July 21 — Alps Bound / Stelvio Scared
After an uneventful four-hour drive from the Dolomites, we arrive in the Alps for the next four days, intending to ride the hardest climbs in Italy. Heading toward our home base of Bormio, we drive up and down the famed Stelvio Pass — one of our intended climbs. We’re stunned by the dramatic beauty, and the inevitable difficulty these next few rides will be.
July 22 — Stelvio Success
Up early for breakfast to make our way to the Stelvio just a few kilometers from Bormio. There is plenty of nervous energy to burn from thinking about this iconic climb the day and night before. But once pedaling, the nervousness melted away into focus on our effort over the next 21 km, 40 switchbacks, challenging gradients that never ceased, and breathing through the altitude's thin air. The weather was perfect, cool, and clear. Reaching the summit wasn’t easy, but worth all the training that led up to this moment. Descending had its challenges, with speeds reaching 80 km/hr on the “straights”, then braking into sharp hairpins, while avoiding up-coming riders and motorbikers.
Every bend is marked in descending order — about halfway now.
A fast and chilly descent.
Bormio starting bend — only 40 more to go.
Turn left for Switzerland.
Final turn to the top.
Climb Distance — 21 KM
Climb Time — 2.5 HRS
Hairpin Turns — 40
Top Elevation — 2,800 M
Elevation Gain — 1,600 M
Calories Burned — 1,587
Top Decent Speed — 80 KM/HR
July 23 — Rest Day Ride
Recovering from yesterday’s ride up Stelvio, and ahead of tomorrow’s beastly ascent of Gavia, took the opportunity to “lightly” ride toward the West with “only” an 18KM climb. Followed by a much-needed, and thoroughly enjoyed sports massage at the hotel.
If it bends, it’s steep.
New local kit. SGM stands for the three big climbs here — Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo.
The camera tends to flatten out what’s a pretty steep road.
July 24 — Taming The Beast of Gavia
Facing another of the great climbs used in the Giro d’Italia, we cautiously took our time heading South to tackle an even higher ascent than Stelvio. The climb is steep and long with only a few meters of respite. One much-appreciated characteristic is how well-maintained the road is, with many sections of buttery smooth asphalt — which doesn’t make it any easier. Still, there’s some enjoyment to the “smooth suffering” as we made our way to the top of the Pass.
Climb Distance — 25KM
Climb Time: 2.5 HRS
Steepest Grade — 19.5%
Top Elevation — 2.652M
Elevation Gained — 1,467M
Calories Burned — 1,481
