Interview with Heiko Wild

Mr Wild, what kind of shop is this? A fashion boutique? A bike workshop? A clubhouse with a high-class cafeteria?

The shop reflects my passion for cycling – with all the facets that go with it. And I also love to stop at places and have a good  espresso or cappuccino during my rides. That is why we have integrated the café. Our customers appreciate the fact that cyclists can stop by for an espresso or a scoop of ice cream after their ride. The café also serves as a home for our club. It is the starting point for many rides, and sometimes, we organise events in the evenings.    

How did you come up with the idea of the “bikedress store“?

When I was travelling in the Alps with friends a quarter of a century ago, we met two mountain bikers who were crossing the Alps. That's when we decided to do the same. During the planning phase, we noticed a gap in the market – there were hardly any shops in Germany with a comprehensive selection of cycling clothes. The typical bike shop at the time focussed on bicycles and only had a small, uninviting corner for cycling apparel.

Here you can find historical jerseys that bring back memories of racing classics. At the same time, there are more fashionable pieces in the cellar. In your opinion, what makes a good mix of cycling clothing?

We want to offer a larger selection for a target group between their mid-20s and early 60s. That's why we have such a wide range of brands. Tastes are very different. But, of course, we attach great importance to the functionality and fit with all the brands we stock. There are customers who want a floral pattern and then there are those who simply want a clean colour without a large logo print.  

In your opinion, what makes a good mix of cycling clothing? The emergence of cycling apparel that no longer solely focuses on high-performance design, but also incorporates a touch of chic ...

Cycling has become incredibly trendy. And very, many brands have emerged. In the beginning, there were mainly three or four brands, now there are 30, 40, 50 different brands. 

You've even designed your own line.

I got a bit of input from all the brands I manage and asked myself: What brand and look would be interesting for me? And then I created something for our community that not only offers functionality, but is also timeless. The idea is that you don't have to buy the new collection every year, as is sometimes still the case in fashion. Instead, we opted for a few beautiful colours that you can wear for three, four or five years.

Are only club members entitled to purchase the items? Do you have to prove that you have ridden a certain number of kilometres?

No, anyone who comes into our shop can buy from us. We have a little gimmick: If someone buys a pair of cycling pants and a jersey from us, they are a virtual club member. And whenever they come by, they get a free espresso or cappuccino.

Certainly, the realisation of your lifelong dream with the shop is closely connected with the thriving cycling community in the southern region of Munich. If you read up a little, you will come across countless superlatives. It is said to be one of the best – perhaps even the best – metropolitan areas in Germany. What makes the area around Munich so interesting for cyclists?

There are so many opportunities to combine routes around Munich because every little farm is connected to a tarred road. So, even if I cycle in a familiar direction, I always come across new variants with little car traffic. The terrain is hilly, the view stretches as far as the Alps and there are plenty of low-traffic roads. I don’t ever get bored.

Which route would you recommend to people who are cycling in Munich for the first time?

That depends on how many kilometres you want to cycle. An absolute classic, yet covering a distance of just under 200 kilometres, is the route towards Irschenberg, then Spitzingsattel mountains into the Valepp valley and then back to Munich via Tegernsee (lake) and Bad Tölz. That's one of my favourite laps. There are three main routes out of Munich: Perlacher Forst, Pupplinger Au or Olympiastrasse to Starnberg. Schäftlarn is a well-known climb, very popular and relatively close. And I always love cycling out to Ludwigshöhe. When you get up there and ride over the summit, you have the whole Alpine panorama in front of you – beautiful.  

You can see the diversity of landscapes. And unusual vegetation – considering that you are in the foothills of the Alps. It alternates between deciduous forests, floodplain forests and pine forests. Sometimes you forget that you are in Upper Bavaria.

In the direction of Wallgau, along the wild Isar river, you suddenly have the feeling of being in Canada. The scattered mountain forest, the winding path of the river. Incredible.

Can individual riders join a group?

I would say that Munich residents tend to be individualistic or prefer to organise tours with friends. However, there are numerous efforts by bike shops and clubs to arrange rides. We also host our own after-work ride on Thursdays. Participants should be aware, however, that we usually ride at an average speed of 20 to 30 kilometres per hour. Maybe even a bit faster towards the end of the season.

So if you see a pack of navy blue, pink-striped people riding relatively fast through the neighbourhood, it's the Monaco Velo Club?

Yes.

Is there a local cycling etiquette? For example, if someone came to Munich from abroad and was travelling by bike, what would they need to bear in mind?

When I'm cycling and someone hangs out in my slipstream, I personally have no problem with that. But there are people who don't like it. It's helpful if you pull up and say, can I ride in the slipstream for a while? Nobody will say no. But just ask politely.

Are there any hand signals?

Yes, you should indicate obstacles. When you're riding in a group, in second or third position and only see the rider in front, you don't see the obstacles soon enough. A hand movement on the buttocks indicates that an obstacle is coming. You also indicate holes in the road by pointing at the ground.

Now there's even a drink in Bavaria that's called something like this, as if it were the perfect refreshment for cyclists on the road. When the Monaco Velo Club is out and about, do they drink “Radler” (shandy)?

We don't cycle to win races. We do it, because we enjoy it. And for me, cycling also involves taking a break. Because I not only enjoy cycling with others, but also sitting on a beer bench and toasting them. And yes: I do drink a Radler from time to time.

 

 

Text: Nansen & Piccard; Photos: Frank Stolle