Bad Goisern, Austria event 12th July 2008

Link to the Bad Goisern website HERE>>

Bad Goisern, Austria 11-13 July 2008 (Race Day 12th July 2008)

The Salzkammergut Trophy in Bad Goisern, Austria has been an annual fixture in the European Marathon calendar for more than a decade and has also been part of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series for many years now. Once again Bad Goisern a small alpine village nestled in the beautiful Hallstatt-Dachstein-Salzkammergut UNESCO World Heritage Region will be the destination of the ‘Merida Bikes MTB Marathon on holiday’ round in 2008. If you are looking for something a little bit different when it comes to riding mountain bike marathons or simply want a great and ‘different’ weekend which sets itself apart from the UK marathons than this is an event worth looking at.

What an awesome mountain bike-area!
"In July 2007, I was for more than week in Bad Goisern and also participating at the Salzkammergut Trophy. As I’m biking every day I’ve seen already many bike places – but I’m really thrilled by this region – the Salzkammergut is one of the most beautiful areas for mountain bikers I’ve seen so far.  An awesome landscape with mountains, lakes and alpine pastures – great for challenging tours – never a dull moment. You want an easy trail – that’s ok. You want to ride a tough one – also okay! You got it all. And the people here are really nice. Riding the bike here in the Salzkammergut is one of the best - you can't top it!"

Gary Fisher

So join and get the chance to ride amongst snow capped mountains, past crystal clear mountain lakes, discover a cheer endless trail network, be part of one of the biggest mountain bike marathons in Europe (with more than 3000 participants) and inhale clean mountain air in one of the most breathtaking holiday areas in Europe.

With over 1,300km of signposted trails in the area and surrounded by awesome mountains and shimmering lakes on all sides, it’s a region with unlimited possibilities and a great area for holidaying. But it is not just a haven for cyclists. Bad Goisern has lots to offer for the whole family. Lovely walks through alpine gardens, shops and museums, or just relax in one of the many street cafes and restaurants.

News 2008
In 2008 there will be a new course routing regarding the shortest distances of 25 km. On the one hand the downhill parts were too difficult for beginners and unicyclists and on the other hand the 25 km course became overcrowded in the area of the Ewige Wand – Eternal Wall – due to overlapping with other courses. The three distances with 53, 109 and 208 km will remain unchanged.

Also new is a Unicycle Downhill Competition in Gosau on Sunday morning! Those who do not own a unicycle may rent them at the local bike shop, or just watch this spectacle as a visitor!

Especially for participants of the “Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series” the organizers in Bad Goisern have made the following improvements:

How does entering the event work:
Simply fill in the entry form (hop onto the Entry Form page and download a copy – no online entry possible on the Austria round - or send an SAE to: The Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series, F.A.O. John Lloyd, 5 Irfon Road, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3DE if you don’t already have one). Make sure that you fill in your e-mail address and your telephone number clearly so that we can get in touch with you. Please do not send your payment for the Austrian event to John Lloyd in Builth, instead please send entries that are ONLY for the Salzkammergut Trophy to: mjw marketing, 7 Edward Road, Arnos Vale, Bristol, BS4 3ET, making cheques for the entry fee payable to ‘mjw marketing Ltd.’.

The costs for the package deal will be invoiced to you by our colleagues in Austria and can be paid by credit card. If you have any queries please ring mjw marketing on 0117 9040139 or e-mail info@mtb-marathon.co.uk.

Entry fee for event (payable to mjw marketing ltd):
208km course = £ 48
109km course = £ 33
53km course = £ 30
25km course = £ 23

Further information about the events will be announced via the website (www.mtb-marathon.co.uk) and our frequent MTB-Marathon newsletter, so watch this space.

Rent a Bike!
Due to the cooperation with the local Bike Shop it is possible now to rent a top quality mountain bike for the Salzkammergut Trophy. The rent for this special weekend is cheaper than the freight chargers of most airlines! There are about 40 bikes available between the frame seizes 17” and 21”.

For example:

• Merida Matts Hardtail, Alu Frame, SR Suntour Lockout Gabel, Shimano XT/Deore, Avid V-Brake
• KTM Sedona Hardtail, Alu Frame, RockShox Reba Gabel, Shimano XT/Deore, Magura HS33 Brakes
• Kellys Mobster Hardtail, Carbon Frame, SR Suntour Lockout Gabel, Shimano XT, Hayes Strocker Disc Brakes
• Kellys Raptor Hardtail, Alurahmen mit Carbonhinterbau, Rockshox Reba SL LO Gabel, Shimano XT/XTR, Shimano XT Disc Brakes
• Kellys Toxic Fully, Alurahmen mit Manitou Dämpfer, RockShox Recon LO Gabel, Shimano LX/XT, Hayes Strocker Disc Brakes

Prices:
Merida und KTM EUR 16,- per day (about 12,- GBP)
Kellys EUR 32,- per day (about 23,- GBP)
Rent Garmin GPS units with digitally stored bike tours of the region for only EUR 7,-  per day! (about 5,50 GBP)

Special Travel Offers:
In cooperation with our Travel partner ‘Pro Travel’ we offer a great package deal for every biker taking part in this fantastic event. This is your chance to enjoy biking in the great alpine outdoors, to relish the outstanding hospitality and regional cuisine and above all to experience one of Europe’s best mountain bike marathon events.

