Kitzbuheler Horn....done!

The view from the top of Ketzbuheler Horn

Boom, one down! Certainly didn't start out easy on this trip going from New Zealand straight into a Category 1 climb off the bat, but may as well jump in the deep end and see what happens...and I did it! So happy.

Well the day didn't start out as planned with a late breakfast at the Pension followed by being cornered by the owners to talk about my tour but was away by 0930, and considering all I wanted today was Kitzbuheler Horn and anything was a bonus then I didn't mind too much. 

It was a nice 15km or so warn up on the flat to the base of the climb which was good for the legs. The whole way I was trying to catch a glimpse of the mountain but due to a lot of low cloud I could not see a thing. That was probably a good thing as I may have been put off had I seen it. This is obviously a popular climb for cyclists as at the base of the mountain there was a start line and a ticket machine (with a corresponding one at the top as well) that you can use to submit an official time.

The climb itself went better than expected in some parts, and worse in others for me. All I had been told beforehand was "pace yourself" and "you can't prepare for them". So I tried to pace myself and just kept things ticking over as the gradient went immediately to 12%. I could hold on OK and was getting into the rhythm with it. There would then be some ramps up to 17-19% that would just throw me; I could only stand out of the saddle to get up them and I am not that used to it and it fatigued me quite a bit.

On the way up into the clouds

Once at the Alpenhous, where the official end of the climb is, you can carry on to the very top where a broadcasting mast is, and this is where it gets really steep - 23.7% max with most around 20%. I must admit I did have a wee break but I continued up without any thought and knocked that off too. So much more worth it! 

The road to the Alpenhous is very quiet, but above that there are a lot of people who have taken the gondola up and walk to the top. The cool thing about this is that most say "respekt" as you go past which makes you feel like a rock star! 

All up it was only 10kms to the top, but you climb up 1200m to a height of just below 2000m, which gives the most amazing views (once the cloud left). I did stay up there a long time after getting to the summit, but as I have said in My Story, I get such a sense of achievement along with the views and descent I just wanted to soak it up for a bit......and have a radler (aptly named after the cyclist in German apparently). 

The descent was an eye opener though; I have a new respect for professionals and how fast they go down such steep and tight hills (I was on the brakes most of the way). From there I continued on over Thurn Pass, which was a more sedate 5-7% gradient. By the time I was at the top thought I had better find a place to stay as it was getting on to 4pm by then....but only after another fabulous descent into another beautiful valley (as was more sedate no need for brakes this time).

Half way down Thurn Pass looking into the valley

Highligh: Besides getting to the top of Kitzbuheler Horn (of course), and the choice of putting on a 32 tooth cassette, the descent down from Thurn Pass where the mountain just dropped away to the valley below.

Lowlight: In putting Rose together I seemed to have not quite got the handlebars dead straight (I even used the one eye winking technique with each eye!). I didn't notice until the descents but was an easy and quick fix (maybe I don't know how to use a hex key after all Jordi).

Have a look at the new page on here with photos if you are interested in some more.