Riding in the alps

[De Vingard]

Hi Folks,

I just thought I could show you some pictures of my rides in the alps this year...

I'm living in St. Gallen near Lake Constance at the border of the alps. Within 1 or 2 hrs. driving by car, I can reach many of the famous climbings in the (german speaking region of the) alps.

I hope you enjoy watching! :)

Riding in my region in January (My first ride just after recovering from a 6 month enduring virus infection). I've picked my cross-(and bad weather) bike for that ride.

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1981/2007-01-20_01.jpg

[De Vingard]

February

Riding together with 2 friends in my region. At the horizon, it's the "Saentis", about 2'500 m above sea level.

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1982/2007-02-17_05.jpg


Riding with my training bike in the swiss winter...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1982/2007-02-17_10.jpg


Another picture of the "Saentis"...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1982/2007-02-18_08.jpg


Bad winter for ski tourism as there was almost no snow in this winter! That picture was taken on one of the very few days with snow:

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1983/2007-03-27_02.jpg

[De Vingard]

March

The following pictures were taken at the "Faschinajoch" (about 1'450 m above sea level) on one of my rides with the cross-bike which I often use in that time of the year as it has some more gears to climb easily.

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1983/2007-03-31_05.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1983/2007-03-31_07.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1983/2007-03-31_08.jpg

[MarleyMon]

marvelous! Its 90º F here today and those pics are refreshingly cool!

[De Vingard]

April

Heading for "Malbun" which is a small village at the end of a road between some mountains in "Liechtenstein".

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-01_03.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-01_04.jpg


On my way on the "Hochtannbergpass" which is near some big ski resorts such as Lech, Warth, Zuers and St. Anton.

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-08_10.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-08_11.jpg


..."Flexenpass", heading towards the village "Zuers"...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-08_18.jpg

[De Vingard]

Still April...

Some more pics of my rides in my region. Again the climbing to the "Schwaegalp" which is just at the bottom of the "Saentis" (looking at the area between the "Saentis" and Lake Constance)...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-17_06.jpg


..."Saentis", the mountain I usually see all the time on my rides around here...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-17_09.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-26_24.jpg


...looking n the opposite direction...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-26_23.jpg


...descent in the night from the "Schwaegalp"...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-26_27.jpg


"Julierpass" in the swiss Canton "Grisons", my first ride on one of the higher climbings (peak at about 2'300 m above sea level)

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-29_03.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-29_04.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-29_07.jpg


...heading towards the "Berninapass", the second one on this day...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-29_14.jpg

[De Vingard]

May

"Flüelapass", one of the higher ones in the swiss canton Grisons.

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1985/2007-05-19_02.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1985/2007-05-19_04.jpg


...on my way to the "Hochalp", a little road in my region; mostly used by farmers, so there is almost no traffic at all! But very steep, though... :cool:

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1985/2007-05-22_02.jpg


Some old bridges at the end of "St. Gallen", where I live. At the horizon. the "Saentis" again.

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1985/2007-05-22_03.jpg


...the "Furkajoch" in Austria, a little road, very scenic, very steep!

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1985/2007-05-26_01.jpg

[itsflantastic]

April


http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1984/2007-04-08_11.jpg


..."Flexenpass", heading towards the village "Zuers"...



Looks Like that road just ends in mid air. If you pedaled hard enough, you could launch yourself off of that killer ramp to the top of the adjacent mountain. :)

beautiful pictures. my goodness, riding in NYC/NJ is the pits!

[De Vingard]

Still May...

The "Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse" in Austria. You can almost imagine the road going up there as you can see that there is some space between the trees...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1985/2007-05-27_03.jpg


...looking down...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1985/2007-05-27_04.jpg


...the lake some kilometres under the peak of the climbing...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1985/2007-05-27_06.jpg


...looking around at the top of the "Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse"...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1985/2007-05-27_08.jpg

[Too Tall]

Holy cr@p :) You are one lucky guy. Next yr. baby...next yr. I'll be there woo woo. Note, you seem to always have a rear right...for tunnels?

[De Vingard]

June

"Pragelpass", maybe one of the toughest climbings in the alps. Originally not built for cars (and sure not for cyclists ;) ), but for military. Therefore, it's a very small road (which is closed for traffic at the weekend), very steep!

