Some energy
for the Radl-Wadln
You can ride a bike? Me too! Since the Radln with E-motor should be a piece of cake. The e-bike course in the Silberregion Karwendel proves me wrong.
We take our e-bike in the middle of Schwaz: At Pro-Bike and other rental companies, the top-maintained electric bikes are available for rent at a reasonable price. Bike pro Stephan Oberlechner will tackle a beginner's day course for me and my teenage IT colleague Sebastian. Before we're allowed to hop on, there's a safety check plus electric info. "We start with ECO, the step tour doubles your muscle power. Further up you would only have to shift gears on short passages." Safely we stand there, in the charming old town of Schwaz. Still! The correct mounting - with curved leg from behind over the saddle - Stefan shows immediately. And also the funny alternatives - with high foot swing over the frame in front. We are not allowed to ride off à la ladies' hopscotch, but sportily balanced with horizontal pedals and briefly applied brakes. This is the only way to get the second foot on the pedal within a fraction of a second. For safety's sake, says Stephan. Speaking of safety, "Some people come to me for the safety course after falling hard three times on their new e-bike." The idea hurts. Stephan demonstrates all the variants of falling over and crashing later along the tour with acrobatic agility.
Finally on tour
.Slowly by the Schwazer old part of town, swinging on the Innradweg direction Innsbruck and comfortably - with easy E-help "tour" on the Vomperberg up: E-bike is cool. Fitness needs it a little, nevertheless, there is still air for conversations and peace for the view of the landscape. Which, by the way, plays out all its magic on Vomperberg and Umlberg. Traditional farms, beautiful orchards, magnificent viewpoints. We completely forget about the bike.
Hoppala! Sitting up has to be learned
.Vomperberg, always steeply uphill leads the asphalt road in the forest. Stop at the road wheel. We are to "species-appropriate" on the Radl. What we show, does not inspire the guide at all. The first overturn, in the middle of the road. "So again, dear people: put the bike crosswise, put on the brakes, put the pedals in the balance and swing your leg over the saddle from the uphill side." Pedal against the brake pressure and immediately put the second leg on the pedal. That's how it's supposed to work. Darn, does the good man want to explain to us that we've been riding up the bike the wrong way for years? Sebastian grins, I practice. Finally we are allowed to bike with Eco again - until the Karwendelrast.
Single trail for greenhorns
.The route meanders along on the idyllic quiet terrace of the Silver Region between Vomperberg, Umlberg and Georgenberg, on side roads and wide forest paths. Except for the Adventure Passage! A short narrow path, across the dense forest: our single trail, our first! Sebastian and I preferred "neat" wide paths for cycling until now. Now Stephan really gets going! "Look far ahead, imaginary line on the uphill side of the slope, ready to brake with the index finger." We carefully hop over roots and a small step, soft brushwood soil and a gully with coarse stones. Hunger percent safe. Guide be thank!
Almost felt out a sore muscle
.On the 22-kilometer lap, we took it easy on the engine - and worked up a sweat. I attribute the slight pulling in my lower legs the day after to the tense sitting: It can't be that e-biking is exhausting! In any case, it's sporty - and fun. I recommend a technical course to anyone who buys such a great e-machine under 400 MW: "Take half a day and learn it properly before you risk a crash!" The best stage for this is, of course, the Silver Region - with its far-reaching trails designated on the bike map. They span from Tyrol's northern border at Hinterriß to the southernmost point at Rastkogel. Stephan Oberlechner only recommends the pass paths to really experienced e-bikers. But between the high Alpine passes and the villages in the valley lies a true e-bike El Dorado.