Sport and nature - Mountainbike fanatic Steffi Marth combines both in her life. The full-time "bike adventurer" is a J-Athlete and talks about how she found her way onto the bike, what it takes for a successful sports career and where she prefers to get on her mountain bike - tips for beginners included.
Whether on the Dachstein, near Tibet or on the Great Wall of China - Steffi is on her bike wherever it is technically possible and where there is something to experience. The German athlete's focus is on exploring nature and having fun outdoors.
From BMX to Mountainbike
But Steffi's cycling career began on the BMX track in her hometown. She started training there at the age of 12 and soon celebrated her first successes. When eight people are on the track at the same time, it looks dangerous, but the sport is "really cool," says Steffi. At 16, the athlete was German champion in the junior class and thus directly in the national squad. A short time later, BMX racing became Olympic and the intensity of the training increased. The sport was still fun for Steffi, but, "I then quickly realized that BMX wasn't quite my thing." She therefore looked for alternatives and came to the sport "Four Cross" (also called "4X"), in which four people compete simultaneously on a mountainbike course. "The first of these races I still rode a BMX," says Steffi - but she soon switched to a mountainbike that was more suitable for this.
To date, the athlete has won a total of five German championship titles in BMX and Four Cross races. She has also been twice on the podium at Four Cross World Championships - with a third place each time in 2015 and 2016. "Four Cross was right up my alley, and while it was pretty cool that I was so successful at it," Steffi recounts. World Cup races in the sport were abolished soon after, however. That's how the athlete eventually got interested in longer downhill courses.
Around the world by bike
Even while she was still racing, Steffi kept receiving requests from sponsors who wanted to go on bike trips with her and document them. In 2016, however, she had an accident during a race and broke several bones.
"I had such an overachiever year at the time and always wanted to make higher jumps."
The athlete liked the idea of combining her sport with exploring nature so much that she also started planning cycling adventures abroad herself after her accident. Since then, Steffi has made a living from her work as a "bike adventurer" - she rode her last race in 2018.
Steffi has done numerous trips with her bike. With her team of Cameramen, she has already been on the Great Wall of China, cycled through the vast landscape near Tibet or searched for the coolest bike spots on La Palma. Her favorite place to experience something on a Mountainbike: "Definitely La Palma! Because the island is quite accessible for everyone, you have the beautiful nature and there are the ideal conditions for mountain biking."
From beginner to professional
Steffi is particularly enthusiastic about cycling because cycling in nature can be a cure for all kinds of problems - no matter if physical or psychological. In addition, she says, cycling is interesting even in childhood and thus offers a good opportunity to gain initial experience with competitive sports. An added bonus: Experienced cyclists can get to even the most remote parts of nature.
To achieve long-term success in cycling, the athlete recommends taking a riding technique course early on - especially when it comes to downhill or mountainbike courses. Learning the technique early on is important, she says, so that later mistakes in riding behavior can be avoided.
"There are so many people who just get on their bikes and think they can do it all - but visiting a course like this makes sense, even if you've been riding for 10 years."
Stylish on two wheels
According to the athlete, endurance plays a greater role than muscle strength in terms of physical requirements. Especially on longer mountainbike routes, she says, it is important to get up a mountain without too much effort - the muscle strength comes on its own.
In addition to physical endurance, the right material is also important. "With the bike itself, the right size plays a role above all". To save a bit of money on a new purchase, she advises, "Used bikes are always an option, too, if you know what to look for - for example, whether the gears or brakes are well maintained."
When it comes to sportswear, Steffi recommends a well-fitting pair of sunglasses in addition to the appropriate helmet and other protective gear. Particularly important here: "No wind should get to your eyes." The glasses should therefore be large enough and not too heavy. Together with J. Athletics, Steffi is currently working on her own glasses with all their advantages. But if you already need a pair of glasses, the bike adventurer recommends the J. Athletics "Skyball". The model not only meets the athlete's requirements, it also looks good, according to Steffi.
