The Global Biking Initiative (GBI) is organising the GBI Ladies Transalp from 8 to 12 September 2025. The women-only event is supported by the bike brand Liv, which specialises in bikes and products for women. During the Transalp, 40 women from different regions and ability levels will cross the Alps in four stages from north to south, from Lake Constance to Lake Como.
The route of the Ladies Transalp
It all starts in Friedrichshafen. Two different routes are offered each day, one with more distance and more metres in altitude, and a shorter one with fewer metres in altitude. Well, there is one exception: the route on day 3 is the same for everyone.
If you always opt for the shorter option, you will have covered a total of 421 kilometres and 5670 metres in altitude at the end. The sum of the long routes is 498 kilometres and 8100 metres in altitude.
| Stage | Route | Stage length | Altitude metres |
| 1 | Friedrichshafen (DE) - Dornbirn (AT) | 81 km / 115 km | 500 HM / 1350 HM |
| 2 | Dornbirn (AT) - Davos (CH) | 111 km / 114 km | 1790 HM / 2190 HM |
| 3 | Davos (CH) - Chiavenna (IT) | 135 km | 2240 HM |
| 4 | Chiavenna (IT) - Barzano (IT) | 111 km / 114 km | 1140 HM / 2320 HM |
| Total | Friedrichshafen (DE) - Barzano (IT) | 421 km / 498 km | 5670 HM / 8100 HM |
On the demanding stages through the Alps, the participants experience a combination of sporting challenge, team spirit and intense nature experiences. Cycling together, overcoming boundaries and doing good at the same time. The aim is to raise funds for endometriosis research. Judith Schäfer, Liv Project Manager Germany, emphasises: "Our aim with the GBI Ladies Transalp is to raise awareness of an issue that affects many women and yet often remains hidden. For us, cycling is a symbol of freedom, strength and community. If we can use our passion to help advance research, that's a double win."
Stay tuned, please. Important!
Endometriosis is one of the most common gynaecological diseases and mainly affects women between the ages of 10 and 52, i.e. women between their first period and their last. In Germany, an estimated 70,000 women are medically treated with this diagnosis every year, although the disease is often not recognised or only recognised late. Around 32,000 women are hospitalised in Germany every year and usually undergo surgery - very often several times.
Endometriosis can be accompanied by severe pain, restrictions in everyday life and even infertility. The usual treatment usually consists of a combination of surgery and hormonal therapy. However, recurrences of the disease often occur, which further increases the physical and psychological burden for the women affected. Both surgery and hormonal therapy are associated with not inconsiderable side effects. While the pain usually subsides relatively quickly after surgery, the side effects of hormones usually persist throughout the entire course of treatment. This difficult situation with recurring symptoms and frequent periods of incapacity to work can have a serious impact on social life with corresponding negative consequences for work and relationships.
Oh yes, it usually takes years before endometriosis is diagnosed. This means for those affected: Years of pain and even fainting, years of uncertainty, years of restrictions, years of not being taken seriously.
Transalp for research
This makes it all the more important that research is carried out on the topic. That's why the Ladies-Transalp wants to raise funds to finance a research project. Under the direction of Professor Dr Matthias Korell, the Johanna Etienne Hospital in Neuss will investigate the role of exercise in connection with this common gynaecological disease.
Research question
There is an urgent need for additional treatment options alongside surgery and hormone therapy in order to improve the situation for women affected by endometriosis. In addition to the known influence of diet on the development of endometriosis and the severity of symptoms, sporting activity can also have a positive influence on the activity of endometriosis by regulating the inflammatory reaction and the immune system. The study planned at the Johanna Etienne Hospital will investigate whether sporting activity can reduce the intensity of pain before a planned laparoscopy to such an extent that an operation is no longer necessary. The use of multivitamin supplements is planned as a control group. The results could be of great benefit to affected women and could also be used in follow-up treatment.
Now it's "Cast off!"
Or as they say in cycling? Chain right!
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
