Alpencross 2013 - Tag 2 - 03.09.2013

From Wald am Arlberg (approx. 1,000m) we start at 09:30 right away with a 10km ascent to Sonnenkopf (1,835m) with an average grade of 10%. Heading towards Silbertal and Heilbronner Hütte, we ride through Wasserstubental and find ourselves in Verwall. Up to the Oberen Freschalpe (1,890m), we can ride well on gravel. From there, it's only possible to push; for at least 3km we stumble through Silbertal over stones, through streams, and almost slip in mud mixed with cow dung. At Langer See, I have to tend to a blister on my left heel. A band-aid on that and onward we go. Over the Silbertaler Winterjöchle (1,945m) we arrive at Schönverwalltal. For just under 2km, we can ride again, up to Schönverwallhütte (2,007m). There, Steffen provides first aid to a girl from Vienna of Czech descent who has twisted her ankle. We accompany her all the way to Heilbronner Hütte. And again we push. After 1km and after the Rosanna bridge, it becomes really steep. For 1.5 km we push and pull our bikes over large natural steps that have been washed out by meltwater. Just before the Scheidseen, we eventually ride on a nice trail again. There is no time for a rest at Heilbronner Hütte since we lost about 1.5 hours due to the injured girl. It is only around 18:00 that we are below the hut (2,277m). There is no time for a snack because we still have 1.5 hours of descent down to Ischgl ahead. On wide paths, we race downhill. In the rush of speed, we miss a turn and have to accept a few extra altitude meters back to Zeinisee. On asphalt, we zip quickly through Galtür to Ischgl, where after 10 hours, Gabi waits eagerly for us at 19:30. René is totally hypoglycemic, so Gabi and I get pizza for dinner at Hotel Neder.