Tranalp Stage 3 Ischgl Austria to Scuol Switzerland
This is a race you should do at some time in your life! I suspect most every other race will pale in comparison, unless it is some equally epic adventure such as Cape Epic, Transrockies, La Ruta etc. It is perfect for every racer who thinks they should have ridden in the Tour de France but never got or will get the chance - which is most of us. It is the Tour de France of mountain biking, but every one is welcome. The leaders are top UCI mountain bike pros & the back of the pack consists of riders who just want to make it through the course. Every stage is an experience of a lifetime.
Our new "Event" jackets were delivered just in time. This amazing fabric breathes well but is completely waterproof. This is just what we need today.
It poured rain again all night, but this morning it did not stop. The rain slowed to a drizzle but it was clear we were going to start in the rain. Our team pondered just what to wear. There was fresh snow on the peaks & we were going over them to Switzerland today, but we also started with another huge climb (see a pattern in the race). We did not want to be over dressed for the climb as we would have to carry anything we took off. We decided on arm warmers, rain jackets & leg gel. Gel is a life saver you need to use if you don't have it. The rain beads off & it keeps you nearly as warm as leg warmers.
We had the usual fast start with our typical parade through the cobbles of Ischgl & then immediately launched up the climb. This 11k brute with 4600 ft of climbing was acutally slightly easier than yesterdays climb despite being longer & having more climb. It was often steeper but it had brief breaks of less grade which makes a big difference. Two kilometers from the summit it began to snow. There was no apparent path over the high, snow covered peak ahead. The route picked its way straight over the peaks on a muddy double track path. The last kilometer was never less than 19% with a maximum of 24%. Just as a comparison the steepest section of the recent US National course - the Firecracker 50 - was 18% on the top of French creek & that was for 50 meters. Today both Mark & I had good legs & we granny geared the whole thing clean, passing 20 - 30 riders who were walking. Dooley & Hogan also both were on form today & cleaned the section.

The summit now lead us in to Switzerland. Lots of screaming fast downhills on fire roads before a smaller climb. Just a little off the top & the sun was out & it remained sunny & beautiful all the way. Coming off climb #2 was a beautiful section of single track. It started steep, wet & rooted & turned to fast twisty smooth path. We had moved up enough in the climb that our way was clear to ride all the single track. The finish stretch of 30k was mostly dirt "forest track", a nice hiking & bike trail that is smooth & about 10 feet wide. It is critical to finish fast but save energy for tomorrow. Mark & I hooked onto a train lead by a six riders from the same team obviously bent on getting a good time. This was the perfect group we needed.
Hogan/Dooley finished the day in 11th (still 15th in G.C) while Mark & I finished in 20th (22nd in G.C) . We all had better days today. Hogan & Dooley were only 30 minute off the pro leaders. We rode only 20 minutes off Hogan/Dooley which is a great ride for us. Mark is climbing stronger every day as is Thomas Dooley. Our legs feel ready to go every day.
We are all inexperienced in racing day after day. It is a learning experience to keep well fed both on the bike & after the race. We are saving our energy on every section possible. Mark & I now have our daily routine down - early breakfast of Muselli, ham & cheese sandwiches, & pasteries. We check in 45 minutes before the race start & line our bikes up to save our spot. We have no warm up . After the race we immediately get some drinks, sandwiches or pasta to refuel. Mark is using recovery drinks while I am going all natural - beer & pasta. We change & then wash the bikes at the bike wash & then off to our hotels. Massage, stretching, dinner, preview the next ride, last minute bike work & then to bed.
Europe is not Colorado - it is low. There is a ton of oxygen here. Today we crossed the highest point at about 8500 feet elevation. After a big climb your heart rate will recover very fast. Our heart rates are higher here at threshold than at high altitude. That initially threw Mark for a loop as he thought he was red line the whole time but did not feel it. You need to ignore your heart rate a bit & listen to your body here. The stress is on our legs, not the cardiovascular system.
The Pros have it easy:
While we have to carry enough feed to make it two hours to the next feed zone & carry our rain gear, the pros are all supported all along the course. This is not actually limited to the pro teams but any rider who has an extremely supportive family & knew all the back roads of europe could do so as well. As such, the leaders ride with a single bottle & nothing else. They have a great system to mark their own feed zones. You will see a team jersey hung on a post like a flag. There will be a second one & then someone handing up support. The support crews are extremely professional. They have either waste belts that carry 6 bottles or a "12 pack" milk carton like device. Hogan & Dooley have been riding with the lead women & get dropped at every feed zone as we have to stop & fill our own bottles as well as pick up food. This is taking 2 - minutes as there is often a line. The feed stations have no gels & limited bars - mostly real food like watermelon, oranges, pastries, nuts.
Some traditional Engadinian (we are in the Engadin valley of Switzerland) food tonight & then resting for stage 4. This is not as expected to be as tough a stage but the repeated racing is adding up.
Drew Geer
Chipotle-Titus-Velonews
Another classic climb to start off. This was so steep it was ridiculously fun! I was actually laughing in the snow & telling Mark "I cannot believe we are still on our bikes & riding".
This is a race you should do at some time in your life! I suspect most every other race will pale in comparison, unless it is some equally epic adventure such as Cape Epic, Transrockies, La Ruta etc. It is perfect for every racer who thinks they should have ridden in the Tour de France but never got or will get the chance - which is most of us. It is the Tour de France of mountain biking, but every one is welcome. The leaders are top UCI mountain bike pros & the back of the pack consists of riders who just want to make it through the course. Every stage is an experience of a lifetime.

