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20 Jun

1300km with 17000m of elevation gain in 8 days – BIKEGEAR.CC THE RIDE –

Posted 20. June 2017 By Monika Sattler

A few months ago I googled about epic cycling events in Europe and I came across a Dutch cycling event called “Bikegear.cc The Ride”. 1300km from Stelvio (Italy) to Cauberg (Netherlands) in 8 days through 8 countries.

I was immediately hooked.
How awesome would it be to ride through Europe, especially that particular route: from the Italian Alps to the Flatlands through regions that are world famous for cycling.
I got very excited. I had to do it!
1300km in 8 days is already an impressive ride. The 17000m (!!!) elevation gain would make this event a real epic ride. Throw in camping and you got a complete adventure.
Soon enough I was registered.
One day before the event start, I signed the white board in Prato alla Stelvio. I looked around. Participants from all stages of life and fitness levels made up a peloton of 260 cyclists. Now, we are strangers. But soon enough, faces become familiar, riding styles recognizable and the morning faces at 5:30am memorable.
Surrounded by snowcapped mountains it was hard to believe we would be in the flattish Netherlands in 8 days. Joining this event alone, I was excited to get to know the other participants, helping each other, suffering together and exchanging stories of our days.
Before getting into what really happened behind the scenes each day, I want to share a few details about the event itself. The organization was absolutely top notch! Although all communication was in Dutch, I knew exactly where and when to be. The camp sites were professionally set up with everything what I needed. An entire camp village moved with The Ride. All tents were set up before we arrived, a recharge station for phones and bike computers, free massages, dinner prepared by Pro Tour chefs and an event atmosphere that clearly indicated that the organizer knew a thing or two about putting on a show.

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8 days later having arrived in Valkenburg, I would never have thought that I would feel as I do now. I am incredibly exhausted having ridden 50+ hours in the last 8 days. I am extremely tired from sleeping 4-5 hours a day.

But all these are minor disturbances compared to that huge feeling of accomplishment and achievement. This ride put me through extreme ups and down – physically and mentally. Events occurred I could have never foreseen: a tire explosion and close elimination from the event, severe heat exhaustion, picking the right fights, a nasty descending crash, my pursuit for supermarket pic-nics and the dedication of another cyclist becoming such an incredible teammate that showed once again to me that cycling with a team is so much more fun than a solo goal.
I will also share how I recovered after each stage, what I ate and what I think is important along the way – especially when I was mentally and physically exhausted.
But let’s start from the beginning. Day 1: From Prato alla Stelvio to Silvaplana. 129km with 3900m of elevation with Stelvio, Foscagno and Bernina Pass. For those who have been in that region know that this ride by itself would be tough enough. How I managed to make it even tougher on day 1 will be in the next post.

Tags: bikegear.cc, The Ride
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  1. Sep, 22, 2017 12:28 AM
    Summer review: Races, photo-shootings, publications, ideal winter residence, lessons learned and what's next? | RAD Monika

    […] 1300km with 17000m of elevation gain in 8 days – BIKEGEAR.CC THE RIDE – […]

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What a beautiful ride across the Euschelspass toda What a beautiful ride across the Euschelspass today. It is a very quiet road with amazing views on both sides. 
On the Jaun side, this pass is steep and paved. On the Schwarzsee side, it is steep and gravel. Your pick what you prefer for ascending and descending. I definitely prefer the gravel on the descend.

📸@matthieupellaton

#euschelspass #cyclingswitzerland
#cycling
#iloveswitzerland #whataview #gravelcycling
The other day I was asked if I am not scared of fa The other day I was asked if I am not scared of failing the upcoming challenge. The answer is: of course! But instead of focusing on all the things that can go wrong (and they are plenty!), I am thinking of all the great moments that already happened and will happen, especially all the great people who have and will join this journey! Thank you! 🙏🤩

📸@rutschste 

@cervelo @polartecfabric #cyclingchallenge #cyclingadventures #velo #124spc
How many passes per day for the 124 Swiss Passes C How many passes per day for the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge:

The 124 Swiss passes are distributed across 26 stages (4 'spare' days) from 2 passes per day (mostly in the Alps) up to 13 passes per day (Jura). 

If you have any questions about this challenge, feel free to share them in the comments. ☺️

📸@rutschste (an old pic from last week as it was raining today)

#124spc
#cycling
#veloadventure #cervelo #polartec @cervelo
Today was a beautiful ride across the Glaubenbiele Today was a beautiful ride across the Glaubenbielenpass and Glaubenbergpass.
Both passes I will ride being well into the challenge.
Glaubenberg, I will ride on stage 20 with Rengg, Schüpferegg, Schallenberg and Fritzflue

Glaubenbiehlerpass, I will ride on Stage 21 with Brünig and Ächerlipass

Two tough days before heading to Valais for more tough days. 😅

This is going to be epic! 

#124spc
Meine Story, meine Mission und der Grund, warum ic Meine Story, meine Mission und der Grund, warum ich alle 124 Schweizer Pässe mit dem Velo fahre, jetzt in @tagesanzeiger @bernerzeitung.ch @derbund @baslerzeitung_baz 

Vielen Dank, Philipp für das super Gespräch! 

#124spc
“We have two lives, and the second begins when w “We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.”

- Confucius
Good morning Monday! ☀️ What a weekend! Film Good morning Monday! ☀️

What a weekend! Film shooting until 1am with scenes in the swimming pool, fitness studio, performance test and an interview. An intense but fun time. Now heading back to 🇨🇭 to continue the training. ⛰️🚴⛰️🚴⛰️

#weekend #124spc
My mission with the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge goe My mission with the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge goes beyond setting a cycling record. I aim to inspire others, especially women, to go outside their comfort zone and pursue big goals.

A documentary will be made about this challenge that will tell the full story. The first film shoot is this weekend. 

#inspire #beyourself #getoutsideyourcomfortzone #goforyourgoals #makethingshappen
So excited about having received today the road bi So excited about having received today the road bike I will tackle the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge with:
The @cervelo Caledonia. 🥳And with that, I finally can announce my new partnership with @sramroad which I am very excited about! 🎉🎉🎉

A huge thanks 🙏 to @cervelo and @sramroad for making this happen! I cant wait to ride this beauty up every @swisstopo pass in Switzerland! ⛰️🇨🇭⛰️🇨🇭⛰️

#cervelo
@zippspeed
#newbikeday
#zippwheels
#roadbike
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