Maurice Brocco 400

24-hour challenge

27th and 28th of July 2024

News

_04/01/2024
It's a new dawn, it's a new day and MB is feeling good. For its ninth time around this years route is planning to visit mountains. Real mountains. The website is about to get an update, so we might be offline for a while but when we're back, we'll get registration rolling asap. Watch this space!

_10/03/2023
Over one month has passed and it's time for a little update. Registration is still open for everyone not identifying as cis-male! We're getting pretty close to a 50/50 line-up right now, which is thrilling by the amount of registrations that came in.
As always, it takes a while for the räce, let's call it a räce. Or ræce? It's not a race, obviously. Anyway, it takes a while for it to take its shape. But now it is and there will be eight checkpoints this year. Also, in case you hadn't noticed you're reading english: we decided to skip german and keep to english. English we have to offer, due to the fact that there's always participants from abroad joining, but writing everything in two languages simply takes too much time. We don't want to publish anything that's been translated with a translator either. So we ask of all german-spoken people that don't have a solid base in the english language: please translate yourself. If you've got any questions, we're happy to answer to your mail in german, of course.
Since the starting grid is full (you know..), the waitlist is filling itself. There's so many of you, we could easily organize MB400 two times now. We won't, though, sorry if that got your hopes up. We are however planning something you might have heard of before. During the peak of covid-19, we opted for a self-supported version of the råce as we would otherwise have had to cancel completely. Since this was a succes and we have a hard time saying no, we're looking into setting up a self-supported version in this year too. This way, if you find yourself on the waitlist, you can self-organize to ride your MB400 in the weeks prior to the 22nd/23rd of July, starting on Maurice Brocco's death day, the 26th of June. That's the idea. We're working hard on setting it up, so stay posted!

_04/02/2023
It's a new day, it's a new dawn... And registration has opened! At least for everyone reading english it has. Because the german site is down, somehow. Anyway, we are happy to announce another year of ultra cycling deluxe with checkpoints to warm your heart, a broom wagon to keep you from going nowhere and a community to make your warm heart melt.
Where exactly the checkpoints will be remains a secret for just a while. But as promised, this year will be easier going concerning altitude gain. The ultra distance scene seems to be getting more and more extreme -which is fine, we love a good challenge!!- but we choose to stay on the more inclusive side, if you can call it that. It's still 400+KM, make no mistake about it. On the 22nd of July, start will be in Dresden. Then 24 hours later, the bell tolls for all ye willful and the not-really-winner will be coronated.
So there you have it: we're open. Which means it's time to get into shape. Go ride your bike and come join us!

_01/08/2022
We are close to lift-off and registration has closed there's a few spots left on the starting grid. We had a few people cancel, so if you want to take part, now is your chance!
Many have asked what will happen with the route in light of recent developments concerning bush fires in Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland. Well, we indeed made some changes. The fires are very close to home, you can even smell them in Dresden and Prague. The fire has spread into the soil, where smouldering humus is furthering problems of containing the fire. Thus we strongly advise you to plan your route towards CP1 north of the national park region. Between CP1 and CP2 we advise to plan south of this region. This way you won't be in danger, but it will be a bit smelly. Maybe a bit strange to say, but we're really hoping for rain!

_15/07/2022
So that was quick.... As I am writing this, only three spaces on the starting grid remain free. Only three! Meaning; if you want to compete and haven't registered yet, it might be now or never. Howeverrr, you won't believe THIS hack: if you consider yourself another gender as cis-male, you can apply for a place on the starting line still. Why? Well, any gender but cis-male is still underrepresented. In cycling in general but also at MB400. Simply make Coco a happy puppy and send him a mail!.

_04/07/2022
It's a go people! Thanks to Schleudergang e.V. we proudly present another year of MB400! Application form is live already, so hop over and apply for a space on the starting line. As usual there're limited places available and we are aiming for a 50/50 ratio female/male or better yet non-cis-male/male applicants. I'm looking forward to your application!

