Escape to Raus

A wise person once said, “A change is as good as a rest.” Well, right now, more than ever, that couldn’t be truer. Because we all work longer hours, living in busier cities, leading much more hectic lives.

So, a change of scenery occasionally – combined with a little adventure - has got to be vital for us to keep our heads on straight, right?

We join Owen Blandy – team chef with EF Education EasyPost Pro Cycling – as he and his wife Gaby head out with their own escape plan for a little change of scenery. All while putting the Cannondale Tesoro HeadShok to the test as their multi-terrain ride of choice for the weekend adventure.

From Full Gas to Off Grid

How do you switch off from the always-on, high-pressure world of working in pro cycling? Well curiously, in Owen’s case, you hop on your bike to get away from it all of course!

Jumping at the chance to experience an out-of-town staycation with mini-break specialists Raus, he and Gaby pack their essentials for a weekend adventure and point their Tesoro’s in the direction of freedom.

The team at Raus cabins is built around these kinds of micro adventures and getting away from it all for a break. They’re an excellent example of a meaningful reset being as easy as leaving the city behind for a night or two.

The Raus collection of tiny-house-style locations dotted across Germany and Austria are hidden just enough away from it all to make getting to them an adventure in itself. All while generally being a stone’s throw from the city and Monday to Friday civilization.

Getaway DNA

To make this adventure a little more interesting, Owen and Gaby embraced the opportunity to put themselves as well as their bikes to the test to make the trip even more worthwhile.

The couple would be saddling up on the Tesoro Headshok for the weekend – a trekking bike that’s as at home exploring the path less travelled as it is navigating the city streets during the working week.

With a view to leaving the buzz of Frankfurt behind, they roll out with a one-night, two-day ride in mind. To see what they can fit into a weekend, yes. But also, to see how far they can ride on a single charge of the Tesoro’s ample battery (180ish kms if you’re wondering.)

Man with a route plan

After a mandatory coffee stop and some local sight-seeing, Owen and Gaby’s trekking adventure route takes them to the highest climb in the area – along with all the Insta-worthy views that naturally come with that - before setting course for their Raus accommodation for the night.

98ish kms later, they roll into their stay for the night and are greeted by Raus host, landowner and organic farmer, Wolfgang. He gives them a tour and is eager to show off the fresh produce growing on the grounds around their cabin. Of course, Owen being Owen can’t help taking inspo from this, and throws a few super-fresh ingredients together, picked right there on site for an impromptu supper and a well-earned refuel.

Waking up in a small cabin with a whole new view for your morning coffee makes everything worthwhile. And it’s the small-yet-meaningful moments like this that make a short venture from the city feel even more special.

“Our overnight adventure with Raus was the ideal disconnect for the weekend, while embracing nature and the slow life. Escaping the city for the rolling fields and spring meadows by bike was just perfect.” said Gaby.

One weekend, one charge

Back on their bikes and back on course for the loop home, the trekking continues and the Tesoro happily takes it all in its super-comfortable stride.

36hrs, 182kms and a whole lot of fresh later, and the happily tired couple roll back into their neighbourhood for a hot bath and warm meal – refreshed and ready for a new work week ahead.

“From escaping the city to buzzing through the glorious countryside, this was an experience I didn’t know how much I needed. To settle in for the night at Wolfgang’s picturesque natural wonderland and to share it with Gaby was a beautiful way to spend a weekend.” said Owen.

And that’s the beauty of an everyday adventure like this. You don’t need your passport. And you definitely don’t need a plane ticket. You don’t even need to pack much. Just your toothbrush, an open mind and a spirit for (a mini) adventure is all it takes.

If you’re feeling inspired by Owen and Gaby, get planning a Raus weekend adventure of your own and learn more about the perfect vehicle to make it happen in the shape of the Tesoro HeadShok. Happy trekking!