More than just Three Peaks – Three Peaks Bike Race 2023 (Part 1)

In 2023, cyclists gathered in Vienna for the Three Peaks Bike Race, a 2,500-kilometer journey through the Alps, France’s Central Massif, and the Pyrenees, culminating in Barcelona. The film captures the essence of this odyssey.

Act One: Vienna’s Kickoff

The race began at Schönbrunn Castle against Vienna’s imperial backdrop. Cyclists launched into a grueling adventure, poised to conquer three iconic mountain ranges.

Act Two: Alpine Challenge

In the Alps, riders faced steep ascents and thrilling descents. The film depicts their intense physical exertion as they conquered challenging mountain passes, setting the tone for the demanding journey ahead.

Act Three: French Interlude

Leaving the Alps, cyclists entered France’s Central Massif, navigating rolling hills and charming villages. The film highlights the unique challenges of diverse terrain, blending cultural richness with the race’s physical demands.

Act Four: Pyrenean Triumph

The Pyrenees became the penultimate stage—a legendary battleground with relentless climbs. Cyclists persevered against unpredictable weather, showcasing their determination against Europe’s iconic mountain range.

Climax: Barcelona Beckons

Cyclists descended to Barcelona from the Pyrenees, adding cinematic quality to the race’s conclusion. The film captures the emotional crescendo at the Sagrada Familia, symbolizing the riders’ collective journey.

Three Peaks Bike Race 2023, day 1 Check in is done, I’ve got my cap Bike is ready and checked Bags are fully packed, lights are charged, ready for departure! We’ve been at the beergarden with some other riders before Was nice to hear, what the others are planning

Obviously, there will be four main routes Northern Italy Through the middle, through the mountains, that’s what I do But there are also guys going “up” to germany again But even after all these stories I feel quite comfortable with the route I have planned so far

Now perhaps one last drink, than going to bed Good morning from Vienna, I am on the way to the start now! It’s incredible after 7 months of preparation especially the last weeks, there wasn’t many other things than this race in my mind more than 1 hour to go until it begins updates follow

I am a bit nervous It begins, two minutes until the start It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but I am in the group of the first riders to depart Here’s the rest of the guys The race last since ten minutes, Vienna already behind us

Climb 1 out of 27 on the first 137 kilometers incoming Can see the first mountains First 200 meters of climbing done, now downhill Berni, first hour down, how are things going? All good so far Incredible hot funny, met Martin here, a friend of mine I am NOT drafting, cycling next to him

Some more meters to go, than downhill Two hours done, 45 kilometers done There was another big climb just before No wind, no trees – the sun is burning really hard I am not sure if I already mentioned that it’s incredible hot it’s REALLY hot a dream…

I cannot say how hard I’d like to change with theese guys at the lake 9 kilometers of climbing, 8 are alredy done Hopefully things getting better soon Another climb done so far Ramps with up to 15% I do not have much water left

Need a well or a petrol station, but there is nothing Now another decent is coming, there has to show up something to refill Was able to refill my bottles It’s been a long time since I sufferd so much just hope, that evening is coming soon and the sun goes down

Legs are quite good, rest also, but the heat… I really hope for colder weather the next days but ok… drinking my beer, than continuing beer helped! The break was phantastic! Getting significantly colder now, the route is flat at the moment feelings change from one extreme to the other in just a few minutes

Seconds ago everything was a great disaster and now everything is quite OK so, let’s continue into the evening 300 meters until the end of the start parcours met this guy next to me last year at Mittelgebirgeclassique Searching for some food, than continuing km 167 Having some dinner now

Coca Cola and some french fries 170 kilometers done, 250 is the goal for today Hope, that it’s easier from now on as the route is flat I have to do at least another 80 kilometers Everything more than 80 would be “bonus” 9pm, Kapfenberg right now, bigger village doing some psychological tricks

Not looking at the moment, how many kilometers I’ve already done Perhaps already 200 in the books Will have the next look at 10pm Really wanna do 250 today last pitstop of the day juice, ice tea and breakfast for tomorrow one ore one and a half hour to go

These are the things you do not need It’s 10:45, I have no idea where I am, somewhere in the nowhere the lovely road before turned into a gravel piste looking forward, how this will continue here Me and my route planning. Nice! So! this is it – my sleeping spot for today