_12/02/2022
Alright. Concerning the radio silence: my personal life changed quite a bit over the past few years. The last two years forced me to rethink MB400 with several things as a result. For one, there were the DIY versions of the event. They've been a success and opened my eyes to alternative ways of organizing such events. Furthermore I came to the realization that, neither can I control everything, nor can I keep doing this by myself. Which is kinda the same thing. And then happy things happened and my time for side projects had to be severely cut into. Which is fantastic and wonderful and I wouldn't want it any other way, but it's also less time...
So imagine my joy, when @schleudergang.dresden stepped up and declared the willingness and determination to help and share responsibility. It seems we now have the people-power to give this year our best and finally organise another full-fledged edition of your favourite pizza party!
Now, we are still waiting on definitive answers concerning some checkpoints and crew, so no dates and places as of yet. But I felt excited and hopeful enough to put it out there. No idea how it's going to work out precisely, but it's going to be good. I hope to soon be able to tell you more about who'll be your CP-Crew, where the CPs will be located and how to register.
On that note: watch this space, we'll soon know what's in the box

_01/02/2022
Some of you might have noticed, there is no way of registering as of yet. The reason being: we are still working on our support system. The last two years have been such an unsuspected success, that we'd love to keep the self-supported version going. However, we are yearning for a party! Obviously this means, that the checkpoints have to fulfill a double set of requirements.
So please, don't despair: we are working hard on 2022, sadly already way into 2022. There are some certainties already though. This year, MB400 will have its start and finish in Dresden. Wait, what? Yeah! The plan is to visit beautiful border region between Germany and Czech Republic again. And this time not quickly high-five it, then quickly disappear into the night back to the flats, rather, sit down at the campfire and sing along with it, if you know what I mean.
More news: kick-off will be on the 26th of June, as usual. However! This will be the kick-off of the abovementioned self-supported version. In July, or August, depending on availability of our checkpoints and, of course, depending on how the pandemic is treating us, we finish off with our well-loved event. This does two things: we have a nice excuse for a summer closing party and does away with the "Schafskälte" that's been haunting the event for years now and at the same time it gives us just this little bit of time to plan the bigger event properly.
Watch this space, hope to see you soon!

_30/11/2021
It's time to sit back and reflect a bit. The world ist ever-changing but it the last two years these changes affected the way our challenge had to be shaped. Our challenge changed accordingly: MB400 is now less exclusive, but with losing some of its conviviality as a costly price.
Things are what they are. And more changes lie in close view. Changes in our private lives urge us to re-think how we organize the event. We are looking for new opportunities in cooperation to keep overhead as low as possible, to ensure the event won't have to cease to exist. Right now, measured in time, MB400 is a high-input, low gain kinda thing. Which is fine to some extend, but as responsabilities grow in life, time turns into a rare commodity. It remains to be seen how this will pan out, but for now, MB400 is hibernating.
What MB400 will look like in 2022 is still written in the clouds. But registration will open in January. Maybe, if this virus that's keeping the world in a head lock has stopped moving and if MB400 can find sufficient personell, a classic version will be one of the possibilities. This obviously would mean a return to exclusiveness, which is an issue we're trying to solve. To lift the curtain slightly: if carried on many one's shoulders, we could do both.
Stay safe, stay healthy, don't stress and hopefully we'll meet again next year!

_25/05/2021
Just a few weeks to go now and it's time for a new edition of MB400. On the 26th of June a time span of 5 weeks will start where everyone that registered (registers) can try their luck on this year's course. Like last year it will be a solo effort for all. Small groups are allowed, as long as it's in line with current regulations. Because the event will take place over a time span of 5 weeks, registration will be possible until the 22nd of June. Obviously there'll be little time left to find a good day to ride.
MB400 will be taking you far into the east this year. The first checkpoint will be on the border of the Lausitz area in Bad Erna. From there the route takes you through the Calauischer Kreis towards Chóśebuz. Then the trip continues straigth through the Serbski sydlenski rum to Hnašecy. The last checkpoint before the finish in Leipzig will be just west of the Elb river in Großkagen. The exact coordinates will be sent to everyone after finishing registration
Last year's route was very selective with its many climbing kilometers. Albeit very beautiful geographically, it's not necessarily only beautiful in the mountains. And thus, mixing our route types up a little, we opted for a route that's a tad friendlier for all ye non-climbers. This route being more flat, riders will be facing other challenges like head winds for multiple kilometers. We're looking forward to seeing all tricks to cope with this year's challenges. Will more people ride with aero clip-on bars and high rims? Will there be less solo riders? And will these solo riders be able to finish inside the time limit? In the end a route as long as this one will always remain selective. Even with perfect weather and 100% wind in your back Greg Lemonds words remain true: "it never gets easier, you just go faster".

_03/06/2020
With 2020 almost behind us (finally!) we are eagerly anticipating the new year. Will this virus that has been spooking the whole world be restrained? Will we manage to stay united and deal with the economic struggles concerning this virus? And what will happen outside the relatively safe borders of Europe? All questions that remain open for now. Which doesn't mean we'll be twiddling our thumbs, but rather organise another MB400 instead.
We've been able to learn a lot from last year. What mode the event will follow, we cannot say yet. We can say however: in some way MB400 will happen in 2021! From January 1st 2021 registration will be open for all. We opted for a different registration mechanic this year, to even out some glitches of the past years. Details can be found on the registration page, but in short: start slots are to be drawn from a lottery pot. We hope for a registration that is fairer and less stressful for all.
Until then, stay healthy and see you in 2021!

