Left Bormio, Now in Arabba

We left Bormio this morning. Headed to the Dolomites. We had a hard time deciding where to stay, finally deciding to stay in the town of Arabba, Italy, right on the route known as the "Sella Ronda". This fellow in this link does a much grander job of describing what the Sella Ronda is all about: http://pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=7150

I guess I should report that we had, really, fabulous weather in Bormio. There had been snow at the top of the Stelvio pass just a week ago (when we had our rain in the Alps). It was clear to the top of it, the Gavia, and Mortirolo. Nice temps--but hard to believe how cold it could get at the tops of the passes. Especially after arriving at the top soaking wet with sweat and then sitting still for just a few minutes.

I haven't been able to post photos from the the last two computers we've been using. We've got some good shots, some good video (to us, anyway--probably like vacation shots to anyone else).

Stelvio was a bear, one side's supposed to be easier than the other and, in hindsight, I guess the approach from the Bormio side is a little easier, but it's a relative thing. Neither is easy. Both are LONG slogs, but quite beautiful.

This is the view from the top of Passo Stelvio looking towards the Prato approach.
This is from about 2/3 of the way up the climb from Bormio.

Passo Stelvio--now THAT'S a climb. Long, steep, tons of switchbacks (48 from the Prato side). It's a whole bunch of work.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/257770

Mortirolo was, thankfully, shorter by 10-15 kms, I believe, but it was much steeper--avg over 10 %, while Stelvio averaged around 7.5%. Tough, tough climb. Met up with a couple of Italian gentlemen as I was headed from Bormio to Mazzo, the start of the Mortirolo. None of us knew exactly how to get to where we wanted to go, so I relied on their expertise in the spoken language to ask directions. Much more effective. Older fellows, both of them. One of them stayed with me all the way up Mortirolo until he dropped off with about 2 kms to go. I'm not sure why he dropped off, I think he didn't want to show me up. Nice, nice man though.

We waited for about 20 minutes for his buddy to show up. Meanwhile, an Italian cycling club showed up, probably about 20 strong. These guys ride these mountains all the time for their training rides. Yep, they's fast.

The three of us rode on to Ponti di Legno to the start of the Gavia--17 kms, 8% avg. We parted ways there because the faster of the two men wanted to wait for his friend, plus Linda was waiting for me at the top and I was already running late.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/258812

Linda climbed Gavia from Bormio--an amazingly long climb that you really appreciate when you realize how long it takes to go DOWN the thing.

My two buddies and I left a good bit before the Italian cycling club at the top of the Mortirolo. The whole way to the Gavia I was waiting for them to catch us. On the Gavia, I could see them coming. For whatever reason, they seemed to stall in terms of closing the gap. It was all I could do to stay ahead of them. Minor victories, eh?

I spotted Linda as I approached the final few hundred yards. She jumped up and came running to meet me. She'd been waiting at the top for 2 1/2 hours--that's love. Fortunately, there was a restaurant where she could get out of the cold, if need be, but the sun was out pretty strong that day so I think she spent a good deal of time basking in its rays.

Our plan's to stay in Arabba for 3 nights, then go to Cortina d'Ampezzo for one night, then to Treviso from which we'll make an attempt to see Venice (yes, not everything has to revolve around cycling).

Hope to find a computer from which we can post pics soon (and video). I'm an uncle again, or is it great uncle ("great" a noun, not an adjective)? June 24. Boy.