Day 8 - still catching up...

The previous days' riding had caught up with everyone, and the only people keen to ride today were Borzi and I. Some opted for rest, some opted for the cable car run up the Pordoi, and Troy & Chris opted to run reconnaissance from the van in an effort to map another quality ride.

We opted to do a run up the Pordoi again - a 9km climb to the top (as if there was an option in this territory). It was Borzi's first ride with his hand in a cast so we took it easily at first. Despite the discomfort, he handled the ride well, and handled the steep decent down the other side even better, only for us to turn around and do the return leg also. All up, around a 50km ride with 22+km's of climbing in great weather and conditions. 

We headed back to the hotel and changed before heading off to watch the end of Stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia. It was running around 30kms from our location, and the quickest route to the finish proved to be via cable car and 2x chair lifts. We had a great afternoon in the sun, had many laughs, and got as close to the action as one can get without disrupting the race itself.

Borzi's first ride with a cast on
his right hand. Nothing can
keep this man off his bike...

That's him again, at the peak of the return leg of the passo Pordoi.
Not only has he ridden up one side, but he's had to ride steeply
downhill for 9km, then ride back up, and decend the other side.
All with a busted hand, and a smile on his face. Notice the sign on the right? That's 33 switchbacks we've ridden up, and that's only one side of the mountain...

At the Giro d'Italia - stage 19. This little kid in yellow is riding up a 10%
gradient hill on a small roadbike. He must have been 5. He was riding with
2 other boys, both around 8 or 9. These two (that's one behind in the blue)
were running DI2 groupsets! Is it any wonder the Italians put forward so many
world class cyclists when they get into the sport at age 5!?

This is how we watched the Giro ride past - with
a couple of beers, in the sun in the Dolomite
mountains. That's Dave bearing gifts...

We were as close as it's possible to get to the Giro and its riders without knocking someone off their bike. The pack was spread out, with this being the 3rd bunch to ride through past our location.

The team cars followed close on the heals of the riders. Once
all had passed, we trecked downhill to the town of Pampeago
where the stage finished. We watched the finish, the podium awards
and the associated lovely ladies handing out the trophies and champagne.
We were so tightly packed, I couldn't even get a photo off at the finish.

Day 7 (it's late, I know...)

Having taken part in a hard ride yesterday the group was split on where to ride today, indeed, whether to ride at all and instead have a rest day. We came to Italy to cycle so that’s what most of us did, with the exception of those who physically couldn’t, eg Borzi who took a trip with Tony and Dave to the local hospital in Bolzano to have his hand x-rayed and diagnosed.

So, myself, Troy, Graeme, Chris and Galp decided to do somewhat of a recovery ride.

Given the terrain in the Dolomites you’re  either riding uphill or downhill 99% of the time. Thus, our recovery ride took us back into the mountains in search of some different terrain, different roads and different sights to take in.

We rode from Canazei, down the road in the base of the Val Di Fassa to San Giovanni then uphill to the Karerpass and then downhill to the spectacular Lago di Carezza with a great view of the Latemar mountains. It wasn’t a long ride, or the most challenging, but the prize at the end (Lago di Carezza) was well worth it.

We rode back down, then back up to Canazei to shower, change and head back up to passo Pordoi – this time in the van. After a lunch at a restaurant at the base of the cable car (sampling some good local wine...) we took the cable car to the top – some 3000m in altitude – for a view that seemed to be from the top of the world. I’ll let the pictures do the talking from here.



Myself, Chris, Troy & Graeme at the Karer Pass - thanks Galp for taking the photo.



This photo of Lago di Carezza was taken on Chris's iPhone

using Panorama 360. The result is a great shot of an

incredibly beautiful part of the world.

The view from the cable car as we ascended to the top of the Pordoi

at 2950m.

What was the first thing we saw when we disembarked from the cable car?

Two young cyclists who had taken the rollers and turbo trainers up on the

cable car so that they could do an hour or do of altitude training!

Men in Black.... Chris, Graeme, myself and Troy in the snow at the

top of the Pordoi. Cold? Yes. Worth the trip up? Absolutely

The view from the top of the Pordoi cable car, looking back down

the valley towards Canazei. We couldn't seem to take enough

pictures of the views from all perspectives up here.

