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Flow, friendship and adrenaline
Adventure playground mountain bike
Descend 1,200 metres in 30 minutes, with breathtaking views: This is exactly what Jens Fischer, a passionate mountain biker, does in his free time. He told us what fascinates him about downhill biking...
Jens has been working in the field for Klingspor Haiger since 2001. He has been a key account manager for the last eight years, looking after major customers.
Jens was an enthusiastic cyclist even as a child. However, it was only through a significant coincidence 10 years ago that mountain biking really became a hobby for him. Since then, he has regularly undertaken tours with his off-road bike and his best friend. The two met in an unusual way and have been inseparable ever since.
‘It was like winning the lottery’
When Jens started mountain biking ten years ago, he not only found a new bike, but also a friend for life: his wife persuaded him to go shopping one Saturday and he strolled into a nearby sports shop to pass the time, where he quickly got into conversation with a salesman from whom he was to buy his first mountain bike a little later. The salesman, who was also an experienced mountain biker, invited Jens to go on his first tour with him: the two were immediately on the same wavelength and quickly became best friends. People often mistake them for brothers, because they not only share a passion for mountain biking, but also the same surname. Since then, the ‘Fischer brothers’ have regularly been out on the trails together. ‘It was like winning the lottery,’ enthuses Jens. When the two of them immerse themselves in their “adventure playground”, they feel like children again.
After the first rides in the area and visits to various bike parks, the “Fischer brothers” decided to join a week-long guided tour through Liguria. Booking through a tour operator saved them the hassle of planning and allowed them to fully concentrate on the trails and the impressive natural surroundings. The route took the group through the Ligurian hinterland – from Finale Ligure to the sea.
Jens had thoroughly researched the demands of the tour in advance. It was definitely not for beginners, which is why he and his friend prepared specifically for the challenging routes. One particular challenge was Jens' fear of heights. It was put to the test at the top of a pass, where the path was only 20 to 30 centimetres wide in places. But the breathtaking view and the need to concentrate on the ride quickly pushed the fear into the background.
‘A pure adventure,’ Jens still remembers the unforgettable tour today. In contrast to the local bike parks, the trails were completely natural. The strenuous ascent was rewarded with “flowy” descents. Jens also still has fond memories of the evenings spent together in good company. Over a glass of wine or beer, the day was reviewed and there was plenty of laughter. After the group arrived at their destination after seven days, everyone jumped into the sea in full gear for a well-deserved cool down!
Jens races through a bike park
Finally reaching the summit
From the rocky hinterland to the sea
After the first rides in the area and visits to various bike parks, the “Fischer brothers” decided to join a week-long guided tour through Liguria. Booking through a tour operator saved them the hassle of planning and allowed them to fully concentrate on the trails and the impressive natural surroundings. The route took the group through the Ligurian hinterland – from Finale Ligure to the sea.
Jens had thoroughly researched the demands of the tour in advance. It was definitely not for beginners, which is why he and his friend prepared specifically for the challenging routes. One particular challenge was Jens' fear of heights. It was put to the test at the top of a pass, where the path was only 20 to 30 centimetres wide in places. But the breathtaking view and the need to concentrate on the ride quickly pushed the fear into the background.
‘A pure adventure,’ Jens still remembers the unforgettable tour today. In contrast to the local bike parks, the trails were completely natural. The strenuous ascent was rewarded with “flowy” descents. Jens also still has fond memories of the evenings spent together in good company. Over a glass of wine or beer, the day was reviewed and there was plenty of laughter. After the group arrived at their destination after seven days, everyone jumped into the sea in full gear for a well-deserved cool down!
Mountain bike hotspot: Finale Ligure
Finale Ligure never fails to captivate Jens. The town on the Ligurian coast in northwestern Italy is no longer an insider tip, but it is definitely worth the hype.
Finale is a mecca for mountain bikers, with trails and routes for all ages and abilities. There are numerous opportunities to take a shuttle up the mountain and master five to eight descents per day. But if you want to take it easier, you can also climb the mountains under your own steam. The longest trail is over 20 km from a former NATO base down to the sea.
In tricky situations, Jens always remembers his motto: ‘Smooth & Gentle’. This is how he masters roots, stones and tight corners with controlled movements – without frantic braking manoeuvres.
But his heart beats above all for the ‘flowy’ trails, where you can literally let yourself drift down the mountain and get into a meditative flow. And to round off a perfect day in Finale, an Italian pizza usually awaits him in the evening.
The perfect blend of flow and technique
Once or twice a year, the Fischer brothers are drawn to South Tyrol, which Jens calls his second home. They now know many of the routes here and have made numerous local friends, so it feels a bit like coming home every time.
One highlight in South Tyrol is the Sunny Benny Trail on the Latschner Sonnenberg. The name says it all: 300 days of sunshine a year ensure the best conditions here. The ten-kilometre trail combines long flow sections with technically demanding sections. Jens usually masters the 1,200-metre descent in about 30 minutes.
Being a kid again
One of his biggest dreams is to ride the legendary trails in Whistler, Canada. The Italian island of Elba, with its spectacular natural beauty, is also on his bucket list. One thing is always clear to Jens: ‘Fun is the main thing’. He loves the carefree feeling that overcomes him when he's riding – but of course, his sporting ambition is always with him too.
Mountain biking is the perfect counterbalance to his demanding job. ‘It's exactly that carefree feeling from when you were a kid,’ he says. Getting up to mischief, laughing and enjoying the adventure playground in the great outdoors!
If you need tips and advice on mountain biking, feel free to contact Jens.
Jens races through the mist
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