Frederik Engels and Jurgen De Witte conquer the Brasil Ride Bahia

Anyone who knows Frederik Engels knows that he lives for challenges. As an event creator and community builder in the cycling world, he breathes sport and connection. Just a few weeks before departure, he climbed Mont Ventoux three times for charity, in honor of Sabrina, a colleague of his wife who suffers from ALS. What started as a ride for a good cause, which also raised 5,500 euros, became the ultimate preparation for his next big challenge: the Brasil Ride.

For this grueling journey, Frederik chose the Ridley Raft XC, a mountain bike built, like him, for endurance and precision. Light, agile and indestructible, perfect for the Brazilian terrain where rain, mud and fast sections alternate constantly. The Raft XC became his loyal partner during a week that demanded everything from both rider and bike.

This year, the Brasil Ride was not just tough but historically tough. “It was the most iconic edition ever, not because of the course or the scenery, but because of the weather. Rain, storms and mud turned every stage into a fight for survival. It was suffering, joy and everything in between,” Frederik said in his YouTube recap video.

The opening day started promisingly. The sun was shining, the course was dry, and Frederik and Jurgen had explored the route the day before. The sixty kilometers with eight hundred meters of climbing were full of steep ascents, but the atmosphere was fantastic. They finished 86th, full of energy for what was to come.

That evening, the weather turned. Days of rain made the course unrideable. The second stage still started, but when the ambulance could not reach the top, it was canceled. The third stage was also called off. Meanwhile, the duo kept fit with a relaxed road ride.

Stage four finally brought them to the tent camp: 125 kilometers through deep mud. “I saw several riders carrying a spoon and wondered why,” Frederik recalls. “Against my better judgment, I decided to bring one too. In the end, that was not a bad idea at all, because I really needed it to scrape all the mud off my bike. Otherwise, it just would not have been possible.” The bikes were repaired every day, but apart from new brake pads, the Ridley Raft XC continued to perform flawlessly compared to other bikes.

The next day was the infamous queen stage, with one very tough climb and more muddy descents. “Luckily, things clicked perfectly with Jurgen,” says Frederik. “We pulled each other through, literally and figuratively. Alone, this would have been incredibly hard.”

After that hellish ride came both relief and pure exhaustion. The sixth stage, 130 kilometers, sometimes wading through water up to their knees, was mentally extremely tough. Yet they drew strength from the support back home and from knowing that Sabrina was fighting a much harder battle. The final day finally brought release: another fifty difficult kilometers in the rain, but they rode a strong stage and finished fourth of the day.

After seven days, five actual racing stages, 470 kilometers, 7,300 meters of elevation and 26 hours in the saddle, Frederik and Jurgen finished in a respectable 52nd place overall, securing eighth place in their category.

What stays with them most is not the result but the experience itself. “Going through hell together creates a bond,” Frederik said afterward. “The mountain bike community is so much more than just riding. Everyone helps and supports each other, all sharing the same goal: to keep going, no matter what.”

Looking back, Frederik says, “When we crossed the finish line, I mostly felt proud… We did it.” He smiles and adds, “That is when you truly realize what your body and mind are capable of. You can do so much more than you think. There were days when I thought about quitting, but here we are.” Gratitude also prevails. “Grateful that we got to experience this adventure, that everything went well, and that we could do it together. That is what makes it truly special.”

The Brasil Ride was more than just a race for them. It was a lesson in character, camaraderie and perseverance. With the Ridley Raft XC as a silent companion, it became a memory for life.