Jenny & Ahmed's Cycling Adventure

Paths 2 The Soul - Episode 005

From Feldkirch to Landeck (02 to 04 April 2025)

Countries Visited :

The adventure reaches new heights…

From peaceful valleys to snow-covered mountain passes, from shared laughter to silent climbs, we crossed our first true Alpine passes, carried by the raw beauty of the mountains. Between effort, dazzling snow, and unexpected encounters, each day was a lesson in patience, beauty, and humility in the face of the peaks. A symbolic passage, forever etched in our hearts.

From croissants to mountains, the path unfolds 🥐

Feldkirch → Bludenz – 25.8 km 🚴

Wake-up at 7 a.m. in our little apartment: today, we’re off on an adventure, with no accommodation planned for tonight. Jenny packs fouls and supplies. Ahmed opts for a homemade takeaway since he’s still not used to breakfast. A small moment of happiness over a good tea and coffee, before Jenny dives into a proper morning feast: fried egg, cheesy potatoes, yogurt… pure cyclist fuel! Just as everything is nearly ready, knock knock knock: Taylan and Cihan are at the door, croissants in hand, to say goodbye. A beautiful surprise that really touches us. A few photos, some laughs, some “see you soon”s, and we’re ready to hit the road, hearts light. Just before leaving, Ahmed plays the role of impromptu handyman by fixing the neighbors’ door. Then, with Syrian bread in hand, we cross through old Feldkirch to mail postcards to Lyla and Renée before slipping into the valley. The mountains rise around us, majestic and snow-draped. A magical pause near a turquoise fishing lake: hot tea, crispy croissants, dreamlike scenery. The cycle path is perfect, almost flat, lined with lakes and mountains like a painting. Further along, we discover an incredible outdoor pool, sadly still closed, and stop at another fishing hut to do a bit of work. There, a warm encounter with a retired cyclist, who recently switched to electric so he can keep climbing passes despite his age. Jenny rescues a few distressed bees, watches fish, frogs, and moorhens under the sun. Around 5 p.m., we slowly get back on the road for the last few kilometers. Still no word from Ralf… until we reach Bludenz, and bingo, the message comes through! We cross the charming town center and Jenny climbs the church tower while we wait for the right time. At 6:15 p.m., we meet Ralf and his two boys, Richard and Anton. We store the bikes and offer to cook them a traditional Egyptian dinner: homemade fouls, tahina sauce, and Syrian bread. Luckily, Ralf and Sonia are vegetarians, our dishes are a hit! We chat, we play Super Mario with the kids. Simple and warm. After the meal, a little improvised “Chapi Chapo” game on the theme of animals to pull everyone away from the screens, with lots of laughter. Sonia and Ralf share a few tips for the next stretch of our route before tucking their boys into bed. It’s a weekday, and the parents are juggling a lot. That makes it even more touching to be welcomed so openly by people who already have so much on their plate. It’s their way of passing on beautiful values to their children. We stay a while longer in the living room, sorting photos and memories, before finally diving into a well-deserved night’s sleep.

First Alpine challenges and a gentle reward...

