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18th to 25th July 2009
Mittenwald (Germany)-Reith-Mayrhofen-Brixen-St. Christina-Sarnthein-Kaltern-Aldalo-Riva del Garda (Italy):
645.67Km and 22,162m altitude over 8 stages
If asked three months ago, neither Andy nor I could have envisaged us standing in the start chute of the 11th Jeantex Bike Transalp (Mittenwald, Germany) come the 18th of July 2009, but by chance that is exactly what happened. In reality, this is not entirely accurate as stage one of the 2009 Jeantex Bike Transalp was cancelled due to inclement weather (i.e. snow). We were, however, in Mittenwald alongside a daunting 550 pedigree mountain bike teams of largely European origin fending off the sleet and denying the wind with every intention of racing. That was until the cancellation announcement as 0°C at the top of the first climb elicited the following response from the CEO of the organising event company PLAN B “It would have been too dangerous to run this stage. We didn’t want to take a risk” Heinrich Albrecht.
Rumor has it this decision may have something to do with a marathon held 12 months prior under similar climatic conditions in which three competitors perished. Lawsuits are still pending.
The Jeantex Bike Transalp is in its 11th year and by many it is considered the mecca of mountain bike racing. The race is eight stages (8 days), approximately 646km distance with some 22 162 height meters climbing, on average 81km and 2770hm each day. The course is re-designed every year to take competitors on an extensive tour of the lovely countryside, glamorous forests, susurrant brooks, castles, medieval towns and villages of Europe. Transalp is not only one of the most beautiful stage races in the world but also one of the toughest. This year (2009) claimed 103 teams (18% attrition rate), our team (Team American Crew) included.
Stage 1: Mittenwald-Reith; 84km and 2087m
The morning was ominous, 14C in Mittenwald complete with wind and rain. Andy and I woke and from our window we could see it had been snowing on the ‘not too distant, not too high’ mountain. Andy and I are from Noosa (QLD) and I am not sure exactly where my training program super coach Nikoli had factored for snow, so much for summer in Germany. In downtown Mittenwald there was a rush at the local bike shop (LBS) for Goretex garments of all descriptions (shoe covers, arm warmers, leg warmers, overpants and jackets), not event the locals had anticipated the extreme conditions at the start. I consoled myself with the thought ‘I would warm up once I got started’, but the Swiss and Germans were buried in their Goretex, no skin exposed, could it be that bad up there?
The race briefing and to my elation stage one was CANCELLED! This was a first for the Transalp but I heard a rumor that 12 months prior, under similar climatic conditions a running race was held to a similar altitude and a few competitors perished so with law suites pending and the weather closing in the organizers elected to take the safe route to Reith, enclosed in a heated motor vehicle of your choice (car or bus or motorhome).
Stage 2: Reith-Mayrhofen; 87km and 3344m
Overnight in the camp was a sleeping experience. The weather in Reith was again less than ideal, no rain but there was ample cloud cover and snow haunting the surrounding mountains. Today we were scheduled to climb to 2200hm at the 65km point before descending the last 20km to Mayrhofen, but with snow at the lower altitudes and bleak conditions the organizers again elected the safe option and decided to terminate this stage at 55km (the second check point) with the remaining 30km to be self navigated by bike, train or motorhome.
The route was abbreviated not easy. I suffered from the first climb, holding Andy back and it wasn’t till the last 10km that I warmed up and found my legs, 17th in the mixed category.
Stage 3: Mayrhofen-Brixen: 94km and 2131mThe profile for today’s stage looked inviting, up for 35km then down for 60km, it is funny just how deceiving looks can be! So we started in Mayrhofen at 600 with the plan to climb to 2200hm in the first 30km, then all down hill. After climbing for around two hours at a measly 8-11km/h I realized that 20-30km of climbing translated to a minimum two hours creeping. I scanned the rest of the profiles and each day started with a similar pattern; up, up, up. Fortunately the climbing trails were magnificent and the gradient generally amicable allowing a middle ring grind. Garmin became my best friend as he counted up the altitude meters while distance and time became inconsequential. This race was all about the height meters!