_03/06/2020
Corona has the world in its fangs. MB400 is budging, naturally. But not far. We've been working hard on a solution and found one in the self-supported bike racing stories of our little world. No limits to participants this year: everyone is free to register. But self-supported means no supported checkpoints, no support cars, no start/finish area. Instead there will be four checkpoints comprised of a box with a stamp and hand sanitizer. Your stamp card will be mailed to you. To make things easier, we decided on a timespan of app. one month, from the 20th of June until the 26th of July. The route can be joined on any point as to avoid unnecessary travelling. GPS Tracking is mandatory, as is uploading your track to komoot. They kindly offered to help us out, something we are absolutely delighted about!
With komoot on board, we finally have the solution we wanted: a podium for people to come together, albeit digitally. If you tag the Maurice Brocco 400 account in your ride, it will added to our collection. This way everyones routes will be visible, making it real easy to get an idea on what's going on! More honey: komoot is giving away vouchers for the region of choice you want to start from (and finish in, of course). As long as the route starts and ends at the same point, you will be able to transfer it to your GPS device. It then doesn't matter if the route exist that region, as long as it enters back. So that's it. All is different, but we just change with it, do the best we can.

_01/01/2020
Happy 2020 everyone! I can hardly believe it, but I regret to have to tell you that the 5th anniversary of MB400 is already sold out! Registration barely went live and already I had to close it due to the big demand. I am sorry for everyone that wanted to ride and didn't manage to get a spot but also am very proud that apparently the idea of MB400 appeals to so many of you cyclists. Now it could very well be that some slots will open up again the coming months. To apply for a spot on the waiting list, please send a mail. If slots open up, this will be communicated through this website, instagram and facebook. That's it for now, now it's training time!

_02/12/2019
Ladies first! Officially registration for this year's MB400 is due the 01st of January 2020. However, to ensure a more equal field of participants we came up with a few ideas. One of which is the following: if you don't identify as cis-male, you can now register. There is a special Facebook group for all enquiries in this regard. No facebook account? No worries, just send us a mail!

The event

What's it all about? Maurice Brocco 400, or MB400 for short, is an annual, charitable, independent, long-distance cycling event hosted by Schleudergang e.V.. The event originated from Coco's bike shop in Leipzig and since 2020 found its new home in the city of Dresden. The year 2023 will mark the 8th edition, which is why there'll be eight checkpoints.

Checkpoints? Participants will be provided with the locations of set checkpoints that will have to be visited to complete. Although we do offer all participants three scouted routes as inspiration, there's no predefined route that has to be followed. Instead, participants will plot their routes themselves. Thanks to our partner komoot it couldn't be easier! As an example, this is what the 2020 edition ended up looking like: click here!


Independent with sponsors MB400 is independent in a way that it's rider-funded. This way, the event can stay free of demands and requirements that would otherwise be able to dampen the familiar atmosphere the event is know for. Sponsors are very welcome however and are happily greeted by participants. Sponsorship can take different forms in the way of providing a checkpoint, "prizes" as well as other services such as organizing broom wagon transport or food and drinks.
Prizes, nice! How do I win? You don't, actually. MB400 in an inclusive event. Although plenty participants ride their MB400 very competitively indeed, something we welcome es well, our main focus is on providing everyone with a good time. To our experience, at performance-focussed events, too many people are left out from having that good time. At MB400, there's no performance hierarchy and everyone is welcomed. This is why prizes can't be won by riding very fast, but rather earned at random by joining the raffle at the end of the event.
Long distance In the last years, the term ultra-distance cycling became quite prevalent. To our opinion, due to multiple reasons (cycling social media platforms, covid-19, neo-liberalism), people are riding more and further than ever before, it seems. Although Paris-Brest-Paris is age-old and the brevet / audax scene has been a stable and large group for years, we experience a greater wish for long-distance events from the larger group of cycling enthusiasts. At MB400 we want to stay independent, as said, so we try to steer clear of the word ultra-distance and keep to our original idea of a long distance event over 400 KM within 24 hours. Usually. To feed the need, the checkpoints that make up the route are strategically placed to sum up to a route with more or less altitudinal gain, alternating each year. In 2023, the route will be more of a flat route, as opposed to 2022, where some participants gathered over 7000 meters in altitude.

MB400 is supported by:

Logo%20OKR%202 Logo%20Cyclehausen Posedla_logo_vertical_cerne BCH_black Tune Komoot