It poured rain again all night, but this morning it did not stop. The rain slowed to a drizzle but it was clear we were going to start in the rain. Our team pondered just what to wear. There was fresh snow on the peaks & we were going over them to Switzerland today, but we also started with another huge climb (see a pattern in the race). We did not want to be over dressed for the climb as we would have to carry anything we took off. We decided on arm warmers, rain jackets & leg gel. Gel is a life saver you need to use if you don't have it. The rain beads off & it keeps you nearly as warm as leg warmers.
We had the usual fast start with our typical parade through the cobbles of Ischgl & then immediately launched up the climb. This 11k brute with 4600 ft of climbing was acutally slightly easier than yesterdays climb despite being longer & having more climb. It was often steeper but it had brief breaks of less grade which makes a big difference. Two kilometers from the summit it began to snow. There was no apparent path over the high, snow covered peak ahead. The route picked its way straight over the peaks on a muddy double track path. The last kilometer was never less than 19% with a maximum of 24%. Just as a comparison the steepest section of the recent US National course - the Firecracker 50 - was 18% on the top of French creek & that was for 50 meters. Today both Mark & I had good legs & we granny geared the whole thing clean, passing 20 - 30 riders who were walking. Dooley & Hogan also both were on form today & cleaned the section.

The summit now lead us in to Switzerland. Lots of screaming fast downhills on fire roads before a smaller climb. Just a little off the top & the sun was out & it remained sunny & beautiful all the way. Coming off climb #2 was a beautiful section of single track. It started steep, wet & rooted & turned to fast twisty smooth path. We had moved up enough in the climb that our way was clear to ride all the single track. The finish stretch of 30k was mostly dirt "forest track", a nice hiking & bike trail that is smooth & about 10 feet wide. It is critical to finish fast but save energy for tomorrow. Mark & I hooked onto a train lead by a six riders from the same team obviously bent on getting a good time. This was the perfect group we needed.
Hogan/Dooley finished the day in 11th (still 15th in G.C) while Mark & I finished in 20th (22nd in G.C) . We all had better days today. Hogan & Dooley were only 30 minute off the pro leaders. We rode only 20 minutes off Hogan/Dooley which is a great ride for us. Mark is climbing stronger every day as is Thomas Dooley. Our legs feel ready to go every day.
We are all inexperienced in racing day after day. It is a learning experience to keep well fed both on the bike & after the race. We are saving our energy on every section possible. Mark & I now have our daily routine down - early breakfast of Muselli, ham & cheese sandwiches, & pasteries. We check in 45 minutes before the race start & line our bikes up to save our spot. We have no warm up . After the race we immediately get some drinks, sandwiches or pasta to refuel. Mark is using recovery drinks while I am going all natural - beer & pasta. We change & then wash the bikes at the bike wash & then off to our hotels. Massage, stretching, dinner, preview the next ride, last minute bike work & then to bed.
Europe is not Colorado - it is low. There is a ton of oxygen here. Today we crossed the highest point at about 8500 feet elevation. After a big climb your heart rate will recover very fast. Our heart rates are higher here at threshold than at high altitude. That initially threw Mark for a loop as he thought he was red line the whole time but did not feel it. You need to ignore your heart rate a bit & listen to your body here. The stress is on our legs, not the cardiovascular system.
The Pros have it easy:
While we have to carry enough feed to make it two hours to the next feed zone & carry our rain gear, the pros are all supported all along the course. This is not actually limited to the pro teams but any rider who has an extremely supportive family & knew all the back roads of europe could do so as well. As such, the leaders ride with a single bottle & nothing else. They have a great system to mark their own feed zones. You will see a team jersey hung on a post like a flag. There will be a second one & then someone handing up support. The support crews are extremely professional. They have either waste belts that carry 6 bottles or a "12 pack" milk carton like device. Hogan & Dooley have been riding with the lead women & get dropped at every feed zone as we have to stop & fill our own bottles as well as pick up food. This is taking 2 - minutes as there is often a line. The feed stations have no gels & limited bars - mostly real food like watermelon, oranges, pastries, nuts.
Some traditional Engadinian (we are in the Engadin valley of Switzerland) food tonight & then resting for stage 4. This is not as expected to be as tough a stage but the repeated racing is adding up.
Drew Geer
Chipotle-Titus-Velonews

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