Date of birthSep 20, 1965
Favourite product Race 8
Favourite SpotsScuol – S-Charl- Alp Astras – Fuorcla Funtana – Tschierv – St. Maria – Umbrail – Pedenollo – Arnoga – Val Viola – Poschiavo – up on the Bernina railway then the Bernina trail to Pontresina.
Learn moreAndrea Hahn
Andrea has two great passions in her life: her son Paul and biking. As a qualified sports scientist (from Cologne’s Sport University), she runs her company, Bike Agentur, out of Konstanz. She develops and organises marketing measures for the biking offers of holiday regions and hotels.
Nickname:
Mrs “Huhn” [hen]
My first bike:
1987 a Specialized Rockhopper.
My favourite route:
a nice uphill stretch up to 1000 metres, a flow trail downhill and a break in a beautiful setting, such as Monte Faudo in Liguria, the Bernina trail in the Engadin.
Uphill or downhill?
I like riding uphill and love flowing downhill.
That’s why I get involved:
I’ve been a part of the Deuter SL team since 2007 and I’m very proud to be involved in the development of the SL products. All the different female “facets” are represented on the team. What I love about Deuter is their passion to keep refining the products. And the social and ecological commitment that is not done for commercial reasons but from an inner conviction.
Date of birthJun 27, 1977
Favourite product Trans Alpine Pro 28
Favourite SpotsThere are so many… Livigno, Kaltern, Chiemgau, Barcelona...
Learn moreAndy Rieger
As a child, Andy could never be parted from his bike, and that trend has continued on through his life. Luckily, he’s also managed to make it into his career… He is in the DIMB national mountain bike training team and founder of the MTB and travel agency Bikeguide-Chiemgau.de. When he was young, his bike was his ‘favourite toy’ and nothing much has changed. What Andy does best? Play bike!
My first bike:
in 1992, it was a Specialized Hard Rock
Uphill or downhill?
I prefer coming downhill but in order to ride down you first have to get to the top.
That’s why I get involved:
I associate Deuter with my country and a closeness to people. Deuter isn’t just a brand. The staff behind it embody and convey the feeling of outdoor and quality that you can trust. That’s exactly what we want to give the participants in our courses and tours.
Date of birthApr 14, 1986
HometownIn Hagen, the gateway to the Sauerland region, in a small village
Favourite SpotsHometrail, Reschensee, Finale Ligure
Learn moreAnnika Jeschke
“I’m a self-employed real estate agent. I’ve been hooked on biking since 2012, and I love running up and down the mountains with my two dogs. Especially downhill. There’s nowhere I feel better than sitting on my bike surrounded by nature. I love racing and spending time with friends. It’s really fun to be involved in the Women’s Camps, where I am able to pass on my passion. I’ve been lucky enough to have been working with Deuter since 2016. In 2018, I even became part of the Deuter Family! I’m already hugely excited about spending time together.
My greatest achievements were 3rd place in 2015 and 2nd place in 2016 in the downhill marathon, the Megavalanche at La Réunion.
It’s never too late to live your dream. Belief and passion can move mountains.”
Which sports do you enjoy?
I ride my bike all year round. No matter whether it’s Enduro, downhill or E-MTB. Also: jogging and rowing machine
Which is your favourite?
I like going downhill best :-), nice flowing trails, but also rough downhill stretches
Your personal sporting highlight?
The Megavalanche at La Réunion
Your vocation/job:
self-employed real estate agent
What is a special moment for you on the mountain or in sport?
When I can breathe in nature, listen to the birds singing and enjoy the sunshine. Watching the sunrise in the Alps is always a very special moment. From a sports point of view, I like overcoming my limitations and my fears. That makes me particularly happy.
What’s your motivation for your sporting activities?
My dogs need to be taken out every day. That’s something we all enjoy. But my main motivations are my own personal development and, above all, the element of fun.
If I had lots of time, I’d like to…
…explore the world on my bike.
Deuter is to me…
…my companion on all my tours. It offers a great feeling of security for my back.
I’m with Deuter because…
…I’m enthusiastic about the product, and Deuter is very innovative. The team is great and I feel very welcome.
What’s your favourite Deuter item?
The Attack 18 SL. It sits well, it’s spacious and offers me plenty of protection.
