Recap: ACC 2026 Season Opening Ride

With Munich’s spring sun making a welcome return, our 2026 ACC Season Opening Ride rolled out on April 18th at 10:30 AM — and it was a great success.

After a long winter, it was good to see everyone back on two wheels. Old friends caught up, new faces settled into the group, and the mood lifted from the first pedal stroke. We headed out through the Perlacher Forst and south towards Schäftlarn. The weather had drawn cyclists out in force — nods and waves from strangers along the way, and that feeling was unmistakable: the season is properly back.

Three groups, no one left behind

To make sure every rider had a good time, we split into three groups:

• Fast group: ~32 km/h average on flat roads, for those who wanted to push the pace and feel the draft;
• Medium group: ~27 km/h — steady, comfortable, and well-paced;
• Leisure group: no speed target, just riding, talking, and taking it in.

To take the pressure off anyone feeling the winter rust, the group put together a shortcut at a few points on the route, letting riders rejoin the main bunch without fuss. The gaps between groups turned into some of the afternoon’s best moments — plenty of banter while waiting at the junction.

Ride highlights

Flat Bavarian roads, spring air, rolling peloton — hard to ask for much more on a first ride of the season:

The obligatory mid-ride navigation stop. Every group ride has one:

A quick check on the phone to see where the other groups are at:

Good weather, good legs, and no hesitation in front of the camera:

Whether you came in with the fast group or took the shortcut, everyone made it to the Bavarian inn at the finish. Bikes against the wall, cold drinks in hand, first group photo of the season in the bag. A proper way to open a year on the bike.

Thanks to everyone who came out. See you on the next one.