Shortly before midnight I decided to sleep at a beergarden of a restaurant that’s why I am so quite, it’s the first time in my life Hopefully I can sleep here and noone will send me away Happy with the day, did the 250 kilometers Hope, that I can sleep 5 hours now

And than we’ll see what tomorrow brings Nice! Adventure! And this at my age… on the road again 80 kilometers until “Schönfeldsattel” First big one of the day later heading to italy 70 kilometers done so far second breakfast running Haribos later at the climb really tough morning… climbing all the time

Now a long one, but that’s what I like I just wanted to say thank you for supporting me It’s crazy how many messages I get from all of you I cannot reply, but I read it, I see it – very very nice! Thank you!

It’s funny to see, how your brain does not work cycling up and down all the time and over there, there is a flat, broad road what a waste of energy looking to get on the road, that was the original plan I thought the climb has 10k, it hast 19… average of 4%

Schönfeldsattel: Check hot, like yesterday it was brutal, but very very nice views, getting better at the top it’s tough, but now going down at first First normal food during the race Let’s see what the meat and the fries are doing with me

Normally it’s not a good idea, but for the moment I am feeling way better ate way to less yesterday and also today. Hard for me to eat enough So it was neceassary now a small descent, than about 100 kilometers flat afterwards, the three big italian climbs are waiting

The plan was to do these today but I fear, I will not have enough time Have to sleep at a hotel tonight It’s the craziest heat battle of all time Yesterday was hard, today is much harder 40 degrees here And all the time up and down and up and down…

It’s so brutally But funny: On my way to Istanbul (2022) I was already over there The world is small It’s hard not to loose your faith on days like this left Austria, entered Italy 2nd country on the route 15 kilometers until the mountain I’d like to say something beautiful, but it’s really different

Actually the first out of three mountain passes Climbing since more than 20 kilometers Another 20 to come It’s not that steep, but hundreds of trucks and busses here a broad, straight road “beautiful” is something different need something to eat, dinner No plan what I do. Crazy how the feelings are “jumping”

From “I will do another two climbs and win a whole day” to “I sleep at Cortina and the whole race takes one day more” Always the same phenomenom Two beers without alkohol and a liver cassereole and all is great This is how my bike looks, not much aero at all

65 god damn kilometers of climbing 65! Hard to believe, but finally did it Heading to Cortina d’Ampezzo Excited, what the weather will be, looking at these dark clouds I have a plan now, left Cortina Problem is, when I stay and sleep here Than I have to do another two mountain passes

Until I reach Peak 1 parcours and afterwards Jaufenpass and Timmelsjoch And I fear, that from the time and also from the altitude meters this would not work and than my plan fails, to do peak one on day 3 So I will do at least one pass

And when everything is very good: Perhaps two But at least one – so only have to do three tomorrow Day is gone 333 kilometers at incredible heat never thought, that I’d be able to do this Nice sleeping spot at an ATM together with Ben from France Did the last two climbs together

Now we are here in Arabba, tomorrow Passo Pordoi down, and than parcours it’s midnight, sleeping 5 hours, continuing tomorrow Good night! Good morning! The night was significantly better than yesterday slept way better Today I have to find a hotel Queens stage today actually passo pordoi Than Sella long long descent to the valley

Afterwards Jaufenpass and Timmelsjoch did it a hundred times before I will be able to do it somehow But I really fear the Timmelsjoch no need to hurry today so let’s start the day Ben already left First out of four is done, was good, now descending Afterwards, directly starting the second climb Reached Brixen

It’s still 25 kilometers to go until Jaufenpass starts I am always doing the same mistake and think, that the ways are shorter than they are but on the other hand, but somehow the 2.500 kilometers have to be found hopefully reach the climb within the next hour

11:30 AM entering the climb would be great As nice it was at the river but 2 kilometers gravel through the forest, I do not need this It feels like it is some kind of trend at races like this My opinion is, that’s senseless You always have to take care of your bike

Still 23 to go… Incredible! But now it’s better! It all took so much time It’s later than planned 1:10 PM, there is a sign “Jaufenpass open” Hopefully reach the top at 3 PM Good thing is, I have tailwind Will bring me some minutes at least

Reaching the top at 3 PM would be amazing than descending as quick as possible start to climb Timmelsjoch at 4 PM Reaching the top at 8 PM, that’s the plan! Good, old SPAR-market at St. Leonhard, at the foot of the Timmelsjoch Something healthy before I still have some HARIBOs left

3 liters of water, the heat is… just incredible It’s absolutely inhumane You cannot imagine how it feels but good, I eat my chips, drink my Red Bull, than continue, because there is no coice there we go, the good, old roundabout afterwards the nightmare begins with 40 degrees Nice, missed the road Prima!