Antje Kramer
Antje won the German Downhill Championships 7 times, came 3rd in the Megavalanche Alpe d’Huez and likes feeling “pleasantly knackered”. The nurse started riding in Enduro and Freeride races in 2012 and trains hard alongside her work. But discipline is only possible when it’s fun – “and I can honestly say I have fun the whole time!”
Nickname:
The Kramer
My first bike:
It was an Intense M1.
Uphill or downhill?
I prefer riding downhill, and love going fast. But uphill is all part of it and when the ascents aren’t too long, Antje enjoys that, too.
That’s why I get involved:
I’ve not been a family member for very long, but I was made to feel incredibly welcome. I’m really excited about getting to know everyone and being part of this special community.
Date of birthMay 10, 1976
HometownVorarlberg, Austria
Favourite product Trans Alpine Pro 28
Favourite SpotsTrails in beautiful scenery, wherever they are.
Learn moreGerhard Czerner
Gerhard has been working closely with Deuter for over 15 years. He has a successful career as a trial rider and is now a passionate all-round biker and outdoorsman: Gerhard is a mountain bike trainer in the national training team, a bike guide, biking instructor, outdoor trainer, in winter, a ski and snowboard instructor – and a keen traveller. The bike expert gets his energy from his Vorarlberg muscles and from nature itself. He is virtually the father of our Bike Family, as he coordinates the collaboration with all the Deuter bike athletes.
My first bike:
the first bike I remember was a folding bike, around 1984.
What’s special about my current bike:
it’s not going to break as quickly as my folding bike.
Uphill or downhill?
I prefer to ride uphill when I know there’s going to be a lovely downhill trail. I prefer to ride downhill when it’s not on forest paths and tarmac roads.
That’s why I get involved:
What I really value about Deuter is the family atmosphere. As an outsider, companies often appear large and impersonal – after all, Deuter is the market leader in backpacks. Yet, the team is really manageable and every individual is full of enthusiasm. It’s all about creating a product that is absolutely reliable and long-lasting so as to save natural resources.
Date of birthJun 4, 1966
Favourite product Race 8
Favourite SpotsIn Livigno (Italy): Mottolino – Flow Country Trail – Val delle Mine – Carosello 3000 – Val Federia – Livigno (you can simplify the whole thing with two lift journeys).
Learn moreHans Rey
A man whose name is familiar to most bikers and a list that appears almost endless: member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, professional biker and adventurer, Trial World Champion and Initiator of the charity “Wheels 4 Life”, stuntman and film biker, German, Swiss, Californian and world traveller. Hans is one of the pioneers of the freeride scene and now tends to spend most of his time on expeditions. He has been living with his wife Carmen in Laguna Beach for 25 years.
Nickname:
No Way Rey
My first bike:
I got it in 1974. But my first trial bike was a modified Bonanza Bike (Schwinn Stingray) 1979.
The special feature of my current bike:
That it has a lot of siblings. I’m lucky enough to own a lot of bikes.
Favourite place:
In spring, if I’m not travelling, then I’m always back home in Laguna Beach, California. In summer, I often travel through Europe in my camper van, so you’ll usually find me on the trails around Livigno. In autumn, I tour the bike shows and spend time at home in California.
Uphill or downhill?
I prefer riding downhill, but riding uphill is all part of it…
That’s why I get involved:
For me, Deuter stands for quality, function and reliability. I was just on a ‘volcano bike tour’ in Ecuador. We spent the nights in huts at 4,600–5,000 metres above sea level; the Trans Alpine 30 with all its functionalities was incredibly reliable and practical. And in the Exosphere -4 sleeping bag, the cold and windy nights were more than comfortable.
Date of birthJun 30, 1968
HometownI live in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I grew up in Dortmund, in the beautiful Ruhr district. In summer, I’m often out and about in the Alps at events or at one of our camps. I like being in Ital
Favourite product Attack 20
Favourite SpotsHigh alpine trails in the Alps, the Ötztal with its Bike Republic is somewhere I’ve grown very fond of. But Arosa Lenzerheide, the Dolomites and Liguria are also high up on my list of favourites.
