Kuehtai / 2.020m

Kuehthai - the first of the three major climbs conquered during the Oetztal cycling marathon already separates the wheat from the chaff. It’s average gradient of 7% can lead up to 14%. Starting in Oetz it’s ascend of 18 km guides you up to 2.020 meters above sea level before descending directly into Innsbruck.

After the acclimatization day at Passo del Rombo, we decided to hit Kuehtai before sunrise. The plan was to reach the summit with the sun but it didn't really work out.

Starting in Oetz the road meanders up the side of the mountain through little beautiful little villages. At this point, we were just in time and it seemed like we would make it before the sunrise if it keeps on like that.

Just a few moments later, right after entering the woods, the whole situation changed pretty fast. The gradient increased immediately and our average speed dropped more and more. From this moment on it was fighting against the gradient that didn't want to decrease.

Flat bits and little downhill sections weren't insight. It was just uphill.

With entering Ochsengarten we finally had some time to rest and prepare for the final and last push up to the Kuehtai Sattel.

We reached the summit over one hour after sunrise. Maybe we didn't catch the sunrise that day but one thing is for sure. Kuehtai is one hell of a climb and we we couldn't resist doing it again the day after.