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