BIKE Mission 3000: Reader Albert's first tour with 3000 metres of elevation gain
Jan Timmermann
· 30.03.2023
Long mountain bike tours have a charm all of their own. Many experiences in the bike world are not for free, but only after a certain amount of effort: What is it like to sit in the saddle for seven hours straight? Is your body up to a tour with 3000 metres of altitude? What does it feel like when you've mastered this climb? All these questions are even more exciting for mountain bike beginners. There is only one way to answer them: try them out. That's why BIKE sent a reader on a 3000 metre mission: we accompanied Albert, a newcomer to mountain biking, on his first tour with 3000 metres of altitude in alpine terrain.
Our reports on the big BIKE Mission3000 are already online
BIKE reader Albert and his Orbea Occam
Albert Miethaner is 39 years old and lives with his wife and two children in the district of Ebersberg. At work, the IT specialist looks after the control centre operations at Munich Airport. He also lives out his passion for technology in his private life with the volunteer fire brigade. Ten years ago, he mothballed his mountain bike and switched to the road. Today, Albert describes himself as a pleasure biker and fair-weather cyclist. Last year he bought an Orbea Occam M30 and adapted it to his needs with a few modifications. Since then, he has occasionally taken the all-mountain bike on tours over 300 to a maximum of 1000 metres in altitude. Albert has rediscovered the fun of biking, but safety and technique are still lacking. For BIKE, the newcomer takes on the challenge of his first tour with 3000 metres of elevation gain.
BIKE Mission 3000 - the challenge on the Eisjöchl: 3000 vertical metres / 90 kilometres
High above Naturno lies the Schafrichter of the BIKE Mission 3000: one of the most notorious mountain biking challenges in Europe. With around 2400 metres in altitude in one go, the ascent to the Eisjöchl is the longest rideable climb in the Eastern Alps - at least in theory. However, it's not just the air that gets thinner over the last 900 metres in altitude, but also the path and the twists and turns of the singletrack trail. Counting hairpin bends can be as motivating as it is gruelling for the mind. The seemingly endless descent is also tough and will demand not only Albert's stamina but also his riding technique.
Albert will probably be rubbing his eyes in Naturns. Not because it's uphill - that's what the BIKE Mission 3000 is all about - but on our challenge route on the Eisjöchl, the metres in altitude practically pile up in one go. There's no better fitness check. - Gitta Beimfohr, BIKE travel editor
How bikers get fit for 3000 metres of altitude
It would be wrong to describe BIKE reader Albert as a complete beginner. The 39-year-old is back on the mountain bike after ten years of abstinence. In the meantime, Albert has tried his hand at road cycling and triathlon. He therefore has a certain basic level of fitness. However, 3000 metres in altitude on a mountain bike is an absolute novelty for Albert. BIKE wants to give the family man the best possible support on his 3000 metre mission and has organised some assistance for Albert. Before he can really get going, it is important to rule out the possibility of Albert developing postural problems over long distances. A bike fitting with the ergonomics experts from Ergon is therefore the kick-off for his mission. BIKE trainer David Voll has also worked out a fitness test with Albert and drawn up a training plan based on this. His training is supported by a suitable nutrition plan. You can read all the stories about Albert's bike fitting and start of training in BIKE 05/23.
Naturally, we want to accompany Albert on his training programme and in BIKE 06/23 we dedicate a special focus to Mission 3000 with the topic of fitness and nutrition. In it, we not only show exercises to copy, but also present ergonomically optimised bike parts that can help you achieve your own Mission 3000. To give Albert more confidence on his All Mountain Fully, we take him to a riding technique coaching session and show him which tricks are important on a long tour. Find out in BIKE 07/23 whether Albert can finally complete his mission on the Eisjöchl successfully.
BIKE Mission 3000 Challenger Albert in an interview
BIKE: Albert, you are the protagonist for the BIKE Mission 3000. Please introduce yourself briefly.
Albert MiethanerI am 39 years old and have an eight-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter. As a qualified IT specialist, I work at Munich Airport. My team there looks after the control centre operations for the airport fire brigade and corporate security. I am passionate about technology and automation. In my free time, I also enjoy volunteering with the fire brigade and astrophotography. I generally enjoy being outdoors, not only on my bike but also doing archery. I also go climbing with my older son from time to time. I would love to do more, but there are only 24 hours in a day.
How long have you been mountain biking?
I bought a bike last year. I used to go mountain biking quite often, but that was a good ten years ago. Back then, I discovered the sport of triathlon for myself and fell in love with the course. With a mountain bike, the radius at home is quite limited, which is why almost everything has shifted to the road in recent years. Since then, the most I've done on my old bike was a short ride with the kids in the village.
You've been back on your mountain bike since last year. What do your tours usually look like?
If I manage to get on my bike once or twice a week, that's a lot at the moment. I'm a self-confessed fair-weather cyclist and, depending on the weather, I switch between road bike, roller in the garage and mountain bike. In my area, I cycle 30 to 50 kilometres and 300 to almost 1000 metres in altitude per tour. Together with my mates, we also go to the Alps once or twice a year. We have already booked a riding technique course for this year. Although I've rediscovered the fun of mountain biking, I'm not yet confident due to a lack of technique.
With your racing bike experience, you're not starting from scratch in terms of fitness. Do you see cycling as targeted training?
My entry into the triathlon world brought this with it. Back then, I worked with a trainer and started with training control via a watt meter. Today, I'm no longer so obsessed with it, but have moved on to leisure and pleasure biking.
Why did you apply for Mission 3000 just now?
The challenge really appeals to me and I enjoy the sporting challenge. I've never managed 3000 metres in altitude before. A few years ago I did 2200 metres in altitude on a racing bike, but it's a different story on a mountain bike. My father liked the landscape in the Regensburg region, which is why I often filmed my tours to show him. That's how my own hobby YouTube channel came about over time. But I'm not particularly creative. That's why I'm also interested in the production process of the story at BIKE.
The challenge takes you up the Eisjöchl. Including: the longest ascent in the Eastern Alps. What goes through your mind when you think about it?
The long climb will certainly be tough. The distance is also quite a challenge on a mountain bike. I think it's basically manageable, but I'm worried that I'll reach the limit. I hope the steep sections, where you have to pedal really hard, are limited, because I'm still pretty wrecked at the moment and it takes me a while to get my head round them. So I have respect, but overall the anticipation prevails. I know the area and I know that the scenery there is fantastic.
What kind of bike are you currently riding and what do you think could be improved?
I ride an Orbea Occam M30 All Mountain from 2022 with a few modifications. In terms of ergonomics, I currently find it suitable for me, but I'm happy to get tips from professionals. Bike fitting is always an interesting thing, because I've adjusted everything myself for the most part. For technical issues that go beyond adjusting the height of the seat post, I get help from my trusted bike shop.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
