Checkpoints
Proof of passage, water, toilets, short sheltered rest and small pre-announced event nutrition.
Unsupported ultra gravel · Lake Constance
Shores & Switchbacks
The ride is the excuse. Bringing people together is the point.
Shores & Switchbacks is Plea Corp’s planned ultra format. Around Lake Constance, the Bregenzerwald and the surrounding climbs, the event aims to connect athletic self-reliance with genuine human connection.
Working status: target 2028. If energy, structure and partners come together earlier, 2027 is not ruled out.
Colour palette inspired by Lake Constance blue and the intense green of the Bregenzerwald.
FormatUnsupported Ultra Gravel
Presented byPlea Corp
RegionLake Constance · Bregenzerwald · Nagelfluhkette
TimingTarget 2028, with 2027 as a possible founding edition
What it is about
An ultra built to connect people.
Shores & Switchbacks is meant to be more than a route and a results sheet. At its core is a place of encounter for people who want movement, nature, challenge and a shared experience.
The sporting core remains unsupported. At the same time, checkpoints and base camp are deliberately designed as places of connection. They are meant to bring people together, collect stories and give the region an open, young and modern expression.
The logo shows a stylised mountain inspired by the Nagelfluhkette. A switchback line rises from the lake to the summit and unites shores with switchbacks in one sign.
Checkpoints & base camp
Unsupported does not mean disconnected.
The sporting effort stays self-supported. But the meeting points are intentionally part of the event concept. Whatever is offered there is clearly announced, equal for everyone and not individual rider support.
Base camp
Start, finish and social centre. A place to arrive, exchange, eat, talk and meet again.
Community
An ultra can be ridden alone. It does not have to feel lonely. That is why meeting spaces are designed on purpose.
Partners & sponsors
Partners support the event, not individual riders.
Sponsors and partners should help make checkpoints, base camp and the community structure possible. Sporting fairness remains separate from that. No exclusive support, no private equipment depots, no individual advantage.
Checkpoint partner
Local places that make passage and encounter possible.
Base camp partner
Partners for the start, finish and shared experience.
Community partner
Partners for social impact, participation and connection.
Guiding idea
The ride is the excuse. Bringing people together is the point.
This idea runs through the event, design, partnerships and rulebook.
Contact
Do you want to ride, support or contribute?
For updates, partnerships or questions, reach out via Plea Corp.
peter.rinauer@pleacorp.com
Replies, ideas and constructive feedback are very welcome.