Finally, an event that's not about distance, speed, or who's the fittest – it's about the experience itself. Mehmet and I (Svenja) – that's the entire team behind the bikepacking app BikeTouri – were at Pedaleo 2026, with what was probably the smallest, cutest booth on site. Here's how it went:
Blazing sun, a parched meadow, a crystal-clear blue lake. Some riders rolled in as early as Thursday evening – and on Friday, more and more kept arriving, pitching their tents until the meadow looked like one giant tent expo: MSR, Decathlon, Naturehike, Aper… quite the mix. Nearly 1,000 participants, most of them camping. Next to it all, the brand booths – and us.
The Location
Pedaleo took place August 7–9 right at the lake in Neuchâtel, Switzerland – and what a spot! The trees block out the busy road almost entirely, so you barely hear it in the camp. Meanwhile, the lake is just a few steps away, perfect for a quick dip to cool off. There's also a big parking lot right behind the grounds. And thanks to the central location, people came from all over: Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, ...
The Program
At the center of the grounds stands a massive tent where morning yoga and the many talks take place. That's where we learned how Sofiane Sehili ended up in a Russian prison during his record attempt and followed Carlotta "Lotti" Schuhmacher's journey through countless ultra events, told with so much positive energy. During the day there are also open mics where anyone who wants to can get up and speak. Nice concept.
In the evenings: cinema – powered by energy-generating bike trainers. Concerts, a DJ, a night ride with Knog lights.
Social Rides & the Community
On Saturday I join one of the social rides – the one with Belén Castelló, since I'm a big fan of her YouTube channel. In general, you spot a lot of familiar faces from the bikepacking scene here.
On the social ride, we spend most of the time just chatting away – and honestly, that's how it should be. Meeting like-minded people, having a good time. I talk for a while with a Swiss and an Irish woman, sharing our experiences from our travels.
What really strikes me is how many women are here. Almost half, I'd guess. I never would have thought that possible. While bikepacking races struggle to attract women, here they simply show up. Maybe it's the non-competitive nature of the event. And yes, these women have some seriously impressive tours behind them. Across the Balkans, or all the way to Armenia.
If you're looking to connect with like-minded people, this is the place. In this colorful crowd, you will probably find your people. No matter what bike you ride, where you're from, or how far you want to go. It's not about who rides fastest or farthest – it's about the experience.
I wished there should be way more events like this. Because they motivate you, spark dreams, and show you how much is possible if you just dare.
And yes, everyone's got their thing they struggle with. I, for one, was thrilled to meet someone who also has celiac disease and has to travel strictly gluten-free. Not exactly easy in a scene where bakeries are sacred ground ;)
The Practical Stuff
The event costs just 35 CHF, camping included. Unbeatable. There are supermarkets nearby, plus food trucks on site. Cooking was banned this year due to the drought – understandable, sadly. Last year it was allowed.
Our Booth & Final Thoughts
We had a small booth for BikeTouri. Had lots of nice conversations and got genuinely lovely feedback. For us, it was exciting to show people the app in person for the first time. Either way, we left with a great feeling. And very sore muscles from the morning yoga.
We're already looking forward to next year! You'll find all the info about the next edition at pedaleo.cc.
But the pictures say far more than all these words. David Rojas, Pedaleo's event photographer, captured some fantastic shots: