The bad word of the year: the "favorite tour

Many mountain bikers often babble away blithely without realizing the meaning of their words. That's why blog author Thomas Giger chooses his unword of the year every year. For 2021, it's "favorite tour". A term that shouldn't really exist because the appeal of mountain biking lies precisely in its diversity. Rankings are the pure opposite of this.

I can't count how many times I've been asked this question: What my favorite tour is. Initially, I gave it some serious thought and tried to rank my tour palmarès. Until I realized: This is neither possible nor sensible. After all, the appeal of mountain biking lies in its diversity. Where, pray tell, is the basis for comparison between a flowing route in the Black Forest and a high alpine route in the Engadine? Both tours are wonderful but have virtually nothing in common apart from the means of transportation. The term "favorite tour" means nothing more than comparing apples with pears. That is why there should not and cannot be a "favorite tour" for mountain bikers. Anyone who chooses one anyway fails to recognize the appeal of diversity.

Instead, I have adopted a different strategy: Every tour I'm currently on is my favorite tour at that exact moment. Because most routes have their appeal, so I can say: "I'm in exactly the right place today." That may sound like romanticized kitsch, but it makes my life as a mountain biker more attractive and makes me happier. And that's what the quintessence is all about.

And because this means that quite a few "favorite tours" come together in one year, I have picked out a few that I particularly remember looking back on 2021. They couldn't be more different - and that's precisely the appeal of mountain biking.

Season highlight 1 - Carnic High Trail in Sesto

Sesto is located on the northern edge of the Dolomites and along the first mountain ridge outside the Dolomites there is a seemingly endless single trail through the terrain. I tackled this tour after a rainy day the day before. The result was a crystal-clear view of the Three Peaks region opposite.

View and download the tour: ride.ch/touren/karnischer-hoehenweg-sexten

Season highlight 2 - Lais da Rims in Scuol

The Lais da Rims are located in the middle of a rocky plateau far above Scuol. I was familiar with the area from previous tours, but this was the first time I had climbed it from the south. The tough ascent with climbing sections and rope protection was followed by an unparalleled spectacle. The Lajet de Lischana is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Graubünden, then it's downhill on trails through the high alpine terrain with the Val d'Uina as the final point.

View and download the tour: ride.ch/touren/lais-da-rims

Season highlight 3 - Tour du Grand Combin

The Valais and the Aosta Valley are among the best trail spots in the Alps. The three-day Tour du Grand Combin combines the regions to create a high alpine super tour. We rode the tour as part of a ride camp, two days with virtually no clouds, perfect trails and wonderful company. Three days that are hard to beat in terms of intensity.

View and download the tour: ride.ch/touren/tour-du-grand-combin

Season highlight 4 - Lago di Colina in Valtellina

I like discovering new regions. And there are surprises from time to time. One of them was the descent from Lago di Colina down to Sondrio in Valtellina. This 1300-metre trail is a flow spectacle of the highest order. When I arrived at the bottom, I was as happy as a little child at Christmas. It was the joy of surprisingly discovering a new trail highlight.

View and download the tour: ride.ch/tours/lago-di-colina

Season highlight 5 - Aosta in October

The Aosta Valley is a must in October: the golden yellow larch backdrop surrounded by the snow-covered mountain giants Mont Blanc, Grand Combin, Monte Rosa and Grand Paradiso, with the unbeatable Aosta trails in the middle - that's great trail cinema year after year. Due to the low snow conditions, the high-altitude classics such as the Banzai Trail and Punta Leysser could be ridden this year. First on the occasion of the traditional ride camp, and because it was so beautiful, again the following weekend.