Actually, the title of this blog should’ve been “La belle France”, because I wanted to go to France and to climb the Col de I`lseran. After almost preparing everything, the message came two days beforehand that France is now a risk area and is on Switzerland's quarantine list. Since France was no longer an option for me, I had to make a change of plans.
On Monday morning, after a weather check, I decided to tackle the legendary Stelvio and see what else I could do after that. So it was Italy, here I come. I packed all my paraphernalia in the car and off I went towards Prad am Stilfserjoch.
When I arrived in Prad, the Palta was quickly unloaded and I was ready for the Stelvio. The weather was perfect and that's how it started. I rode to the lower part quite quickly, but apart from trees you don't see that much. 😀 Then I went a short distance through a construction site before the sign finally came, “turn 33!!!” Things started to change very quickly, everything around me became more open and then it dawned on me that I still had a long way to go. It was from there that I decided to use a lighter gear, because I knew there would be a few more switchbacks and the gradient would be never less than 10 %.
It was due to the recent snow and it being a Monday that there wasn’t really much traffic or other cyclists going on. Needless to say the view was spectacular, the surrounding mountains were covered in snow. I made a steady progress rand I eventually reached the top. I was feeling pretty relaxed and I was ready to take on the decent. I put on my warm gear and descended to Bormio. Apart from the tunnel, it was a really nice descent that I am sure I would like to also ride up. 🙂 Link to the first day: Stelvio
During the ascent the big surprise the pass was closed due to construction work, but motorbike riders who came down told me with the racing bike it is no problem. I was relieved because I didn't know how to get back. 😀 The construction site was quickly forgotten, because after a few pleasant bends it got really steep again and I was glad that I drove up this road and not down, because it was really in a bad condition. After a while the road got even narrower and I knew that I should get out of the trees soon. And so it was, still driving a few curves and you could just look into the distance. Now I know why so many find this pass so beautiful. The view also made the repeatedly steep passages with more than 14 % good. From then on I just enjoyed it, apart from the unlit tunnel, which is no less steep and the road is really in a bad condition, so the rear light didn't help me much either.
I had ridden about three kilometres past the beautiful Lago Nero then you could finally see the top of the pass. Once at the top there was of course a photo moment and I enjoyed the view over the route that I had just ridden up, it was really breathtaking. Goosebumps for sure, I was really happy to have made it and noticed that my legs were a bit tired too. 😀
On the descent, the construction site came straight away and I really had to think twice about whether I wanted to go through there. There were several construction workers who kindly waved me on through over the freshly tarred road. In Switzerland they would block the access to the road in both directions. 😀 One of the many reasons why I like Italy so much, everything is just a little different.
Afterwards it was about three kilometers past the beautiful Lago Nero until you could finally see the top of the pass. Once at the top there was of course a photo and I enjoyed the view over the route that I had driven up, because it is really breathtaking. What a goosebumps moment and I was really happy to have made it and noticed that my legs were a bit tired too. 😀
On the descent, the construction site came straight away and I really had to think twice about whether I really wanted to go through there. They were really fresh on the tarred road and they waved me through between the truck with fresh tar and the rolling machine. In Switzerland you would make a complete block for this. 😀 One of the many reasons why I like Italy so much, everything is just a little different.
The descent went surprisingly well, mostly good road surface and also much clearer and after about 25km decent, I was finally back in Bormio.
What remains is the memory of another adventure on two wheels and the realization that I don't necessarily have to ride the Mortirolo again, but I would definitely ride the Gavia again without hesitation. Second ride: Passo del Mortirolo and Gavia
The next day I went to Como, where I wanted to stay a few more days. After a day of rest and a round of golf, I wanted to get on my racing bike again and do a lap over the Madonna del Ghisallo, which I have ridden once before.
A friend of mine told me that evening that the Muro di Sormano would be connected to it. Since I haven't ridden the climb yet, I decided to adjust the routing and include this as well.
After breakfast the time had come and luckily I had almost 10 kilometers to ride before the ascent started. Then it went 8 kilometers up the Colma di Sormano, it was not that steep and was easy to ride. Then it came, clearly signposted the Muro di Sormano. Once it turned, I went very quickly into my easiest gear and out of the saddle, I can honestly say it was probably the toughest 1.7 kilometers I've ridden so far, with gradients of up to 27 %. I was so slow that I was afraid of falling on my side, but since I didn't know how to click out without falling over, there was only one thing left for me to do. I was so relieved that the climb was finally over. 😀
After I could breathe normally again, I started the descent down to Lake Como. Once at the bottom, it went along the lake until the next ascent came.
The ascent of Madonna del Ghisallo I knew what to expect and after that wall I had just ridden, this was really a pleasant climb. Even if the ascent is slightly steeper at the beginning and at the end of the 10 kilometers. Once at the top, I enjoyed the view as much as possible before I went back down to the hotel. Link to the ride: Muro di Sormano and Ghisallo
On the same evening I “stumbled” down the stairs rather clumsily and injured my elbows and shoulders so that the next few days were a rather quiet program before I went back to Switzerland. I'm already looking forward to my next time in Italy, I just enjoy being there.
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