(Published in the journal n.32 BB)
BIG The official meeting is held annually and brings together members of this challenge cicloescalador, consisting of cycling up the 1000 increases that make up its Superlist. Currently has almost 2500 registered members, of which about 150 are English.
organized By the eighth edition is being held. But this is a unique event. Philosophy BIG and these meetings are very different from what we're used to in Spain. The idea is to provide maximum freedom to the participants. The levels are diverse and therefore the organization is very flexible, decides to mark a departure and approximate time of arrival at the top of each port to make the required pictures. It must be said here everyone goes at their own pace and mounted the film as you want. For example, the Hungarian group, led by the tireless Gabor Györgyi, only saw him at breakfast, and then they made a tour similar to ours but not identical, and then presented to a fixed time on top of the port to the photos.
year I attended and pasado al encuentro anual en Flandes, un encuentro muy numeroso en el que además tuvimos un tiempo espléndido. Este año las fechas, a principio de julio, no me convenían en exceso, pero la proximidad de Oberstdorf al aeropuerto de Memmingern, donde llega Ryanair, me hizo decidirme. Este año también hubo una buena participación, de más de cincuenta personas en total, aunque cada etapa tenía altas y bajas en función de los planes individuales de cada cual. De España ibamos tres miembros: Xavi Cossials (que también acudió el año pasado), Xavi Joya (fichaje de de este año) y yo mismo. La mayoría de asistentes eran belgas (no en vano el presidente y fundador del BIG Daniel Gobert es belga), but there were many Italians, some Dutch, some French, the aforementioned group Hungarian, Romanian ... A veritable tower of Babel with English and French the most widely used languages, although Italian is also frequently heard. The evening gatherings with a beer through a batiburillo became language. At one point, I found myself speaking in French ... how it is possible, if I never learned French!
can say that the official meeting is not the only time of year are these crazy European summits. The other unofficial meetings have been dubbed the "crossroads." For example this next month September is a crossroads in Liguria to raise a lot of ports on the Ligurian coast of Italy.
why the meeting took place in Oberstdorf and not anywhere else? No one can overlook that Oberstdorf is the starting point of a rise in BB we had very little Angel Morales: the Nebelhorn. The final reason for the meeting is the monster. However, the idea of \u200b\u200bdoing this Allgau region was also due to other reasons, such as the fact that it is a very central point at the European level (also considering the boom members are joining the challenge from Europe East). At the same time, with the base in this town could achieve many goals in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and even Liechtenstein, as eventually happened.
The arrival on Friday Oberstdorf youth hostel was a bit depressing, since only get tremendous rain fell shortly after the bike out of the box and mount. Most attendees arrived the night before Elmen, where on Friday became the first stage of 108 km in which rose Hochtannberg Pass (1675 m) and Hanntennjoch (1894 m.). We are told that morning also got wet and the truth is that for the next day weather forecasts were very bad, what we're going to cheat. I crawl into bed thinking that I will not remove the raincoat in a couple of days.
But for starters, we have surprise on Saturday and the time we seem to not only respect but even enjoy a splendid sun. The first climb of the day is Allgauer Berghof, up by a pretty narrow asphalt track with really tough sections, especially at its end. Some of those who came saw a 25% drop in its cycle computer ... Being our first climb with the group, although this is the opposite of a competition, the more competitive are squeezed all they can. For once I think I'll get there first, but finally the Belgian Rafael puts me at my site. These Belgians, as you might like it both climb ...
Back to the lodge, we took the detour in the town of Fischen im Allgau to raise the Riedbergpass. The principle is not particularly hard, but at some point see a traffic sign of 4 kilometers to 16%. As often happens is not exactly true, though not far away at all. Between these slopes and we have raised before, I very much welcome having brought the triple plate. The compact here could be enough ... Up to become one of the most crowded group photos, and soon after decided to eat something at a nearby ski resort. The
españolitos not satisfied with the fact, in the afternoon we decided to approach to know the Nebelhorn. Although we try to find allies, no one points to the challenge. Everyone is waiting to Tuesday, official day for uploading to the other members of the BIG. Too bad they did not know that time is not going to respect them, and you have to think that the weather factor is vital to consider the rise of the monster. Not attempt to summarize our ascent Nebelhorn a short paragraph that deserves an article as long or maybe a book. I only say that raising road bike or triple plate is impossible. Either way, even up three miles on foot with the bike on the side, I consider it one of the best experiences I have lived on the bike. Only to see this rise inhumane, and the reward of the landscape at the top, it's thought to try.
