On Sunday 11th September 2016, at a very civilised time of 9:00 am, the very first Kufsteinerland Radmarathon - or Cycle Marathon, in English - set off from the beautiful Austrian town of Ebbs.
Fans, family and friends gathered in this small town at the foot of the Kaiser mountain range to watch the riders and meet cross country eliminator world champion Daniel Federspiel and local professional riders Daniela Pintarelli, Andy Traxi and Michael Mayer.
The inaugural event was blessed with beautiful sunshine, and temperatures in the mid twenties.
Two routes were available: the 131km 'Marathon', for the serious rider, with an advertised 1600m of elevation gain; and the 'Pleasure Circuit' - a 62km route with 450m of climbing for the more laid back rider.
The event attracted over 500 entrants, with many professionals, club riders and ambitious cyclists entering the Marathon route in the hope of either winning the event or coming first in one of the age categories. However, the ride could also be treated as a standard sportive whereby riders set their own goals.
The 131km Marathon route consisted of challenging climbs as it weaved and looped its way through the stunning Tyrolean landscape around the fortress town of Kufstein. "With a total length of 131km and approximately 1600m in altitude, the marathon has a demanding track profile. With ascents of 400m in altitude with 3.5km even the professionals will work up a sweat," said Stefan Puhringer, manager of the Kufsteinerland tourism association.
Stefan was proved right as riders struggled up the ascent to which he was referring - the monster of a climb to Brandenberg. This 10% average climb is almost exactly halfway through the course, and with its steep ramps with gradients in double figures and total length of 3.8km, it challenged both professional and amateur alike.
Understandable, as riders had already accomplished two other ascents to reach this point. The first climb, to Theirsee, emerges just 6km from the start. As the road wound its way to the lakeside town with its magnificent backdrop of the Pendling Mountain, riders barely had time to wipe the sweat from their eyes before immediately ascending again via an 11% ramp to the town of Hinterthiersee. Over 400m of climbing in the first 15km!
Our efforts were rewarded with a fast descent with sharp bends, hence care had to be taken, before pleasing the rouleurs of the event with flat roads, albeit into a headwind as we headed for Mariastein. A cheeky 12% short climb followed, and then on to Breitenbach am Inn through beautiful alpine meadows and woods, past the lake at Reinthaler before reaching the start of the Brandenberg climb.
The first of two refreshment stops was situated a couple of kilometres from the summit, at the 70km marker. (The second would appear 30km later at Breitenbach.) Both feed stations offered hydration drinks, coke, juices and a selection of bananas, cake, nuts and bars.
The second half of the route starts with a lovely short descent with marvellous views along the valley and through meadows before the inevitable climb. Passing a sign at Aschau stating a climb of 15%, riders began the 1.5 km slog. However, once conquered, a long fast descent and lovely run into Rattenberg and the market town of Kundl lay ahead, shortly followed by the second refreshment stop.
Two last demanding short climbs awaited at Breitenbach am Inn and at the spa town of Bad Haring (pardon? Ed), before a quiet run into Kufstein mostly on cycle paths, past the famous fort and back to Ebbs.
Throughout the ride many family, friends and fans were on the roadside cheering, some ringing cow bells and blowing horns, making a magnificent atmosphere and encouraging the riders.
Although an international field of riders from Germany, Italy and England travelled to the event, it may be no surprise to discover the winners of the men's (won by a final sprint), and women's race were Austrian; Patrick Hagenaars, in a time of 3 hours 41 minutes and Daniela Pintarelli of Team MooserWirt St. Anton am Arlberg in a time of 3 hours 56 minutes.
The alternative pleasure route, that started 5 minutes after the Marathon riders, was also very popular, passing through spectacular countryside before finally joining up with the longer route at Bad Haring. Although not a race, the first riders across the finishing line were Markus Glitzner and Andrea Eberl.
The organisation was first class, from the issuing of rider numbers, excellent signage that showed the way and regularly informed riders of the distance to go, to the fantastic marshals at critical points and at each junction that stopped traffic for bunches as well as lone riders.
Accommodation packages were also available that included a choice between hotels, guest houses or holiday apartments. The packages also catered for non-cycling partners, including a trip to the Kaiserlift whereby you are slowly transported to the nature reserve at the top of the Kaiser range with only birdsong to break the silence. Quite serene.
The welcomgin event, magnificent landscape, culture and friendly people of the region certainly makes a very attractive destination for a weekend or longer break.
Stefan Pühringer and event organiser Frank Rietzler were pleased with the outcome of the first edition. "Our expectations were more than satisfied," commented Frank. "We are very happy that the premiere was able to attract so many cycle fans to the Kufsteinerland already. Now, nothing stands in the way of the second edition on 10 September 2017."
The start and finish of next year's race will be in the town of Kufstein itself, and the event has all the hallmarks of one that will grow in popularity. It certainly deserves to.
For more information, visit the Kusteiner website at www.kufsteinerland-radmarathon.at.
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