If you fancy making a slightly longer trip or maybe adjusting the level of accommodation just contact the above number or email and we will do our best to help.

For all those who would like to combine their participation in the marathon with a holiday – the region offers numerous possibilities: bike tours for several days like the Dachstein circuit or the Trans Salzkammergut, but also a hiking vacation or swimming in crystal clear water of those beautiful lakes with or without your family is a great way of spending your holiday!

The package includes:
Accommodation in the Alpenhotel Dachstein in Bad Goisern which boasts an indoor swimming pool and sauna (check details also in English on http://www.ruperti-hotels.de/english/alpenhotel-dachstein/index.html)
- Three days or one week breakfast and dinner
- Transport to and from Salzburg airport (SZG) to Bad Goisern**
- 1 music evening
- Maps and other information

Prices are (per person):
3 nights - Double/twin room EUR 218,- (about 163.- GBP)*  
7 nights - Double/twin room EUR 439,- (about 327.- GBP)*  
Single room supplement: EUR 16,- (about 12.- GBP) per night

One week stay in a B & B or private room including breakfast and transfer from the airport** costs EUR 239,- per person* (about 179.- GBP)
Single room supplement: EUR 7,- per night (about 5.50 GBP)

*Prices are based on a minimum of four people to be picked up at the same time from Salzburg Airport. When arriving at July 10th or 11th and departing at July 13th or 16th there are normally more than 4 people per flight. If less people are picked up a surcharge will apply.

1 person transfer: surcharge per person per journey EUR 65,- (about 49.- GBP)
2 person transfer: surcharge per person per journey EUR 35,- (about 49.- GBP)
3 person transfer: surcharge per person per journey EUR 25,- (about 49.- GBP)

**surcharge applies for a transfer from Linz (LNZ) EUR 20,-! (about 15.- GBP)

How does the booking of the package deal work:
Please simply send an email with your name and address details, with the names of the people who are travelling with you and your flight information to: info@mtb-marathon.co.uk. We will get in touch with you and discuss your trip.

Alternativel you can get in touch with Pro Travel directly:
Contact details:
Ernst Haberl
Reisebüro Pro Travel, Salzkammergut Incoming GmbH
Pilgerstrasse 152, 5360 St. Wolfgang, Austria
phone: ++43 (0)6138 2525-10     fax: ++43 (0) 6138 3054
email: protravel@st-wolfgang.at
www.protravel.at

Cheap flights to Salzburg (SZG):
Please note that the package deal does not include flights. Don’t forget to book your bikes on each flight and check the restrictions regarding hydraulic disc brakes. There are many budget flight operators flying to Austria. These include:

from London (LGW) www.britishairways.com
from London (STN) www.ryanair.com  
from Coventry (CVT) www.thomsonfly.com
from Manchester (MAN) www.thomsonfly.com
from Dublin (DUB) www.ryanair.com

There are also some extra charter flights available:
All flights go out on Wednesdays and can only be booked via www.inghams.co.uk
Birmingham BHX (Thomsonfly)
Bristol BRS (Austrian Group)
Dublin DUB (Futura Gael)
London LGW (British Airways)
Manchester MAN (Thomsonfly)
Newcastle NCL (Thomsonfly)  

In case you want to sort out the trip yourself or want to plan your next biking holiday in the Salzkammergut area and need some further information then a good starting point would be the Salzkammergut Tourist Information (English Speaking). You can contact them at:

Tourismusverband Inneres Salzkammergut
Kirchengasse 4
4822 Bad Goisern, Austria
Tel: +43 6135 / 8329
Fax: +43 6135 / 8329 – 74
E-mail: info@trophy.at

For the train and bus schedules from the airport to Bad Goisern please see www.oebb.at/en.
Airport Salzburg (SZG) – Bus stop “Salzburg Airport”
Airport Linz (LNZ) – Railway station “Hörsching”
Airport Graz (GRZ) – Railway station “Flughafen Graz-Feldkirchen”
Airport Vienna (VIE) – Railway station “Vienna International Airport”