In Search of Hidden Gravel Gems with Janosch Wintermantel

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David Rojas
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Janosh with Pedaled
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David Rojas
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Janosh with Pedaled
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In Search of Hidden Gravel Gems with Janosch Wintermantel

The world is full of incredible places to explore, if you know where to look—or if you know Janosch Wintermantel and his Epicos.cc event series. Founder of the popular Utopia and Octopus Gravel events as well as the new Sahara Gravel and upcoming Pedaleo Bikepacking Festival, Janosch has made it his mission to seek out hidden gravel gems and to share them with the cycling community in unique formats that balance competition and culture. Read our full conversation with Janosch below.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and the races you’ve created? 

I’m a gravel rider from Germany who just loves exploring the world on two wheels. I used to race on the road when I was younger, then got into bikepacking. One of the biggest trips I did was riding from the U.S. to Colombia—it really opened my eyes to how many incredible places there are to explore by bike. For the last three years, I raced at the Gravel World Champs, but these days I’m more focused on exploring new places and creating the best gravel event experiences. What has always amazed me is how some of the most stunning areas barely get any attention, while others are super well known but honestly less impressive. So for me, it’s all about finding the most beautiful, unique routes—everything else comes after that. In 2021, I felt like I needed a change and was ready to leave Switzerland. Around that time, I discovered these wild gravel dead-end climbs near Andermatt. The area was already famous for its road passes, but hardly anyone knew about the gravel routes—and to me, they felt way more adventurous and scenic. So I threw together a presentation and pitched the idea of an event to the local tourism board. They were into it, and just like that, I became an event organizer. Since then, I’ve been looking for other hidden gems to build new events around—places that offer something truly special for gravel riders.

How would you describe your different events? What makes each unique?


All of my events take place in absolutely stunning locations. I was simply looking for the best places to ride a gravel bike. Octopus Gravel offers the highest concentration of breathtaking gravel climbs you can find in one area. Utopia Gravel takes place in a desert in Europe where most people can’t believe it’s actually in Europe. Sahara Gravel is a true adventure, with incredible landscapes, outstanding hospitality, and unique places to stay. Pedaleo is a European bikepacking festival, where we want to create an annual meeting point for everyone who loves traveling by bike.

What influence do local landscapes/cultures play in your events? 


A huge one. We see our events more as unique overall active travel experiences—especially Sahara Gravel and Utopia. These places offer much more than just stunning routes.



What are some of the behind-the-scenes challenges you have to deal with as an event organizer? 


Dealing with local authorities can be very exhausting. Also, my accountant isn't exactly thrilled that I run events all over the place and in different currencies—haha. Organizing events in different countries or even continents is definitely a whole different game compared to doing them in your home region. But I believe the greater the challenge, the greater the reward—so no complaints!



What have been some of the most memorable moments over the years of organizing? Biggest lessons learned? 


Simply how grateful participants can be when you bring them to these kinds of locations. At Sahara Gravel, we received a few thousand euros in tips because participants were so blown away by the experience. It's very unusual to receive tips at an event; it was very heartwarming to see. 

The biggest lesson is definitely that every place is so different—not just in terms of landscape, but also in how you have to approach things. Things couldn’t be more different between Switzerland, Morocco, and the south of Spain.

For example, in the area where Utopia takes place, you really need to understand the people and adapt your approach accordingly. Sometimes I feel like a politician there—trying to resolve local conflicts and making sure not to favor one person over another. 

What sort of impact do you hope your events have on the cycling community? 

That they develop a deeper appreciation for stunning landscapes and different cultures—not just focusing on results or personal achievements.



Any advice for riders looking to take on their first Epicos event? 


Simply embrace the privilege of riding your bike in such stunning places and connecting with riders from all over the world.

You can keep up with all of Janosch’s growing list of gravel events on Instagram at @epicos.cc