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-10_03.jpg


...looking down from one of the first meters flat enough to stop for a pic (and be able to get onto the bike again)...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-10_02.jpg


..the lake ("Klöntaler See") at the othe side...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-10_04.jpg


...at the top of the "Pragelpass"...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-10_19.jpg


On my way to "Vorder Höhi", just as the "Pragelpass" a road usually built for military, therefore very small, very steep, no traffic...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-14_01.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-14_03.jpg


...at the top of "Vorder Höhi"...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-14_04.jpg

[De Vingard]

Still June...

The next one is one of my favourite climbing, called "Kaunertaler Gletscherstrasse" ("Gletscher" = glacier). One of the highest roads in the alps (2'750 m above sea level). On top there are some skilifts, but as the road ends there, there is no traffic n summer, just some tourists. Very scenic!

The first one at the beginning of the climbing...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-16_02.jpg


...the lake about 10 km before reaching the peak of the climbing...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-16_03.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-16_04.jpg


...left, right, left, right! :)

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-16_06.jpg


Yes, there is little traffic! So you have to take care of other "persons" at the road! :)

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-16_07.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-16_10.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1986/2007-06-16_12.jpg

[De Vingard]

July

"Grimselpass" in central Switzerland. Very scenic!

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-28_02.jpg


...still "Grimselpass" heading towards the next climbing, the "Furkapass"...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-28_03.jpg


"Nufenenpass", some meters before descenting again...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-28_04.jpg


The next pictures were taken at the "Gotthardpass", exactly at the "Tremola" which is a historic road with cobblestones. Today it is used only by some tourists and cyclists as there is a highway parallel to this "Tremola".

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-28_06.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-28_07.jpg


"Klausenpass" in the swiss canton "Uri"...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-15_Klausenpass_02.jpg


"Urnersee" between the "Klausenpass" and the "Pragelpass" (pics of the "Pragelpass" in my June posting)

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-15_Urnersee_01.jpg

[De Vingard]

Still July...

"Maloja" in the swiss canton Grisons. This is when you turn to the right when you descent from the "Julierpass", then 10 km flat and then you are at the "top" of the "Malojapass"... ;)

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-16_Malojapass_03.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-16_Malojapass_04.jpg


"Spluegenpass", maybe one of the most impressive ones in the alps as the road changes its direction within some meters several times. It's even hard to take a picture to show how the road was built as everything is very narrow!

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-16_Spl_genpass_03.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-16_Spl_genpass_12.jpg


"Albulapass". Some people say that this is the most beautifull road in the alps. I don't as it is quite difficult to cycle (very unrythmic, steep and then flat again...). But yes, it is very scenic!

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-17_Albulapass_01.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-17_Albulapass_03.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-17_Albulapass_10.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-17_Albulapass_13.jpg

[znfdl]

Simply stunning.

[De Vingard]

Still July...

"Forcola di Livigno" at the border between Italy and Switzerland. About 500 m of climbing, so not too difficult.

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-19_Forcola_di_Livigno_02.jpg


I guess, the next ones are even well known in the US. That is probably the most famous climbing in the alps: the "Stilfserjoch" (or as italians say: "Stelvio"). 48 hairpins befor you reach the top! All hairpins are numbered, so you always know what you get! :cool: At hairpin no. 25 you can already see the top of the road (hairpin no. 48 is at the bottom, no. 1 is at the top)

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-19_Stilfserjoch_04.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-19_Stilfserjoch_07.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-19_Stilfserjoch_09.jpg


...the other side of the "Stelvio", heading towards the city of "Bormio" in Italy...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1987/2007-07-19_Stilfserjoch_15.jpg

[reblaus]

Hello Neighbour

wonderful Pictures of our lovely Bike area which you us show here. Can we see more of this...?? :)

Sorry about the bad Quality of this Photo:

This Friday at Albulapass(my second on this Day after Lenzerheide/Valbella), Flüelapass was the third one...my first "real climb" with my new Nove :banana:

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8459/novealbuladh8.jpg



I hope we can meet us soon...maybe at Schwägalp?? :beer:

[paczki]

Thank you for these. They made my day. I have to find a way there next summer.

