Probably the toughest stage race in Europe pushes even the most experienced cyclists to their physical and mental limits. This year's programme again includes over 16,000 metres of climbing in one week. And yet mountain bikers come back every year to push themselves beyond their limits up the mountains. Why? Here are 5 good reasons why you should sign up for the BIKE Transalp this year:
1st mountain bike adventure against a fantastic backdrop
Anyone who knows the Alps knows that they are one of the most scenic regions in the world - and not just for cyclists. The Transalp route offers breathtaking views of the mountains, crosses valleys, passes lakes and is always in the fresh air. This turns the MTB race into a scenic adventure that you would probably never experience if you didn't take part in the BIKE Transalp. The panoramic trails of the Alps are in a class of their own and will amaze any mountain bike fan - even if you still have to concentrate on riding, of course...
2. the sporting challenge
Crossing the Alps by MTB is definitely not for couch potatoes. It is a huge physical and mental challenge to pedal every day for a week and cover well over 1000 metres in altitude. But those who manage it at the end and have passed the sporting challenge will feel energised. This is the challenge, and the time from registration to reaching the finish line is a process, a sporting journey. Crossing the finish line after a tough but also beautiful week on the MTB is incomparable!
3 Reaching the goal together
The BIKE Transalp can of course also be ridden alone, but what is much more fun and all the more motivating is taking part as a team of two. Together with your partner, best mate or brother or sister, the Transalp challenge becomes an event according to the motto: "Shared joy is double the joy".
When you are going through difficult, exhausting phases during the race, your team partner can be the most important motivation and you can push each other on. After crossing the finish line, there is no substitute for reviewing the week together over a cool drink and celebrating what you have achieved with your team partner.
Maxxis BIKE Transalp 2023: The highlights
4. talking shop
During the stages there is of course a lot of concentration and effort, but before and after the stages there is time to meet the other participants who have also embarked on this madness. For example, when there is pasta in the evening. Then you can sit together in a cosy atmosphere and talk shop about the MTB world. "Why did you choose this MTB? How are you getting on with the gears? Isn't the geometry too steep?" These and probably 1000s of others can be discussed - you are among like-minded people and the exchange is a really cool thing as part of the BIKE Transalp. You can learn a lot about technique or physical conditions, psychology and physique because you can share and exchange experiences.
5. (No) excuses
Once you've signed up, there's no going back. But this should also be seen as motivation, because once you've decided to sign up, you take things more seriously and don't skip training sessions just because the weather isn't right. It's a tough fitness programme in which every session counts and you no longer want to deviate from your plan. A second advantage is that precisely because your training plan includes lots of sessions - even at the weekend - you finally have an excuse why you often can't attend the family coffee on Sunday afternoons. You simply have a commitment that you want to fulfil. So the coffee has to wait.
Maik Schröder
Editor