After 3 BIGS (with the top of Nebelhorn), obviously we're late to dinner the lodge, so we decided to give us a dinner as God commands in a pizzeria of Oberstdorf. The only drawback was that we missed a contest that raised the organization, which awards were typical of each of the participating countries, each had brought from home. Needless to say, what was the theme of the competition, ports, harbors, ports. We arrived when the contest is over and only have time to attend the briefing presenting the next day's stage. When we explained our experience opens a heated debate, inexhaustible, on whether or not that is listed Nebelhorn.
The second day for us (third for the group), Sunday, is a dislocation. On the menu we have the increases to 3 ports. First rising to Oberjoch, border port between Germany and Austria and later, as in Austria, and Erwahlder Berwang Alm. This phase is structured in a somewhat curious came up with the cars until Oberjoch, descended to the base of the port and back up bike. Then turn to take the car and continue on towards Reutte Austria where we left our car and we can attack the other two climbs planned for the day.
There, a Sunday celebration makes a part of the motorcade is collapsed in Reutte, so much catch the bike from there while we go through before we joined a group of Dutch and older will BIG try twice a day. Other English
had been advanced to make up and arrive in time to catch the return flight. The summary would be that everyone is on their side. I have joined with the Belgian group from Namur Walloon also includes some flamenco. In this group is the friend Rafael, I guarantee a maximum effort.
Here we apply a top of the BIG that is "the upload harder first. "Therefore, we will attack first Erhwalder Alm. Although the day is not particularly bright, the view from the Valley is awesome. Just in front of us while we go see the Zugspitze Ehrwald, the highest peak Germany, with 2,963 meters, but we will go only to the 1502 meters Alm Ehrwalder the Austrian side. On the right we see another impressive rock mass. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hikes we have done at this meeting.
be seen from the distance a weather station on top of the Zugspitze, I wonder how they will noses to get there.
After a short stroll from Ehrwald, came to a fence from which do not allow the passage of motor vehicles. The road is narrow and very steep. I begin to notice the legs up and down the "walk" the Nebelhorn the previous day. Despite the third course, the development gives it Justito for not dismounting. In short, final 5.2 miles to go half a drop of 9.6%, with peaks above 14%. Above can also be reached by funicular, and the restaurant full of people enjoying the scenery, we can taste a typical apple pie and a Coke or a beer. While we are enjoying the sun, other groups are coming, the Italians, French, some Dutch ... Tap to return to
Rottach Lermoos and where we will tackle the last climb of the day: Berwang. Little history to this rise. Main road, a drop not too important and spectacular scenery, yes, but not more than any of the roads from the valley up to any of the people.
night, after dinner, appears Claudiu Moga, a Romanian boy 20 days ago has left the country. It tells an amazing adventure of 20 days in which eleven bike has rained. Cecilia and Luigi are offered to prepare a plate of pasta in your motorhome, as the lodge and restaurant that has closed for hours. Claudiu share with their experiences on the route from the problems security at its output from Romania, to his party last night he spent in sailing. As a cyclist, you speak the Nebelhorn and is not afraid, has already raised the Kitzbüheler Horn with the saddlebags. You could be chatting for hours with him, but for the first time in twenty days has a bed to sleep, or rest their desire to overcome the desire of others to know their history.
On Monday there is another good meal with 3 BIGS, although it represents a shift in nearly two-hour drive to the vicinity of Munich. The day also covered and wakes very light rain. In my case, since I have the flight shortly after noon, among the various options presented to me, I prefer follow those of Francois, who recommended me closer to Switzerland and Liechtenstein to raise Stoss and Malbun, respectively. This form will complete the long weekend with BIGS in four different countries. Not bad. But best of all is the experience, to see people like Daniel, Helmuth, François and Marc, of which I have much to learn and much to be thankful. It is a luxury ride with them, to have some beers together and make new friends who share passion.
As always when I travel, time to hurry up and arrive just in time to the aircraft. Once packed the bike at full speed, billed the case and hand luggage on board (be careful with the weight of the bags hand when you traveling with Ryanair), I queued for boarding the plane. Once we review the stunning photos up these days with Sergi. In the end, exhausted, I start to doze off and I start to accumulate images, memories, people, names, ports, and downs. I'm waking up and go back to sleep. I'm still like a dream. Except when you see the Nebelhorn. Then the dream becomes a nightmare.
