Not all mountain bike tours are the same as e-mountain bike tours. If you ask tour operators about their special offers for e-mountain bikers, you quickly realise that only a few tour operators have thought about the needs of this new target group in depth. Some tour operators do not yet have any e-mountain bike offers in their portfolio, some offer e-MTBs as optional vehicles in normal mountain bike groups - for participants with weaker fitness levels. And others have tailored their holidays and tours specifically to the needs of the new clientele.
Guided Alpine crossings in particular are offered for e-mountain bikers. But what makes a good product? Throwing analogue and digital mountain bikers together haphazardly in the hope of filling up groups is probably not the best approach. Over- and underchallenging, both in terms of riding technique and fitness, are foreseeable. Travel-S, on the other hand, offers an analogue-digital mix. The Bavarians offer a Transalp from Tegernsee to Lake Garda especially for couples and friends who know each other and can therefore assess their performance differences. Providers play it safe with groups that are all equipped with e-bikes. However, this does not guarantee a successful e-MTB tour or Transalp. The fun factor depends largely on the suitability of the route: Carrying sections are a no-go with e-MTBs, pushing sections should be kept as short as possible. On the other hand, suitable trails can also be a lot of fun uphill with an e-MTB and contribute to the overall experience.
Here are some travel and tour organisers who offer special products for e-mountain bikers:
- www.travel-s.de Transalp, multi-day tours, day tours and individual group tours - at least according to the programme, the Bavarians have seriously set their sights on the e-mountain biker target group.
- www.alpstours.eu The Transalp specialist offers Alpine crossings for different levels, from the classic Via Claudia route for beginners to the Transalp Alta Rezia or the Trans-Appenin.
- www.mtb-fahrtwind.de MTB riding technique and touring specialist Fahrtwind offers a five-stage Transalp from Oberammergau to Lake Como specifically for e-mountain bikers.
- www.bikealpin.de The Franconians have two Transalp tours for e-mountain bikers in their programme, both through the Eastern Alps: either from Ehrwald or from Pfunds near Landeck to Lake Garda.
- www.ulptours.de Ulptours offers a connoisseur transalp for beginners and a flow transalp for trail-hungry riders on the subject of E-MTB - both from Garmisch to Lake Garda.
- www.dav-summit-club.de Even the DAV's luxury travel department is embracing the trend. An e-MTB transalp from Garmisch via the Via Claudia to Lake Garda is on the programme.
- www.guiders.de Five-day E-Transalp from Lake Tegernsee to Lake Garda
What requirements must an E-Transalp fulfil? - Interview with Uli Preunkert from Ulp Tours
Which target group are your e-bike Transalps aimed at?
For bikers who would not dare to ride a Transalp without an e-drive. But also pleasure bikers who appreciate the uphill flow and see the E-MTB as a fun vehicle. We therefore have two different E-MTB Transalp tours in our programme.
What makes a good E-MTB-Transalp?
Due to the limitations of the battery, the routes should be easier in terms of fitness with less than 1500 metres in altitude per day.
Can riders of different performance levels go on a Transalp together?
Yes, because on an E-Transalp the group is more homogeneous. One person has to recharge the battery during the lunch break, while the other arrives in the evening with a half-full battery.
How do you solve the range problem? Do you have spare batteries in the support vehicle?
We recharge the batteries during the lunch break. Most batteries can be charged to 70 per cent in a good 40 minutes. That's enough for the rest of the tour in the afternoon.
