A conversation with Katharina Siegel

04/03/25

A conversation with Katharina Siegel & Bonanno.

Scott Warren interviews Ultra Endurance rider Katharina Siegel and together they talk about her life and everything leading up to her connection with Bonanno.

S: Katharina, thanks for chatting to me today, let’s start with how you heard about the workshop in the beginning?

K: In retrospect, it's hard to say, but I’m sure it was through friends like the architectural designer Jonas Klock. When I moved back to Berlin in 2020, I became a member of the ceramic workshop he and his partner were running back then.

You recently got a new bike! You went for an Italo Disco+, I noticed interestingly with mechanical disc brakes - can you tell us a bit more about the build?

Yes, I went for the Italo Disco + because it has a road bike geometry with a wider tire clearance. I can cover long distances comfortably, and – at the same time – it allows me to go off-road if necessary. I also prefer to be able to fix minor issues en route myself, so mechanical disc brakes seemed more accessible.

So the bike has a kind of randonneur style approach - would you say that describes your type of riding?

Absolutely, yes. It all started when I moved to London. In the years ahead of my move, I was flying in and out on a regular basis. Which always felt strange because this way of travel is lacking the journey itself. I wanted to experience the in-between and transition of two places that both felt like home to me. In my imagination, nothing would suit this endeavour better than a bike. So I set off on my first solo bike-packing trip from Berlin to London, via Hamburg and Amsterdam along the coast to Dunkirk where I crossed the Channel. In 2020, I took a plane for the last time.

Talking of long rides then, you certainly went the extra mile doing a long-distance route before arriving at MOGAST this year - how was that experience?

Stunning - again. I had planned a slightly different route than last year, including some mountain passes I haven't been to before. But the weather this June was challenging. It had snowed so much the weeks before MOGAST and some passes were still closed, or had to be closed again – like the Grimsel Pass – just after I went over. Two days later, San Bernardino Pass was temporarily closed due to construction work on a little bridge. I decided to pass the barrier and see if I could continue. To my favour, the workers let me pass and allowed me a mountain crossing in solitude. Bike-packing to MOGAST is the best way to get your climbing legs activated. And for me, it’s also a beautiful way to spend some days and nights outdoors, in a mind-blowing landscape.

What about your background outside of riding extreme distances - I heard you used to live in London? Did anything there inspire your gallery space here in Berlin?

Indeed, I used to live in London for a couple of years. I’m an artist, and back then I studied Sculpture at the Royal College of Art. When I moved back to Berlin during the first Lockdown, I was offered to take over a former sweets shop in Kreuzberg as a studio space. During the time, I was converting and renovating the old shop, I realised I’d prefer to open the space to the public rather than using it solely for my individual artistic practice. Since 2023 I have been running ACRE Studios, a non-profit art space and residency programme.

What about your connection to Bonanno now? You’re collaborating on a ride series this year, the Roundabout series, how did that come about?

Last December, I visited Niccolo Bonanno at his workshop – Hiroshi kindly fixed some issues on my old bike, with which I was about to set off to London for Christmas. We talked about craftsmanship, art, and workshops, about bikes and long distances, and finally about a new bike for me. Instantly, we liked the idea to collaborate on a series of bike rides that would combine our shared love for cycling and art.

I really love how your new Bonanno looks, I remember seeing it for the first time as we climbed up the final part of Mortirolo together at MOGAST - what was the process or story behind this ghost-like paint job?

Thank you. Yeah, I’m really happy about the outcome, too. It’s subtle - I like that. The anthracite metallic matte paint job with a glossy logo application on the down tube is part of the Cicli Bonanno paint book. The anthracite slightly changes its tone depending on light conditions and surroundings - which is beautifully to observe in a landscape like the Alps. I fancied a gentle custom gesture, only visible if you have a closer look. So we decided to give the frame a green base layer, which Velociao made visible at the tube joints by sanding the anthracite off.

The bike suits your style very well, is this your first custom made bike? What was the build process like for you?

It’s my first custom bike, yes. The build process was very relaxed. I trusted Nico 100%. I knew that he knows his craft best. We talked about my needs on the bike and gear/part preferences, and we changed a few things on my old bike during the design process. So I was riding and testing changes on my old bike while Nico was drawing the new one.

Thanks a lot, it's been a pleasure.

Design and words by Scott Warren (scottwarren.net)

Photos by Stefano Zotti (stefanozotti.com) & Stefan Haehnel(stefanhaehnel.com).

Interview from Katharina Siegel (https://acrestudios.cc/) (http://www.katharinasiegel.com/)