Dirk Rohrbach in Wolfratshausen: He talks about a special trip

Created: 01/14/2023 08:47

By: Peter Borchers

The journalist Dirk Rohrbach has traveled to many parts of the world.

In the Loisachhalle he talks about a very special journey © Dirk Rohrbach

He is a guest at the wild adventure festival: Dirk Rohrbach cycled along the US west coast.

He shows a multimedia show in the Loisachhalle.

Wolfratshausen – Almost exactly three years ago, Dr.

Dirk Rohrbach entertained the audience in the Loisachhalle with a multimedia event that told about his epic kayak trip on Missouri and Mississippi.

Now the journalist, USA expert, radio presenter and doctor is back with a new adventure: next Saturday, January 21 (start: 7.30 p.m.), Rohrbach will be bringing his 3000-kilometer bike tour from Blaine to the Canadian border to the US west coast along to Imperial Beach on the border with Mexico.

The band Smokestack Lightning accompanies him musically that evening.

In an interview with our newspaper, the 54-year-old adventurer reveals what's new this time and why you shouldn't miss the show.

Mr. Rohrbach, I have to ask you the question: Didn't the almost three-year pandemic hit you twice as an artist and journalistic vagabond or vagabond journalist?

Rohrbach

: In the beginning, yes.

But in September 2020 I got a special permit and was allowed to fly to America with a five-month delay.

Initially actually only for two months to work on my podcast (“50 States – Durch die USA mit Dirk Rohrbach”, to be found in the ARD Audiothek, editor’s note).

Because the next lockdown followed in Germany in autumn, I stayed over there.

It ended up being 14 months - and it was the greatest time of my life.

So you are one of the few artists who could benefit from Corona?

Rohrbach

: I don't know if I would call it a benefit, but at least I was able to make the most of it.

Of course I had a lot more freedom due to my status and my work as a journalist.

Of course, at first there was no money.

But I used the time, stayed for four months at a campground in the desert near the Colorado River, worked a lot and rode my bike a lot.

It was a good time.

With a tent and gravel bike, Dr.

Dirk Rohrbach traveled around 3000 kilometers on the US west coast.

On January 21, the journalist, adventurer and doctor will be recounting his experiences between Canada and Mexico in a spectacular multimedia show.

© Dirk Rohrbach

Regarding your most recent adventure: you have returned from the kayak to the saddle of a bicycle and thus to your roots as a travel journalist.

Rohrbach

: Is correct.

In 2004 - I was still a moderator at Bayern 3 - I took a six-month break and cycled around the USA.

That was also my first contact with the west coast by bike. Unfortunately, I cycled from south to north – which was logistically unfeasible at the time.

Every cycling expert knows, of course, that you only ride the west coast from north to south, because the wind always blows from the north/northwest.” So I thought to myself: I have to do it right now.

In 2013 I cycled across the USA and then from San Francisco to Los Angeles, at least part of the way in the right direction.

So, to conclude my trilogy of bike rides in America, I thought to myself:

Isn't cycling on one of the most beautiful roads in the world dangerous?

There are hundreds of thousands of tourists on this route and probably quite a few trucks as well.

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Fancy a voyage of discovery?

My space

Rohrbach

: In fact, it's not always that romantic.

The journey starts on Highway 101, which runs through Washington and Oregon.

Only in California does the coastal road become the legendary Highway No. 1. Bikers can get along well on it, even if there is no bike path and sometimes even the hard shoulder is missing.

The 101 is sometimes a four-lane, sometimes six-lane expressway.

You have to be careful there.

But the view – always the Pacific on the right – and the vastness, that makes it unique.

Which bike were you on?

Rohrbach

: Actually for the first time on a gravel bike, after I have always ridden touring or trekking bikes.

I had attached bikepacking bags to it with a relatively reduced load...

... that means you stayed in motels instead of tents this time?

Rohrbach

: No, not at all, I only camped.

The cycling infrastructure on the West Coast is better than anywhere else in America.

There are many state parks there, and almost every one offers hikers and bikers a small, demarcated camping area where you can stay cheaply without a reservation.

The ones in Oregon even have boxes for us cyclists to charge electronic devices.

This is real luxury.

Please tell us something about the mood in the USA that you perceived during your trip.

Is the country still politically torn after Trump's move to Biden?

Rohrbach

: Much has not yet healed, that's my impression.

Even in supposedly liberal California, there are many regions where Republican voters are significantly more numerous, especially in rural areas.

Trump flags are flying there, and defamatory slogans are on posters.

This fanaticism is still strange.

But regardless of their political affiliation, the people there are incredibly supportive and warm.

I have met people who live with the sea, are inspired by it, want to protect it.

I'll tell you about it in Wolfratshausen.

And about my encounters with oyster farmers, dropouts and natives.

What else can visitors look forward to in the Loisachhalle on January 21?

Rohrbach

: To the band, of course.

It's a highlight for me every time I get to perform with the guys from Smokestack Lightning, because their sound just fits so well.

And we're doing an experiment.

It's never happened before, and I don't know if it will happen again afterwards (laughs).

We're broadcasting live on the radio for the first time.

That means I have to find a way to captivate the audience in the hall and at the same time take the listeners, who don't see any pictures, with me on the radio.

So I have to tell stories and create pictures for the people at home too.

That's why it will be a mixture of radio play, live podcast, multimedia report and live concert.

Can you tell us a little bit about your future travel plans?

Rohrbach

: Last year we filmed my river trip on Missouri and Mississippi as an international TV production.

From March, Servus TV will be showing the five parts for the first time, each for an hour.

And the fourth season of my podcast "50 States" with then 30 states that I have traveled is also coming.

I'll do that as soon as the festival is over.