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Gravel biking in Austria: Challenge the Austrian way
Gravel biking is all about experiences in nature. And pushing yourself to the limit (and beyond). Two best friends decided to give the challenge a go.
Two friends, two gravel bikes, two days in Tennengau, SalzburgerLand. Austrians Marco and Florian have known each other since they were kids. But they have never been on a gravel bike tour together. Until now. The challenge: One GPS, an unfamiliar route and two days. The adventure starts in the city of Salzburg in Austria, then continues along the Salzach river.
Cycling up a summit, then back downhill, feeling the wind on your face: The gravel bike, a hybrid off-road bike with a special geometry and wide tires, is a perfect companion for both scenarios - it allows comfortable riding both on asphalt and loose ground, and therefore more flexibility when choosing routes.
Challenging Trails, Spectacular Views
Once on the road, it doesn’t take long until the first mountain climbs. Marco's and Florian's route is challenging. “You can do it,” Marco shouts to cheer on his childhood friend, who got, as he later reveals with a grin, "close to throwing the bike away" a couple of times. Luckily, the spectacular panoramic views make up for the effort every time and keep the pair motivated. This and the fact that a cosy rustic hut awaits them at the end of the day.
The next morning starts with a breathtaking sunrise. One of these that you can only experience in the mountains and that instantly make you pause. The route continues on gravel, forest paths and roads until Marco and Florian arrive back in Salzburg – with lots of memories and a deeper connection with nature – and each other.
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Marco & Florian: "The tour made our friendship stronger"
austria.info:
Marco, what was the gravel tour like for you?
Marco & Florian -:
It definitely allowed me to slow down. I felt much closer to nature than I had expected. Moving around on a bike made the connection with nature even stronger. We saw a magical sunrise from a hut. I was completely amazed.
austria.info:
How about you, Florian?
Marco & Florian -:
The time we spent in nature once again showed me how beautiful Austria is and how pleasant it is when your phone remains in your backpack for a few hours. The landscapes and the view of the Salzach river were incredible. We were also really lucky with the weather and had bright sunshine on both days.
austria.info:
Why is Austria the perfect place for a gravel bike tour?
Marco & Florian -:
We started in Salzburg, one of the most beautiful cities in Austria. Cycling along the Salzach river, we soon found ourselves surrounded by nature and mountains. This diversity can often be found in Austria. The scenic views and stunning lakes made the tour even better. Staying overnight in an alpine hut is a unique experience I’d recommend to everyone. Sharing it with friends is beyond words.
austria.info:
Talking about friendships, Marco, what was it like to take the tour with your best friend?
Marco & Florian -:
It was a physical challenge for both of us. But we cheered each other on along the way. We also felt immense gratitude. We have known each other for over 30 years and the tour was definitely another memorable experience. Life is about collecting moments that you will remember and talk about in old age. It was a really cool experience and I’d be totally up for another tour like this!
austria.info:
Did you have a similiar experience, Florian?
Marco & Florian -:
It was great fun, and it’s definitely one of these experiences that you will keep thinking about for a long time. I believe the gravel bike tour made our friendship even stronger.
