Reutte Austria - Austrian Mountain Biking

This week's picture comes from Reutte Austria, deep in the Tirolean Alps. As the picture shows, trails in the Alps can be very rocky, making suspension a big plus. Riding in Europe is quite different than in the United States, as the distinction between public and private land is not well defined. It is not uncommon to ride though herds of cattle (watch out for the one's with horns) as you pass one small farm after another. Another difference is that it is very common to find "mountain huts" where you can stop, rest & enjoy a beer (non-alcoholic of course).

To get here (via train from Munich Germany), head towards the German town of Garmish. From Garmish (another great place to ride) you will be able to take another train to the town of Reutte. If you didn't bring your bike, don't worry, as the local bike shop rents decent mountain bikes for about $20 a day. For those travelling on a budget, there is a well kept hostel in town and a very nice campground on the edge of town.

Many towns in the US proclaim themselves to be Alps of the US. For similar riding experiences in your own backyard, try Telluride, which is near the town of Ouray in Colorado.