[De Vingard]

August

"Umbrailpass", the highest road in Switzerland (about 2'500 m high), just at the border to Italy (and only 280 m of climbing to the "Stelvio" as the "Umbrailpass" crosses this road).

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1988/2007-08-04_16.jpg


"Obermutten", a steep road to a very small village. I just wanted to check out this road, and it was worth it! :)

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1988/2007-08-05_34.jpg


Some pictures of my ride to the "Tiefenbachferner", the highest point you can reach in the alps with your road bike (2'829 m above sea level). The road stops at a ski lilift, so you have to descent at the same side.

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1988/2007-08-27_01.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1988/2007-08-27_02.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1988/2007-08-27_03.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1988/2007-08-27_05.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1988/2007-08-27_04.jpg

[De Vingard]

Still August...

Season and practicing is over now, so I'm cycling a little with my MTB and my Cross bike.

Some pics taken on my rides in my region...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1988/2007-08-31_01.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/1988/2007-08-31_02.jpg

[De Vingard]

September

Some more pics of my area...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-09_01.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-12_01.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-13_01.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-13_02.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-13_04.jpg


Riding in the canton Grisons near "Bonaduz". What you see here is the river Rhine and the canyon of this river.

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-15_04.jpg


On thos road, there are some valleys on the left and on the right with the roads stopping at places like it can be seen at the following pics.

"Thalkirch"

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-15_06.jpg

Heading towards "Vals"

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-15_08.jpg

[De Vingard]

Still September...

The road near "Bonaduz" in the swiss canton Grisons.

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-15_16.jpg

Some pics of the region called "Engadin", this is where the famous ski resort "St. Moritz" is. The pics were taken on my ride with my cross bike, riding parallel to the main road on small gravel roads. Impressive area!

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-16_04.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-16_07.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2093/2007-09-16_08.jpg

...this is it for now! Hopefully to be continued next weekend! Tomorrow, it's getting colder and winter starts soon...

[De Vingard]

Looks Like that road just ends in mid air. If you pedaled hard enough, you could launch yourself off of that killer ramp to the top of the adjacent mountain. :)


No need to worry as my speed is usually not high enough to launch myself the next mountain! But sure I keep on trying! ;)

[De Vingard]

Note, you seem to always have a rear right...for tunnels?

I use the rear light quite often as I've got to work until 5 pm, so it often gets dark before I'm back home again from cycling.

When I go out in the weekends for the higher ones, there are often tunnels, yes. In Switzerland and Austria, these are illuminated but not in Italy.

[De Vingard]

Hello Neighbour

wonderful Pictures of our lovely Bike area which you us show here. Can we see more of this...?? :)


I created recently an online album with more of the pictures of my rides.

-> LINK <- (http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/showgallery.php/ppuser/12564/cat/500)

The pictures shown in this thread are a "best-of", there are lots more in the album. Also pics of my bikes, hiking in the snow... stuff like that.

I hope we can meet us soon...maybe at Schwägalp?? :beer:

I've got 3 road bikes, none of them are ready to cycle right now... :o My training bike needs a service as I was using it a lot in rain. The titanium bike gets its first service and some little updates after using it everytime it was not raining. My competition bike has got no wheelset at the moment as I've sold a set of carbon wheels and waiting for the new one to arrive...

So, there is just my cross bike and my MTB! 5 bikes and only 2 of them running! :crap: :rolleyes:

If you've got no problem with escorting somebody on a heavy bike, sure we can meet! In fact, I'm planning to do the Furkajoch-Hochtannberg-Flexenpass loop once more this year! Should be in your region, right?

[Louis]

Wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Louis

[Flat Out]

I don't want to sound like your mother but... you should guys should be wearing helmets. :)

Seriously, stunning pictures.

[De Vingard]

I don't want to sound like your mother but... you should guys should be wearing helmets. :)

Seriously, stunning pictures.

Hi Mami,

I didn't know you read all my postings! :)

In fact, I always wear a helmet! All of the guys I'm riding with, wear helmets, too! But when we are climbing for 1 or 2 hrs. in the summer sun, we take it off. Only for climbing and only if there is little traffic!

