07.05.2012
Return Trip 2012
The return trip from Lake Garda by train is still an adventure this year. In theory you can transport bicycles officially with the Deutsche Bahn again. But the restoration of the tracks across Brenner will have major impact on the train schedule.
Between 06.08. and 10.09.2012 there is no train traffic whatsoever on this section. During this period the train will be replaced by busses. It is uncertain whether bringing a bike is possible.
In June, July and September only one of the two tracks can be used on this section. During these periods there are reductions to the train schedule. Only about half of the trains will be available.
In addition, during the following periods the section is closed completely, and there will be busses again to transport the travelers:
16.06. - 18.06.2012
23.06. - 25.06.2012
30.06. - 02.07.2012
14.07. - 16.07.2012
15.09. - 17.09.2012
22.09. - 24.09.2012
05.05.2012
Video: Transalp Equipment
While preparing my equipment for the Transalp 2012, the following video was made. Here you learn what kind of gear you need for a Transalp and what you should consider when selecting the gear. This video is a suggestion. Everybody should modify the gear to his own needs.
27.04.2012
Ortlieb MountainX 31
After testing backpacks of different brands, in 2009 I finally had found a backpack that met my requirements for multi-day bike trips: The Ortlieb Flight. Ortlieb is a German company that produces (to my opinion) the best bicycle bags and backpacks you can get, especially when you need robust and water-proof equipment. The Ortlieb Flight had just one disadvantage: Even the big version with 27 liters (7 US gal) can only hold about 25 liters of baggage due to its carrying system. This can be narrow for a Transalp tour.
This year Ortlieb released a new backpack that made me curious: The Ortlieb MountainX 31. This backpack is especially designed for long hiking or biking trips. Meanwhile I own this backpack and tested it thoroughly. It exceeded my expecations. Thanks to a new tear-proof and coated nylon fabric it is with 1200 g (2.6 lbs) amazingly light for its size. It also is waterproof; an attribute you miss from the products of most other brands. It has a volume of 31 liters (8.2 US gal), which is more than sufficient. Very remarkable are the two ways to access the interior: On the top it has a waterproof roll closure, which gives you a range of ±2 liters in volume, which I finde very useful. In the centre it has a waterproof zipper. Above this zipper you can button-in a divider. This way you can separate the backpack into two compartments (top and bottom) and can open it in the middle. A brilliant idea, finally you don't have to dig around anymore. The backpack also has a lot of handy pockets and a very comfortable carrying system with ventilation. Another feature I'm currently not using yet: A sealing port for a drinking tube.
The only disadvantage: With a price of currently 220 EUR the backpack isn't really cheap. But then again, it'll last a lifetime.
I will still use the Ortlieb Flight for daytrips and my rides to work at all weather. My ultimate Transalp backpack will from now on be the Ortlieb MountainX-31, which I also use for my rides to training, because I can easily store all my sports things in it.
20.04.2012
Muscle Fiber Rupture Déjà-vu
It happened again. A rupture of muscle fiber in the calf destroyed my Transalp training plans. The 6-week drop out wasn't as bad as it had been last time (in 2010 the same injury cost me more than 2 months), but still it was a bad set-back. Now my calf has healed again and I'll somehow try to catch up on my training.
Concerning the reasons for this injury I still have no clue. My nourishment is good. I warm up the muscles before training. The ruptures never happen during the training, but always during the regeneration phase, e.g. an hour after training. Weird! I also do some stretching every now and then, but maybe not consequently enough. I will stretch more regularly in the future.
12.03.2012
Interim Status 2012
The physical preparation for the Alpencross 2012 is going according to plan. I'm feeling quite fit although I haven't been using my mountain bike for half a year. Instead I'm riding 400 miles a month on my city bike, go running once a week and do other sports.
There will be some minor changes to my equipment. A new and warmer sleeping bag, a new sleeping mat, new hiking boots. I also may be testing a different backpack from Ortlieb. I'm also considering to use a tarp instead of a bivvy. My camera equipment will most likely be complemented by a GoPro HD Hero 2.
I hope that my things will be complete until spring. Then there will be a special feature on Gletschersau.de, where I will introduce my equipment.
08.01.2012
To GoPro or not to GoPro?
For a long time I've been fascinated by the action cam GoPro HD Hero. For my purpose it would be perfect. It can record high quality videos in HD resolution, is extremely small and light, water-proof and can be attached to the bike or elsewhere. During my Alpencross 2011 I wasn't able to film my ascend to the Almajur Saddle because I needed both my hands to carry the bike and cling to the rock wall. Also my trip through heavy rain could not be documented thoroughly because my digicam is not water-proof. Thus, the GoPro would be a perfect addition to my equipment.
What kept me from buying it until today was two things: I'd have to carry another device including recharging device and spare battery across the Alps. Also, the price of 350 EUR for the current model GoPro HD Hero 2 is not really low. However, meanwhile the previous model is available for about 190 EUR, which makes the whole thing more attractive. Time to buy the GoPro HD Hero...?
23.12.2011
Alpencross 2011 - The Movie!
The Alpencross 2011 movie is finally finished! What's special about this video is that my brother Sebastian has done all the professional sound engineering. He improved the quality of the original sound (because my digicam has a lousy sound recording quality) and composed an individual soundtrack music. That's why it took a little longer this time.