The approach to the top was awesome and following the check station we were directed onto a walking path that elicited a bike push in many areas. To my amazement at 2000m there were innumerable hikers, recreational bikers, at least one German beer garden, cows with bells and snow. The walk seemed harder than expected and I suspect the altitude played a part in my lack of cardiovascular stamina. I noticed that above 1500m my legs started to fade and lacked any kind of umph, my respiratory rate increased and my heart rate tick tocked along as I fell into what I perceived as 'creep' mode. It was during this stage Andy started to fade, he was struggling on the first climb, lacking the power to stay with the passing bunches. This was especially concerning as three weeks prior he had suffered an unknown illness that the doctors believed Ross River Fever but blood test results were equivocal.
Stage 4: Brixen-St. Christina: 83km and 3664hm This stage was tough for Team American Crew (us), the profile outlined three climbs each 15-20km in length and two breaching 2200hm. Andy was suffering from the start and I had my only stack for the race on the bike path, 5km into the stage. I reached the top of the first climb ahead of Andy and paused to offer some encouraging words, we descended and climbed again. Through the first check station I almost lost Andy, he looked bad and expressed a desire for me to refrain from talking to him. The team was fragmenting. I climbed the second climb alone and again paused at the top. This was the last time I saw Andy until the sweep bought him to St. Christina 1900 that evening. The race for us was over. Andy was suffering with the altitude and unable to continue which took the pressure off me as I decided to continue as an individual.
Stage 5: St. Christina-Sarnthein: 83km and 3305hmThe weather was improving; vergeing on hot, Andy was relegated to support and four glorious stages to go. The race regulations, for safety reasons, dictate that riders must team up for entry to the start chute even if riding as an individual. Fortunately, during stage 4, one of the female teams, Vaude-Simplon, placed 4th in the female category, suffered a similar demise to Team American Crew and I was able to team up with Christiane Flaig (German).
Today was the first stage that really demonstrated the versatility of the Transalps routing and the first to include some real single track. The start was not dissimilar to previous stages but the finish lead us through some inspiring forest trails to finish in Sarnthein just ahead of the 4th ranked female team.
Stage 6: Sarthein-Kaltern: 77km and 3173hm
The final stages are always exciting as each day the profile decreases in height meters and distance, the weather is heating up and there is a thought that maybe the end is nigh. Today Christiane and I rode separately as she seemed intent on proving herself, successfully finishing between the 2nd and 3rd ranked female teams. This decision was to be her downfall over the final two stages as she suffered with fatigue. The single track on this stage totaled 15km and fortunately rapidly replaced the sour taste left by the 1 km portage that seemed vertical at the time but in hindsight may not have really been that bad. I was comfortable not to outride myself this stage and finished somewhere between the 4th and 5th ranked female teams.
Stage 7: Kaltern-Anadaldo: 74km and 3007hmI recall this particular stage only as I saw my ‘team mate’, Christiane, learn a valuable lesson in stage racing. The first climb started and she was unusually nowhere to be seen, mobbed by the pelaton, as she crawled up the first climb and continued to suffer for 74km finishing well back in the field. I, on the other hand, loved this stage. The highest climb was more amenable to my sea level dwelling; reaching a mere 1800hm and I had an awesome stage, finishing just behind the 4th ranked female team. One stage to go and it appears all down hill……
Stage 8: Anadaldo-Riva Del Garda: 60km and 1451hm
The grand finale up then down all the way onto the shores of Lake Garda, the land of gelati, pizza, pasta and Limencello. In keeping with the Transalp tradition it was not as easy as that, the initial down hill was doable but then it got steep, wet, rocky and slippery, slip sliding all the way. There were some brave souls that attempted to ride the rocky slippery terrain only to end up off the track flat on their front/back/head/face. Andy and I elected the ‘safe’ option and walked down until we met bitumen and then bitumen all the way home. Andy (bored with support) mustered all his strength to ride the last stage into Riva.
Huge thanks to all my sponsors and support: le Cyclo Sportif, Incline sports, Onza Tires, K.W.T Nominees and supercoach Nikoli>
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