Tours – Velotouren

Martin Frey

2022 Sierra Nevada (Spain)

Already in 2021 I was on a road bike trip in the Savoy Alps with the fun company "Quäldich.de". I really liked it, that'a why I took part the “Sierra Nevada Tour” this fall. The "Pico Veleta", almost 3,400 m above sea level was of course a big challenge...
We were on the road for a total of 9 days, 905 km and around 19,000 meters in altitude.

Altogether we were on the road for 9 days, 905km und about 19'000hm.

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--> Blog von Quäldich.de (only in German)

2021 Savoy Alps

It was planned a tour on the west coast in America - Pacific West Coast Cycling Trail - because of "Corona" it was unfortunately not possible. The alternative was a 7-day tour in the Rhaetian Alps (see below) and a 7-day tour in the Savoy Alps.

This guided tour in the Savoy Alps by the funny company Quäldich.de was a great addition to the tour in the Rhaetian Alps, which I rode alone. I met many like-minded colleagues and great new friendships have developed.

Of course a few well-known "Tour de France" passes were included, such as the "Col de L'Iseran", "Col du Galibier" ..and many more 😊

In total I rode 821km and 20'089hm in these 7 days.

Finally, I am once again grateful: I had no bike pans, no dangerous situations and no health problems 🙏

--> Routes und Gallery

--> Blog on Quäldich.de

2021 Rhaetian Alps

Often it is different from what you imagine. I had a lot of rain ... even more headwind. With a 14kg bike (including luggage, empty drinking bottles) the tour was really tough. Warm clothing was necessary, the touring bike with fixed mudguards and smaller aisles (50-34) - (11-34) was the right thing. I was very happy with the lowest gear!

I was rewarded with a breathtakingly beautiful landscape, great nature, lots of peace and quiet, ...because there was often little traffic.

I liked the “Passo di Gavia” most. The “Prad - Stilfser Joch” ascent was also great, especially because there was unexpectedly little traffic - probably due to unpredictable weather.

In total, I rode 689km and 15'787 meters of altitude in these 7 days.

In the end I am grateful: I had no bike pans, no dangerous situations and no health problems.

--> Routes and gallery

--> Blog - Travel report

2020 Crossing the Pyrenees

The idea of crossing the Pyrenees came up during an evening trip on the VC-Allschwil. We planned the details together with Daniel Wälchli. I found Daniel's suggested routes just perfect, 100km seems "rather short", but with 2000 to 3000hm they were demanding enough, after all we had to deal with this altitude almost every day. This planning allowed an arrival in the "not too late" afternoon, there was enough time for a cozy aperitif, blog writing and of course time for a cozy get-together at meal + drink in the evening.

In the end, there were a total of 8 stages (plus additional lap in Ax-les-Thermes), 917 km and 21,780 hm elevation gain, ... on average, per 100km about 2,375 hm altitude difference!

--> Routes, travel recommendations and gallery

--> Blog - Travel Repot

2018 Northern Spain

A new way to travel ... without maps, etc., planned on "Komoot" and navigated with GPS. The route would hardly have been possible with usual "paper maps", I would definitely have been looking more time for the way than cycling. Unfprtunately, there were unexpected off-road routes despite the "Komoot planned" route used with the option "road bike". My new bike was super suitable, the slighter, wider tyres (28) and fenders were necessary for these tracks. I was on the road for 8 days, a total of 930km with 13,000m. On the 5+6 day I decided for shorter tours.

-- > Routes, travel recommendations and gallery

-- > Blog - Travel Reports (only in german)

2018 Kyrgyzstan - Tajikistan

A dream came true ...to travel the mountains of Kyrgyzstan and the "Pamir Highway" Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan in the saddle. I had 2 1/2 month to reach the mountains of Kyrgyzstan the Pamirs. I started in Bishkek in May and it was still rainy and quite cold, in Dushanbe at the end of the travel it was up to 43 degrees. The journey filled me with impressive, beautiful experiences with incredibly hospitable people. During the trip I wrote various blogs and posted many impressive pictures about it...

On the "Pamir Highway" in summer, from Dushanbe (Tajikistan) to Osh (Kyrgyzstan) there are several bike tourists every day, often in groups. I my opinion, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are safe and harmless! The people are extremely hospitable, nice and helpful ? ...your visit also helps people to survive in their poverty!

The attack on bike tourists on Sunday, July 30, 2018 on the "Pamir Highway" near Dushanbe shocked me deeply, I am speechless and sad..., ..., The government of Tajikistan had proclaimed 2018 the "Year of Tourism". Visas for foreigners have been facilitated, and the government has threatened officials in the notoriously corrupt country with harsh punishment for bribing tourists with money. According to the World Bank, around 400,000 foreigners visited in 2015.

Unfortunately, a terrorist attack cannot be prevented these days, whether in Paris, in Berlin (Christmas market), etc. You can also sit comfortably on the Rhine in Basel, attack and be beaten to death. Worrying time...

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-- > Blog - Travel Reports (only in german)