Maxxis BIKE Transalp 2024: Stage 2 - In the footsteps of the Romans over the main ridge

The Via Claudia Augusta is actually a route that can be recommended to first-time transalpine cyclists: easy rolling and few metres in altitude. But the first trade route across the Alps (completed in 46 AD by order of the Roman Emperor Claudius Augustus) can also be different. Especially when the route planners of the BIKE Transalp only use it as a guide and collect every usable extra metre of altitude towards Nauders. But not only to make the stage as painful as possible, but of course also to provide more views. The first long and ultimately rooty 1000 metre ascent from Imst through the Pitztal valley up to the Pillerhöhe is rewarded with a fantastic view over the Inn valley. And of course with a long descent. Afterwards, 700 metres in altitude rattle through the speedometer with a view of the main Alpine ridge.

At the bottom of the Inn Valley, the route then joins the flat, sometimes adventurous Via Claudia carved into the rock for 30 kilometres, but then makes another sporty detour across the Swiss border into the Lower Engadine. Here you cycle towards the young, turquoise-coloured Inn for a while before the gravel path branches off to the left into the forest slope. The route zigzags uphill for 800 metres. Past the idyllic Schwarzsee lake and then along a path across the green border back into Austria. So much for the hard crank work and the picture-book scenery of the day. What's still missing is the programme for the riding technicians in the race field and that comes right at the end: at Kreuzmoos you pump the last metres of altitude into your legs, then it's all downhill. On the famous 3-country enduro trails of Nauders. First the hairpin bends of the Gerry Trail, then the forest track of the Riatschwegele Trail. The main ridge passage, which is usually so feared by cyclists crossing the Alps, is thus completed with virtually no pushing. But of course, postponed is not cancelled. In the following 5 stages there are still plenty of opportunities for this kind of test.

Stage 2: From Imst to Nauders

• Length: 76.9 kilometres
• Uphill: 2467 metres in altitude
• Difficulty: difficult

The second stage of this year's Maxxis BIKE Transalp climbs from Imst to the Pillerhöhe. The last 100 metres in altitude are on a rooty and mostly steep trail. - Markus Greber, BIKE Transalp photographer

New at the Maxxis BIKE Transalp 2024: E-mountain bikers will be taking part for the first time!

"The Maxxis BIKE Transalp is such a unique experience in terms of scenery alone - nobody should be denied that", record winner Karl Platt had the idea that e-mountain bikers should also be allowed to take part in this major event. But how should the race field be organised without bikers with and without electric motors (pedelecs) getting in each other's way? After years of consideration, we are now certain that we have found a way.

The limited field of a maximum of 75 e-mountain bikers will ride the same Transalp route, but will start at a suitable distance after the non-motorised racers. The scoring is also different: the e-bikers will not be competing for the fastest stage times from start to finish, but will have to prove themselves on special challenges during the stages. For example, in the form of extra technical or physical challenges. On the rest of the route, they can relax and enjoy the panorama and trails, but must not lose sight of their battery capacity. The long stages in particular, with up to 100 kilometres and over 3000 metres of altitude, require experienced energy management. Even though there will be a battery change zone about halfway through each day. You can also register for just the first stage or the first two stages as a taster (Explorer Days). Incidentally, this applies to racers with and without an electric motor!

Imst stage location: the large outdoor area

Even the ancient Romans knew why they laid the first road across the Alps, the Via Claudia, through Imst: the Tyrolean town is strategically located in the Upper Inn Valley with direct access to 5 Alpine valleys.

Touring through the Lechtal Alps, exploring the Pitztal, freeriding over the Fernpass or would you prefer the bike park in Ischgl, Serfaus or Sölden? If you book your biking holiday at the Outdoor Centre Imst, you can decide every morning what you would rather experience. The town is located like a hub in the Upper Inn Valley with direct access to all the main Tyrolean valleys, less than 50 kilometres from the top spots mentioned at the beginning. A day trip to the nearby Swiss Lower Engadine, including duty-free shopping in Samnaun, is also possible.

Many bikers also set off on multi-day bike adventures from Imst - simply because the town has a railway station where even the ÖBB express trains stop. This makes it easy to join the famous Transalp route Via Claudia Augusta, for example, without having to leave your car there for several days and pick it up again after the tour. The more ambitious can even set off from Imst on the 32-stage signposted "Bike Trail Tirol". The total of 1000 kilometres and 27,000 metres of altitude on this route climb through all the Tyrolean valleys, but can also be completed in a much shorter time with a little sporting ambition and/or use of the mountain railways. Or you can choose one of the three-day tours around the Mieminger Kette or the Zugspitze.

However, it would be sacrilege to come to Imst solely for mountain biking. If there's one place where it's worth trying out a different outdoor sport beyond your own handlebars, it's here: The region offers the best conditions for a total of 35 fun sports. Area 47, for example, is a 20,000 square metre water area with cliff diving platforms, high-speed slides, as well as lifts and jumps for wakeboarding and waterskiing. Various white water gushes out of the surrounding valleys and gorges, which are ideal for canyoning and rafting experiences. You can also tackle a spectacular climbing wall or the highest high ropes course in Austria or explore a nearby cave system. At the lake, beach volleyball players dig in the sand and on the rock faces there's adrenaline with flying fox and bungee jumping. And if the weather should put a spanner in the works, there is now even an indoor bike park with a pump track, kicker, drops and flowline. The good thing is that the equipment for all these sports is available to hire on site, and if you want to delve deeper into the subject matter, you can also book a course.

As an Alpine crosser who only stops off at one of the many sports hotels in Imst, you naturally have neither the time nor the energy for this huge offer. That's why it's definitely worth coming back again.

Info Imst

The region: The Tyrolean town of Imst lies just behind the Fernpass at an altitude of 828-1040 metres in the Oberinntal valley. From here, you can take a star-shaped turn into various valleys towards the main ridge or Zugspitze. Top spots such as Ischgl, Ehrwald and the two large bike parks Sölden and Serfaus can be reached in less than 50 kilometres.

Journey: Although Imst only has a small railway station, the ÖBB express trains also stop here. Parking spaces for bikes can also be reserved online using an app. www.oebb.at

Tour info: A selection of day and multi-day tours in the region including GPS data can be found at www.imst.at

Area 47: All prices and information: www.area47.at

BIKE Transalp finish and start in Imst:

Finish line: Sunday, 14 July 2024
Start of the 3rd stage: Monday, 15 July 2024, 8 a.m.

The BIKE Transalp 2024 starts on Sunday 14 July in Ehrwald and ends on 20 July in Arco on Lake Garda. Total: 520 kilometres / 17,215 vertical metres / 7 stages.

All information about registration: www.bike-transalp.de