Alpen­überqerung

Several times each year, I work as part of the Alpenevent team to escort groups of mountain bikers during a six day adventure over the Alps.  My destinations include Lake Garda, Lake Como, Millstätter See and Sistiana (Slovenia).

Passion for Cycling

I've had a passion for bicycles and cycling from an early age. This stems partially from my early age interest in all things mechanical and my Grandfather's enthusiasm for helping me, as a young boy, understand these things. Particularly how to take care of my bike and the why it's so important.

Andrew Upton, Mountainbike Guide bei Alpenevent


Mountain bike guide for Alpenevent

One of my greatest experiences is to lead 6-day tours across the Alps for the company, Alpenevent.

I've been guiding for Alpenevent since 2014 and regularly ride over the Alps from southern Germany, through Austria, Switzerland and Italy at least 4 times per year.

When riding for Alpenevent, you certainly know we've arrived. The usual caravan exists of up to 30 participants, 3 guides and a very valued colleague who takes care of all the logistics.

My first adventure over the Alps was in 2005, from Erwald (Austria) to Lake Garda (Italy). I still remember the excitement of waking up in the morning and preparing myself mentally and physically for the day's ride. The feeling of euphoria at reaching the destination, looking back and seeing the mountains we had ridden over. This was the drug that drove me to ride again and again over the Alps. I've lost count now of how many times.

I'd ridden, as a customer, with Alpenevent many times over the Alps. In 2013, during their first Dolomiti tour, I was invitation to join the team as a guide. Although a little late in my cycling career, I gratefully accepted the invitation and enrolled in the required training with DIMB (Deutsche Initiative Mountainbike).

But before I could take the responsibility of leading paying customers, I needed to learn the tours in every last detail. That meant riding the different tours, alone with my rucksack full of maps, while taking copious notes and photos én-route.  


"Die Waffe"

Wie von meinem Radsportfreund, Moritz, genannt

Road Race & Time Trial

Andrew Upton, BCF Road Race Cyclist. Beauvale C.C., UK

This newspaper cutting is probably from between 1980 and 1982 while I was a member of the Beauvale Cycling Club, based in Eastwood, Nottingham.

From the age of 17, and for next 12 years, I held a British Cycling Federation Race Licence. I regularly competed in Road Race events of 70-80 miles (112-128km), city centre Criterium, solo and team time-trials.

Although I enjoyed the excitement of Criterium or the strategy of Road Race, my most successful discipline was time-trial. In particular, the two-up team time-trial with my training partner, Brian Fergie (deceased). We had great success together as our riding styles complemented each other; me with a fast start, Brian with a fast finish. We perfected the art of riding just a couple of inches behind each other to take advantage of maximum drag.

The enthusiasm for cycle racing started when I worked, during my student years, as a bike mechanic for Richard Harley (deceased), in Hucknall. Richard was an ex-professional cyclist and was the real driving force behind getting me hooked on racing. As a mechanic, he taught me how to building and maintain professional race bikes and custom wheels.

My race bike at the time was a hand-made Aendé from Alan (Pongo) Braithwaite, Nottingham. Aendé frames now have a cult following, shame I sold mine. The frame was made from British Reynolds 531 steel tubing. Today I ride a hand-made Stanton Switch9er mountain bike frame, also from British Reynolds 631 steel tubing.


Hoch König

I never cease to be in awe of this magnificent view, each year when I ride from Chiemsee to Millstätter See with Alpenevent.

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