Biking through an abandoned mine in Austria

Occasionally we come across odd items that probably don't reach the British and American cycling press, so we like to pass them on to you. A MTB tour company in the South of Austria just east of Klagenfurt offers a number of tours through an abandoned mine on the Austrian-Slovenian border. The basic seven km tour is not for sufferers from claustrophobia, but two guides, pit helmets and lamps ensure safety.

After the trip underground there is a downhill trip to a mining museum and the option of cycling back to the start or taking a minibus. Cost is between €49 and €69. Hire bikes are available.

The area is a hot bed of mountain biking.

The websites shown below are all in German, but you can always use Google translator.

Sportcenter Klopeinersee, Christian Pongratz, Ostuferstrasse 9, A - 9122 St. Kanzian

Web:www.sportcenter.at, EMail: info@sportcenter.at

Tel: +43 4239 3245, Fax: +43 4232 89579, Mobil: +43 676 344 499 9

http://www.stollenbiken.at/?inc_id=7