Friday 10 June 2016

Deluge in the Dolomites

The Best Laid Schemes ...

... o' mice an' men gang afta glae

The day that Dianne and I had been looking forward to most, with equal parts dread and excitement was this one, the crossing of Passo Pordoi. Not the highest or hardest col by any means on this epic journey, but we'd been here hiking in 2010 and were keen to ride through the same terrain. Our plans were skittled by the weather but, as it turned out there was a section of climbing that looks like being the hardest of the whole tour. More of that later.

We set out as a group from Bolzano with temperatures in the high teens. Unfortunately they did nothing but decline during the course of the day. Here's a shot of some of group pumping up tires and getting ready to set out ...


There had been a bit of route modification so Dylan had to lead us out as a group for the first 10 kilometres. Here's a shot of some of the group waiting at a traffic light, with an attractive interloper photobombing ...


There was a neat little graffiti wall alongside the bike path at one point and I managed to get a photo of Dylan and Harold riding alongside it. If you look closely you can see Dylan indicating for those behind to slow down for a pedestrian ...


Shortly after we paused for the group to consolidate. José decided to be an outsider for this photo of the group posed by the graffiti: look for him on the right side of the path ...


Hillsides exiting Bolzano were covered in vines, much like the approach into Bolzano yesterday ...


Just before we left the bike path Dylan had to have a bit of a look around to find the old railway tunnel that has been converted into a bike route. It gave me a chance to do a few character shots while we waited. Here's Aaron, our ace climber, poised like a cat for action ...


... and José, the definition of cool, just hanging out ...



The two male members of Team Wagga were doing some bonding ...


Meanwhile the "We're together but not together" couple from the Gong communed with Sharon from Blaxland ...


Death On A Stick!

Dylan put the wind up us all before the day began with his description of the "steep ramp" leading up to Tiers. As a result some of us - the smarter ones - chose not to ride this section. Those of us who did narrowly avoided death on a stick, and are still looking for the appropriate stick with which to beat Dylan for routing our ride via this fiendish section. More than just a ramp, Dylan!!! This 6.8 kilometre climb had an average gradient of 9 percent. In itself that would not be too, too bad but it was the increasing "rampiness" of the climb that was the problem. It got steeper, and steeper and steeper. Here's some general data ...


... a photo from Kay that shows clearly how steep it got towards the top ...


... and a little snippet from Strava that suggests it gets even steeper just past here ...

Actually, to be fair, those of us who rode up the "ramp" are pleased to have done so. It's a bit of riding we'll always remember. So, thanks, Dylan.

At the coffee stop there was a quaint little figure hanging from the ceiling I thought was worth photographing ...


A Wet Blanket

Having escaped somewhat scathed but still ready for more, we set off from the coffee stop at Tiers with loins girded for Passo Nigra and then the pièce de résistance for the day, Passo Pordoi. Unfortunately the rain started to fall ... and fall ... and fall. Arron the Ace, Ian, José and Harold skipped the coffee stop and kept moving. I also got to coffee ahead of schedule but, given the adverse forecast wanted to ensure that I had more clothing to put on if and when the weather hit. Actually, I didn't see the van and rode on a couple of kilometres before turning back, whereupon Harold went past me, pausing briefly to check that he was going the right way. With the weather going off, José decided that the warmth of lunch was a better option that getting a wet arse so he pulled the plug there. Arron, Ian and Harold pushed on individually and each managed - just - to avoid a close encounter of hypothermia.

UPDATE: After talking with José it turns out that Ian was actually in the early throes of hypothermia when he reached Arabba. He couldn't find the hotel and was babbling. José managed to get him settled down so that he could reset his bearings, get into the hotel and get warm. Potential disaster avoided.

I had decided that I would try to take some photos today, but with the weather packing it in there wasn't much in my camera by the end of the day. Here are a few that I did shoot ...


The only shot today of some classic Dolomitic geography


And heading up into the misty peaks before the rain has settled in


Looking down valley for a last glimpse of sunshine for the day


Approaching one of the lovely villages buried in the high Dolomites

So, sadly, my dream of riding every kilometre has been ended with consideration for long term health and enjoying the last day of riding in the Dolomites tomorrow. We'll have to come back to ride Passo Pordoi. We of the resolute Caesar brigade live to fight another day. Sitting here at the dinner table with excellent company, enjoying good food and conversation I am very pleased with how things have panned out today even though I leave tomorrow without having ridden Passo Pordoi. I guess I'll just have to come back again some time ...

1 comment:

  1. I am hoping that you are taking note of where good base "camps" (ie at least 2 stars) would be. That way you can ride on the fine days (in a small, medium or big circuit) and be lazy bums on the others! It looks like an awesome spot. The rain dances have been working overtime here too!

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