CT Mk 3 and Mk 4 in the Tyrol Alpes

[MichaelJ]

Hi there.  Attached is a photo of my CT Mk 3 built last autumn with a mixed XT and Ultegra groupset and the Mk 4 built early this year with a full XT groupset (hydraulic rear brake with a V brake at the front) at the top of the Fern Pass in Austria.  Perfect for touring the Via Claudia from Fussen to Verona with our credit cards in our pockets.  Hoping to head for the outer Hebrides next summer with the tent and a bit more load.

Michael

[Relayer]

What a beautiful photo Michael!

The bikes look great, and the mountains are just magical.  Looking forward to more pictures of your adventures.   

[Slammin Sammy]

Great bikes in stunning scenery. My idea of bliss!

Please sir, can we have some more? 

[jags]

Magic your load looks light were you camping.
great photo thanks for posting.


jags.

[Audax hopeful]

Great bikes in stunning scenery. My idea of bliss!

Please sir, can we have some more? 

What he said!!  Can I join you?
Keep 'em coming,

Nich

[JimK]

Perfect! Thanks for the inspiration!

[MichaelJ]

OK, here are some more.  Camped for a few days in Fussen (beautiful place) and walked/rode locally, but then hotelled on the road - two quite large passes to get over, so nice to be lightly loaded (sub 10 kg).  Highly recommend this route to people - we didn't meet any other Brits doing it.  Circa 80% seemed to be dedicated cycle route or very small open roads with no cars and most of the cycle route tarmac.  Stunning scenery and wild flower meadows to die for (if you're into that sort of thing).  Bookable bike bus/shuttle back to Fussen from Verona, and Fussen is a reasonably easy day's drive from Rotterdam.

[MichaelJ]

....... and here's one of the bikes.

[jags]

class.

can i ask what tent you guys were using,

jags.

[Donerol]

Fabulous photos - I'm so envious  !

[Slammin Sammy]

Mmmm...

Austria is a cycling wonderland, is it not? We rode the Danube from Passau to Vienna last year - one of the most popular routes in Europe.

Was there much relief (hills) in the journey? The scenery is amazing, but those mountains look scary 

[MichaelJ]

Tent - we have a Terra Nova Sola 2.2 which is great - light (2.1 kg) and very strong (we have been snug and warm as others around us have been laid waste) - photo below.  No longer made and I think replaced by the Voyager 2.2.  However, we are contemplating a Hilleberg Nallo 2GT for the extra porch for cooking on those really wet days - but its a case of saving up!

Relief - most of the time it is pretty flat as you cycle on the valley floors.  The Via Claudia has two big passes - Fern Pass (first photo posted - a gravel climb best done from the north as it looked pretty evil from the other direction, but was a breeze from ours) and Reschen (out of Switzerland back into Austria and then Italy all in the same ride) - a well graded haul on a good road (photo below) which is quiet save for the petrol heads enjoying the joy of the switchbacks.

And then Italy - down hill pretty much all the way!