In principle, a BIKE Transalp is an intensive wellness holiday. A kind of detox programme for body and mind. Whereas in the weeks before, in addition to the training sessions, you still feel the daily grind of work and family on your back, you can now devote yourself entirely to mountain biking with the start of the first stage. Seven days of simply cranking, gazing at the most spectacular mountain landscape in Europe and listening to your own body: Thirst? How's the pulse? Do I need a massage tonight or will stretching exercises before going to bed be enough? You will suddenly recognise even the smallest signs and needs of your body and fulfil them immediately, so that you can fully rely on it again on the morning of the next stage.
And the crazy thing is: it works! Everyday worries fade away, and without this mental burden, your own body is actually capable of these top performances. Simply getting to know yourself is an experience in itself. Just like the rest of the participants, by the way. After all, a good half of the racers are travelling from the most distant countries in the world. They share the suffering on the climb, learn curses in foreign languages and end up happily embracing each other in Arco. The race finally starts in Ehrwald on 14 July!
Stage 7: Valle del Chiese (Roncone) - Arco
- Length: 64.44 kilometres
- Uphill: 2138 metres in altitude
- Difficulty: difficult
Route description
The good news: On the last day of the race, there are 700 metres more downhill than uphill. The bad news: there is still quite a bit of climbing to do: 2138 metres in altitude - and a large part of it ramp-like. But the start in Roncone is still very gentle. But after the pleasant roll-in phase through the Valle del Chiese, the first tarmac serpentines pile up to Malga Ringia. From there, the route continues off-road to Malga Pura and then singletrack up a steep meadow slope. After all, this is the last 1000 metre ascent of this year's Transalp route.
This can be celebrated extensively on the sporty, five-kilometre-long downhill trail and then another 11 kilometres towards the valley. This downhill party continues down to Zuclo before the second half of the stage begins with the last two climbs. The Passo Duron is the smaller task. Its 400 metres of asphalt elevation gain are easy to crank up at a steady pace. But then... well, you have to work your way up the last 700 metres of altitude over bumpy ramps in Val Lomasone.
It is a gruelling sawtooth profile that really burns into your flesh. But as soon as the altimeter shows the 1000 metre mark, it's practically done: you turn into the Bespana trail and the first feelings of happiness bubble up. You fly towards the lake on flowing forest floor hairpin bends. But be careful, because you then enter the Novino trail, which requires concentration once again with its loose scree. Just like the final zigzag through the olive groves. But from here you can already hear the church bells of Arco ringing and, of course, the cheers of the spectators waiting at the finish line.
Not registered yet? Click here for the race number issue:
The BIKE Transalp 2024 starts on Sunday 14 July in Ehrwald and ends on 20 July in Arco on Lake Garda.
The route in total: 520 kilometres/17215 vertical metres/7 stages. All information on registration can be found here. With just a few steps you can next to Mona and Phillip at the start.
Stage 8: Arco - the stronghold of climbers
Arco's old town streets are not located directly on the shores of Lake Garda. But they are at the foot of famous climbing walls, around which easier Lago trails and therefore more relaxed tours wind.
This year, the Transalp finalists won't be able to throw themselves into the water straight away. At least not in Lake Garda. But a dip in the rather fresh Sarca would be possible. This year, the finish line is not in the biking Mecca of Riva del Garda, but in Arco, five kilometres to the north. This is where the international climbing community feels most at home. On the one hand, because particularly adventurous rock faces tower into the sky right here. But also because Arco has a beautiful, winding old town centre with shady alleyways and excellent cafés and restaurants. Even touring pope Elmar Moser, who was not exactly stingy with harsh criticism of restaurants in his guides, praised the relaxed atmosphere. He liked the ice cream and coffee in Arco best.
The touring area around Arco is also much more relaxed than directly on Lake Garda. Moser-Guide fans who are not yet ready to tackle the Lago classics such as the 601, Tremalzo and Dalco in terms of riding technique and fitness have always travelled along the cycle path along the Sarca towards Arco. There are also plenty of "easy" to "moderately difficult" trails winding through the rocky, olive grove and forest landscape. For example, the trail loop through the Marocche biotope, the tour to the bathing pump with waterfall or to the idyllic Lago di Cavedine. Even the super trail mountain Monte Stivo is just a few pedal strokes away. Its forest trails contain significantly less Lake Garda scree and are almost surprisingly flowy in places. Unfortunately, the once so celebrated Pianaura trails with their three entry heights have been closed to bikers for several years.
The Transalp party night on 20 July
Of course, there will be no relaxed atmosphere in Arco's old town on 20 July. On the contrary: the streets are likely to vibrate as soon as the first teams shoot into Arco's old town centre after the Novino trail and the wild zigzag through the olive groves. Because behind the finish arch in the Viale delle Magnolie, a flurry of flashbulbs and champagne corks are already waiting to be popped. An arrival party that starts at around 12 noon with the winning teams and only ends when the last participant has been presented with their finisher jersey. Only then is the official part of the party over. Experience shows that the endorphin rush after seven days of exhausting racing doesn't allow for any sleep anyway. It's better to order another Aperol Sprizz. Arco's climbing tourists are sure to show understanding in this case and the carabinieri are sure to turn a blind eye.
Info Arco
The region: Five kilometres north of Riva del Garda, the small town of Arco basks in its famous climbing rock arena. The highest touring peak at the eastern gates of the old town is Monte Stivo (2054 m). The peaks in all other directions are gentler and have mid-mountain heights. This makes the area particularly interesting for beginners and bikers with advanced fitness and riding technique.
Bikeshop: The best address for more complicated bike repairs: Bike Shop Giuliani, www.bikegiuliani.it
Biker meeting point: There are many good cafés in Arco, but where everyone meets: Bar Centrale.
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