Some small “lap of honour” 2nd try Timmelsjoch, 29 kilometers, Good bye I believe, the most hardest part I left behind but I have to say, thanks to my new gear setup it was not as hard as expected but you feel the difference sun is disappearing

But I think, I am already on the plateau in the middle of the climb last turns incoming it’s ok so far top, top, top, god damn s**** what a day! Oh god! But what an amazing view! What a day! And it’s not even done One quick picture to proof that I was here

And than about 55 kilometers descending hopefully no headwind in the valley because than I just could let it roll I already booked a hotel Will be so incredbile nice Did four passes today, amazing achievement I am exactly where I wanted to be Everything could be nice

Unfortunately I have big problems with my knees Good morning from Ötz I totally forgot to do a full summary of the day yesterday here we go – did four climbs checkpoint 1 is done that was my big hope so far so good legs are good, body is good

But I have one big challenge: My knees I have to look Searching for a bike shop where I can adjust the saddle hope that helps Yesterday night there have been big thunderstorms 3rd tree lying over the road I am carrying my bike most of the time, not riding it

Silvretta Alpine Road, pouring rain but somehow it’s cool There was a Auto repair shop where I adjusted my saddle Knees are feeling good, fingers crossed I am optimistic! Top of Biehlerhöhe Now a long descent is awaiting me and the next big climb somewhere in Switzerland but that’s in 200 kilometers

Hopefully I can enjoy the next hours a bit, take it easy the view here on the top is priceless You all have to come here! Even with a lake and a truck Cannot say it often enough: Amazing happy, that it’s done, that was the last big one before checkpoint 2

Now everything will be interesting thousands of feelings, yesterday the knees today it’s my lungs I am coughing all the time some weird yellow stuff is coming out hopefully this also will get better, I am going slowly better slow, I don’t look on the clock, just want to continue

Hope that it gets better, I think the knees are ok for now But now I will enjoy the descent At the parmacy, got some medicine The lady was quite relaxed She said “as long as you have no shortness of breath you can continue cycling” So we continue to cycle! Liechtenstein behind me

Heading to Switzerland now Heaven is looking interesting, over there it’s a big catastrophe can hear thunder around But in front everything is fine, for sure we are cycling straight forward Crazy These mood swings and as the emotions swing, the weather also swings even when I am not really fit at all

Kilometers are flying away should have more than 200, but am not looking on it behind me you can see the thunderstorm, cycling one hour through heavy rain best item of the race so far my rain jacket thought a long time if I should buy it, cause it’s expensive but it’s woth every Euro

Not one drop went through the jacket and as the moods are going up and down, the weather goes up and down that’s how it looks in front a crazy day so far and it’s just 4 PM do not look on the kilometers, but should be more than 200 already done

Feeling really good today it’s crazy, three days more than 40 degrees and today cycling from one thunderstorm to another Pouring rain all the time the sun just for a few minutes 30 or 40 kilometers I will do, than I am done for today and than I am searching for a hotel

Hoping that things will get better tomorrow Reached the hotel for the night Benoit from yesterday’s ATM is also with me here at the stairways the room itself is looking like this So you get a feeling of what we are doing the other bike will spend the night at our bathroom

You are able to dry your smartphone and other things dry your socks but the whole strange day is rescued, because we have four beers (without alcohol) In this sense – a really impressing day today it started quite good but with all these thunderstorms it turned out to be really tough

It slowed down the average speed, because you often had to stop and find a shelter but the biggest challenge was it to find a hotel there was nothing below 200 or 250 Euros in Switzerland Now we’ve found something in an industrial area had to ride quite long through the night and another thunderstorm

And I think tomorrow it’s not even better but ok, it was our free choice to do this here in this sense good night, see you tomorrow!