Some more Giro classic passes

Well a bit of an easier day, but still three of the Giro classic passes done and am still taken by the scenery. These passes have been around since climbs started in the Giro, unlike ones like Zoncolon which are relatively new to the scene. Today, I also got mistaken for being Italian, Rose developed a knocking sound, and I had to drown myself in a fountain in a town square as I was so hot.

Yesterday a slight creak could be heard from rose at the same position in my pedal stroke. Didn’t want to think the worst and so last night took the chain rings and pedals off, cleaned all the contact points as good as I could with a rag, put a smidge of dry lube on the contact points (GCN recommend grease), and put it all back together. Through the day though it got a little louder, and is a real “knock”, and happens only when I start the down stroke on the right leg. Hope it is not the bottom bracket as had that serviced just before leaving. Will have another play tonight and see what comes of it.

So the day started as I headed up out of Arabba to the Passo Campolongo – a small 600m climb at around 6% or so. That was followed by a short downhill and up again to Passo Gardena, then down and back up to Passo Sella. All three down before the odometer hit 30km. Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to race at all but just shows they were only short ups and downs as comparedto other day's efforts.

Passo Gardena was great for the switchbacks on the way up. I find swittchbacks (or hairpins) more enjoyable to ride as the view and the road keep changing, and when times are tough it gives you something tangible to aim for.

 

On the way up to Gardena

From Gardena around to Sella you have massive sheer cliffs on your left hand side the whole way. They are impressive! I did see some rock climbers heading up to the bottom of the cliffs but didn’t manage to see any on the cliff itself. There was quite a few people parked on the side of the road with binoculars out trying to spot some too, I guess. The cliffs do shade from the sun and there was a noticeable difference from the top of Gardena to the bottom where it was quite chilly.

Coming up Sella you follow the ski lift again. But, a trap for young players! As you come up you see a building at the top and it ties in (give or take) with the right altitude for the top but it is not! It even has a sign on the building saying Passo Sella and the altitude but as you get to it you can see the road sweeps up and to the left and out of view. Having considered this, and the fact that normally the Passo is the top of the pass I assumed it was fowl play and continued on up. In another 500m or so you hit the real top though. 

 

The real top

Then it was a 30ish km downhill! Yay! There were few towns that I recalled on the map on the downhill for quite some way and I was out of food and getting hungry so in lieu of the supermarket I went to a bar/café. It was just after midday when I went past one (opening time for food at these places) and in I went and ask if I could have some food (in basic Italian). The guy said yes, gave me the menu, and then a lady came and offered me the specials in Italian. At the end of her spiel I said I don’t speak Italian and her and the guy laughed as they said the way I asked for food they thought I was Italian. Yay me!

 

Relaxing at the top of Sella

After a risotto lunch I continued on to Passo Rolle, I really sedate (relatively) climb but for 20kms. There must have been a pocket of heat trapped in the valley though as man it was hot, and a really dry heat. After about 7kms of going up, I was really trying to manage my water intake whilst conserving it so I could make it to the top. But as I went through this small farming village there was a drinking water fountain. These aren’t for aesthetics, these are generally a trough/bath/something that holds water coming from a continuous flow of water from a pipe (some are pretty, some are wooden horse troughs. They are quite a regular occurrence and come in all shapes and sizes, and have seen many locals drinking from them. I have never been gain enough to do that (locals may be used to it).

On this occasion I needed to cool down and saw the lovely running flowing water, crisp clean and really cold (straight from the mountains I guess). Now I do not know the protocols for using these things but I just started covering myself in water. I am sure it is a little uncouth but man did it work! There was a cyclist that came down the hill and looked a bit angrily at me but no one else seemed to mind.

From there the road continues up, and farmers rake up their fresh cut grass for silage (yep, hand rake up the cut grass). At about 10kms into the climb the road plateaus and is flat for a few kilometres as you work your way around a nice dam. It has been some time since I have cycled on the flat and I think I kind of have forgotten how. Still, it was a lovely road and nice view so not really an issue as I was still going forwards. For the last 5kms or so the road picks back up to 6-7% for the remainder of the climb.

 

Rose snuggling up to the Gino Bartali Memorial

That was it for the day for me, so started to head downhill and look for a place to stay for the night. The first town was a place called San Martino di Castrozza and was a proper swanky ski village. All filled with expensive cars, fancy dressed people, and very expensive looking 5 star accommodation. I had a quick look in the town as I went through just to check it out as it looked like movie star territory really. Before long I realised this  was a bit upmarket for me and so continued on. Just as I was leaving town though there was this place that looked more aligned to my budget. My heart sank when the receptionist said there was only a five person room left, but then over the moon when he said I could have it for the one person price (this was also after expecting me to speak more Italian than I did). Awesome! So I am now in a massive five person room all to myself, Wifi and breakfast included, and it is the cheapest accommodation I have had so far, winner! I am a little unsure if I was groped by the 60 year old though as he showed me to my room. 

Tomorrow I will be heading further south and position myself at the bottom of Monte Grappa. Might give the legs a rest there maybe, will see how I go.

Highlight: The Campolonga/Gardena/Sella combo was really awesome! Steep enough to push against but benign enough to feel like you are keeping a good pace. Short climbs. Great views. Great roads.

Lowlight: Silly noises from Rose.

Lesson Learned: Water over the head is more effective than drinking it to try and cool down.