Sun, Gravel, Season Start: My First Ride of 2026

Sunshine and blue skies: time to get the bike ready and hit the road! To ease back into things after a long winter break, I decided on a relaxed loop from Hildburghausen to Harras and back.

But before I could head out, the obligatory check-up was due. After sitting idle for a while, my gravel bike needed some TLC: oiling the chain, checking the tire pressure, and giving everything a quick once-over.

Preparing the gravel bike for the first tour
Fresh oil and enough air: Getting ready for the ride.

The Route

The journey started right at my doorstep. First, I headed onto the Werratal cycle path, which is perfect for getting the legs moving again. From there, the path led me past Heßberg and Veilsdorf all the way to Harras.

For the way back, I chose the loop via Schackendorf before heading through Veilsdorf again and back onto the cycle path towards Hildburghausen.

  • Distance: 23.8 km
  • Region: Werratal / South Thuringia
Route: Hildburghausen - Harras and back
The route of my warm-up lap.

Impressions Along the Way

The weather really played along and the visibility was fantastic. Here are a few impressions from the tour:

Gravel bike in front of a hut
A short breather just before Harras.
View of Harras
Arriving in Harras.
View of the Blessberg
The Blessberg greeting from a distance.
Thuringian landscape
Enjoying the vast Thuringian landscape.
Milch-Land GmbH Veilsdorf
Passing by Milch-Land GmbH Veilsdorf.

A successful start to the 2026 season. The legs feel good. Next time, I’m happy to add a few more kilometers to the clock!