The Bike Republic Sölden is gradually approaching the final stretch of the 2024 season – until 6 October, you can still ride, jump, climb, enjoy, and laugh to your heart’s content in the mountain biking democracy of the Ötztal. As it’s typical for the final stretch, the Bike Republic is pulling out all the stops when the season comes to an end. September is packed with high-profile events such as the BYND Festival and the Swatch Nines, and the National Holiday of the Bike Republic will be the grand finale. Not to mention the ideal mountain biking conditions in late summer.
(High) Alpine Autumn Fun
With mild temperatures and sunny weather, Sölden’s lines and trails are perfect for extended mountain bike and enduro tours, which would be much more tiring in the height of summer. The low sun casts the back of the Ötztal valley between the glaciated Weißkamm and the Wildkarspitze in warm autumn light, and the surrounding three-thousand-meter peaks create a stunning panorama. On the quieter side of the Bike Republic, where uphill climbs rely entirely on your muscle power without lift support, there are some hidden gems to discover. For those who find this too strenuous even in autumn, you can always switch to the vibrant side and exhaust yourself by collecting as many vertical meters as possible.
Here, you’ll also find the new red single trail “Schlender Trail 6060,” added this year. A particularly technical and highly challenging biking experience is the high-alpine Fernar Trail, which winds steeply, with sharp turns and boulder sections, from the Tiefenbach Glacier down to Gaislach. The energy-draining Long Lines und Long Trails, which combine multiple trails and lines into a continuous run, reach incredible lengths and become a unique mountain biking experience in the autumnal setting. As an integral part of two of the three Long Lines, the seven-kilometer-long Ollweite Line, with numerous berms, jumps, rock gardens, and North Shore elements, is an absolute must-do.
BYND Festival and Swatch Nines
In mid-September, the Ötztal valley will make a statement with the Bike Republic Sölden Festival BYND The Mountain. From 13 – 15 September, this iconic festival will take place in Sölden for the first time. And it gets even better, as the Swatch Nines will also be held in the Bike Republic from 10 – 14 September, bringing the crème de la crème of the slopestyle and freeride scene to Sölden for the festival. Sam Pilgrim, Nicholi Rogatkin, Caroline Buchanan, Patricia Druwen, and more will showcase their skills during the legendary jam session, pushing each other to the limits of freeride and slopestyle.
They are sure to make the Swatch Nines Public Day on Saturday a festival highlight after battling for the Whip-Off Crown at the Signature Whip-Off by POC on Friday. But even beyond the Nines and its stars, the BYND The Mountain Festival offers plenty of action, with a packed brand area, various side events, and parties that round off the festival. Tickets for the festival are already on sale. Good news for those coming to the Bike Republic for biking and partying: on Saturday, 14 September, access to the festival grounds is included in the MTB ticket.
Festive Season Finale: #BRS National Holiday with Scottish Ambassador Danny MacAskill as Guest of Honor
The season finale is traditionally celebrated in the Bike Republic Sölden with the #BRS National Holiday, which this year takes place from 4 – 6 October. With various highlights and offerings like ride outs with pro riders, guided tours, riding technique courses, and contests, there will be plenty of good vibes and diverse action. At the 4th Sölden Bike Parade, anything that can roll is welcome, from mountain bikes to road bikes and unicycles. The skills of Bike Republic citizens will be especially tested in the contests, where glory, honor, and great prizes await in events like Bunny Hop, Bike Limbo, and Braaap Contest. In the Kids Bike Area, future stars of the scene can demonstrate their skills on the bike course and take the next step in workshops and riding technique courses. For suggestions, praise, or criticism, the citizens’ assembly is the place to be, where everyone who has something to say is given the floor. Those who prefer to watch rather than talk can enjoy Danny MacAskill’s Drop and Roll Tour. Danny, Duncan Shaw, and Co. will entertain the citizens of the Bike Republic with their spectacular stunts in four performances. All further information on National Holiday can be found here.
About Bike Republic Sölden
It’s the nation that doesn’t care about gender or generation, about your style or your skills. The BIKE REPUBLIC SÖLDEN is all about celebrating diversity and community, about surfing tracks, rolling lines and uplifting airtime. We are a home for everybody who loves biking: welcome to the REPUBLIC with ? perfectly shaped lines and ? natural trails for all levels, 2 pumptracks and numerous huts all embedded in the jaw-dropping scenery of the Ötztal Alps.
Official website: bikerepublic.soelden.com
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