Learn moreHolger Meyer
As a professional biker, Holger Meyer has already competed in numerous downhill races, German championships, Downhill Bundesliga and world cup races in exotic locations such as Hawaii and Australia. He was one of the first German bikers to take part in the legendary Mammoth Mountain Kamikaze downhill race in California. He is now an established figure on the bike scene alongside his wife, Karen Eller. In their bike camps, they both pass on their extensive knowledge. He is also the founder of the Singletrail Schnitzeljagd in Sölden, the unique cult Enduro fun event. Since 2017, this has been supplemented by the Hörnlijagd in Arosa and the Knödeljagd in Gröden. The principle is always the same: Teams of 2 try to find as many supertrails as possible and, at the same time, complete amusing missions. Holger is also a prolific author and spends a lot of time out on the most beautiful trails on the planet for his sponsors. For 15 years, he has been brand ambassador for Scott, and for the last few years also for Deuter.
Nickname:
mountmeyer
My first bike:
1988 Kettler aluminium bike, I think it was the first aluminium mountain bike in Germany, though they might have already had the Cannondale... The special feature of my current bike:
It’s lightweight, fast and stable, carbon makes this possible and it goes downhill really well. Scott is well ahead of the field here. The new Genius is my absolute favourite trail bike.
Uphill or downhill?
Riding downhill is the reward for pedalling uphill. Earn your turn, I have a holistic approach to it all, unless there’s a cable car going up directly overhead. Then I don’t need to be told twice. E-MTB is also getting more and more exciting.
That’s why I get involved:
For me, Deuter stands for German quality and function. It’s fun to work with a company that also likes to get feedback on its products and uses this to make changes to its production. An all-round good company with a long history.
Photo Credit Anton Brey
Date of birthJan 28, 1991
HometownLindau / Lake Constance and Freiburg
Favourite product Compact 6
Favourite SpotsFreiburg and Western Alps
Learn moreJakob Breitwieser
Jakob came to Freiburg for his teaching degree and - despite the lack of alpine terrain - quickly got used to the Black Forest. In the meantime it can be described as love and if he is not in front of his classes, Jakob makes the trails around Germany's MTB capital unsafe.
For three years now, Deuter backpacks have been his constant companion and ensure that Jakob neither starves, freezes to death nor injures his back in a fall.
The Liteville team rider was already at the start lines of various enduro races all over Europe and reports very entertaining at mtb-news.de. The fun here clearly stands before the performance. Because his real preference - due to his job - is clearly the passing on of the passion for bike sport. On the one hand as a teacher at the mtb-academy, on the other hand as a youth manager of the MTB-Freiburg e.V.
First bike: of course a puky!
Up or down? Down - but that goes up with it.
Date of birthApr 14, 1968
HometownI live in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I grew up in Munich. I actually started biking in Hamburg, where I also studied. I spend most of my summers in the Alps.
Favourite product Compact EXP 12
Favourite SpotsI like the high alpine trails in the Alps best. I particularly love the sunsets on the trails in the Aosta Valley.
Learn moreKaren Eller
Professional biker Karen Eller has won the Transalp Challenge twice and the Transrockies in Canada once. Training, technique and tactics helped her to repeatedly complete the 650-kilometre race with 21,000 metres of altitude. Karen’s great mastery of cycling technique, her many years of racing experience and her love of nature make her a very special instructor. Right from the start of her career, Karen has dedicated herself to the topic of Women on Bikes. Whether it’s product development for bikes and clothing or activities on the mountain bike scene, Karen has been influential on women’s issues. Since finishing her active career, she has been passing on her knowledge and experience in workshops and camps. Karen and her partner Holger have now set up one of the most successful Enduro events of recent years in Ötztal, Germany – the single trail Schnitzeljagd. Karen is the author of the book “Mountain Biking for Women”. Karen has been living with Holger in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for some years and has two children.
My first bike:
1993 Spezialized Stumpjumper
The special feature of my current bike:
Ever since I can remember, I’ve ridden carbon bikes and fullies. On my long-distance races, it was always really important to me to go downhill easily, quickly and safely. Marin was my first team sponsor. Back then, I was still riding aluminium bikes, but once I changed to Cannondale, the Raven was my first carbon bike, which I was riding when I won the Transalp. Since 2001, I’ve been riding for SCOTT, a carbon bike specialist. The new 2018 Genius is my favourite as a trail bike.
