Ötztal: The high alpine racing bike region

Steep ascents, ideal altitude training and imposing, unspoiled nature. Where better to train than in the Ötztal? Tyrol's largest side valley has long since ceased to be an unknown quantity among cyclists. Perfect conditions make the well-known cycling mecca one of the most popular vacation and training destinations for alpine racing bike fans.

by Lisa Riedlsperger

The "Ötzi", as the Ötztaler Radmarathon is affectionately called by insiders, probably also contributes its share to increase both awareness and appeal as a cycling region. Ötztaler Cycling Marathon. Kühtai, Brenner, Jaufenpass and Timmelsjoch. Each pass, perhaps with the exception of the Brenner, is a challenge in itself. To conquer all four in a row on a single day is the dream of many road cyclists. They sit in the saddle all season long and train for this tough marathon, the sporting highlight for the best amateur cyclists in the world. Every year on the last Sunday in August, 4,000 cyclists from 15 nations take to the starting line to tackle the 238-kilometer course and 5,500 meters of altitude in their personal best time. Ideal for preparing for the competition are the established cycling camp weeks at the Hotel Alpina in Sölden. Together with the professional cyclists Wolfgang Fasching, Christoph Strasser, Franz Venier and Gerrit Glomser, you train intensively for a week in the high mountains and notice the increase in your own performance every day. Ideal for all cyclists who want to bike and at the same time get a tip or two from the pros. Up to the glacier. As experienced cyclists, however, we know that after such a marathon, a regeneration phase of at least ten days is needed in order to be physically rested again. But if we want to see more of the Ötztal, we don't have that. Regrettable. Or maybe not. Always on the lookout for longer, steeper climbs to really let off steam, I'm still not sure if the challenge of the "Ötzi" wouldn't have become too much. We decide on the climb to the Rettenbachferner, a must for every ambitious road cyclist. The combination of steep ramps and the thin air ensures that even professionals have respect for this mountain training. Together with Lukas Riml, hotel manager of the Alpina and himself an enthusiastic road cyclist, we set off early in the morning in the direction of Hochsölden. In the small ski resort, which we reach after seven kilometers, Lukas already shows us where we will stop on the way back. The Sonnblick mountain hut owned by the Riml family at the end of Hochsölden is not only known for its wonderful view of the Ötztal mountains, but also for its homemade apple strudel. Delicious. But for now, we continue on to the Rettenbach Glacier turnoff. The Ötztal Glacier Road now takes us to the highest point in the Alps that can be reached by road bike. 12 crisp kilometers to the roof of the Germany tour in 2005 and 2007 sound like a challenge. After the tollbooth the road becomes mercilessly steep. We quickly realize that getting up early was worth it. The gentle rays of the morning sun are already enough to make our operating temperature soar. The closer we get to the edge of the glacier, the quieter our group becomes. Far above the limit of vegetation, the air is already so thin that we don't want to, or rather can't, waste it with talking. Arriving at the glacier arena, the valley station of the glacier cable car, at 2,671 meters above sea level, the first signs of fatigue appear, but we don't let up. We want to make it through the next four hairpin bends to the finish of the Ski World Cup. With our last ounce of strength, we almost torture ourselves up the last steep straight and crack the 2,800-meter mark. We have reached the eternal ice of the glacier! And that by bike. We enjoy a never-before-seen glacier panorama before we are rewarded with a rapid descent back to Sölden.

Roadbike Special:
Multi-day tour. Over the previously promised apple strudel in the family's own mountain hut, Lukas tells us about his latest "project" for road cyclists. For the first time he offers a multi-day tour in the 2015 racing bike season. In three stages, participants bike over 320 kilometers with 8,500 meters of altitude and 6 passes from Sölden in the Ötztal Valley via Nauders on the Reschen Pass to Sulden in South Tyrol and back again. This round trip is just right for those who have always wanted to climb over the most beautiful passes of West and South Tyrol, but have neither time nor desire to organize everything themselves. The circuit is perfectly prepared. Getting off the route is almost impossible. GPS tracks of the tour with all the information about each stage will be provided before the start. Everyone rides according to his or her mood. Individual pace, individual breaks. There is no need to worry about your own luggage. The organized luggage transport is booked immediately, just like the free laundry service of the Bikekleidung, the Bikegarage with safety loan lock for the wheel and the Wellnessangebot for relaxing and relaxing. Selected four-star "Roadbike Holidays" hotels guarantee high-quality tour catering, breakfast buffet and dinner for athletes. After three stages, countless new impressions, panoramas and road bike experiences, the round tour ends back at Lukas' Hotel Alpina in Sölden.

High alpine racing bike area.
Back at the hotel, we are spoilt for choice with a delicious après-bike snack: relaxing in the warm water of the whirlpool or sweating in the Ötztal sweat room, relaxing in the herbal steam bath or looking forward to the bikers' get-together with a massage. Best we use this time of relaxation at the same time for the planning of the following day. We quickly realize that in this high alpine racing bike region you can't be afraid of altitude. Heavy tours with steep spur roads are the rule here, relaxing pleasure tours you look in vain.