[Karin Kirk]

Thanks for the scenic photos!
your month-by-month photos remind me of those Ciba-Geigy calendars. They were a Swiss pharmaceutical company and they used to make calendars of beautiful Swiss scenery every year. There was a theme every year, like cable cars or guest houses. So yours could be 12 months of epic climbs.

You sure live in a beautiful place. The Saentis are visible across the Bodensee from my Mom's place. All of your photos are great - sounds like you get out and about quite a lot. Good for you!

I shipped my bike today and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be waiting for me at the Bodensee when I get there! :)

[csm]

beautiful. I've got to get over there one of these days. thanks for posting!

[De Vingard]

I shipped my bike today and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be waiting for me at the Bodensee when I get there! :)

I hope the weather will be better than it is right now! Today, autumn started with lots of rain and it's getting colder and darker. They say, the weather will be like this for the next days, so no more "epic climbs" for September, I guess.

Where will you stay at the Bodensee?

[Gothard]

Vingard, :beer:
Now that the secret is out, we'll have to learn english. Wait, they can learn german and french...
Beautiful pictures! I wish I could go more often in that part of the country.

[De Vingard]

Vingard, :beer:
Now that the secret is out, we'll have to learn english. Wait, they can learn german and french...
Beautiful pictures! I wish I could go more often in that part of the country.

http://forum.tour-magazin.de/images/smilies/new/eek.gif Is my english really that bad? Well, you should hear me speaking german as I've got a strong dialect (swabian)! :)

Maybe we should stop posting pics of the alps or else next year there will be a traffic jam with all the cyclists from overseas! :)

No, just kidding, I also like watching other people's areas. Always interesting, where all the other people ride their bikes... For me, it is also a good help to plan my next holidays as cycling means to me, exploring interesting regions! (Not planned next year's holiday's though, so I continue watching this forum! :cool: )

[Frank Draper]

Gothard and DeVingard,

Thank you for the pictures. You made my day.

FrankD.

[Birddog]

Those photos made me all moist and then you mention Schwabia and now I'm thinking about Maultaschen.

Birddog

GREAT PICTURES BTW

[De Vingard]

Those photos made me all moist and then you mention Schwabia and now I'm thinking about Maultaschen.

Birddog

GREAT PICTURES BTW

Aaaaah Maultaschen! http://forum.tour-magazin.de/images/smilies/new/smullen.gif Reminds me of the good ol' times when I lived there! Whenever my parents visit me, they have to bring stuff like that to me... http://forum.tour-magazin.de/images/smilies/new/eten.gif

But hey, I live in Switzerland now, the motherland of chocolat and cheese! Could be worse! http://forum.tour-magazin.de/images/smilies/new/applaus.gif

[Karin Kirk]

I hope the weather will be better than it is right now! Today, autumn started with lots of rain and it's getting colder and darker. They say, the weather will be like this for the next days, so no more "epic climbs" for September, I guess.

Where will you stay at the Bodensee?
Near Meersburg. I'm sure there will be some rainy days. I'm just hoping to get out and explore at least a few times. I get to visit often so the bike will stay there for future visits -- and hopefully for some rides in the Swiss Alps next year.

DeVingard and George - you guys have great English! I am trying to learn German and it's a train wreck. All those masculine/feminine nouns - so hard to learn. I am envious of multi-lingual people.

[De Vingard]

Near Meersburg. I'm sure there will be some rainy days. I'm just hoping to get out and explore at least a few times. I get to visit often so the bike will stay there for future visits -- and hopefully for some rides in the Swiss Alps next year.

DeVingard and George - you guys have great English! I am trying to learn German and it's a train wreck. All those masculine/feminine nouns - so hard to learn. I am envious of multi-lingual people.

Meersburg and the other cities around there are also worth for a sightseeing tour, if the weather is too bad for cycling (and this is quite likely at this time of the year...).

Unfortunately, I don't know any interesting cycling routes around Meersburg as I do my rides all in Switzerland. But if you want to try some of the roads in the swiss alps, I can tell you for sure which ones are worth to ride.


P.S.: I've been to MT, too. But that was 15 years ago. I remember names like Helena, Billings, Missoula, Yellowstone...

[erikbrooks]

I think I need to view these pictures weekly to get me thru the coming winter.

Or is there an option to save favorite threads in some private space?

[Karin Kirk]

But if you want to try some of the roads in the swiss alps, I can tell you for sure which ones are worth to ride.


