Innsbruck KOM Attack

 This is a very tough challenging climb. But, I can take it because it isn't just up like the Alp or Ventoux (which has one little dip for 30 seconds or so). I ran this the other day and recorded all of the sections that were 10 % or higher. There's quite a bit. There's about 6 sprints at the lower half, then another in the middle, On the upper half there's a series of steps that take about three minutes with a very short respite of 4% before the final sprint. The scattered flat spots are my reprieve, where I can rest a bit.

As a background, I put in a solo effort to take this title. I did some great wattage at a steady 15 minute effort with a few power strokes and a final kick to the line. It was a level zero Aethos. But the time was 15:39. Now, I wanted to try again, but a bit smarter, harder on the steep parts.

15:39 Level one Aethos on June 3 2024. Level 5 Aethos November 26 2025....15:13 (beating Julia's remarkable 15:17 by 4 seconds!) Naturally, I had an aero power-up to seal the deal, saving it for my final attack to the line. It was fast, it was perfect. It was much harder than I expected. But, I stuck to the plan and went as hard as I could in the red sections.

Start.. 30 seconds sprint, 44 seconds, 35 seconds, 33 seconds, a long 60 seconds, 45 seconds. A bit of breathing and another 60 seconds, then the preparation for the final set of steep inclines: 24 seconds, 31 seconds, 104 seconds of endurance followed by two 20 second sprints. A lone 41 second sprint to the line. I wanted to start it sooner but I was on the verge of collapsing in pain. I saw 5:17, then 5:15. One more push to sprint harder and I came over the line at 15:13!!!

I noticed on the boards that Julia has the fastest time before my record. However, she finished in 6th place! So how did she end up in the number one slot? Hmm, someone flagged the top five times after their effort? How crass! Some of the people don't get notifications or know how to deal with flagging harassment. (and yes, some of the times were absurd but there's always a few 'flyers' just slow pedaling, sight-seeing at 402 watts average with 110 heart rate)

In the long run, this ride only matters to me. I don't really care about being faster or pacing better than anyone else. It's the goal and then reaching it. Someone will come along eventually and either beat it or cheat it. That's what happened in Makuri, after I worked so hard, so many times until I got it just perfect. Even with a level 5 Cadex, it seems impossible to beat. I am obsessive some times and I may just get it stuck in my head again. I would have to train precisely to do a seven minute all out effort, followed by 30 seconds rest, followed by 30 seconds do or die sprint. I don't know if anyone can legitimately beat the current time. Possibly drafting in a tiny race, possibly in a level 5 Tron, possibly with cheetah leg muscle implants.

This gave me a bit of training and racing stimuli. It's very important to work to some goals. I was very sore the next day, and still too tired the second day to ride. Tomorrow starts anew.