A bikepacking expedition through the Italian Dolomites and, depending on the route, as far as the Triglav Mountains - that's what the Orbit360 space crew promises with their Sneak Peaks event. The bikepacking challenge will take place for the first time in September 2024. The start and finish will be in Bolzano, where accreditation and the briefing will also take place on 4 September 2024. The long route, i.e. Adventure (more on this later), starts on 5 September, with the Classic and Entree routes starting on 6 September. There is no time limit.
Sneak Peaks: The routes
The altitude metres of the three routes promise plenty of adventure and they promise to challenge your legs to the maximum. Raphael Albrecht, aka Space Commander, has scouted the routes together with his team. Not only does it go over adventurous mountain passes, but also literally over hill and dale. Wide tyres are a good choice. Gravel paths and tarmac roads alternate. There are also sections where you have to push your bike, as the checkpoints chosen are mountain huts, which are only found in the higher regions. Sometimes you have to push - or carry - to reach the "peaks". It's worth it, promises the Orbit360 space crew. And at the top, a warm welcome with the best Italian food awaits the expedition participants on the three routes:
- Entree: 500 kilometres, 19,000 metres in altitude
- Classic: 750 kilometres, 29,000 metres in altitude
- Adventure: 1100 kilometres, 39,000 metres in altitude
The speciality
The rules at Sneak Peaks are less strict than at other ultracycling events. Of course, there are a few rules here too. However, the organisers' aim is to create a (shared) experience in addition to the challenge. Of course, the riders are also on their own at Sneak Peaks and are not allowed to get help from third parties. At other events of this kind, it is not permitted to ride together. Sneak Peaks follows classic Audax principles here: riding together is permitted, as is mental support. Love and mutual empowerment should make the experience a very special one. The decision that there is no time limit should also contribute to this. All the metres in altitude are enough of a challenge, there is no need to be under pressure to be back in Bolzano by a certain time.
Environment & Sustainability
The leave-no-trace ethic is particularly important to the crew. The principle of leaving nothing but tyre tracks is certainly familiar to every bikepacker. No dropped banana peel, bar paper or toilet paper should be left by the wayside. In the interests of the environment and sustainability, the Orbit360 crew has established the #noflightride rule for Sneak Peaks. Arrival and departure should take place without an aeroplane, instead relying on public transport or even travelling by bike. This is why Bolzano was chosen as the start and finish location, as it has train connections. But not only that, the organisers will also offset the CO2 emissions generated during the event through transport, catering and accommodation for the participants.
Encouraging
Have you ever looked around at cycling events? For the most part, it's white men on the start lines. The event crew wants to encourage underrepresented groups in cycling to participate and join the Orbit360 community. Tickets are available for FLINTA* people (Fwomen, Lesben, intersexuals, nicht-binary, trans and agender persons) that take the gender pay gap into account. There is also a solidarity pot. Anyone who wants to and can afford it can pay into this pot. This enables people to take part who may not be able to afford the fee. This makes the event accessible to more people.
By the way
I, the author of this report, online editor and bikepacking expert, will be using some of my holiday days to start - and hopefully finish - at Sneak Peaks. I'll also throw a few euros into the solidarity pot.
My favourite: Adventure, i.e. 1093 kilometres and... far too many metres in altitude. I'm up for it and am already looking forward to it with anticipation and awe. - Sandra Schuberth
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
