In this interview:

• Shimano spoke with gravel racing sensation Carolin Schiff, the bike shop owner from Bremen who burst onto the professional scene in 2023 when she won UNBOUND 200 in Kansas. 
• We asked her how she juggles the pro-life and the bike shop, how she prepares for big events, and how she stays focused during 200+ mile races. 
• Carolin shared some awesome tips for first-time gravel racers.

The port city of Bremen along the Weser River is known for its signature Hanseatic architecture, with a grand Gothic cathedral and countless exquisite structures from the Marktplatz to the City Hall—Hanseatic cities are jewels of wealth from bygone maritime trade along once-bustling harbors. And every morning Carolin Schiff, the local gravel racing sensation, clips into her Canyon Grail or Aeroad CFR, rides out, and gets to work.

Known for its lush forest trails and beautiful scenery, Bremen is a vibrant epicenter for gravel enthusiasts, road racers, and time-trial riders. And at the heart of this community, there’s Riha Bikes, owned by Carolin—Caro to her friends—and her partner. After her morning ride, Carolin opens the doors for business. As co-owner and in-house barista, she has built a life that celebrates the joy of cycling in every way, from high-level performance to the local friendships only cycling can bring. 

Owning a bike shop and riding professionally can be two very separate lives. How do you find the balance to do both?

“I love this community. We work with high-end stuff, road and gravel mostly. My boyfriend and I have been running the shop since 2013. We like to keep things flexible. Around racing season, things get a little more difficult, of course. But luckily, we get to split things evenly; I’ll bring my laptop with me to training camp in Palma, for instance, to do invoicing and administration.

“It’s great to have a life outside of the world of pro-riding. It can be a bubble, and I think having something outside of this is healthy. I do work a lot, but there’s so much joy in it. Every afternoon you meet new people at the shop.”

You mentioned the racing season. How do things change when the training begins? And how do you maintain your discipline?

“I’m a naturally disciplined person so that part is pretty straightforward. I train every day. To find that balance between the shop and cycling is vital. This year, my coach advised me to start doing indoor training. It’s new to me, but I’ll do whatever it takes to get an edge. Although I still prefer to go out and ride offroad.”

Do you still find time to ride for fun?

“My plan requires serious training. Putting in the hours is essential. But yeah, the best part of cycling is going off-road with friends. To bring people out and take them on rides around the city, in the forests, that’s great fun. Sometimes we hit trails no one has ever heard of.”

Speaking of putting in the hours, UNBOUND is one of those long-haul rides. How do you prepare for a race like that? And perhaps more importantly, how do you prepare to win?

“UNBOUND is a long one for sure. I think people generally finish it in around 10 to 11 hours, the 210 miles. I train for up to 6 to 7 hours, any more than that will just eat into my recovery and isn’t really worth it.

“2023, when I won, was a crazy year for UNBOUND. Conditions were very wet and muddy, which meant a lot of running with the bike. For most riders, this was a challenge. I really liked it myself. I’m a strong runner too, so I used that to my advantage for that race.

So how do you stay focused for long, taxing races like that?

“At first, yes, it seems like a long time. But I like to think that every minute, something can change. Even in a second. Whenever my mind drifts, I check myself and stay focused. And after a while, it just doesn’t seem that long anymore.

“Focus is especially important when conditions get sketchy. And it gets extra important that you can trust your bike. My DURA-ACE R9200 groupset has always worked like a charm.”

Very happy to hear that, of course. If you don’t mind a groupset-related question, how do you like the electronic shifting?

“Honestly, it’s great. Especially for off-road riding. I always tell our customers at the shop that, when given a choice, they should choose Di2. It requires less strength to work the levers, which really comes into play when it’s cold or you’ve cycled 200 miles, shifting needs to be as simple as possible. I rely on my Di2 groupset to get me there.

“At our bike shop, I’m the resident E-TUBE and Shimano expert. The app has easy options for customization, so you can really set your bike up to whatever conditions you expect to ride.”

Do you have any advice for first-time gravel racers?

“Again, having the right setup is vital. When it’s your first time heading out, testing things like tire pressure and profile is important. Different races will require different things from your tires, so check this in advance.

“And if the race is long, you will want to have those small cogs working for you. Especially for those last miles, being able to shift down towards the end makes a huge difference.

“Of course there’s also the technical training. You can always find things to improve. For me, I knew downhill riding was something that needed work. Luckily, I got the opportunity to train that specific element recently, which I think will make a huge difference going forward.

“Ah, and going to Palma in the off-season for training helps, of course!” 

So what are your goals for the future?

“Personally, I always want to be better than I was before. That’s why I switched coaches recently, for example. I had a great experience with my previous coach, but I felt it was the right time to make a change. Sometimes, you can only develop further if you change things.

“Besides that, I’ve set my heart on Traka this year. I’ve won it twice now. It’s one of my favorite races. I’ve got a big goal to be on top of that podium. And UNBOUND, of course. I finished sixth last year, and I feel I can improve things. 

“I want to retain my German championship jersey. I’ve come to enjoy riding with those colors now! And hopefully, I can race at the UCI World Championships this year in Nice.” 

Want to ride like Carolin Schiff? Check out Canyon’s selection of awesome gravel bikes on the Bike Selector.