The Big Climb
Sunday September 2, 2018
As we were determined to ride regardless of the weather, what a relief to see it's not raining! We even see a spot of blue in the sky. And this is the big day. The Bikeline book warned us that there will be a nasty tunnel, loud and rank with the exhaust from cars, and then the steepest climbs of the entire Alpe-Adria bike path. What, me worry? Yes!
We start out in pretty rolling countryside, the weather is truly fine, and after 2.5 km we reach the tunnel of ill repute. It's all of 1.5 km long, we have a separate bike lane with guardrail between us and the cars, and perhaps because it's Sunday there isn't much traffic. No complaints from me. It was definitely overhyped in Bikeline. Then some more pleasant riding, and some more, and then a very flat strech along the Gasteiner Ache. Are we there yet? Where's the Big Climb.
It starts at around kilometer 25, the beginning is gradual, then there is a very steep part, but it's not long. I know it's steep because I see some very athletic young men on their loaded bikes grunting and sweating like crazy. My e-support is good, but I still have to work my muscles more than I am used to and I probably would have had problems if the steeper parts of the hill had been longer. The Ride-with-GPS profile below indicates 11% which I know can't be accurate. I estimate it was something like 16% - 18%. After you reach Bad Gastein and think it's finished, you go around the corner and have a few more hairpins, probably the steepest part, before you reach the autorail tunnel. It was nothing to worry about!
But it was a great experience and I loved it. The views are exceptional, and I marveled at the 18th century spa atmosphere in Bad Gastein. Old, many storied hotels, where the upper crust of the day came to benefit from the hot springs of Bad Gastein, are set into the hillside.
A bit further and we reach the train that takes all traffic, cars, bikes and pedestrians, through the top of the mountain. We settle in for the short ride feeling mighty proud of ourselves. What a day this has been so far, and it will be all downhill from here.
We start out in pretty rolling countryside, the weather is truly fine, and after 2.5 km we reach the tunnel of ill repute. It's all of 1.5 km long, we have a separate bike lane with guardrail between us and the cars, and perhaps because it's Sunday there isn't much traffic. No complaints from me. It was definitely overhyped in Bikeline. Then some more pleasant riding, and some more, and then a very flat strech along the Gasteiner Ache. Are we there yet? Where's the Big Climb.
It starts at around kilometer 25, the beginning is gradual, then there is a very steep part, but it's not long. I know it's steep because I see some very athletic young men on their loaded bikes grunting and sweating like crazy. My e-support is good, but I still have to work my muscles more than I am used to and I probably would have had problems if the steeper parts of the hill had been longer. The Ride-with-GPS profile below indicates 11% which I know can't be accurate. I estimate it was something like 16% - 18%. After you reach Bad Gastein and think it's finished, you go around the corner and have a few more hairpins, probably the steepest part, before you reach the autorail tunnel. It was nothing to worry about!
But it was a great experience and I loved it. The views are exceptional, and I marveled at the 18th century spa atmosphere in Bad Gastein. Old, many storied hotels, where the upper crust of the day came to benefit from the hot springs of Bad Gastein, are set into the hillside.
A bit further and we reach the train that takes all traffic, cars, bikes and pedestrians, through the top of the mountain. We settle in for the short ride feeling mighty proud of ourselves. What a day this has been so far, and it will be all downhill from here.
Leaving Hotel Posauner, up and away
Here comes that tunnel.
End of tunnel - we survived.
Enjoying this
Look at those geraniums!
Big baby
The weather is improving.
See the stag on the house front.
Not using pesticides, I think.
Following the Gasteiner Ache for a while
From somewhere on the way up, looking back down to the valley
Hotels from another era
The Gasteiner Ache plunges through Bad Gastein to the valley.
In Bad Gastein
Getting higher up
Looking back to Bad Gastein - some newer hotels have been built, too.
We emerge from the tunnel and it's raining cats and dogs! We get into our rain gear, to keep warm as well as dry, and after a short wait and then a few km's, it stops raining. The descent is wonderful. The Bikeline book also warns that the descent is very steep and recommends an alternative route that first goes up before it goes down and isn't paved. We don't take that.
Then follow about 13 kms in the beautiful Möll Valley to Unterkolbnitz, where we have a B&B for the night.
Then follow about 13 kms in the beautiful Möll Valley to Unterkolbnitz, where we have a B&B for the night.
Down, down, down
Photo stop
Can it get any better than this?