Transalp. Munich to Lake Garda in Italy

[Akiwi]

Not sure if anyone is interested, but I thought I would post a log of my trip over the alps to Lake Garda in Italy.
I live near Munich, so decided to start from home rather than Garmisch like most people. Adds about 110 Km to the ride.
We are following the Albrecht route which starts in Germany, goes through Austria, Switzerland and then Italy. In total it will be about 540 KM and 12000 Vertical Metres. Planned is 7 days.
I am doing the trip with my oldest son (21). He is borrowing my brother in laws Scott e-Spark 710. I have a Cube 160 Race.
Packing is a challenge trying to keep the weight as low a possible.
We are only taking 1 battery each as the extra 2.5 Kilograms is too much for my back.

After I took the photo I realized I forgot another bag with some warmer clothes in it.
If anyone is interested I can add a list of what I am taking with me.
I weighed the backpack yesterday with everything in it except water, and it was 8.5 KG. Will probably be a bit more as I just got the Gopro, and the water bladder wasn't filled.
Tour starts Sunday, so I'll try to keep posting.

 

[GDAS]

that sounds like it could be a bit of a challenge with only one battery! Will look forward to your updates

 

[Akiwi]

Did some weighing before I left .
My weight fully clothed: 86 kilo
Me plus backpack, with water: 98 kilo
All together with bike: 128.7 kilo

First day was mostly trails. Went from Olching near Munich to Farchant, near Garmisch. 110 km 777 vertical metres.
Didn't recharge on the way and had 2 bars when we arrived.
Had problems with lunch as everything was closed. Ended up doing about 90 km before our lunch pause. I was running on empty. The last 15 km was in an incredible thunder storm. Bucketing down. Good test for the rain jackets

 

[Donnie797]

Whow that's nice! I've passed the alps on my normal enduro-bike (with a friend that doesn't own an e-mtb) last year and wondered if it would be possible with my Kenevo, too... not sure it's too much steep vertical meters draining the battery. Would love to read more details about your trip

 

[balbo]

The transalp is one of the tour i would like to do soon, so thanks for sharing your experience! will look forward for your updates

The choice of having only one battery is, in my opinion, correct because a second battery adds a lot of weight and it is not always possible to recharge two batteries in one night. Two years ago I did the transardinia (500km and 13000mt) and I managed to do it with a single battery

 

[Akiwi]

Here is the day 1 tour.
Relive 'Transalp, Olching to Farchant'

 

[Akiwi]

Day 2 was Farchant to Rifenal.
87 km and 1908 vertical metres.
Today we made sure we planned our lunch break better. Stopped in Biberwier and loaded our batteries for 3/4 of an hour while we ate. Even though, I was surprised that our batteries were pretty empty when we arrived at our hotel. I guess the heavy backpacks add to the strain. Am a little worried about tomorrow as we have 2200 vertical to do. However as far as I can see, not so steep. Wonderfull weather. 1 short rain shower but the rest was good, not too hot or cold.

 

[Akiwi]

Let me add some updates.
Transalp, day 3. Austria to Switzerland.
This was the day I was worried about, with 96 km and over 2000 vertical metres. It started off with some fun trails and tracks for about the first 10 km, then we joined the river Inn where it was a long relatively flat ride for about 50 km. We did most of that without using the motor, so after 60 km and 930 vertical metres, we had both used only about 20% of our batteries. After that it was a long climb up to pass da Costainas. 2251m.
We then had fun trails and a great run down to Grosio.
Relive 'Transalp day 3. Rifenal to Tachierv'

 

[Akiwi]

Transalp day 4.
Quite a climb up to Passi Verva and back down to Grosio. Again great views in the mountains. Some great trails again and into Italy. Made a pause at a restaurant to charge ourselves and the bikes. Appreciated the Italian prices rather than the Swiss ones. Over a second pass and a loooong 1600 vertical ride down mostly trails to Grosio where we stayed in a hotel with a spa. Sauna and relaxing was great.

Relive 'Transalp day 4. Tschierv Verva Grosio'

 

[Akiwi]

Transalp day 5
Grosio, Passo di Alps, Passi Gavia, Pezzo.
Other bikers recommended an alternative route to the standard one, higher and longer but more picturesque and challenging. Was worth it. A real grind up the mountain where Tommy could enjoy some flowy uphill trails where all other bikers were cursing and pushing. A fantastic spaghetti in a mountain hit where we could charge batteries. On the second pass it started pouring so we did a quick exit down to a quaint village called Pezzo. Untouched by time. Were welcomed at our hotel (with 3 rooms) by name, and a welcome plate of home made salami, cheese and bread. Climbed 2,222 metres so it was our biggest climb. Fantastic restaurant with great food. Everything is hanging up drying.

