Europe - Anyone tour around Innsbruck, Austria?

I am currently planning to ride from Newburg, OR to Jackson Hole, WY in July, 2009. From there, my wife (non-biking) and I (with full touring gear) will fly to England for her mum's 80th birthday. After two weeks there, we need to fly to Innsbruck, Austria to attend a friend's wedding about an hour south of there in northern Italy (Bolzano).

Since I will have my bike (S&S coupled in a suitcase) and gear (a second large suitcase) with me, I have the opportunity to do more touring in either Northern Italy (out of Bolzano/Lake Garda) or out of Innsbruck. I've never been to either of these areas but know that they are in the Tyrolean Alps. I would guess that between 7 and 14 days is what I am looking at. Since I have a bike box, I would like to start and stop at the same place, just to make things easier.

I've been clicking around on Google maps and one option is to ride from Innsbruck to Salzburg to somewhere near Munich and then back to Innsbruck for about a week of touring. I see that the Bodensee is also within biking distance, but would likely take a bit longer, especially since I have to get back to Innsbruck.

Of course, another option is to keep the bike in a box, take a train somewhere, and start from there.

I'd be interested in any ideas or suggestions anyone might have.

Thanks,

Ray

P.S. I cross-posted this on the touring forum, as well.

I haven't cycled around there but I've driven around the tyrol and have been to both Innsbruck and Bolzano. You could consider a side trip up the Passo di Stelvio while you're in the area as well.

The Dolomites are definitely the most spectacular mountains around there though.

You might consider touring in Italy. Head from Innsbruck to Brenner Pass, then cycle south through Bolzano all the way down to the Lake Garda via Trento. It is all a downhill ride, but the sights are awesome and the food is better in Italy! ;D.

I'm actually going to be going to Bolzano for a wedding. I'm looking to do a loop.

Where would be a good place to start a loop in Northern Italy?

Ray

Why not start it in Bolzano?

Say Bolzano-Cortina D'Ampezzo-Innsbruck-St Moritz-Bormio-Stelvio-Bolzano

Make sure you see Otze in Bolzano as well.

Alpbach is nice for a visit, nice climb up to the village....aunt has guesthaus there so I am a little biased but even so it is one of the few places that I want to go back to each year for a holiday.

I'd suggest to follow long distance cycle paths. Innsbuck is along the Inn Cycle Path, Bolzano is along the Adige Cycle Path, and they are linked via the "Passo Resia" (not Passo del Brennero, which actually has only higly trafficated roads!).

So a possibility could be this:

1) train from Bolzano to south till the "Ala" station (no box, regional trains carry complete bicycles as they are)

2) Ala -Trento - Bolzano - Merano - Malles - Resia, along the Adige Cycle Path;

3) Resia - Innsbruck, along the Inn Cycle Path.

This will take 4 or 5 days; then you could proceed towards north, from Innsbruck to Passau along the Inn Cycle Path; Passau is very nice, and then you are on the Danube, and have cycle paths in both directions east or west.
Final return to Innsbruck by regional trains, so that you can reach far places, or by bicycle if you prefer.

About the way from Trento to Passau: some informations are in my signature, because we'll take that roads in our EuroTour 2009.

Maybe you try posting your question here: http://nyx.at/bikeboard/Board/index.php
There is another web site you might find informative: http://www.quaeldich.de/
All websites in german but i see no problem posting there in english.

mfg Christian

Where would be a good place to start a loop in Northern Italy?
Depends on what you're looking for, and what you're capable of handling.

Do you have the desire and strength to ride some of the most spectacular well-paved mountain roads in the world?
Or are you looking for valley riding?

Bozen / Bolazno is near both.

Ken

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. At the moment, I have decided to take the train to Zurich and do a loop around Switzerland. Here is the route I am considering (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Switzerland-1).

Ray

hii frnd..

i am also planning for newburg and jacksonhole tours on bike..if u dont mind..we can join our groups and enjoy the life...:love: