Let’s Go Biking!

Four Routes

ALPINE

1

To the Kreuzwiesen Alm

The Kreuzwiesen mountain lodge (1,924 m) is a popular destination when cycling on the Rodenecker and Lüsner Alm mountain pasture – not only because of the views of the Peitlerkofel mountain, but also the delicious pressed dumplings prepared using cheese from the lodge’s own alpine dairy. Accessible via a longer circular route from Lüsen/Luson or an easier thereand-back route from Rodeneck/ Rodengo.

From Lüsen:

Distance: Ascent:

Terrain:

24 km 1,120 m

Tarmac, gravel, forest tracks

From Rodeneck (Zumis car park):

Distance:

Ascent:

Terrain:

CHILLED – FOR TREKKING CYCLISTS OR BIKEPACKERS

2 Valley cycling route

Running along a former railway line on a well-maintained tarmac track far from any traffic, this gentle valley cycling route takes you through the Eisacktal valley from Brenner/Brennero (accessible by train) to Sterzing/Vipiteno, and then to Brixen/Bressanone and Klausen/Chiusa, which are ideal pit stops for a coffee, spot of lunch or visit to a museum.

Brenner–Brixen–Klausen:

Distance:

Ascent: Terrain:

60 km 180 m ascent Tarmac, some light gravel sections

FUN OR STEEP – FOR FAMILIES OR THRILL-SEEKERS

3 Brixen Bikepark

Take the cable car up the Plose mountain to the Brixen Bikepark and you’ll find a choice of four downhill lines of varying difficulty, from kid-friendly to challenging.

Jerry Line

Distance:

Ascent:

Terrain:

4 The Würzjoch pass

4.2 km 300 m

Tarmac, gravel, forest track

Sky Line (level: “expert”)

Distance:

Ascent: Descent:

Terrain:

6.6 km 1,000 m 13% Trails (gravel, loose soil, obstacles) brixen.org/bike

18 km 350 m

Gravel and forest tracks, brief single track section luesen.com

This panoramic route for experienced road cyclists takes you from the gently rolling hills of Natz-Schabs/Naz-Sciaves down to Brixen and then steeply uphill towards the Plose mountain and to the Würzjoch pass, with spectacular views of the Aferer Geisler and Peitlerkofel peaks. Once you’ve reached the top of the pass, enjoy the rapid descent into the Gadertal valley, before taking the lovely Pustertal valley cycle path back to Natz-Schabs via Mühlbach/Rio di Pusteria.

Distance: Ascent: Terrain:

102 km 2,300 m Tarmac

Suckler Cow Husbandry

In suckler cow husbandry, cows and calves live together as a herd. During their first few months of life, the calves drink their mothers’ milk and the mother cows are not milked for dairy production. After a few months, the calves start to graze in the meadows. This form of cattle rearing is especially ethical and natural. It also produces very high-quality beef.

Did you always know you’d take over the family farm one day?

I always had a feeling I would, yes. But, like with sport, my parents never put any pressure on me. My father just asked me frankly a few years ago whether he could give me the farm. And that made me so happy! Twenty years ago, he redeveloped our Unterplattnerhof so we could start offering farm holidays. I later invested in the business too and built two additional chalets for guests. We keep a suckler herd (see info box) and grow potatoes in our field. We also keep ponies, Haflinger horses, hens and sheep. Last autumn, for the very first time, I took part in the ceremonial herding of the sheep down from the mountain pastures for winter. It was a fantastic experience! What I love most of all, though, is discovering all the different ways we can live off the land and be self-sufficient. We have almost everything we need here.

What was it like growing up on a farm like yours?

When I was younger, we lived in the old farmhouse and I had a tiny bedroom without any heating. In winter especially, I had to wrap myself up tightly in my bedding to get warm. Our only source of warmth was our wood-burning stove, which heated our dining room and kitchen. Three years ago, I built a new house alongside the old one and moved in with my family. I’m really proud of it!

When you were a professional athlete, you trained for up to five hours a day. Now your daily routine is shaped by the needs of your family and your farm. Was that a big change?

Five hours is nowhere near enough for all the work I have to do as a farmer – and a father. I’m usually in bed by 9pm, but get up at 4am to do my admin. And then if the little ones wake up, I’m there for them too. Since becoming a farmer, I’ve needed a lot more patience. If a cow doesn’t fall pregnant straightaway, you just have to wait!

Do you still need a gym membership now that your cycling career has come to an end?

No, working on the farm is the best workout there is!