238 km and 5500 climbing meters: The Ötztaler

On Sunday I enjoyed my last long hard ride before Hawaii, the famous Ötztaler Radmarathon, a bike marathon with 238 km and 5500 climbing meters in the Alps. The organisers receive 10.000 entries, however can only take 4500 which are sold out in a matter of minutes. As Ötztal is one of our team sponsors we were invited to take part. 

This year the Ötztaler bike marathon celebrated it´s 30th year. 30 vintage bikes started the race 15 minutes before the main field. I had a camera fastened to my helmet and took some footage for the official film. The start was quite fast a 32 km slight downhill from Sölden to Ötz to the start of the first of 4 climbs.
Climb 1: 18,5 km and 1200 climbing meters
2: 39 km, 777climbing meters

3: 15,5 km, 1130 climbing meters

4: 28,7 km, 1759 climbing meters
I didn´t really know what I was in for, not having studied the plan. I had the elevation meters on my handlebar so I could get an idea what was coming up or how long I had to climb. We were very lucky with the weather, climbing up to 2500 m is not something you want to do when it is snowing! Driving home on monday we could see the fresh snow capped mountains, yep it snowed the night after the race.
I had a great run up until the peak of the 3rd climb, where I rode over a safety pin which of course punctured my tire. My race nutrition was great, didn´t have any hangers, I guess it´s simple compared to Ironman where you have to get most of your calories in before the run.

I must admit I was happy to finish with a time of 9hrs 20 mins in 23rd position. It was a race well worth doing if you are lucky enough to get a race entry.

Now it is time to rest up and recover from the last few weeks before starting the specific tapering program for Hawaii. Oh yeah plane tickets are booked.....we fly out on the 29th of Septebmer. Not long now...