Bikepacking through Austria & Switzerland – Elevation, Epic Views & Explosions

Take a bike, a bit of madness, and a route packed with elevation gain – voilà, my bikepacking adventure through Austria and Switzerland was born!

Kickoff in the Allgäu: Still buzzing from the Allgäu Triathlon (and a quick chat with Patrick Lange), I hit the road on August 21st. Fun fact: I dropped him on the climb. Proof? Check the signed card in the Slideshow. =)

IMST – Beers, Mountains & Waterpark Shenanigans: After countless kilometers (hello, Kühtai!), IMST welcomed me with a legendary camping meetup. Great friends, a water park to cool off, and, well… maybe a beer or two. Of course, we also explored the stunning Rosengarten Gorge – waterfalls, rock formations, and breathtaking nature at its finest.

Austria & Switzerland – Nature Porn: 605 km and 8000 meters of climbing – this either makes you a hero or sends you straight to therapy. But the scenery? Absolutely insane. Rugged peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and roads that looked like they came straight out of a travel magazine.

Kühtai, Mont Blanc & My Personal Fireworks Show: Some climbs were brutal – Kühtai was tough, but Mont Blanc was the final boss. However, the real highlight? My loyal camping stove decided to turn into a flamethrower one evening. Cooking a warm meal? Great. Watching your entire setup nearly go up in flames? Not so great.

Zürich – Badger vs. Birthday Beer: Finding a camping spot in Zürich turned into an adventure of its own. Just as I thought I had the perfect place, a badger strolled right through my site. And let me tell you – those guys are way bigger in real life than you’d think! Luckily, we reached an understanding, and I got to enjoy my well-earned birthday beer the next day, complete with an epic view. 🍻

Flat Tire & French Rescue: Almost made it to Chamonix without a major issue – but then, a flat tire. In the middle of nowhere. Surprisingly, out of the first ten cars that passed, three stopped to check if I was okay. And car number eleven? A French guy in a Nissan Micra who didn’t hesitate for a second. He crammed me and my bike into his tiny car and drove me to the next town, where my bike was professionally fixed in no time. Vive la solidarité! 🇫🇷🚴

SLIDESHOW

The Grand Finale – Chamonix & UTMB: Made it! Chamonix, Mont Blanc, UTMB just around the corner – and me, right in the middle of it. One day before the big race, I got to meet running inspiration Tommy Rivs and trail powerhouse Hannes Namberger. While they were gearing up for the event, I was already mentally preparing for my next bakery stop.

Conclusion: Bikepacking is like a relationship – highs, lows, heated moments, and wild encounters. And for those wondering: no major breakdowns – except for a fire incident, a badger showdown, and an unexpected Micra rescue mission.

Huge thanks to all my supporters, camping buddies, and fellow adventurers – it was a blast! 🚴‍♂️🔥🐾🏕️

So… when’s the next trip? 😄