Next year, for sure!

P.S.: I've been to MT, too. But that was 15 years ago. I remember names like Helena, Billings, Missoula, Yellowstone...

Nice places indeed! We are in between Helena and Yellowstone.

Eric, that's a great idea to have a way to save your favorite threads somewhere.

[dauwhe]

I think I need to view these pictures weekly to get me thru the coming winter.

Or is there an option to save favorite threads in some private space?

A regular bookmark in your web browser would work...

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=33429

Dave

[De Vingard]

I think I need to view these pictures weekly to get me thru the coming winter.

Or is there an option to save favorite threads in some private space?

Hi Erik,

thanks for that! :)

I try to keep the thread updated from time to time but from now on it's not really in my hands if I look outside the window... As long as it is dry, I will keep on cycling even if it's winter. So, maybe there will be some pictures with snow again!
(yes, I have to practice a lot to be competitive again after 3.5 years of several illnesses)

That was my last ride, just one week ago:

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1736/2007092002hl9.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9021/2007092003st2.jpg

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/9409/2007092004ua9.jpg

[BoulderGeek]

Wow!

That was an awesome journey.

Thanks for posting all of those!

Man, do I ever want to go back to Europe.

[De Vingard]

Nice places indeed! We are in between Helena and Yellowstone.


I know these places as my team at home (and several others around there) has a partnership to Montana. I used to wrestle when I was younger and we went to MT together with my team. That was in 1992. Since then, there is an exchange program: one year several wrestlers from Germany visit MT and the following year, wrestlers from MT visit Germany. So, if there are wrestlers of Germany visiting MT, it's very likely that they are from my village! :)

[Frank Draper]

Next year, for sure!


Nice places indeed! We are in between Helena and Yellowstone.

Eric, that's a great idea to have a way to save your favorite threads somewhere.
Karin,

Does this look familiar? We stayed in Big Fork this summer. The photo was taken in Glacier Nat'l. Park.
FrankD.

[Karin Kirk]

Karin,

Does this look familiar? We stayed in Big Fork this summer. The photo was taken in Glacier Nat'l. Park.
FrankD.

Nice Frank! That is a gorgeous area, and it looks like you had fine weather (no forest fires). Did you see bears?

De Vingard - there was this guy wrestling me for the last bunch of organic red potatoes at the farmer's market. Do you know him?

(kidding)

That sounds like a cool exchange program. I wonder how the Germany-Montana connection got started? Sounds like a good thing and a fun way to expand your horizons.

[De Vingard]

As it's getting colder, I'm only riding my MTB. With road bikes are being prepared for the next season right now...

...some pics of my rides with my MTB this month...

Riding around my hometown (Switzerland, near Lake Constance, called Appenzellerland):

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-07_02.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-07_03.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-07_04.jpg


Riding around "Grindelwald":

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-13_02.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-13_03.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-13_11.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-13_12.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-13_13.jpg

[De Vingard]

...more pics of my ride around "Grindelwald"...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-13_14.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-14_04.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-14_05.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-14_08.jpg

[wren]

Now THAT is stunning!

And I was just about to start a thread on mountain biking in the Alps! My friend and I just booked our air tickets for a transalp mountain bike trip next July, 2008. We are flying into Milan and will take a train to our departure point, somewhere in Switzerland, Austria, or Germany. Our goal is 6 or 7 days of mountain biking that will end in Lake Garda or some other point close to Milan. Any suggestions on a place to start?

Thanks for the inspiration!

- Ken

[rnhood]

Sign me up for your November ride, I'm making flight reservations now.

[Karin Kirk]

I literally JUST got back from Switzerland an hour ago!
Already I am ready to turn around and go right back.

Superb pictures again! I was in Grindelwald last Wednesday night! I should have been keeping an eye out for you. Did you ride up to Kleine Sheidegg? That's what it looks like in your photo. Wow, did I love it up there.

I will post pics and tall tales from the trip a little later...

[De Vingard]

Now THAT is stunning!

And I was just about to start a thread on mountain biking in the Alps! My friend and I just booked our air tickets for a transalp mountain bike trip next July, 2008. We are flying into Milan and will take a train to our departure point, somewhere in Switzerland, Austria, or Germany. Our goal is 6 or 7 days of mountain biking that will end in Lake Garda or some other point close to Milan. Any suggestions on a place to start?