Uphill or downhill?
I like them both equally. In my camps, I do a lot of downhill; we often take the mountain railway up. We train riding techniques there. In private, I like pushing myself and pedalling uphill. A good mix of the two. What I find completely senseless are downhill gravel tracks.
That’s why I get involved:
It’s fun to work with a company that also likes getting feedback about its products and allows that to flow into production. An all-round good company with a long history, high quality and well-designed products.
Photo credits: Dan Milner, Anton Brey, Maria Knoll, Andreas Vigl
Date of birthAug 8, 1977
Favourite product Pulse 3
Favourite SpotsLeogang and South Tyrol
Learn moreMarcus Klausmann
For anyone who doesn’t know Marcus – perhaps we should let the numbers speak for themselves: 34 years old, 3 children, 15 years as a downhill professional, 14-time German Champion (and, thus, unrivalled), runner-up in the World Championship, winner of the 1996 World Cup and 2-times Trial Junior World Champion. Marcus is a popular film and TV rider – and naturally also a popular Deuter Family rider. Since 2015, Marcus has been competing in the Enduro field, and trying to emulate his previous successes.
Nickname:
Mausi Mausmann
My first bike:
It was a Cat4 in 1990.
Uphill or downhill?
I definitely prefer riding downhill. And I like going fast.
That’s why I get involved:
Deuter is a long-term partner for me and I’m proud to be part of it. This is where I’ve found the best biking backpacks – and elsewhere, Deuter always has the right equipment ready, which is really important for my travelling…
Date of birthFeb 26, 1988
Favourite product Compact EXP 10 SL
Favourite SpotsAugsburg, Neukirchen, Schladming
Learn moreTanja Hendrysiak
Tanja is only 31, but her CV reads like a veteran bike enthusiast’s. Having grown up in Augsburg, she started BMX racing in 2000 (at the age of 11…) and came in third at the German Championships of 2005. She then discovered mountain biking and is currently enjoying great success in the international 4X sector (taking first place in the Nightsprints in Riva and Großheppach as well as at the European Cup in Winterberg in 2011 and 2012). She organises Freeride Camps where she conveys a passion for biking to young girls. Her main job is as a physiotherapist.
My first bike:
neon pink 16” child’s bike without stabilisers.
Uphill or downhill?
Definitely downhill!
My favourite rides:
Wildkogeltrail, Augsburg Hometrails, downhill route in Schladming
That’s why I get involved:
Deuter is a company that brings an incredible level of expertise. As a woman, I’m especially keen on the SL Women series, and after my bike experiences with Deuter’s backpacks, there’s no longer any alternative. They fit perfectly, even on rough downhill stretches. They are robust, stylish, practical and lightweight.
Sonja Granzow
She started with road racing, changed to MTB cross-country and somehow things got faster and faster for Sonja as she focussed her efforts on downhill, 4-Cross, freeride, enduro and dirt jump. She is now the German champion in downhill and 4-Cross. What does she like best? Spending lots of time with her bike in the open air…
Date of birthMar 8, 1993
HometownTramin in the south of South Tyrol
Favourite product Attack 20
Favourite SpotsI love my home trails in the South Tyrol, but on my travels, I have seen so many fantastic places all over the world. I’d find it very difficult to choose a favourite place.
Learn moreVeronika Widmann
Veronika is actually a trained nurse but is currently fully focussed on her downhill career. Originally from the South Tyrol, she discovered her passion for biking at the age of 12 when she competed in her first cross-country race. At the age of 19, she switched to downhill biking and has been competing in the Downhill World Cup since 2015. She has enjoyed many successes: Two-times Italian champion, IXS European Cup overall winner, several European Cup wins, some top 10 positions in the World Cup and in 2018, her best World Cup result to date when she finished in 5th place.
However, there is more to her than downhill biking: “Just between you and me, I actually prefer training on my Enduro bike than in the bike park – most of all, on really cool tours, sometimes longer ascents and nature trails. I also work as a guide in camps, such as the Women’s Bike Camp.”
“I only joined Deuter relatively recently but I tested some products beforehand. I’m excited, and I’m looking forward to getting to know everything and working together with the team!”
