The Race Around Austria Challenge was one of the best opportunities to test our Chase Up rims again. In a team of two Felix Schneider and Bernhard Weiß started as Team Chase. August, the 13th at 5pm the signal for the start was being heard in St.Georgien in the Austrian region called Attergau. The established team reached the finish line after 16 hours and 55 minutes. All in all it was a extraordinary experience on the track surrounding Upper Austria.
Already one day prior to the event Felix and Bernhard headed off to St.Georgen and met Martin Granadia for an interview. The chat and discussion with him was really interesting and detailed. If you want to learn more on Martin Granadia and his cycling blog go onto: radblog 169k.net.
Both were already looking forward to the event and in the evening before the race the last preparations were made. Felix and Bernhard were accompanied by a great team, Sebi, Augi, Marlene, Meli und Peter were the best supporters they could have.
In the first two hours on the track after having passed Braunau am Inn, there was a tough battle between Team Chase and Team Alpha which turned into a combat who will reach the leading position. The weather conditions were not very friendly as it is known for the RAA, it got more and more rainy, wet and cold. Of course, Bernhard und Felix remained defiant, did not give up and showed very high performances further on.
In the night, the two could easily match the challenges and passed Freistadt, St. Valentin and Steyr. In the morning hours they coped with the so called Hengstpass which is one of the highest passes in this challenge and followed the track to Attersee and Gmunden. Both of them worked very hard until the finish line and it was a very narrow result in the end.
Team Sareno were the first to finish with a new record time with 15 hours and 17 minutes. Our Team Chase missed the winner’s rostrum and finished as unlucky forth position behind Team Alpha who took the third place. Tough, it was a great experience and an extraordinary performance.
Start fast – cycle better – finish the best!
A huge thank you to all the highly motivated supporters: Sebi, Augi, Marlene, Peter und Melanie.
More information on the RAA Challenge
