The TOUR Transalp – a legend on two wheels
For many cycling fans, it’s a myth. For me, it had been sitting on my “someday” list for years.
There was always something – wrong timing, no teammate, calendar too full.
But in 2025, it finally happened.
Perfect timing, a ready team, decently trained legs – and I had the chance to line up at the start with the freshly founded Q36.5 Racing Expedition Germany e.V.
Q36.5 – right in the middle of the action
The best part? We weren’t just riding – we were supporting the event.
Q36.5 produced the official leader and finisher jerseys for the TOUR Transalp, and I’m super proud of this amazing partnership. Definitely gave me an extra push on the pedals!
(Okay, I didn’t quite make it into the leader’s jersey, but hey… still motivating!)
Vegan, well prepared
Seven days, racing every day, across the Alps?
That’s not something you just squeeze in between breakfast and a nap.
I prepped thoroughly – especially the things that matter most to a vegan sports nerd like me:
• Nutrition (What to eat? When? How much?)
• Recovery (How to make sure I get enough protein before bed?)
My race setup came from Sportbenzin.com:
• Gels & drinks from Maurten and SIS
• Hammer Nutrition Mito Caps & Race Caps
• Recovery shakes – my sacred post-stage ritual
• Everything portioned in sandwich bags – cycling nerd meal prep at its finest
My daily routine looked like this:
6:30 AM – Drop off the travel bag (provided by the organizers) at hotel reception
7:00 AM – Breakfast, coffee, half-awake small talk
9:00 AM – Hand over the day bag, head to the start line
Then came the stage:
Climbs, views, gels, sweat, more gels, awe, water bottles, even more gels… finish line.
At the finish – straight to the chillout zone:
• Grab the day bag
• Mix recovery shake
• Pasta party (or alternatives at the food stands – even vegan options!!)
• Chat with others, laugh, compare sore legs
Afternoons – back to the hotel:
Shower, chill, Insta stories, scroll through photos (“Wow, I look wrecked in that one”), plan nutrition and gear for the next day.
Evenings – Dinner, feet up, quick chat, early to bed. Repeat.
Teamwork makes the dream work – Valerie & me
My teammate Valerie Rupitsch – a powerhouse on the bike and an absolute legend.
She was the stronger one, we both knew that – but instead of pressure, there was only support:
• Closing gaps? She did it.
• Refilling bottles, retrieving lost headphones – done.
• Finding the perfect line on the descent? Just follow her!
I tried to stick to my power zones – easier said than done when ambition kicks in.
But I knew: if you blow up on Stage 1, you’ll be crying by Stage 7.
It worked – I held my performance and even finished strong on the last day.
In the end? Fourth place instead of fifth. And two smiling women at the finish line.
Seven days together – no drama!
They say stage races are like relationship bootcamps.
But Valerie and I? We totally nailed it.
• No catfights
• No sulky silence
• Just good vibes, lots of laughter, and a clear routine
That makes a huge difference when you’re sharing a room for a week and pushing each other on the bike.
Organization – just WOW!
The TOUR Transalp is seriously a top-notch event.
At the finish, you had everything a worn-out cyclist could dream of:
• Delicious lunch
• Vegan options (!)
• Chillout zone with poufs, loungers & friendly people
• Day bag logistics that actually worked!
And the weather? Absolute sunshine bliss.
Only a tiny bit of rain – otherwise, perfect conditions.
Final thoughts: Would I do it again? Absolutely.
What’s left?
• A huge adventure
• So many great new connections
• A fourth place that feels like a win
• And one big realization: I want to do this again!
TOUR Transalp 2025 – I was there.
And 2026? Who knows…
I’ve still got a few sandwich bags left over.
Highlight moment?
We landed a full-page interview in TOUR Magazine.
How cool is that?!
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