58 | Cycling World As the Marathon route was about to show me, there are routes, roads and tracks to suit all levels and abilities of cyclists. These range from the testing climbs described above (more to follow) to perfectly flat routes in the valley, some following the River Inn. Without a doubt this less well known area of the Tyrol is perfect for cycling. Additionally, the hotels and bike shops are perfectly set up to fully support cyclists as well as providing a very enjoyable stay for partners and friends. Helpfully for those of us who have non-cycling companions, the area is awash with culture, activities, first class restaurants and hotels to keep ‘cycling widows’ or ‘widowers’ happy. The natural environment is worth coming to the region for alone, making Kuftersteinerland an ideal location for a long weekend or longer break for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. And to cap it all, it is just a short flight from the UK. The organisers of the Radamarathon have recognised this and provide packages including accommodation in hotels, guesthouses or holiday apartments, with options for breakfasts and dinners appropriate for participants. Bike storage is also catered for and all entrants receive a coupon for the pasta party on completion of the ride. Information on attractions and guides to restaurants are readily available from hotels and guesthouses. One attraction not to be missed is the Kaiserlift to the nature reserve on top of the mountain range. This chair lift is specifically designed to ensure a tranquil and serene journey to the top, so visitors are in a relaxed frame of mind to enjoy the mountain environment. The lift takes 30 minutes to reach 1273m as the single chairs slowly ascend through the treetops. As you get higher and higher the noise of the town and traffic diminishes and you ascend in almost complete silence with just the sound of bird song to keep you company. I cannot remember when I last sat for half an hour and just cleared my mind. I felt the mountain air brushing across my face and the early morning sun on my skin. It was a truly relaxing experience and put me in the perfect state of mind for my first ever yoga session that was taking place on a wooden platform near the top of the mountain. As my Garmin digitally tripped over to 66 km, I had to admit I was struggling to maintain a sufficient pace to
- Approaching first climb