# Hamburg's Backyard

> Hamburg's Backyard is a gravel ultra cycling event series based in Hamburg, Germany. It was created by four Hamburg cyclists who wanted more gravel adventures on their doorstep. The motto: unsupported, but never alone.

The events are not races in a traditional sense. There are no stage splits, no neutral support, no feed zones. Riders carry their own food, fix their own mechanicals, and book their own accommodation along the way — but they ride with others, and the organisers are always reachable. The philosophy is that your next big adventure doesn't require a flight: it starts at the edge of Hamburg.

Both formats follow a fixed GPX route. Riders must follow the track; if they leave it (for food, accommodation, or because a path is blocked), they return to the same point before continuing.

## Events 2026

### Backyard Ultra
- Distance: 700 km
- Elevation gain: ~3,000 m
- Duration: up to 4 days (no stage time limits)
- Start: Thursday, 25 June 2026, morning
- Finish: Hamburg (same as start)
- Route: Loop from Hamburg through northern Germany (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) and back
- Categories: Solo & Pair
- Status: **Sold out for 2026.** Waitlist via newsletter at https://www.backyard-gravel.com
- Included: GPX file, GPS tracker for dotwatching, media team along the route, goodie bag & T-shirt, campsite at the halfway point

### Night Shift
- Distance: 250 km
- Duration: ~12 hours (1 night, no official time limit)
- Start: Friday, 26 June 2026, evening
- Finish: Hamburg (same as start) on Saturday morning
- Categories: Solo & Pair
- Status: **New for 2026.** Tickets available.
- Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hamburgsbackyard/2001893
- Included: GPX file, GPS tracker for dotwatching, media team along the route, goodie bag & T-shirt
- Riders' briefing: Friday afternoon (separate from Ultra)

## Event Weekend Overview

- Wednesday, 24 June: Optional get-together for Ultra participants
- Thursday, 25 June: Ultra start (morning)
- Friday, 26 June: Night Shift briefing (afternoon), Night Shift start (evening)
- Sunday, 28 June: Ultra finish deadline

## Format Rules

- Fixed GPX route — riders follow the track
- Fully unsupported: no food drops, no crew, no neutral support
- Accommodation: book only after the start for maximum flexibility
- Bike requirement: gravel bike or mountain bike, minimum 40 mm tyre width (sand and forest tracks)
- Road bikes are technically possible but not recommended
- Dropping out: contact organisers via WhatsApp or phone; the nearest train station is always close

## What's Included (both formats)

- GPX file of the route
- GPS tracker for live dotwatching
- Media team present along the route
- Goodie bag & T-shirt
- Ultra only: campsite at the route's halfway point

## Team

Hamburg's Backyard was founded and is organised by four Hamburg cyclists:

- **Jan Nitschke** — Organisation & coordination
- **Rasmus Bozyk** — Route planning & gear advice (experienced ultra finisher)
- **David Weiger** — Numbers & logistics
- **Jasper Korth** — Photography & visual identity

## Pages

- Homepage: https://www.backyard-gravel.com/
- Ultra event page: https://www.backyard-gravel.com/ultra
- Night Shift event page: https://www.backyard-gravel.com/night-shift
- Be Brave (local routes & inspiration for beginners): https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich
- About the team: https://www.backyard-gravel.com/about
- English version of all pages: https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/

## Optional: Full content

- https://www.backyard-gravel.com/ultra
- https://www.backyard-gravel.com/night-shift
- https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich
- https://www.backyard-gravel.com/about

<!-- newsletter-archive:start -->
## Newsletter archive

The "Trau dich" / "Be brave" newsletter publishes pieces about gravel ultra cycling — gear notes, route picks, and reflections from the road. Archives: https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich (Deutsch), https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/dare (English).

### Deutsch

- [Die Kiste im Keller - Gruppetto x Backyard Flohmarkt](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich/die-kiste-im-keller-gruppetto-x-backyard-flohmarkt) — 2026-06-09 — Wir veranstalten zusammen mit dem Gruppetto Hamburg einen Fahrrad Flohmarkt.
- [Begleiter Für Spontane Abenteuer](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich/begleiter-fur-spontane-abenteuer) — 2026-05-18 — Es braucht nicht viel für ein Abenteuer. Du brauchst ein bisschen Zeit, ein Wochenende zum Beispiel, und du musst losfahren. Das ist es eigentlich schon.
- [Shop schließt bald und Reifenkunde](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich/shop-schliesst-bald-und-reifenkunde) — 2026-05-12
- [Night Shift Probelauf](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich/night-shift-probelauf) — 2026-04-25 — Wir testen die Night Shift für euch.
- [Was auf die Ohren](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich/was-auf-die-ohren) — 2026-04-19 — Die besten Podcasts für lange Radfahrten.
- [Taschen und Rabatte](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich/taschen-und-rabatte) — 2026-04-13 — Warum wir Tailfin Taschen mögen.
- [Durch die Nacht](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich/durch-die-nacht) — 2026-04-06 — Wieso du mit dem Rad durch die Nacht fahren solltest.
- [Ultra 101](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich/ultra-101) — 2026-04-06 — Alles, was du für einen Ultra brauchst (gar nicht so viel).
- [Community Event im Harz](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/trau-dich/community-event-im-harz) — 2026-04-06 — 30. Mai, Goslar: 202 km und 4.000 Hm Gravel rund um den Harz – zusammen mit dem Gruppetto Hamburg.

### English

- [Gruppetto x Backyard Flea Market](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/dare/gruppetto-x-backyard-flea-market) — 2026-06-09 — We are organizing a bike themed flea market together with Gruppetto Hamburg.
- [Companion For Spontaneous Adventures](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/dare/companion-for-spontaneous-adventures) — 2026-05-18 — It doesn't take much for an adventure. You need a bit of time, a weekend for example, and you need to head out. That's pretty much it.
- [Shop Closes And Tire Talk](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/dare/shop-closes-and-tire-talk) — 2026-05-12
- [Night Shift Test Run](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/dare/night-shift-test-run) — 2026-04-25 — We test Night Shift for you.
- [In your ears](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/dare/in-your-ears) — 2026-04-19 — The best podcasts for long rides.
- [Bags and Coupons](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/dare/bags-and-coupons) — 2026-04-13 — Why we like Tailfin bags.
- [Through The Night](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/dare/through-the-night) — 2026-04-06 — Why you should ride through the night.
- [Ultra 101](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/dare/ultra-101-6524) — 2026-04-06 — Everything you need to do an ultra (not so much).
- [Community Event in the Harz](https://www.backyard-gravel.com/en/dare/community-event-in-the-harz) — 2026-04-06 — Join us for a day in the Harz — 202km, 4,000m elevation, all gravel.
<!-- newsletter-archive:end -->

## Social & Contact

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamburgsbackyard/
- Legal notice: https://gruppetto.community/policies/contact-information