Thanks for the inspiration!

- Ken

I must admit that I'm not really a good mountainbiker. In fact, I use my MTB only in autumn. When it gets too tricky I prefer getting off the saddle.... :)

So, I don't know that many good places for biking.

What I can do for you is picking out some links about mountainbike transalps, I guess most of them are in german. If you need any help in translating -> pm, no problem!

The most famous one in the alps, I guess it's similar to your "Transrockies"(?):
http://www.bike-transalp.de/englisch/

This one seems to be good:
http://www.mtb-touren.de/

Another one:
http://www.alpenueberquerungen.de/index.html

[De Vingard]

Superb pictures again! I was in Grindelwald last Wednesday night! I should have been keeping an eye out for you. Did you ride up to Kleine Sheidegg? That's what it looks like in your photo. Wow, did I love it up there.


You should have sent me a pm then! :)

The last pic is of the "Kleine Scheidegg" with the famous mountains "Eiger", "Mönch" and "Jungfrau" [1]. The other ones were taken on the southern side of Grindelwald like "Grosse Scheidegg", "First" and the "Höhenweg" between First und Grosse Scheidegg.

Very nice area! I haven't been there for quite a long time (must be more than 7 years). For road frames, most climbings are too steep but for mountainbiking it's perfect!



[1] famous because esp. the northwall of the "Eiger" is one of the most difficult climbings for alpinists in the alps. Many people died in the 19th and 20th century when they tried to climb up this wall!

[soulspinner]

Thank you again. Wonderful pics of wonderful places on our earth...

[Karin Kirk]

You should have sent me a pm then! :)


Yes, I know. Sorry!
This trip to the alps was too quick for organizing anything extra. I was traveling with my Mom. But next time I will be in touch for sure.

That whole area is spectacular, I bet the riding is thrilling. We did an excellent hike from Kleine Sheidegg up to the Eiger Glacier. Wow!

[rdparadise]

Thanks for taking the time to upload all of these pictures to share with us. The Alps riding is fantastic. I was over there in 2004 for the Tour and did a number of the climbs in that region including Alp D'huez. The Alps have to be one of the most beautiful places on earth!

Thanks again,

Bob

[zeroking17]

Nice routes.

p.s. Nice Ericksen, too. Haven't seen too many of those.

[BumbleBeeDave]

Stop it!

For the love of God, STOP IT!!!

NO MORE PICTURES!!! :no: :crap:

I live and have to ride in SCHENECTADY, Fer' Christ Sakes! S-C-H-E-N-E-C-T-A-D-Y!!!

Now I take a recovery day, come to the Forum, and see THIS!! AAAAAAAARGH!!!

I'm going to go slit my wrists with used, dulled chainring teeth now . . . ;)

BBD

[De Vingard]

The Alps have to be one of the most beautiful places on earth!


Hi Bob,

for me the Alps are really one of the nicest places to ride a bike. In fact, I was having some very serious illnesses in the past 4 years and if I wasn't living in an area like this, I would have given up cycling, that's for sure. But then again after recovering, I start loving the area again. I hope, I won't have to suffer with more illnesses in the next years as there are more regions for me to discover, like the dolomites in the italien alps or some regions in the french alps. Riding here is great! :)

Nevertheless, I'd like to do some rides in the Rockies, too, of course, as for me, cycling means also discovering new areas. Maybe in 2009 or 2010!

[Fixed]

cool bro

[De Vingard]

cool bro

"Cool" is the correct word as they say tomorrow will be the first day with snow! So, for the next 6 months, I wish I'd live in Florida like you do! :)


...next pics will be with snow, then! :fight:

[bikemoore]

I first rode in the same part of Switzerland on a 2-week tour with Erickson Cycle Tours out of Seattle in 1998. The best 2 weeks ever. In 2002, I moved to Stuttgart, Germany for 3 years and drove down to Appenzell every chance I got to do more cycling in that incredible area. I have travelled all over the world and cycled in some of the best cycling areas anywhere and I can honestly say that Switzerland is without equal for cycling. Just an endlessly stunning place.

