The Alpenbrevet on 7 September 2024 is already sold out - a free alternative is to ride the route on your own. The Alpenbrevet Extended is an extension of the Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet. All cycling enthusiasts can ride seven Alpine passes around Andermatt from 16 May to mid-October 2024. The Alpine Brevet passes are the Oberalp, Gotthard, Nufenen, Furka, Susten, Grimsel and Lukmanier passes.
Just like the original "Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet" event in September, the focus is on the experience rather than the competition. Between mid-May and mid-October, cyclists can take part by simply registering online and connecting to Strava or Garmin. There are digital badges to collect for each pass completed and, depending on the number of passes ridden, a different status including awards in the form of competition prizes, Alpenbrevet merchandise or a very exclusive race number as a memento. The times ridden are not listed.
Free participation with virtual badges
To take part, you have to register on the website and synchronise your rides with Strava or Garmin Connect. The activity must be publicly visible in order to receive badges. Each completed pass receives a badge that is visible in the list of participants. From three badges you achieve silver tour status, from five badges you achieve platinum tour status and with all seven passes completed you are an "Alpenbrevet legend". All passes can be travelled from both sides. Three badges enter you into the prize draw. With five badges there are undefined goodies. The time frame for the road bike tours extends from the opening to the closing of the passes.
Raffle prizes Alpenbrevet Extended:
- 1st prize: Overnight stay at The Chedi Andermatt
- 2nd prize: 1x10 Alpenbrevet starting places for 2025
- 3rd prize: 1x2 tickets for The Bash Festival Andermatt (Friday, 25 October 2024)
- 4th prize: 1x2 VIP tickets for the Verve Festival Andermatt (7 December 2024)
- 5th prize: 1x2 tickets for the Genuss Film Alpen 2025
Alpenbrevet Brand Manager, Patrick Huber, summarises the reasons for creating the new format as follows: "Firstly, the Alpenbrevet Extended motivates participants registered for September to ride the passes once and prepare themselves ideally, and secondly, we offer those who have not been allocated a starting place an ideal alternative to still experience the Alpenbrevet feeling." The idea behind this is obvious: the tourist destination Andermatt is hoping for additional holiday guests. Local hotel partners are therefore offering overnight stays at a reduced rate: Radisson Blu Reussen, The Chedi Andermatt and the Andermatt Alpine Apartments are offering participants a discount.
All information at: https://extended.alpenbrevet.ch
Kristian Bauer
Editor