Bludenz → Stuben – 33.9 km 🚴

After a peaceful night at Ralf and Sonia’s, we wake up to an incredible view of the mountains. Ralf is about to head off to work, he supervises large-scale infrastructure like tunnels and dams. The night before, he told us about the infamous Vajont Dam disaster of 1963. The morning is calm: the boys get ready for school, Sonia hopes to squeeze in a bit of skiing (it’s her only half-day off), and we sign the guestbook before hitting the road. Today, things get serious: we're beginning our Alpine crossing. Initial goal: Sankt Anton… except there's a 1,200 m climb ahead of us! Motivated by the sun and Sonia’s encouragement, we start the ascent gently. We stop by a pond, Ahmed realizes he’s lost a glove, unloads his bike, and rushes back to find it. Jenny, meanwhile, learns the hard way that you should always check the ground before sitting down… especially when there’s an anthill underfoot. The climb continues through a dreamlike landscape until we reach Dalaas, a charming village where we raid the Spar and bakery (budget blown). A much-needed break at the Pfarrkirche hl. Mutter Anna, where Jenny is moved to discover it looks strikingly like her childhood church. After a lightning picnic, we set off again. More climbing, more tunnels, slow progress. Along the way, we meet Silvester, a seasonal mountain guide and stylish skier, who chats with us about tight budgets and millionaire cyclists… not quite our case, unfortunately! Another pause in Langen am Arlberg: tea and pastries in front of the train station. We quickly realize we won’t be making it to Sankt Anton today. We push the bikes, skirt around tunnels forbidden to cyclists… until we find ourselves face to face with lingering snow. We power through, legs and bikes soaked. But at the end of all that effort: Stuben. Stunning, nestled in the mountains at 1,200 m altitude. Now we just need a roof over our heads... In this chic ski resort, Jenny channels her inner Cosette as she pleads outside the fancy hotels. Finally, a miracle: she finds a room at a modest price, with a huge surprise: a sauna! After dragging the bikes into the garage, unpacking, and turning the heat back on, Jenny heads out to enjoy the sunset, calls her mum and Sanaa, and even spots two chamois. Night falls quickly. Shower, sauna, a simple meal in our room, and off to bed under our big red checkered duvet. Tomorrow, the great climb continues.

Snow in our eyes, warmth in our hearts…
Stuben → Landeck - 41.3 km 🚴

Wake-up at 7 a.m. under our big red checkered duvet, today, we cross a real Alpine pass. Jenny powers through her sporty breakfast: oats, banana, dried fruits, and plant-based milk, while we mentally prepare for the big climb ahead. By 8 a.m., everything’s packed, bikes brought down, keys handed back, we’re off. No bike path, just the winding mountain road, so we stick tightly to the right and climb, stopping every 50 steps to catch our breath. Turns out the road is wide, no one honks, and the scenery is absolutely majestic. A gravel detour saves us from a tunnel, we move forward alone, surrounded by sparkling snow under the sun. Ski slopes unfurl below us, cable cars shoot straight up the mountainside, and skiers and snowboarders glide like tiny ants before our amazed eyes. Jenny discovers the world of real winter sports: a whole new universe. After hours of effort, Saint-Christoph reveals itself at 1,800 meters. We celebrate with a little video… and surprise: we run into Silvester again,, our favorite mountain guide, in his bright orange outfit, still going strong. No cafés or shelters here: we call family from the summit, then start the descent, steep but safe. In twenty minutes, we erase hours of climbing! In Sankt Anton, we share a delicious pizza Primavera in the middle of a posh resort where our bikes look a bit out of place among ski boots clacking like Transformers. We try to find a camping spot via city hall or the tourist office, no luck. So, we decide to keep going. Thankfully, a beautiful cycle path runs along a turquoise river. As we descend, the temperature softens, and the mountains stay just as breathtaking. In the small villages, we admire painted houses, decorated churches, and meet a group of curious boys who accompany Jenny to an empty town hall, a simple but heartwarming moment. We keep riding and set our sights on Landeck. A fellow cyclist points us to a guesthouse, which redirects us to another small hotel… and then, jackpot: in a bike shop, we meet a super friendly French guy who sends us to a family-run campsite. And what a place! Erwin, the veteran camper, welcomes us warmly, then the owners, Lorenz and his Dutch wife, take over. We’re told to set up wherever we like, all for 25 euros. Tent pitched, groceries bought, we settle in for a quiet evening. But Erwin has other plans: we’re invited to join the "old-timers" for beers and 40° schnapps. A wild evening, full of laughs, though it’s bitter cold outside… Thankfully, our sleeping bag cocoons us in well-deserved warmth after this unforgettable Alpine crossing.

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Jenny & Ahmed