The view from the cable car on the descent back down to the pass

Borzi and Tony at the hospital.

They swapped one set of wheels

for another...



Borzi's doctor was a cyclist and so understood the imperative to keep riding.

So, he created a cast for Borzi's hand that would allow him to grip the bars on his bike

and keep his index finger clear for changing gears and braking...! Legend.



Day 6

If yesterday was the best ride any of us had ever done, today was probably one of the hardest rides any of us has ever done.
The challenge for yesterday's ride was that of vertical meters climbed and altitude. The challenge for today was both of these factors, combined with a greater distance and (unbeknownst to us) some very steep sections.
We rode from Canazei up to pass Fedaia, then around the Marmolada, through some stunning country side and then climbed the pass San Pellegrino before descending down to Moena and then climbing back up to Canazei. A great day, but a really hard day that took its toll on a few of us, as these pictures and captions will show...

I took this photo over my shoulder
as we rode up to pass Fedaia. That's Troy riding
behind me

Erik, Troy, Chris and Graeme on the climb. We all look really
happy - that's because we didn't know what was ahead
of us...

Arriving at the top. A dam, tunnels and cold winds
awaited us

Sensory overload. From snow covered peaks, through barren switchbacks,
and descending down to stunning towns and vistas like this.

The 22kms of climbing leading to this point was nothing short
of brutal. We thought the 15% inclines and numerous switchbacks
were bad - we hadn't reached the 18% section yet!
I reckon my heart rate must have been 180+ bpm going up this hill.

The hill proved too much for some,
with Tony getting a lift up in a police
van!

Graeme is one of the hardest men
on this trip, but these hills seem
to have broken him. Look at that face!

Chris and Borzi battled the 18%
section like gladiators. During the battle
the guys clipped wheels, bringing Borzi
down and breaking his finger!

Chris and I at the top of the passo San Pellegrino

Day 5

I can't tell you how good it was to be alive today...


After arriving in Canazei yesterday in the cold and rain, it was a pleasant surprise to wake to see clear blue sky, no wind, and snow on the mountains all around us.
The forecast was for cold conditions and there was plenty of discussion over breakfast re how much gear to wear and to take. We were planning to tackle the Sella Ronda - an approx 65km ride but climbing 4 mountain passes.
We simply were not prepared for the shear beauty of the ride we were about to take on, nor the challenge of the terrain that was presented to us. This has to be the best ride any of us have ever been on. Rather than me blab on, i'll let the pictures do all the talking:

The view of the Sella from the front of our hotel as we rode out

Riding on top of the world

Chris and I on the first climb
up to passo Sella

Borzi & I at the top of the first
climb to passo Sella
2240m in altitude

The only way up these mountains is
via switchbacks. We must have covered
well over 100 on this ride, with 33
just to climb the last pass - pass Pordoi to 2239m

Day 4

The day of the convoy. 

We bunk out of Como today and travel 352 km North East to the town of Canazei, in the heart of the Dolomite Mountains.

Yesterday’s rain has set in and shows no sign of clearing.  There are no plans to ride today, unless you talk to Graeme Lynch.  It's a day of sitting in a car with other men, talking about man stuff.  This quiet time of reflection can also be used to make some observations about the crew (team observations again courtesy of Borzi):

Dave Walker.  Dave is as quiet as Tony is loud.  A genuine good bloke who can hold a steady pace at the front of a cycle line and steady conversation back in the bar. There is not a thing Dave doesn’t know about a bike, biking or people who bike.  Interestingly he is putting in a lot of effort to convince people that moustaches are cool.

Tony Halfhide.  Tony’s snoring is as loud as his talking.  Alcohol seems to increase the volume of both.  A keen whistler, who has confidently gone about the business of organizing and controlling various aspects of the trip so far.  A safe and capable pair of hands.

Darren McCullum.  Like a general in the Imperial Japanese Air Force, Dazz is carefully but surely plotting his strategy. He’s neither quiet, nor overbearing, closed or open, reckless or cautious.  His focus seems set on the Mountains of the Dolomites.  I can’t help thinking Dazz is an inappropriate name for a Japanese General.

