Luckily, around Ischgl, the 'real thing' can be as tame or extreme as you want, such is the large amount of choice in this area. I started off tame, following a wide gravel track up the Paznaun Valley to the village of Galtür. It was cycling along this route that I realised something: I was able to look up and around me at the stunning mountain scenery. Although I can do this while on a normal bike, I usually find myself staring at the track directly in front when panting up a steep slope. With a motor assisting my (very little) efforts I could just enjoy the ride, with minimal risk of increasing my fitness.

 

The trail passed through peaceful villages and the occasional field. At one point there was a field of bright blue enzian flowers, which are used in the valley for everything from schnapps to lotions. Galtür sits at 1600m and the air here is reputedly so good that asthmatics come to breath easy, which indeed I was having easily ascended 318 metres. Here, at the end of the valley, there is a small downhill trail lfor mountain bikers to practise on before ascending on the Alpkogelbahn to 1,974 metres. 

 

Being a welcoming place for mountain bikers, Galtür's cable cars can accommodate cycles, whether or not they're motorised. At that 1,974 top there's a choice of following more wide tracks to Stausee Kops reservoir, dramatically located in a steep valley. To get back down to the valley floor there's either a sedately-sloped road or a "family-friendly" mountain bike trail. It seemed very steep and twisty to be family friendly but, sure enough, there were children happily hurtling down the narrow paths and boardwalks.  About halfway down is an excellent restaurant where you can steady your nerves before continuing on.

After all that adrenaline it was a relief to follow the second half of the Galtür Valley Ride back to Ischgl. Now on the other side of the valley, the trail traced the rushing Trisanna river. Again, it was a spacious track with benches and bins and a well-designed underpass for the one time it had to dip under the road.

 

Back in Ischgl and time to return my trusty bike. I'd been liberal with the motor and, after many hours of use, it had depleted to just under 70%. I hadn't tackled particularly steep or sustained slopes, but I was nonetheless impressed with the distance covered for just 30% of battery use. An enjoyable day out for €52 of bike hire, €5 of training facility and €33 of unlimited cable car use. But, after all that easy adventure, I still felt I'd earned a visit to that luxurious spa - only an extra €35 for 4 hours of bliss in full view of the mountains I'd ridden through.