TOUR readers' highlights: These were our moments of happiness in 2023

Stelvio Pass: Frank Henninger: 48, Korntal-Münchingen

My highlight was the ascent to the Stelvio Pass. It was the eighth time I had cycled up - seven times the 48 hairpin bends on the South Tyrolean side. I set off early in the morning so there was no car traffic on the Stelvio. On the final ascent, I was accompanied by marmot whistles, every bend was a pleasure and I cycled uphill towards the blue sky.

Everesting on the Rossfeld: Martin Nock, 54, Berchtesgaden

My highlight of the season was Everesting at Roßfeld in Berchtesgaden. We went on 22 July for the Berchtesgadener Land & Traunstein children's cancer charity and our mountain rescue service in Ramsau. A good 500 participants climbed and raised around 21,000 euros in donations. After the eleventh ascent, I had completed the 8848 metres in altitude. Even Bora-Hansgrohe pro Toni Palzer stopped by as a guest of honour. In total, an impressive 1.25 million metres in altitude were collected.

Dream day on the Passo Gavia: Barbara Rieger, 40, Munich

The Passo Gavia (2621 metres) is one of the most beautiful passes in Italy and an absolute highlight in terms of scenery. This was my absolute dream day on a road bike in 2023. The south side from Ponte di Legno is more spectacular and can be combined with the challenging Mortirolo Pass to create a demanding tour. The entire length of the pass was resurfaced in June 2022. Bormio is also a great starting point for some of the major Alpine passes: Stelvio Pass, Umbrail, Gavia, Mortirolo, Bernina Pass, Foscagno, Cancano Lakes, Bormio 2000.

Tour through Germany: Matthias Burg, 39, Elsenfeld am Main

I cycled from Basel to Timmendorfer Strand in six days. It was an incredibly beautiful tour through the whole of Germany and a bit of Alsace. I'll never forget for the rest of my life how I cycled up the dune to the beach, heard the sea and then saw it. It was 1015 kilometres with 5921 metres of elevation gain in six days. What you can't forget are the moments when you think: "Why am I actually doing this shit?" I had a low point on the last stage when I cycled through Eschede and thought about the terrible train accident 25 years ago. Fortunately, 20 kilometres later I took a longer break with coffee and good sandwiches and then made it to the beach after 245 kilometres that day. I'm still so proud of this tour that I've already got one or two more things planned for next year.

A special year: Stephanie Claßen, 27, Wangen im Allgäu

Like every season, the tours started small. I then increased my daily kilometre record to 268 kilometres with the tour around Lake Constance. In the middle of the season, I rode the first small mountain passes and kept on improving. From the Oberjoch to the Stilfser Joch and Timmelsjoch. I also took part in the Arlberg Giro for the first time. The whole season was a success - there was more than one great moment!

Start of the season on Lake Garda: Timo Lippke, 25, Alfeld (Leine)

The first joint road bike tours at the beginning of May 2023 on Lake Garda were my successful start to the summer season. Fantastic weather, wonderful climbs and descents - and a great time with two friends!

Ruhr2NSC: Stefan Trippler, 52, Bochum

In 2023, I once again rode the Ruhr2NSC - 300 kilometres in one day. The weekend before, I had severe cramps on a 200-km tour and almost fell off my bike. But then it went really well on 17 June. I was travelling with friends and we arrived with an average speed of over 27 km/h. Not bad at all for a 100-kilo-plus man.

Mediterranean Epic Gran Fondo: André Schulz, 56, Benigembla (Spain)

I ride around six everyman races a year. One of the best organised in Spain takes place every year in May in Oropesa: "Mediterranean Epic Gran Fondo". Normally I always ride alone, but this year I rode with two Belgian friends and it was a great day. We opted for the short route as there aren't that many mountains in Belgium. So 112 kilometres with 1500 metres of elevation gain was enough. I'm on the far right of the photo.

TK Cycling Tour: Erik Ulrich, 40, Hamburg

My highlight, apart from many great rides in many great federal states and cities, was taking part in seven Everyman races, and the best was the TK Cycling Tour at the finale of the Deutschland Tour in Bremen. A great atmosphere and a beautiful route!

Zurich - Zermatt: Saki Tzikas, 51, Bühler (Switzerland)

My highlight of the season was Zurich - Zermatt with 260 kilometres and 5900 metres of altitude. An event of superlatives! I started at 1.30 a.m. in just under 15 degrees and perfect weather. The route took us over the Glaubenberg towards the Grimsel Pass, down into Valais and finally to Täsch. The race is a mental challenge that puts your head to the test. I rode solo and had no outside support. I've already ridden the Ötzi 16 times - which is harder and more intense, but both have their charms, both are more than just a race.