Relive 'Transalp day 5 Grosio to Pezzo'

 

[Akiwi]

Transalp day 6, Pezzo to Madonna di Campiglio.

In Pezzo we stayed in a gorgeous little guest house. Extremely friendly people who treated us like family.
We decided again today to do the normal MTB route rather than the planned emtb route. A bit harder but worth it in the end. Immediately got into a big long hard climb of about 1200 vertical. Was a challenge but mostly rideable on the emtb. Where others had to push, we could ride. Only the last 100m or so we had to push and use the walk help to get to the top. Once there we had a fantastic long and flowy trail down the other side to a turquoise Blue lake. Stopped at a quaint old Italian restaurant for a delicious Lasagne and load our batteries. After that it was a long fast roll down paved roads, then a difficult climb up 700 vertical to our destination.

Relive 'Transalp day 6. Pezzo to Madonna di Campiglio'

 

[Akiwi]

Transalp Last day 7.
Madonna di Campiglio to Torbole lake Garda.
It rained in the night, and I was worried our last day would be wet, but woke to beautiful blue sky. Packed up and headed off. First stop was the beautiful Cascata di Mezzo waterfall. Rode almost under the fall and along some tough rooty slippery trails then climbed up to Lago di Val d'Agola. A pause then a very steep and difficult climb. Tommy and I rode almost the entire way in turbo whooping and cheering making the other mountain bikers a bit jealous as they were pushing up. After the pass a long long long descent down about 2000 vertical. After that it was another short climb before the beautiful blue Lago di Tennis, and over Campi and down to Lake Garda.
Caro was there to welcome us! A cold beer then jump in the lake.

Total distance was 555,9 Km
11780 Vertical metres
No punctures, injuries or repairs needed on the way.

Relive 'Transalp day 7. Madonna di Campiglio to Torbole.'

 

[Akiwi]

Sorry if I have done a bit of an overload here.

Conclusion.
this was one of the coolest experiences of my life!!
Absolutely possible with an emtb, and actually makes it more enjoyable.
We didn't meet any others doing the same tour on emtb's but we're well accepted by the others on clockwork bikes. I think they often envied us.
It was pretty exhausting, you have to work hard to extend your battery life to make it last the day.
We normally had a 1 to 1.5 hour lunch break to top up batteries.
The Albrecht Emtb route is a bit watered down and we opted to do the normal MTB route which is harder, steeper, had more exciting and technical trails, and in my opinion was more fun. But you have to know your abilities.
Total 555.9 Km
11780 Vertical Metres.
No problems!

 

[GDAS]

Sorry if I have done a bit of an overload here.

no need to apologise - great write-up and pictures - very inspiring

 

[Trail-Niels]

Sorry if I have done a bit of an overload here.

Conclusion.
this was one of the coolest experiences of my life!!
Absolutely possible with an emtb, and actually makes it more enjoyable.
We didn't meet any others doing the same tour on emtb's but we're well accepted by the others on clockwork bikes. I think they often envied us.
It was pretty exhausting, you have to work hard to extend your battery life to make it last the day.
We normally had a 1 to 1.5 hour lunch break to top up batteries.
The Albrecht Emtb route is a bit watered down and we opted to do the normal MTB route which is harder, steeper, had more exciting and technical trails, and in my opinion was more fun. But you have to know your abilities.
Total 555.9 Km
11780 Vertical Metres.
No problems!

Thank you @Akiwi for the quite interesting tour dairy from your EMTB transalp tour.
I've done a transalp twice on a regular enduro bike, but as a packet deal, where luggage were transported from hotel to hotel. It's hard work, and i presume almost as hard on an EMTB because you ride where the rest of us do hike-a-bike to get up.
For anybody interested the agencies i used were the German "Bike Alpin" and "Go Alps", which also has specific EMTB tours in various levels (fitness and technical levels).

 

[Rich-EMTB-UK]

Sorry if I have done a bit of an overload here.

Conclusion.
this was one of the coolest experiences of my life!!
Absolutely possible with an emtb, and actually makes it more enjoyable.
We didn't meet any others doing the same tour on emtb's but we're well accepted by the others on clockwork bikes. I think they often envied us.
It was pretty exhausting, you have to work hard to extend your battery life to make it last the day.
We normally had a 1 to 1.5 hour lunch break to top up batteries.
The Albrecht Emtb route is a bit watered down and we opted to do the normal MTB route which is harder, steeper, had more exciting and technical trails, and in my opinion was more fun. But you have to know your abilities.
Total 555.9 Km
11780 Vertical Metres.
No problems!

Truly inspiring and a real tribute to you and your son, you should both be very proud of this ride. got me planning an adventure now. Thanks for the brilliant write up.

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

Trip of a lifetime! Great writeup. Think I'd lose a finger to do a trip like that. (I've already sold major organs for bikes and upgrades)

 

[Frank_Denmark]

Wonderfull writeup @Akiwi
Love to read it and gave me nice flash-back to my own Trans Alp i July.
Went almost the same route with about 30 analog bikers.
Only got some bad remarks on day one - But after the first steep climb some of the riders were jealous.
I have just been riding bikers fore 18 month - But with some training and the eMTB I think all of You can do this.

We went over the Stelvio Pass.

Next year I plan to take a trip around the Mont Blanc

 

[Frank_Denmark]

Just signed up for The Tour The Mont Blanc 2020

 

[Akiwi]

Wonderfull writeup @Akiwi
Love to read it and gave me nice flash-back to my own Trans Alp i July.
Went almost the same route with about 30 analog bikers.
Only got some bad remarks on day one - But after the first steep climb a of the riders were jealous.
I have just been riding bikers fore 18 month - But with some training and the eMTB I think all of You can do this.

We went over the Stelvio Pass.

Next year I plan to take a trip around the Mont Blanc

View attachment 18082 View attachment 18083

Wow, 424 km and 11127 vertical in 5 days is pretty good going. Some big days there!

 

[Frank_Denmark]

Big days and great experience - Would do it again next week
Have to wait until summer 2020

 

[Frank_Denmark]

Went over Passo dello Stelvio

And down the tarmac with 40+ turns.
My lack of courage made me top out at 64 kmh (Some did 78 kmh)


Hard on the brakes

 

[Trail-Niels]

Just love riding in the alps, it's so spectacular and rewarding, last year we went down the Maloja pass going from Switzerland to Italy, dared only to go 50 km/h through the hairpins .
The brakes has a particular smell running hot - nice to have 4 pot callipers and big rotors though

 

[Frank_Denmark]

Hi @Trail-Niels
One more Dane at this forum - Now we're about 3

It's epic to experience the Alps - especially being from flat Denmark
Very funny and a bit scaring going down the hairpins at Stelvio - often we could actually keep up with the motorbikes as the can't do the turns very fast.

I travel with the analog bikers. It turned out that my Levo - due to the extra weight - would run faster than the analog bikes DH, when not pedaling . But this did also puts a lot of strain to the brakediscs

---

Can see You are living near Silkeborg, where I often do the new trail in Vesterskoven. Must be the very best i Denmark

 

[levity]

Wow! An amazing ride and stunning photos, coupled with a father-son bonus.
Thanks for sharing.

Gotta love the Alps! I'd like to put something together like that here in the U.S., but I don't think we could match your beautiful scenery.

 

[Trail-Niels]

Can see You are living near Silkeborg, where I often do the new trail in Vesterskoven. Must be the very best i Denmark

Indeed @Frank_Denmark - Vesterskoven is great, the trail builders has done a great job in building awesome flow trails. It's one of my favourites, especially in wet weather. However my top favourite trail is Danmarks Tag, with +350 meter climb and descent on 10 km, it's in a quite different league for Denmark

 

[Akiwi]

I finnished a Video edit last night.
Managed to compact 7 Days of riding, countless beautiful views and Epic trails into about 16 minutes. Hope you enjoy it.

 

[SBFN]

If should be an amazing trip. Maybe on day when I get in shape.

I was wondering how did you get back home after riding almost 600km ? By train ?

 

[Akiwi]

My wife drove down with our camping bus with my other Sohn and a friend. Also windsurfers etc. We stayed another week there before heading home. Actually we had to send 2 home on the train as we had 3 ebikes, 2 normal bikes. 3 windsurfers und sails etc. We were a bio overloaded.
The train from Rovoretto to Munich is very fast and comfortable.
Another alternative is that there are some car shuttle services where you can get your car brought to Torbole so it is there for your drive home.

 

[Chubba]

My wife drove down with our camping bus with my other Sohn and a friend. Also windsurfers etc. We stayed another week there before heading home. Actually we had to send 2 home on the train as we had 3 ebikes, 2 normal bikes. 3 windsurfers und sails etc. We were a bio overloaded.
The train from Rovoretto to Munich is very fast and comfortable.
Another alternative is that there are some car shuttle services where you can get your car brought to Torbole so it is there for your drive home.

What an awesome experience! Can only dream of being able to do that one day. How did you manage to conserve your battery?