The Alpenbrevet Odyssey: A transformative journey to participate in Switzerland’s most iconic cycling event
The Alpenbrevet Odyssey is a training and support program that prepares women to ride the Alpenbrevet with confidence, resilience, and community.
Our destination is Andermatt, a cycling hub at the crossroads of the high Alps, and home of the legendary Alpenbrevet. Winding through some of the most iconic passes of the Alps like the Furka and Gotthard, the event is more than just a cyclosportive; it is a test of endurance. The climbs are long, the descents demand focus, and success relies on steady effort and commitment.
The Alpenbrevet Odyssey is about preparation. Together with a team of female coaches, we’ve created a structured training program that guides you to the start line with confidence. You’ll learn how to build endurance, respect your limits, and progress sustainably. The goal is to help you develop the physical and technical skills, mental resilience, and self-belief needed to complete the Silver or Gold loops of the Alpenbrevet within the time limits.
The Alpenbrevet Odyssey is limited to 20 participants!
Location
Training camp and event:
Andermatt
Dates 2026
Odyssey from April to Sept
Training camp: 10-12 June
Event weekend: 4-6 Sept
Price
From 750 CHF
Final package prices to be revealed in January 2026
What does the odyssey include?
All participants receive:
Premium Package (Limited Availability). Everything above plus :
You don’t need to be fast…just motivated and ready to commit!
Choosing between the Silver and Gold loops
Accessible to riders of all levels, from beginners to experienced cyclists, who have completed a season of consistent riding (a couple thousand kilometres in 2025) and at least one or two Alpine passes.
The Silbertour is a great introduction to the Alpenbrevet with 3 amazing passes on the program: Gotthard, Nufenen and Furka.
Expect to spend 7 hours or more on the bike. If you enjoy being on your bike, this is not a problem. We’ll spend time during the Odyssey discussing pacing, comfort, bike setup, and nutrition so the hours pass smoothly.
For intermediate to expert riders who regularly ride a few thousand kilometres per year and have already participated in at least one Alpine-style cyclosportive, such as the mediofondo of La Reine or Tour des Stations.
The Goldtour is perfect for those eager discover the region and test their limits. Four passes are on the menu: Oberalp, Lukmanier, Nufenen and Furka.
Here, strategy becomes essential. Expect to be on the bike for 10 to 15 hours, requiring careful management of effort, fuel, focus, and mental fatigue.
There is a key time cut-off: you must reach Airolo within 8 hours (130 km and 2,600 m of climbing). This means:
- climbing the first two passes at a steady tempo within your optimal zone. You don’t need to be fast, just efficient (manage the effort with minimal pauses)
- descending confidently and efficiently, so you can recover instead of stress and take advantage of gravity, not muscle, to improve your average speed
- riding comfortably in a group on the false flats. Drafting: tucking in behind the strongest rider you can find, can absolutely save your day.
The Gold requires fitness AND skill, and this program is specifically designed to provide you with this.
Choose your challenge wisely. Places are limited for each loop, and it’s first come, first served. I’ll be joining you on the Gold 💛
What are the training plans?
Coach Amélie from Test N’ Perf has created a 3-month training plan from June 1 to prepare you for either the Silver or Gold loop. Your training will be delivered through TrainingPeaks (the free version is sufficient) and can be synced to your phone, Garmin, or other device.
Basic Training Plan:
- 3 structured rides per week
Premium Training Plan:
- 3 personalised training rides per week
- 1 personalised strength-training session per week
- 2 one-to-one feedback calls per month to review and adjust your training
- a performance test (see video) to define your training zones and optimise cardiovascular progress
Coach Amélie can work with you in English, French and German.
Training Camp (premium only):
The premium plan also includes a 3-day training camp in Andermatt (June 10–12). Together, we’ll ride some of the region’s iconic mountain passes while building endurance, strength, and technical skills. The camp includes a basic and mountain workshop and is run in English and French.
The premium training plan is limited to 7 participants to ensure high-quality personal coaching and is available for both Silver and Gold riders.
The price to join the Alpenbrevet Odyssey will be published in January 2026. In the meantime, you can register your interest below.
F.A.Q.
Important information
- Yes. You will receive a link to register with the Alpenbrevet for the Silver or Gold loop.
- Yes. The cost of the start number will be reduced from your package.
- It is your responsibility to show up to all events with a working road bike, a helmet, and appropriate clothing for all weather conditions.
- You will need to equip your bike with front and rear lights for the Alpenbrevet start and potential finish in the dark depending on your moving speed. Cutoff at the finish is 21h (15 hours after the start time).
- The training program is designed around the concept of training smarter, not harder. Short but intense efforts can lead to better fitness than spending long days on the bike until you’ve exhausted/hurt yourself.
- The most important thing is to recognise that we are on a journey TO the Alpenbrevet, and I hope you enjoy the training as much as the event itself. This Odyssey is about exploring our bodies and learning about what we like, don’t like, what we are good at, and what we’d like to improve so that we show up on the start line just happy to be there and confident that we will enjoy the day.
- Training needs will vary depending on a few factors:
- loop choice
- starting fitness
- objective for the day of the event
- time availability
- experience
- In general, the training plan includes two shorter, higher-intensity rides and one longer, easier ride each week, averaging around 6+ hours of cycling per week.
- No. You don’t need to be an athlete in the traditional sense. This program is for women who love riding their bikes, are curious about what they’re capable of, and feel drawn to adventure. If you enjoy cycling and want to grow physically and mentally, you are welcome here.
- Participants come from a range of cycling levels. What matters most is not where you start, but your willingness to commit to the program.
- It’s completely normal to struggle at times during the training program with motivation and stress. Life doesn’t always work to plan. But just remember you won’t be doing this alone. The group structure, shared goal, and collective encouragement are designed to support you through moments of doubt and help you find your inner strength to keep going.
- we will spend many hours working together to complete this challenge
- each rider will climb at a speed that is manageable for their personal power output and we will regroup when needed
- we will stop to eat and drink at the official refreshment points
- there might be singing, possible laughter, and most definitely plenty of time to share fun stories on our journey.
- All Odyssey participants can take a performance test with Test N’ Perf with a 10% discount (225CHF)
- All participants can also contact Amélie directly if you wish to extend the training plan outside of the 3-month window at a favorable rate
- Any rider can also participate in any scheduled technique course (basic or mountain) as listed on the Cycling Heidi website for a 10% discount. Private 3-hour sessions are also available for the same discount (180CHF in lieu of 200CHF)
- There are no winners and losers in this race, only participants. So there is no shame in realising your limits are lower than you had hoped on the day. You have four magnificent options:
- Start the Gold, arrive in Airolo and ride the Gottard pass straight back to Andermatt. It’s a pretty awesome ride and you wont regret finishing via the Tremola
- Start the Gold, decide in Airolo to continue over the Nufunen, then decide in Ulrichen if you want to ride the Furka, or take a train straight back to the hotel and chill.
- Start the Gold, ride as long and as far as you want and take a train back to the hotel when you’ve had enough.
- Turn left at the first roundabout instead of right and ride the Silver loop instead
- It’s about having a beautiful day in the mountains, and not about the destination. Enjoy the ride!
- A non-refundable 200CHF deposit will be required to reserve your space (once pricing is published).
- Full payment is due by April 15, 2026. After this date, the payment (excluding deposit) is refundable under the following conditions:
- Before May 31, 2026, 90% refundable
- From June 1 – July 31, 2026, 50% refundable
- From August 1, 2026, non-refundable
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