Solo bikepacking across the Alps

With only two weeks to go until the Tour des Stations ultrafondo (240km and 8200m of climbing), it was crunch time. I felt massively underprepared and still needed some BIG days in the saddle to get to where I wanted to be. And I was about to go on a family holiday in Austria.

It was an easy decision: bikepacking there would be the perfect panic training. I rode alone for 3 days across the Alps from Ulrichen, Switzerland to Galtür in Austria ticking passes on my bucket list. Ride, eat, sleep. Repeat.

Here are some photos I took on the way. They are different from what I am used to do as I had no riding companion to shoot. They reflect my mindset on this trip. I enjoyed this exercise in style… judge for yourself. 

As for the training, it went pretty well. Three 8+ hours rides followed by 4 days of relaxing and beer drinking and then one more 200km day crushing my legs on the way back were an unusual training camp but I feel way stronger now. Will it be enough to enjoy – and finish – the Tour des Stations ultrafondo? That’s another story. Answer on August 8!

By Alain Rumpf

On Strava:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Ride back

Nufenen Pass
San Bernardino Pass
Splügen Pass
Maloja Pass
Maloja Pass
Maloja Pass
Ofen Pass
Umbrail Pass
Umbrail Pass
Umbrail Pass
Umbrail Pass
Stelvio Pass
Stelvio Pass
Passo Rombo
Passo Rombo
Passo Rombo
Passo Rombo
Passo Rombo
Passo Rombo
Klausen Pass
Klausen Pass

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