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Last time I discussed the alpenbrevet with @peter_v and @Brommers in the weekend ride thread, back in 2015 when I did the gold edition starting in Meiringen, I expected to take care of the platinum the next year. Since then a lot of life and no training happened until I realized it could be now or never in 2023. I finally started training in January, did a much smaller amount than hoped, and nearly withdrew in August, when a ride over a couple of the passes seemed quite hard enough.
In the end I lined up, very nervous about the 5 minute-spaced, motorbike paced starting groups for the descent to Wassen, and how to beat the clock in Airolo (I.e. last group would be 1/2 an hour behind and won't all those obviously faster and more serious types just push me and my 15 year old bike to the back...)
After the passes were closed by snow earlier in the week, the day was cool and dry so no overlooking, I got in the first wave no trouble and attitudes were good all day. I made the checkpoint after three passes in time. What would happen after that remained to be seen but I just tried to patiently keep going forwards. Tried taking turns in a couple of groups down to Biasca but they were just too fast, very impressed by the power and descending of many other participants. Finally made the Oberalp pass at 9pm, came out of a well lit gallery into pitch black and realized my front light had died. I had a spare backlight and by total luck, a spare cable tie for the start number that I just stuffed in my pocket in the morning because I didn't know what else to do with it. Made it down very slowly and illegally but was not banned from future editions on the spot.
Total time was a few seconds under 15 hours, the finish was still open, on my terms, I made it! It was a really great day, very proud to have done it at last, don't think I need to/can do it again.
Most impressive participant: maybe an older guy not obviously 'built for climbing', in a 2023 Paris-Brest-Paris finishers jersey, what for a recovery ride!
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xrayspex
@peter_v
Enjoyment has many faces. Actually I was close to throwing the towel and taking the train back to Andermatt after reaching the top of Passo Lucomagno... because I was stupid enough to ride too fast and take too many turns at the front of a little peloton from Airolo to Biasca. This made the last 3 cols erm, challenging. Ended up finishing just (in time) before dark. https://www.strava.com/activities/185062324
If you are experienced in spreading the effort on long, hard rides you may enjoy it more! Good luck :-)