The world’s toughest mountainbike race (upsolutmv 2005)
Approximately 740 kilometres and 22,500 attitude metres in 8 days
adidas BIKE Transalp Challenge from 16th to 23rd of July 2005
In the 8th edition of the spectacular mountain bike stage race 500 couple teams
have to cope with over 22,000 metres of altitude and a distance of
700 kilometres.
1,000 well-trained mountain bike drivers from over than 20 Nations
will cross the Eastern Alps within eight days. The start will be in
Mittenwald , three countries and 19 passes will be will be crossed.
For the first time the Transalp will lead over the "Upper Tauern"
and will finish directly on the beach of Jesolo´s coast at the
Adriatic Sea.
An overview of the stages (subject to change):
stage kilometres / metres altitude
1. Mittenwald - Mayrhofen, 16th of July 2005 111,74 km, 2.186 m alt.
2. Mayrhofen - Neukirchen, , 17th of July 2005 100,52 km, 3.522 m
alt.
3. Neukirchen - Lienz, 18th of July 2005 103,43 km, 3.295 m alt.
4. Lienz - Sexten, 19th of July 2005 74,94 km, 3.498 m alt.
5. Sexten - St. Virgil, 20th of July 2005 90,27 km, 2.868 m alt.
6. St. Virgil - Alleghe, 21st of July 2005 73.99 km, 2907 m alt.
7. Alleghe - Belluno, 22nd of July 2005 70,70 km, 2.570 m alt.
8. Belluno - Jesolo, 23rd of July 2005 120,42 km, 1.835 m alt.
Total: 740,258 km, 22.512 m alt.
The Teams (from L to R): Gary T, Adam, Martine, Brian, Guy & Gary H
Bike assembly and preparation in full swing.
Pasta party: Do we really need to cycle over those mountains behind! The smiles didn't last long.
Gary H and Guy: Looking forward to their first nights sleep in the TransAlp Camp i.e. The attic of an army barracks!
Mittenwald - Mayrhofen Stage 1 of 8 16th July 2005 111,74
km, 2.186 m alt.
 |
 |
Asphalt / Bitumen (Road) Cycle
track asphalt
Gravel / Crushed stone Forest / meadow / hiking way (single/forest track) Path Push / Carry |
Number of passes: (Attitude metres)
Hochalmsattel (1803); Plumsjoch (1630)
Highlights:
A known Transalp-Route over the "Karwendel" mountains with a beautiful
view. The last 35 km through "Zillervalley" on an easy riding bikeway.
Mayrhofen - Neukirchen Stage 2 of 8 17th July 2005 84.86
km, 3.372 m alt.
Number of passes: (Attitude metres)
Kapaunsalm (1911) ; Gerlospass (1531); Wildkogel (2091)
Highlights:
First of all, 18 km on a bikeway then an awesome dirtroad over the
"Kapaunsalp" and the "Gerlospass". Afterwards a strenuous rise over
the "Wildkogel" but rewarded by the phantastic Wildkogel-Trail -
see BIKE 2/05
Neukirchen - Lienz Stage 3 of 8 18th July 2005 99.08 km,
2825 m alt.
Number of passes: (Attitude metres)
Karalm (1394); Felbertauern (2481)
Highlights:
A very exhausting rise to the "Felbertauern" pass with passages
where you have to carry the bike, but then a long descent on a new
trail to east Tyrol. At the end a 30 km long bikeway to Lienz. Full
Power in the slipstream.
Parc Ferme - Where we have to leave the bikes every night.
TransAlp camp. Another floor different place!
Lienz - Sexten Stage 4 of 8 19th July 2005 70.22 km, 3519
m alt.
Number of passes: (Attitude metres)
Hochstein (2057); Sillianer Hütte (2501)
Highlights:
Steep but manageable rise, to the "Hochstein". Cool view of the
"Lienzer Dolomiten", "Pustertaler Höhenweg" and following a
bikeway to Sillian, then a long and at the end very steep rise to
the Sillianer log. Phantastic view down the "Sextener Dolomiten".
Awesome trail-descent to Sexten.
Gary chasing Alvin through the Dolomites
Guy and Gary cycle to the pasta party for the evening
Sexten Pasta Party: The food in Italy was excellent.
Sexten - St.Vigil Stage 5 of 8 20th July 2005 90,27 km, 2.868
m alt.
Number of passes: (Attitude metres)
Plätzwiese (2006); Kronplatz (2103)
Highlights:
A very manageable stage, starting with a ride on the old train tracks
to "Schluderbach" (Drei Zinnen-Blick), followed by an awesome drive-up
on the old military road to the "Plätzwiese", then a descent
to Olang and over the "Kronplatz" to St.Vigil.
Parc Ferme St Vigil.
St.Vigil - Alleghe Stage 6 of 8 21st July 2005 73.99 km,
2907 m alt.
Number of passes: (Attitude metres)
Limojoch [Fanes] (2174); Forcella Ambrizzola (2277)
Highlights:
The most beautiful countryside of all stages with "Fanesvalley"
and the "Forcella Ambrizzola" followed by the fairly difficult Alleghe
trails. Quote of a british participant a few years ago on this stage:
This was my best day biking ever.
Bag pick-up in Alleghe
Alleghe - Belluno Stage 7 of 8 22nd July 2005 70,70 km, 2.570
m alt.
Number of passes: (Attitude metres)
Forcella Alleghe (1829); Monte della Grava [Civetta] (1877)
Rifugio Carestiato (1784); Torner Trail (894)
Highlights:
A total new route through a for bikers not known area. Nice trails
behind the "Civetta" to Agordo, then a challenging rise to Torner,
afterwards crossing a river without a bridge, to Belluno, then following
some narrow side roads.
Gary & Guy
Belluno - Jesolo Stage 8 of 8 23rd July 2005 120,42 km, 1.835
m alt.
Number of passes: (Attitude metres)
Pian delle Femene (1146)
Highlights:
An easy last stage with a short carry-passage before mastering the
"Pian delle Femene", awesome view over the north-italien lowlands,
form Revine Lago on 70 Kilometer sideroads till the "dam of the
Piave" - High Speed in the slipstream.