Troy Cairns. You know how dogs look when they know that they shouldn’t be inside, but they are anyway.  That’s the guilty look Troy is still trying to shed after missing the first day’s ride.  After riding so strongly yesterday, you can see him growing in stature with each passing hour.

Darryl Galpin:  Galp has made his mark quickly.  He has thrown himself into a group of new people and is proving to be great company.  Galp builds a story like the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids.  A thing of beauty, once finished.

Graeme Lynch. Graeme is here to ride.  He is looking to ride as often and as hard as possible at every opportunity.  A strong character and excellent team man , will keep the rest of the group honest in every way.

Erik Owens.  Officially a core member of the team – as of this morning.  Erik decided to ‘stay on’ and travel to the Dolomites with us today.  The French living, American born, Australian citizen will add a great dimension to the group.  We don our collective caps to anyone who can take 1 day to decide to go on a trip we have planned and trained for since July 2011.

Chris Lynch.  We look to Chris for guidance.  He seems to just know stuff.  It could be the fact that he normally drives on this side of the road, or that he has travelled and biked extensively throughout Europe.  Chris, like Tony, is a safe pair of hands, without the noise, farting, nudity and swearing.  Well maybe just a little of all of them.   

John Borzi.  Borzi now thinks he’s a bike-rider.  We know this, as he shaved his legs after the first days ride. Whilst his riding is ok, it doesn’t yet justify the shave.  To his face, the boys are encouraging him.  He is possibly the second loudest on tour with a lot to say on most topics.    


A couple of photos to do today's journey to the Dolomites justice:

The ascent in the car showed a temperature outside of 4 degrees C, and fresh snow was visible on all sides as we drove up. We're currently in a town named Canazei which has an altitude of 1440m, and are riding tomorrow morning up and around the Sella Ronda - to an altitude of approx 2200m. The Sella Ronda consists of 4 significant climbs... Needless to say, we're incredibly pumped. I'll let you know how we go tomorrow!

Day 3

Day 3 provided the ultimate justification for traveling this far to ride a bike.

We set off in the morning to honour the cycling gods at the Madonna del Ghisallo. Half church, half cycling museum situated on top of our first steep climb.  The steep gradients and accompanying switchbacks have begun. 

Heading out in the morning toward Bellagio, we traversed 5 mountains keeping the spectacular Lake Como on our left.  After 30 kilometres riding quickly behind our new friend and guide for the day Flavio, we turn right at the last of those mountains, Monte Comet.  It’s hard to explain why climbing a steep hill is fun – it just is.

Our new friend Flavio (left) with Darryl

Two of our party seemed to miss-read one of the street signs, halfway up the climb.  The sign indicated the gradient of the slope - 14%.  Not a native speaker, Tony thought it read – “do not pass this point.” Amazingly there was a restaurant and bar nearby.

There are not many 14% climbs in Sydney. This was a fantastic climb that had everyone digging deep.

The group was reunited at the bottom of the hill for lunch, in a pretty little town adjacent to one of the many ferry terminals along the Lake.  A great spot to rest and watch a huge blanket of rain come in off the lake. 

Decision time: Dry ferry back to Como or wet ride back

You may have noticed in yesterday’s post that we give out three awards each day.  Hard-man, soft-man and team-man.  Some of us took the ferry, including our previous day’s hard-man jersey winner, Erik Owens.

Erik handed his ‘hard-man’ jersey back without argument and collected the pink ‘soft-man’ cap award without complaint.  He was today’s recipient and the groups ‘softest man’.  I believe he voted for himself.

Hard man award: Darryl Galpin.  Strangely he has made it his business to wear the traditional pink of the soft man.  His bike, helmet and his wheels for god sake are all pink.  But today he stood above the pack.  Galp lead for long stretches out and home, in the pelting rain. 

  

Team man: no doubt about it – Flavio. He not only provided direction to the Madonna del Ghisallo, he took us there. 

Enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoyed the ride:

The team - in our "Italy 2012" kit at the base of the Mt Comet climb (Madonna del Ghisallo)

The Madonna del Ghisallo itself, at the top of Mt Comet

Inside the Madonna del Ghisallo - a shrine to cycling