Landrefugium Obermüller – active withdrawal in the racing bike retreat

The term "refuge" originally comes from Latin and describes – derived from refugere, "to withdraw " – a place of retreat. In other words, a place of refuge, peace and seclusion – for example in the countryside or in a monastery. And this is exactly how hotelier Wolfgang Obermüller describes his hotel in a detached south-facing location with far-reaching views in Untergiesbach near Passau in Bavaria (aptly named Abteiland): "Our hotel name was chosen quite deliberately, because the Landrefugium Obermüller****s  is a country retreat in the truest sense of the word." And we are already deep in conversation and in the midst of searching for clues – two things that come naturally at the small, cosy country retreat. A little chat over breakfast, intensive joint road bike tour planning over dinner, a profound exchange of ideas over a glass of beer afterwards.

"In turbulent times like these, people should come to rest," postulates the landlord, "our house is a small source of strength - like a cheese bell under which everything is in order. Everything we do here is more in-depth than broad, we scrutinise things and processes – what resources am I using, what living spaces am I restricting? – and work with values in all our decisions, such as a regional circular economy." 
 

Anyone staying here on a racing bike holiday in the Bavarian Forest does so in harmony with the natural landscape. Because sustainability and regionality are neither green washing nor empty lip service at this family-run business with around 100 beds. Neither are the many quotes and sayings that we encounter here in the hotel and accompany us at every turn. "We want to inspire guests with quotes and little stories, which we scatter throughout the hotel, to make them think and reach them," says the host, describing how the Obermüller hotel ticks, "we want to shift the focus of our guests a little."

For Wolfgang, mind & body, exercise & relaxation are inseparable – back in the 1990s, the busy hotelier founded a hotel cooperation with the german fitness expert Dr Ulrich Strunz around the idea of "eat yourself young - think yourself young - move yourself young". And the two books he has written on the subject of inspiration are in the same vein. The basic idea of harmonising mind and body and living an active retreat runs like a red thread through the Landrefugium: "A healthy mind needs a healthy body. Each of us wants to grow old with a high quality of life – to achieve this, you have to pay into your own account. The topics of road cycling and gravel biking fit in perfectly with this – when riding a road bike you have enough time to think," laughs Wolfgang and adds, "on a gravel bike, on the other hand, you are out in the countryside more and therefore more in recovery mode, as our brain automatically goes into regeneration mode when it perceives green or blue. That's why the mind comes to rest better in nature." Being active - feeling nature - enjoying freedom - taking personal responsibility for your body - thereby activating your mind is the Landrefugium motto.

Wolfang Obermüller knows what he's talking about. He knows the roads in the region – including the neighbouring Sauwald and Mühlviertel – like the back of his hand. After all, the hotelier spent his youth in the local racing bike team and has been travelling the region on his motorbike for more than 25 years. Even though he personally likes motorised bikes, he identifies 100% with road bikers, because "the roads and the pursuit of freedom remain the same." The bike expertise in the small hotel team clearly lies with the boss: "I'm the contact person for road bikers. Over the years, I have built up a tightly woven network with the two cycling teams in the region, from whose expertise, knowledge of the region and tour tips our guests benefit." The beloved racing bikes – just like the motorbikes – are parked in a video-monitored garage. Safe is safe.

"We are one of the small but fine wellness hotels in the Bavarian Forest," says the boss, describing his offer, "we only have 100 beds, but a very large wellness offer and everything that racing cyclists need on a cycling holiday - from carbohydrate-protein-rich sports nutrition to classic sports massages. We don't ride trends - we stay true to our line." You will notice this, for example, when you arrive at the new sauna house after a road bike tour through the Bavarian Forest: there are no artificial event infusions here, just the good, ancient sweating ritual of indigenous peoples. "No bread and circuses, just calm down, look out through the huge panoramic windows into the natural surroundings outside our door." 

Yes, it can be that simple.

The Bavarian Forest and the Abteiland with its countless possibilities await right on the doorstep of the Landrefugium. The Bavarian section of the Danube Forest Cycle Path leads gravel bikers over 90 kilometres through 3 countries - from Bavaria via Austria to the Czech Republic. The Danube Cycle Path is one of the best-known long-distance cycle routes in Europe and is well signposted along the Danube. 

A popular road bike tour in the Bohemian Forest leads from the alluvial canal in the Sumara National Park to the hilly, winding Mühlviertel – with magnificent views over the picturesque Bavarian-Austrian Danube Valley and paths along dreamy village roads. "Regardless of whether you want to eat up kilometres along the Danube or are looking for profiled terrain – you can find everything here, because we have a very varied area with the neighbouring Sauwald in the Austrian Innviertel and the Mühlviertel – and therefore two classic low mountain range highlands with altitudes of up to 1,000 m," Wolfgang sums it up and adds with pride: "and for racing cyclists this means: roads with gradients of 7.5 to 9.5%." 
 

The famous Bertold Brecht quote immediately springs to mind: "Those who don't fight have already lost." The inspirational effect of the quotes in the Landrefugium is apparently starting to take effect.

"We've had a digital detox package for seven years," Wolfgang greets us with a mischievous grin at dinner after the day's cycling, "with books instead of a TV in the room and a candlelit dinner instead of a mobile phone – including a mobile phone safe at the table and inspiration for conversations with the other person: What was your first bike? What is your favourite tour? What gives you strength? You'll see, this is how good conversations start and something positive and new begins..."