In June 2022 I took on the Transalp 1200, a bike ride starting in Verona and heading north to Lake Garda, the Trentino Valley and into the South Tirol of Austria. The route then continued back over into Italy and onwards through Slovenia to Ljubljana. And back again, 1250km in four days. A challenging ride for sure, with daytime temperatures reaching 40C, some high mountain passes to navigate and evening thunderstorms but the stunning scenery and the fellowship of fellow riders made this one of my most memorable rides to date.
All long rides are the same but the same in different ways - i’ll let the pictures do the talking.
Ready for the off in Verona, just time for a quick snack.
Ready for the off in Verona, time for a quick snack.
Verona, 8pm, 1st July
On the way to the start, 8pm
The departure gate
The departure gate
The first espresso of the night, Lake Garda, 11.30pm
The South Tirol, still in Italy
Villabassa control, 330km, 15 hours
Austria, looking across to The Dolomites
Italy / Slovenia border, Day 2, 6.30am - 500km
Beautiful Slovenia, south of Kranska Gora
Lake Bled
Returning back to Italy through the forest
View from the cycle path in Northern Italy, Day 3, 6am - 730km
Mountain mist
Lakeside cycle path
Tolmezzo, signs that the Giro passed this way recently
Alex and Simon enjoying an espresso half way up the first of many climbs that day
Cooling off in Austria, 40degC
A very welcome shandy here
Back at Villabassa, 900km. A shower and change of clothing ready for the evenings ride
Towards the Dolomites
Stunning Dolomites at the top of the Cimabianche pass.
Strange abandoned settlements along the road heading south to Cortina
Cortina D’Ampezzo
Back on the road. Day 4, 8am - 1000km
With Chris in Grappa
Soave, 40km to go
A decent place to stop for dinner and a bed for a night
Soave village center
A morning ride through the vineyards
Journeys end…until next time.