[De Vingard]

Stop it!
I live and have to ride in SCHENECTADY, Fer' Christ Sakes! S-C-H-E-N-E-C-T-A-D-Y!!!


Hi BumbleBeeDave,

this one is esp.for you as S-C-H-E-N-E-C-T-A-D-Y sounds like a warm place! Starting yesterday, it has been snowing all of the time. Yesterday, I've had a funny ride in the snow but today it's just too cold and too much snow on the roads...

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-20_01.jpg

http://www.rennrad-news.de/fotos/data/2165/2007-10-20_02.jpg

[sailorboy]

I wish you euro-trash would stop flaunting this stuff in our faces, OK?

Seriously, thanks for sharing, you surely devoted tons of time to uploading all of that eye candy.

This got me to thinking, there are these touring companies, and I would preface that I have never been on a paid tour or anything, but instead of paying them like $3,000 to "guide" me through these areas, would it be possible to just pay either you or Gothard less than that to hang at your crib for a week or ten days and you either let me tag along on your rides, or print me out a rough map if you have to work or whatever? My German is rusty, but good enough to ask where I could find a halben hahn or something along the road.

The guy I bought my first bike from in Vermont used to spend the entire summer in Europe riding a converted road bike with a rear rack over all the passes, he would send us postcards every coupla weeks and tell us the number of feet he climbed, where he stayed in hay lofts and washed dishes for a meal etc. That is the kind of stuff that fueled my youthful daydreams of cycling--living vicariously through him. 20 or so years later and I still haven't taken my bike over there yet. Shameful!!

[De Vingard]

This got me to thinking, there are these touring companies, and I would preface that I have never been on a paid tour or anything, but instead of paying them like $3,000 to "guide" me through these areas, would it be possible to just pay either you or Gothard less than that to hang at your crib for a week or ten days and you either let me tag along on your rides, or print me out a rough map if you have to work or whatever? My German is rusty, but good enough to ask where I could find a halben hahn or something along the road.


Well, in my area there are about 3 or 4 great loops you can do in Summer, nothing famous but nice climbings in small roads with little traffic, like "Faschinajoch", Furkajoch", "Schwägalp", "Ruppenpass", "Wildhaus". Nothing extremely long but still nice!

Besides my rides around here, I prefer riding in the swiss canton "Graubuenden" (="Grisons"); there you've got more climbings than you could imagine:

Starting point in Tiefencastel near Chur:

- Via Mala-Splügen-Maloja-Julier

- Julier-Flüela-Davos

- Albula-Flüela

- Lenzerheide-Davos-Flüela-Albula


Starting point in Zernez or some other places around there:

- Flüela - Albula

- Ofenpass - Livigno/Italy - Forcola di Livigno/Italy - Berninapass

- Ofenpass - Stelvio/Italy (or Umbrail, both are great!) - Foscagno/Italy - Forcola di Livigno/Italy - Berninapass

Biggest advantage in my opinion of Grisons compared to other regions in the swiss alps is the weather which is more stable than in other regions. Sure, there are other great regions in Switzerland, one popular starting point is "Andermatt", where you can do at least 3 great loops:

- Furka - Nufenen - Gotthard (Tremola)

- Susten - Grimsel - Furka

- Oberalp - Lucomagno (Lukmanier) - Gotthard

or if you like longer loops: Susten - Grimsel - Nufenen - Gotthard

Sure, I can help you planning a trip around here as long as you stop about talking about money...riders help riders, correct? In fact, it shouldn't be a big problem in finding those loops as there aren't too many roads you can chose between! So, if you really plan to ride around here, you can send me a pm, sure! :)

[Gothard]

Same goes here. Just come, bring your bike and a few pesos to pay for whatever food you buy while on the road, and your souvenirs. The lodging and home food (as long as you're not picky) is on the host.

[djg]

Beautiful -- thanks for the photos.

The Austrian pics remind me, if you're ever cycling around Axams in the summer and look up a couple of thousand feet and see a lonely Atomic ski on the grass or maybe tangled in some low bushes, just send it my way. It's been a long time, so we're talking pre-parabolic 210.

[sailorboy]

Hey, you guys are very generous. If I can get it together and trick my wife into thinking it is a "buisness" trip, I'll get over there for sure!