Enough flatland rides on the race bike, to Highland Park and along lakefront. Time again for some hardcore mountain biking in the region I love so much: the Austrian Alps.
“Welcome to the Ischgl Ironbike!
Come and experience tough ascents, challenging single trails, superb views of the Silvretta and a thrilling race atmosphere.” mentions the website.
The challenge, a UCI sanctioned race that also welcomes amateurs:
Distance : 49 mile
Vertical feet : 12.532ft
Average gradient: 13%
The ride is so simple and honest: climbing up to the summit, descending on the other side. Then, climbing up again and coasting to the finish.
In the first –less steep - part, (too) serious looking powerhouses passed me. But as soon as the big climb started gravity took over. So much fun seeing them turn pale when a lightweight girl passed them, like a butterfly. That really gave me wings.
The dessert of the first climb was a singletrail along an awesome ridge. Cool to realize that this 1 foot wide path is the physical border between Austria and Switzerland!
Kind of a no-brainer that technical skills and downhill experience gave a huge advantage. And yes, in this phase of the race - a couple of hours already passed - riders started to see each other as buddies instead of competitors! Everyone simply knew that only a steady but moderate pace would take them to the finish in a comfortable way. Due to a well thought-out nutrition plan, I always had enough left in the tank. Others had to slow down gradually.
In the steepest part of the last climb the weather showed itself from its worst side. Tires, chain and even mtb shoe soles started to fill up with mud. Pushing the bike felt heavier than riding it. But it helped when I realized that others were suffering just as much.
Reaching the final summit, the relief couldn’t be any greater. People at the water station showed their typical Austrian charm by spontaneously starting to clean my bike. I was treated like princess. Meanwhile I could change my dirty raincoat for my “xXx Racing” windbreaker, worn with pride.
I felt confident enough to start the final descent happy and relaxed. And in the last miles I even passed 2 riders through the inner side of a turn. Me big smile… ?
7h06 after the start I reached Ischgl again. Still smiling and proud that I reached my personal goal: riding one of Europe’s toughest long-distance races without having to switch to “survival mode”. Ranking was of less importance. Even so I finished 9th out of 13 participants in the female category, with most of them professional riders. Now I know, here in “my” Alps on my mountain bike I can handle it…
- Sylvie Uyttendaele