Transalp 2018

The day before the start: backpack is packed and is almost at the 9kg limit.

I definitely bought too many energy bars...

Peter already asked how long I'll be on the road... Well, I guess I need to think about it 🤔

Met Frank - talked and exchanged for a while. We're nervous about Saturday. We will cross the Krimmler Tauern (2600m) and the weather seems to be not so great there...

Short moment of panic for Frank: his gear blew up on the weekend. The guys from Bike Ranch quickly replaced the cassette this morning and now everything is fine again.

We want to start tomorrow morning at half past seven. Eva will drive us to Kufstein and then we'll start...

I hope I have everything I need.

The first stage goes from Kufstein via Bad Häring to Brixen im Thale. From there, uphill along the Windauer Ache to our first overnight point: Steinberghaus at about 900m. (probably 47km and 1550HM)

1. Day: Kufstein - Brixen im Thale (via Hohe Salve) - Steinberghaus - 47km/1430HM/1060TM

I got up at six. Had 3 fried eggs, coffee and a power powder. At quarter to eight we meet in front of the house. Yesterday evening Peter and I already mounted the bike carrier.

Eva kindly drove us to Kufstein and dropped us off at a JET petrol station. After a small snack and a cola, we started our adventure.

First, we went on paved roads towards Bad Häring. A few meters of altitude but nothing wild. Then it quickly went from 600m to 900m

The next section over meadows and small paths (Micha's specialty) brought the first carrying stretch and Frank could finally test his HookaBike. The result was quite satisfying for him. 😃

The descent to Soll on partly paved roads was quick and then the first steeper climb to the Hohe Salve, 600m of altitude in one go. Despite the heat, we made it well and at the top we treated ourselves to a delicious lunch (photo - what we ate). The descent took us past the Hexenwasser where masses of people were walking around - let's get away quickly... The last meters of ascent were accompanied by a few breaks (photos/gate...) and also by a few girls (hiking). They also helped the older ones among us to keep their stuff together. With a rapid descent (asphalt - over 60km/h) we quickly arrived in Brixen im Thale.

From there we went leisurely to Westendorf (at the most beautiful golf course in Austria - Peter and I briefly considered riding on the lawn 🙃) into the Windach valley. The beautiful river and the pleasant traffic-free path made the 200m of altitude not feel so bad. We had a little scare when we saw a sign that said the Steinbergerhaus wouldn't have dinner on Thursday. When we arrived at the house (photo), it turned out that this only applied to passing hikers. A delicious dinner, a few beers and a liqueur ultimately brought us to bed. Unfortunately, due to the many powders and probably the coleslaw, my stomach was pretty upset and that led to a rather restless night (and that before the stage with the most altitude meters...

2. Day: from Steinberghaus to Krimmler Tauernhaus - 46km/1670HM/920TM

In the morning we started. We rode up to the Filzenscharte on beautiful forest paths. A short carrying stretch brought us into the Pinzgau.

Before we rode all the way down into the valley, we treated ourselves to some food. The rapid descent into the valley was once again interrupted by a section through a forest and meadow.

In the high valley, the rain turned into a real thunderstorm and we had to seek shelter in an alpine cabin. There, we put on more weatherproof clothing and carried on for the last 5km to Krimmler Tauernhaus.

After cleaning the bike and hanging up our clothes in the drying room, we ate and prepared for the next day.

3. Day: from Krimmler Tauernhaus to Gais (Brunneck - South Tyrol) - 60km/1130HM/1920TM

Another restless night. A cold is trying to settle in...

We started with 2 aspirins. After a short time, it started raining again 😕 - change clothes again. We went up on good paths. After the last alp (1900m), the paths became more difficult and pushing became more and more important.

So we went on. The weather was quite unsettled. Sometimes a few drops, sometimes foggy areas... We're well equipped, so we just kept going.

Almost there

Krimmler Tauern: 2630m, 5 degrees, rain and fog - and yet happy

Frank's fear came true - no downhill was possible. We had to push our bikes almost 800m back down 😖

Downhill - hard...

Sometimes brave enough.

After 6:30 hours, we conquered the Tauern with our bikes, 1000m of altitude up and 800m down 😁

From there, we rode on an asphalt road at a very fast pace (over 60km/h) towards our accommodation.

I'm being followed...

Unfortunately, the next rain shower came, so we arrived completely wet. The landlady of the house was so kind to put our clothes in a dryer, so that we could start comfortably again the next day.

Rain again - where is our hotel 🤨

Finally arrived and completely wet 😨

4. Day: Gais (Bruneck) - Rautal - Las Vegas (Kronplatz): 62km/1600HM/1950TM)

In Bruneck, we took the cable car up to Kronplatz (from 1000m to 2200m) :-)

Kronplatz 2200m

From there, we rode down through the trails in the bike park to St. Vigil (1270m). In between, we had to be careful because there was an MTB race on that day.

From St. Vigil, we went into the Fanes valley - the Dolomites began to unfold...

Until the Pederü inn, it was still OK, but from there... loose ground, steep ramps (over 20%) demanded a lot from us.

Nasty climb

That tastes suprrrr

Well deserved!

5. Day: Las Vegas - Arraba - Bindelweg - Vigo di Fassa: 54km, 1720HM 2330TM

Dreamlike scenery

On narrow paths

The Bindelweg at 2400m

A Trelfi!

Dreamlike

Bike park - an attempt!

6. Day: Vigo di Fassa - Moena - Via Dolomiti - San Martini die Castrozza: 38km 1620HM 1540TM

...we are so small...

Siesta on the mountain

Mighty!

And downhill againnnnn...

San Martino du Castrozza - we lowered the average age to 78 😉

4-star hotel frozen in time (probably 1978)

7. Day: San Martino di Castrozza - Via Dolomiti - Rifugio Vederne - Feltre: 69km/1450HM/2700TM

We started from San Martino di Castrozza towards Feltre in good spirits. The technology gave different information about the altitude meters: Stanciu - 1060HM and Komoot 1600HM. We just had to track it ourselves 😉

Another look back at the Pala Dolomites

After Mezzano, we rode into the gorge of 'Torrente Noana'.

being followed again - now by two!

The ramps get steeper again...

8. Day: Feltre - Monte Grappa - Bassano del Grappa: 58km/1620HM/1760TM