Vadehavsgravelløbet

Vadehavsgravelløbet is a gravel challenge in the marshland around Wadden Sea National Park, starting from the square by Ribe Cathedral in the old royal town of Ribe. Its signature moment is riding across the seabed to the island of Mandø and back before high tide comes in, and riders also take on the westerly wind over the Rømø causeway.

Start times are set around the tides, and the organisers joke that anyone who lingers too long on Mandø will need a water bike to get back to the mainland. The ride is not timed: the distance and the surroundings are challenge enough, and every finisher gets a specially designed medal.

It is run by Ribe Cykelklub on Ascension Day, and the finish has a culinary twist: a hot meal cooked by chef Rasmus Errebo, who once fed Bjarne Riis's CSC team in its heyday.