Have fun watching the video, have a Merry Christmas and a flowing bike season 2012!
12.11.2011
Movie Trailer Alpencross 2011
To shorten the waiting, here's a short movie trailer of this year's Transalp movie. The complete movie is currently going through a thorough sound engineering process and will be finished by the end of December.
05.11.2011
Alpencross 2012: The Route
I'm still a little peeved that I had to skip so many interesting passes during my Alpencross 2011. Next time history should not repeat itself. So I tried to find a healthy combination of challenging extreme passages and good drivable routes. As always, I already had some ideas and tailored the route around them.
Many weeks and seven hiking maps later it now is relatively certain which trails I will use to cross the Alps in 2012. I will start out in Füssen, just like I did in 2010. However, I will take completely different routes to South Tyrole and then finally dare the Planeiler Gap. Afterwards I will descend into the Vinschgau and proceed towards Switzerland where I will head for the Val Mora Pass. Another highlight is the Mortirolo Pass in the Lombardy/Italy. I also will cross the Campo Pass where I have to reckon with carrying the bike for a couple of hours. The final stage will lead me across the Mount Tremalzo again.
A total climb of 56,000 ft (17,000 m) awaits me, if I manage to pull it off. Sounds like a lot, but I hope that three of the passes can be driven uphill mostly on asphalt. As a precaution I am planning 9 days for my journey this time.
30.09.2011
Zesty 514 Warranty Case
After the crack in the frame during the Alpencross 2011 my bike dealer has sent the Zesty 514 to Lapierre. About two weeks later I received an offer from Lapierre: Since the 2009 frame of my 514 was not available anymore, I could get the frame of the Zesty 214 instead. I rejected this offer because even if the frame is hardly different from the 514 it still would devaluate my bike immensely due to its product class. Then Lapierre offered me to get the newer 2010 version of the Zesty 514, but it would cost me an extra charge of 275 EUR. Actually, this frame has a carbon rear and is worth much more than my old one. I still found it a bit odd that I have to pay money for a warranty case in order to get an acceptable replacement.
Anyway, I'm quite happy with the new frame. The bike is now a little lighter, thanks to the carbon rear. I don't think the extra charge is fair, but what the heck. I received a convenient frame upgrade.
24.08.2011
Alpencross 2011 - Summary
My this year's Transalp has once again been a great adventure. There were no malfunctions and injuries. This time I just lost my bike gloves and a delicious Italian sandwich, of which I regret the latter the most. Apart from that my enterprise seemed to be ill-fated from the beginning. A rainy cold autumn-like summer was the first problem. As I finally departed the weather was quite stable, but still rather cold. The temperatures were below 68 °F (20 °C) during the day and below 40 °F (4 °C) at night. A storm front on the fourth day prevented me from crossing a pass above 10,000 ft. (3000 m) and made me change my route completely.
Well, the route. As you can read further down on this page, I had the ambition to select a most daring and challenging route. The route was not bad, but after the first day of my Transalp it became clear that I would not be able to make it in 8 days. I would have needed at least 12 days. It actually is a big difference if you take the street across a pass, if you ride on a gravel road, if you push your bike on a difficult path or if you have to carry it across rocks. And almost every single one of the passes on my route (Giant Stein Gap, Almajur Saddle, Seßlad Saddle, Masner Saddle, Tscheyer Gap, Planeiler Gap, Madritsch Saddle, Sallent Saddle, plus three passes in the Brenta mountains) I would have been forced to carry the bike, and sometimes push it. Under these circumstances you should plan a whole day for each pass. Crossing the Stein Gap alone took me almost 9 hours (5 of which I carried), for the Almajur Saddle 8 hours (3 hours carrying, 3 hours pushing). These conclusions will be considered when planning my next Transalp.
I also wouldn't bike all the way across the Brenta anymore. The landscape is very scenic and amazing, but mountain biking is officially not allowed there and the trails are not really appropriate for mountain biking. It was worth trying, but I wouldn't repeat it.
My equipment was top-notch, there were neither any flaws nor any mistakes. Everthing was tailored exactly to my adventure. My Ortlieb backpack proved its quality most excellently during a 5-hour ride through heavy rain. More extensive maps would have been useful, but only because I had to change my route so often.
From now on a detailed travelogue with photos is available. The documentation video is in the works and will take some time to be finished.
19.08.2011
Alpencross 2011 - Made it!
After my return from a rather crazy Transalp I want to note that I underestimated the duration of crossing several passes, which lead to several changes of my route. However, everything went very well, but almost nothing went as planned. A detailed report of my crazy adventures including many photos will follow soon. I also want to finish my documentation video within the next 2 months.
11.08.2011
Alpencross 2011 - Let's get out of here!
Automatic update: At this point I am already en route on my Freeride Alpencross 2011. Finally it worked out! I caught a period of suitable weather and took the train to Immenstadt on short notice. Now the hope remains that I will reach my destination healthy and not too soaked!
I have left behind my daily routine for one week. Financial crisis, black Friday on August 5th, massive devaluation of the world currencies EUR and USD, downgrade of the USA to AA+, legitimate concern of the population about their savings, uncertain future in Europe, appeasement attempts of politicians nobody believes in anymore. For one week I will be spared from such bad news. It will be the most exhausting and yet most recreative week of the year. A detailed report will be posted here on gletschersau.de after my return.
