HPO’s Hills!

Question

How do you get really good at riding big climbs?

Answer

If the amazing performances of Hans-Peter Obwaller are anything to go by, the answer is “Ride lots and lots and lots of them”.
If you’re a fan of Hans-Peter’s existing library of rides and you love a good European climb in the sunshine, we’ve got a massive treat for you. The former pro, talented climber and all around nice guy was very busy filming new rides for FulGaz last year. If you can’t beat his times, console yourself in the fact that he’s been Austrian Hillclimb champion four times as well as a multiple road race and time trial national champion.

Today, we’re proud to release fifteen new rides from “HPO” with an almost cramp-inducing total of 25,490 metres of climbing.

As far as we’re concerned, there’s no better way to get stuck into a big block of climbing than to follow in the wheel tracks of one of the true gentlemen of the sport.

Enjoy!

PAß THURN LOOP

This loop starts in Mittersill at a turnaround with some big and strange sculptures and goes then along a nice cycle path in west direction. Everything easy and flat. Autumn vibes, colors and scenery everywhere. The beginning of the finale starts with a climb on tarmac. When you reach the end of the climb the gravel section starts. With even better scenery now!

31.06km

DISTANCE

01:05:55

DURATION

553m

ELEVATION

GERLOSPAß EVERESTING

The climb goes from Krimml (renowned globally for its spectacular waterfalls) up to the top of the Gerlospaß Alpine Road. This climb was used in the Giro d Italia 2009 where the unforgettable Michele Scarponi won the stage and it was also used in the "Deutschland Tour" 2008. The climb is relatively smooth, not too steep, and not too flat. The downhill can be done at a good speed which is useful for vEveresting because you won't lose time. The climb is approximately 7.2 kilometres with 540m of climbing. Set it to 17 laps for a valid Everesting!

14.34km

DISTANCE

00:43:14

DURATION

547m

ELEVATION

GLOCKNERKöNIG FROM BRUCK

The start is in Fusch and the first kilometre is almost flat Stunning views and scenery throughout the whole climb! Due to closed roads from the end of October until May you have the privilege to ride this famous road without traffic. It's the original real racing course for the famous "Glocknerkönig" Race.

27.35km

DISTANCE

01:44:28

DURATION

1664m

ELEVATION

ZELL TO ÖRGENBAUERNALM

Start is in Zell am See and first some nice flat kilometres alongside the lake of Zell am See and through Zell am See. Nice views to the "Steineres Meer" mountains and all the different colours during autumn. After approxemately 15k the climb to the "Örgenbauernalm" starts. The "Örgenbauernalm-MTB-Race" is one of the oldest MTB races in the area!

20.45km

DISTANCE

00:59:44

DURATION

630m

ELEVATION

BRAMBERG RECOVERY RIDE

It is a flat recovery ride from Niedernsill to Bramberg (Salzburg, Austria). Though - if you want to take it more serious, we have included some segments.... A typical Autumn ride with Autumn scenery and feelings. Almost no traffic at all because the main part is on cycling path.

34.45km

DISTANCE

01:05:26

DURATION

228m

ELEVATION

MITTERBERG

A first autumn ride from this area - very nice scenery as always. During the climb to the finish many views down to the valley and the "Zeller See" (a quite big lake around Zell am See). One of the most popular rides here because of the super panorama restaurant right at the finish!

25.57km

DISTANCE

01:03:30

DURATION

575m

ELEVATION

GLOCKNER HOCHTOR

Großglockner after a sudden winter period. Its the uphill from south from Heiligenblut to the Hochtor (2504m). The scenery is completely different to the summer ride at 30 degrees. Enjoy an amazing and awesome video where everything above a certain height is covered with snow! A tough ride in reality due to low temperatures but luckily without traffic. The climb from south is not used as often in the "Tour of Austria" as the one from the north. The current record holder is Beat Zberg (Switzerland). Another very prominent winner was Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) in 2012. Two times the Giro d Italia climbed the Großglockner from south (1971 and 2011).

17.41km

DISTANCE

01:11:05

DURATION

1321m

ELEVATION

ALPENVEREIN

A really steep and difficult ride, but your reward is the beautiful scenery. The finish is at a little rescue station - that's for alpinists who get caught by surprise thunder storms or something else!

2.18km

DISTANCE

00:11:44

DURATION

160m

ELEVATION

WALCHEN SONNBERGALM

This ride starts in the small village Walchen with the first kilometres on tarmac, then continues on a very good gravel road. During the summer, everyone is happy about the forest sections because of a chance for shadow. Enjoy the perfect panorama and the views of the "Hohe Tauern" mountains with several 3000m /9000 feet summits. The finish is at the Hochsonnbergalm at ~1840m altitude, with superb typical Austrian food whilst you enjoy the views from the terrace.

10.97km

DISTANCE

00:52:30

DURATION

1016m

ELEVATION

WILDKOGEL

Ride the really beautiful climb to the Wildkogel. About 1300m of climbing with an extraordinary finish at 2100m above sea level with a special loop around the small lake and a view at the prominent summit of the "Großer Rettenstein" mountain. In winter time one can do this ride in reverse - the longest nighttime floodlit toboggan run of the world!

15.66km

DISTANCE

01:08:24

DURATION

1242m

ELEVATION

VALLEY OF MüHLBACH

A ride to the end of the Mühlbachtal, with lots of wild animals. Who is able to find the pigs? Lots of blue sky and a valley with nice views. Start with a warm-up for 15 minutes riding on smooth tarmac and enjoy the wide views before taking on the steep gravel road up to the Schaunbergalm.

13.12km

DISTANCE

00:52:01

DURATION

883m

ELEVATION

GLOCKNERBLICK

Start is in Kaprun, which was a pioneer in MTB World cup downhill races, and host of the MTB world championships in 2002. The climb up to the "Glocknerblick", first 3.5k on tarmac and the rest on gravel, is about 850m of climbing at finishes at 1675hm. Enjoy the sunny weather and the good views and panorama!

10.34km

DISTANCE

00:49:42

DURATION

852m

ELEVATION

MONTE CROCE CARNICO

The Passo Monte Croce Carnico starts near Paluzza (ITA) and ends right at the borderline to Austria. The climb is fairly flat and is very nice to ride. New tarmac! It was used in Giro d'Italia sometimes but never with a finish at the top. A lot of corners and short gallerys. Good panorama and views into the Carnic Alps.

18.73km

DISTANCE

00:54:47

DURATION

795m

ELEVATION

ZONCOLAN FROM OVARO

The famous Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro. It is the more often used climb in the Giro d Italia. The toughest climb in professional cycling next to Alto Angliru in Spain and Kitzbüheler Horn in Austria. It is so steep... Almost permanently steep... But it is a classic and one has to do it once in cycling life. Some Superstars have won on the top like Gilberto Simoni, Ivan Basso or Chris Froome. Plus the Australian Time Trial Specialist Michael Rogers.

10.70km

DISTANCE

00:59:03

DURATION

1176m

ELEVATION

HOCHSONNBERGALM PIESENDORF

A very nice gravel bike/MTB ride from Piesendorf up to the "Hochsonnbergalm". There are frequent stunning views of the "Hohe Tauern" mountains, including the well known Kitzsteinhorn glacier.

11.09km

DISTANCE

00:57:56

DURATION

1060m

ELEVATION