210 kilometres, 2,275 metres of elevation gain, 13 hours full of passion, spirit, energy and snack culture
Starting signal: 6 a.m., Postplatz Chur. The coffee is still yawning, and so are we – but we’re on time. Destination: Bolzano, Piazza, 7 p.m. In between: 210.13 kilometres, 9 hours and 52 minutes of riding time and a total of 2,275 metres of elevation gain, garnished with sun, rain and lots of provisions.
We actually wanted to take a break in Klosters. Actually. The train was faster, and our provisions vehicle was far away – we were hungry. Our driver saved the day with almond croissants. We didn’t eat them in a cosy bakery, but on the side of the road behind Susch – haute cuisine with an asphalt ambience.
The route offered picture-postcard panoramas in Prättigau, sun-drenched Engadin and Vinschgau with its endless apple orchards. An espresso stop in Zernez provided energy, lunch in Müstair provided seating comfort. The rain later forced us to make an unplanned pit stop – at least it was an opportunity to get some cola, gummy bears, Severine’s Biberli
and to test the Elite Fraction Powergels for taste and side effects. Shortly before Bolzano, the rain disappeared with a rainbow, as if to say: ‘You did it – without needing the broom wagon, but with plenty of sugar in your blood.’ At 7 p.m. sharp, we rolled into the piazza – aperitif time!
Conclusion
When you’re on the road for 13 hours in sun and rain, climbing almost 2,300 metres in altitude and burning more calories than you cover in kilometres, you don’t need Netflix or a travel guide. The road trip writes its own story. Oh, and Andi: how exactly does driving through a construction site when the traffic lights are red work?