Destinations: Großglockner
One of Our Toughest Climbs
That is not an over-exaggeration. Großglockner is one of the toughest climbs we have ridden. It wasn't easy getting up at all, and we should not hide that. But it was genuinely an amazing experience that we will treasure for the rest of our lives. To put things into perspective, it is 21.2 km long and bridges 1,753 vertical meters with an average gradient of 8.3%. The top of the ascent is located at 2,571 meters above sea level, so even if you have the legs, the altitude is going to catch you at some point.
We headed out from Kaprun in the early morning, which is near Zell am See. It's where we were staying in the Label Collective camper in a car park used by many for that purpose. We set off towards the start of the climb through the beautiful cycling paths surrounded by mountains. It wasn't long before we started heading up the false flat, leading to a tough start with a 10% average gradient 3 km in. The graph below will help you understand what we had gotten ourselves into.
Taking Breaks Along the Way
As you can see, it is pretty hard, so for us, it was about completing it and not suffering. The nice part is there are stops on the way up with fresh mountain water you can cool off with and drink. It would have been rude not to run our heads under the water to freshen up for the next leg, which was full of switchbacks and a continuous steep gradient.
I know we keep saying how hard it is, but don't let this stop you. We saw everyday cyclists of all shapes and sizes going up. Just go at your own pace, and you will be fine. The views are so worth it, and the descent is even more worth it. By the time we got near the top, we were desperate for a little break and some sugar, so the café was a welcome sight. A Pepsi, since no cola was available, went down so fast.
Having no power in the legs at altitude is a real thing. That was one of our first experiences; Zone 2 felt like Zone 4, and we could not push any harder. Our heart rates were sitting at 145 and 168 consistently as the air got thinner. Looking around at the scenery, though, took all those thoughts of suffering away as we headed further up to the top.
The Final Push
Not far to go now, we thought, as we hit the final few switchbacks of the long, steep road that led to the summit. Each twist and turn brought us closer to the end goal, Just finishing in this case and we pushed ourselves harder, motivated by the thought of the descent that awaited us. The peak was finally within sight, with only a 10% gradient and 157 meters of climbing left.
Determination fuelled each pedal stroke and the moment we reached the top, a wave of releif washed over us. We did it, ahh wasnt that hard...... it was. Celebrations were in order, but the cold was quick to remind us of the altitude, even in the summer months. The air was crisp and biting, a stark contrast to the warmth we'd left behind at the bottom of the climb.
We hastily donned our jackets and gilets, bracing against the chill. With smiles on our faces and a sense of accomplishment warming us from within, we prepared for the descent. One last look at the stunning view from the summit, and then we pushed off, ready to enjoy the thrilling ride back down.
Fast and Furious
The moment we had been waiting for had finally arrived. We sent it down the beautiful open roads, passing other cyclists and seeing the same determined faces we had on the ascent. Each corner flowed seamlessly into the next, with the warmer climate greeting us as the meters ticked down. When we reached the bottom, we realized just how short the descent felt. You spend hours climbing, but then, 15 or 20 minutes later, you're at the bottom. Epic. 10/10. This is what we had come for. So, for those wanting to test themselves or just go for the fun of it, it looks and sounds tough—we know—but as we have said before, it's doable by anyone. It's just a matter of time. So if you've got the itch, go for it.
