultra-distances and bikepacking tours that push me to my limits. I currently live in Berlin, and I began by solo-cycling around the city in one continuous ride. The first time was 200 km; by 2023, I’d increased it to over 500 km. That’s how I discovered ultra-distances for myself. From there, I tackled a solo 24-hour ride on a loop, regular 300 km+ rides, and my beloved bikepacking tours. These challenges excite me the most.
What are some of those challenges?
Last year, I cycled every paved Alpine pass over 2,000 meters in altitude. It was a single tour over 20 days, covering nearly 83,000 meters of elevation gain. This year, my goal is to surpass 100,000 meters and cross the 100 highest paved roads in the Alps.
What drives you to take on such challenges?
I’m endlessly searching for something I know I’ll never fully find. Yet, I keep going—again and again.
Why do you ride solo?
I get asked this question a lot, and honestly, I don’t have a definitive answer. Before and during a ride, things happen in my mind that I can’t fully explain—at least not yet. But I’m trying to figure it out. That said, this year, I plan to join a few group rides. I’ve also signed up for an official 24-hour race, and I’ve applied for a spot in the Ötztaler Radmarathon. Let’s see if I get a start spot there.
How do you prepare for your cycling projects?
The most critical part of my training focuses on mental strength. My body is fit, so I rarely worry about it. My “Achilles’ heel” is my mind. The best way to train it is with rides ranging between 150 and 300 km—or on the trainer. I’ve even completed the “Festive 500” indoors in a single session.
How does the perfect bikepacking tour start for you?
Simple: 99.9% organized. I’m a routine-oriented person, even on tours. I meticulously pack my bikepacking bags before a tour, ensuring everything is perfectly structured. I repeat the packing and unpacking process several times before setting off. Someone once commented on one of my packing reels, saying, “You only pack that perfectly the first time.” But what can I say? I still pack everything just as perfectly on the last day of a tour as I do on the first.
Sounds incredibly structured. Do our bags help?
Absolutely! They’re incredibly stable. I can trust that everything stays exactly where I packed it—perfectly organized. Plus, the bags maintain their original width. With other bag models, I often had issues with items shifting around, making the bags wider and causing them to rub against my inner thighs.
Want to follow Sven’s journey?
Check out his adventures on Instagram!