Monthly Archives: August 2011

Bormio — Extreme Mountain Town

Posted on August 22, 2011 by bikealps

By now, you’ve probably read about the two great rides we did from Bormio: both sides of the Stelvio and the Mortirolo/Gavia loop.  These are two of the greatest one-day rides I’ve ever done. There are two more mega rides you … Continue reading →

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Mortirolo e Gavia — an Epic Day

Posted on August 19, 2011 by bikealps

Today is the last day of our trip.  It’s good to end a trip with a bang! We have climbed most of the famous peaks of the Dolomites — Sella Gruppo, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Passo Giau, Passo Falzarego — … Continue reading →

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Passo Stelvio — Cima Coppi — both sides in one day

Posted on August 17, 2011 by bikealps

Of all the mountains one can ride a bicycle up, Passo Stelvio fascinates me the most. Sure, at 2757m Passo Stelvio isn’t the highest pass in Europe.  Col de la Bonette Restefond (2860m) is the highest and Col de l’Iseran … Continue reading →

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transfer day: Cortina to Bormio — preview of Passo Stelvio

Posted on August 17, 2011 by bikealps

Today we have to drive from Cortina to Bormio.  Our plan was to ride from Cortina, climbing Passo Giau, Passo Fedaia (Marmolada glacier), and Passo Nigra, and meet Ajax in Bolzano where he would drive us the rest of the … Continue reading →

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Cortina d’Ampezzo — Jewel of the Dolomites

Posted on August 17, 2011 by bikealps

By now you’ve seen my descriptions and photographs of all the great rides we’ve been doing in the Dolomites with Ajax Dempsey of Alta Quota Adventures.  http://www.altaquota-adventures.com/  We’ve been staying in Cortina d’Ampezzo which has served as an excellent base … Continue reading →

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Sella Ronde — Disneyland for Cyclists

Posted on August 15, 2011 by bikealps

The Gruppo Sella is a monolith of coral and the most iconic feature of the landscape of the Dolomites.  From a distance, it looks like a mesa from Monument Valley placed smack on top of an Alpine mountain.  Unfortunately, you … Continue reading →

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Passo Giau — Magnificent!

Posted on August 14, 2011 by bikealps

I had forgotten just how beautiful Passo Giau is.  Or perhaps I never knew.  The first time I climbed Passo Giau was in 1995, from the south side, but it was in a driving rain storm so I probably didn’t … Continue reading →

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Cicli Cortina (bike shop)

Posted on August 12, 2011 by bikealps

What’s a town without a bike shop? A key selection criteria for any base camp is adequate services to support execution of your plan, in this case an outrageous cycling vacation.  Already, Ajax has sliced his front tire, I have … Continue reading →

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Tre Cime Festival of Steepness

Posted on August 12, 2011 by bikealps

Day 4: Rest Day – Tre Cime di Lavaredo Today we were supposed to have a rest day.  Ajax went hiking, but Rudy and I went for a bike ride.  Like a pair of Ethopian refugees after vacuuming up the buffet at … Continue reading →

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Classic Dolomites Climbs

Posted on August 11, 2011 by bikealps

Day 3 – Classic Climbs: Falzarego, Valrarola, Campolongo, Falzarego I woke up sore again.  My legs hurt, my trapezoids ache, and my lower back is tweaked.  Two days of 7000’ climbing is taking its toll.  Fortunately, it’s sunny out and … Continue reading →

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