After much girl power, we now want to introduce you to a very special member of the TORTOUR family in our interview series. Do you know Thomas Ratschob? Some of you do, others may have heard the name before. So, let’s learn more about the TORTOUR “veteran” and family man, Thomas.
Thomas, who are you and how did you first come to TORTOUR?
“You know each other in the scene. So in 2008, I got together with the inventors/founders of TORTOUR. We did a test ride to see if something like this was even feasible here in Switzerland. The originally planned route around Switzerland was about 1,300 km.” He wanted to participate right away – after all, it was just a test run – despite having broken a few ribs a few weeks earlier. “Of course, I didn’t get as far as intended. I think it was barely more than 300 km. But it didn’t matter, TORTOUR was ‘invented’. At the first official event in 2009, I was, of course, at the start. It was a very special story back then. There was nothing like it in Switzerland. We were real pioneers.”
In 2014, after an intense racing career, Thomas decided not to compete in races anymore. However, he remained with TORTOUR. “My long-time physiotherapist Dirk de Proost was involved in the organization at the time. In 2014, I accompanied him in the car of the ‘Race Officials’. I then kind of took over this job from him and have been doing it all these past years.”
What were your TORTOUR highlights (as an athlete & course planner)?
“In 2009 and the first few years, we were still absolute outsiders. Both as riders who would do something like this, but also as organizers. Because there weren’t many such extreme endurance events yet. At least not in Switzerland. Crossing the finish line after over 1,000 km, back then still in Schaffhausen, was a highlight every time. The feeling is indescribable every time. I would say, all those finishes at these long events, which I was able to complete, are still among the most intense moments I have experienced in my life, even with a lot of distance.
I also think the extremely long and often difficult path to get there intensifies this feeling even more. And these are also the highlights that I have been able to experience in my now passive years at TORTOUR. Seeing the faces when the riders reach the finish line, and ideally also their goal. I know how rocky the road to that moment can be. I know how they feel. I know what they went through. And I know how all the difficult hours are forgotten once the finish line is crossed. Everyone who takes on this challenge can be very proud of themselves.”
How do you still manage an immense training regimen with a family? [Anyone who knows Thomas a bit knows that the annual kilometer count on Strava often struggles to display the high number! Ed.]
“I don’t have any training regimen today. I don’t train. But I still have an incredible joy of being out on the bike. A whole day on the bike, far away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. For me, it’s still one of the most beautiful things. With a job and family, time management isn’t always easy, of course. Luckily, I am a morning person. I am out almost every morning before work. In summer, experiencing that morning mood outside… no matter what happens during the day, with such a start, my day is always positive. Basically, everything is always a question of priorities. But I also much prefer being out on the bike than on the couch in front of the TV. My bike saddle definitely knows my butt better than our couch at home.”
What is your number one tip for every TORTOURISTI?
“A tip for the Tortouristi? One won’t do, there have to be several: Be there with joy. Be prepared for it to get a bit difficult at times. Be prepared for it to get extremely difficult at times. And never ride fast, but always with drive.”
Thank you very much, Thomas, for your inspiring words – it is a privilege to have you in the TORTOUR family!
