Just starting to think about the challenge for this Summer and got my eye on the Bike 4 Peaks (the replacement for the Trans Germany). From what I can see it looks like a cut down Transalp (4 days rather than 8 with roughly the same amount of climbing per day).
I have done a few stage races before so ok with the distance etc but I am no racer and will just be in it to finish. Has anybody done it before who could recommend it ?
375€ for what is essentially a mini transalp ride? that isn't including accommodation for which you can expect to pay 40-60€ a night.
personally i would look at finding a tour operator that offers "proper" transalp rides or go it alone and book a flight to Munich/Innsbruck/Salzburg and ride south from there to Verona.
if you are not in it to race why not just ride it as a tour without the pressure?
have a look at ChrisE's recent thread. or ask me. or alternatively there are loads of routes online, albeit mostly in German. i guide [url= http://www.ulptours.de/en/mountainbike/transalp-medium/reise/tegernsee-lake-garda-hut-tour-medium/beschreibung/ ]THIS[/url] tour when i'm feeling fit. also guide a few others from the company, but this in, IMO one of the better ones (that i have guided).
have shuttled the luggage for [url= http://www.ulptours.de/de/mountainbike/transalp/transalp-go-wild/reise/ischgl-ischgl-go-wild/leistungen/ ]THIS[/url] tour a few times. although not strictly a transalp, very fun with some awesome trails!
however the Hangman Trail, the trail from Fleckalm (have a friend in Kirchberg) and the trail from Maiskogel are good. haven't ridden in/around Wildkogel, but it is meant to be good (old colleague helped build the wood work there, he was a tosser, though).
I am doing the bike 4 peaks this year, and did it when it was the trans Germany a couple of years ago. It is well organised, the route is clearly marked, feed stations are well manned and stocked, medics on motorbikes keeping an eye on things, pasta party every night, bags collected and dropped off to your hotel etc etc.
Downside while the backdop is breathtaking the riding is mainly schotterweg (gravel trails) and the weather in the Alps at that time of year can be pretty hit and miss.
If you have an ambition to do events like the trans alps and ironbike in the future, which I do, then it's a fair starting point for multi day type races.
I am also doing the trans schwarzwald this year which is worth a look at.
Thanks for the feedback - I quite enjoy doing "races" at non race pace simply because I enjoy events. Agree the price is a bit steep, and adding it all up is going to be North of £1k in cost which is roughly what the Transalp (camping option) cost. MSP - if you need a partner for the Transalp in future let me know - I did it a few years ago and really enjoyed it, though it was very tough (not surprisingly).
