Stage 3, Passo di Gavia

We arrived at Bormio around 11:00, dumped
luggage, and immediately began the ascent to
the Passo di Gavia. Bormio is at 4000 ft, and
the climb to the top of the Gavia amounts to
some 4500 feet, to over 8500 feet...its about a
16 mile climb, no real downhills, only one flat
area, so its basically up the whole way...the quality
of the road at the beginning was amazing, it
got worse later, but was still pretty good above the treeline... (more photos, videos to follow, having trouble with uploads)...

Stage 2, Como

There are no bad shots on this Lake....

Stage 2, Legendary Bikes

I think the pictures say it all...these are in the church...

Stage 2, The Top, The Spirit of Coppi

Ok, made it up this surprisingly tough climb, weather again hot, around 90....at top is a church (right) with a lot of historic cycles (above) and a great cycling museum....Massimo, per usual, was waiting for us at the top with water and encouragement...

Stage 2, The Climb to Ghisallo

State 2 day began with 3 hour drive to Lago di Como, through
increasingly beautiful countryside. Once in Varenne, we dropped
baggage at hotel, donned gear and took the ferry to Bellagio. Then
it was the days climb, straight to the Madonna di Ghisallo church
and cycling museum. This climb was short but intense, averaging
at least 10 percent grade, and at times 14, and totalling over 2000
ft over about 5 miles. The condition of the roads here is really great,
which makes the climbing more bearable...the views of Como going up were amazing....

Stage 1, Dinner and Extras

We also had time to stop at several bici shops, including one owned by Michael Rassmussen, and featuring some autographed jerseys....

....dinner was amazing, a family place where every dish was great, especially the pasta and fagoli zuppa...the group also indulged in a local speciality, Struzzo,
ostrich, which most seemed to like....

Stage 1, the Aftermath

After the ride, we went to a local winery and olive oil factory, and sampled 3 or 4 types of olive oil with bruschetta, 6 wines, and a couple of grappas...the local family was very simpatico, and most in the group bought some olive oil or wine. This is a very small outfit which does not export.
Our amazing guide, Massimo is in the yellow. At this point we are speaking only Italian....

Stage 1, Various Shots

Ok, these are a sampling of Stage 1 shots. The group features
Francesca, who rode with us for about 5 miles, she is riding for the
Fasso Bortolo team in the womens Giro. The other shots feature
some of the amazing scenery on this climb. What they dont show
is the temperature, avg around 93, and the fluid loss, which was
considerable....total distance was around 55 miles, with a great
descent.....

More on Day One

Pictures to follow...we met up with an Italian female rider who is going to do the womens version of the Giro D Italia this month, I think. We also stopped at a bike shop nearby owned by Danish rider Michael Rasmussen, who lives nearby. Our tour guide Massimo, knows a lot of pro riders, and he is a very good climber, he grew up in these hills, amazing...

Stage 1, Valpolicella, Grueling First Day Ride

Well, these are real mountains, and todays ride, supposedly one of the "easier" ones, was done in brutally hot weather, with 3000 feet of climbing, lots of fluid loss, etc. It frankly took a bit more out of me that I had wished, though legs feel fine. The scenery was absolutely spectacular, and the descent was great, a combination of technical switchbacks and straight shots where you could really open it up, hopefully didnt burn too much rubber off the brake pads. The post ride dinner was the best so far, at a local restaurant that made fantastic pasta e fagoli, homemade pasta with pesto, and other assorted things such as polenta, etc. Prior to dinner we spent two hours at a local winery and olive oil factory, where I purchased some great grappa for a certain full blooded Sicilian family member.....

Another view from the hotel, this one out my window...the place is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, and we will explore some of them tomorrow....

Ok, these are some serious bikes, the Tarmac and CKS are ridden by two very good climbers, who live in Albuquerque and will be well ahead of the pack, along with Massimo, our guide, when he is riding and not driving the van. The other riders are all, like me, from around sea level, and have a lot of experience. Tomorrow we do a 50 mile or so warmup around the Lake, followed by wine tasting and dinner...then its on to Lake Como Saturday...its going to be a real challenge...

Hotel Overlooks Lago di Garda

Ok, there are no bad views from this hotel. Looking west, its the Lake, looking north, Mount Baldo, looking east, more rolling hills....

This is definitely a keeper, the kitchen is excellent and the local Bardolino wine, full bodied....

The Arrival

Arrived in Verona after smooth 40 minute flight, met a native of the Garda area, Giulia, on the plane, who introduced me to the area and the many sporting activities going on in the area. Waited about an hour before Massimo, our guide, swung by in a van and whisked us up to the hotel, which has an incredible view of the Lago di Garda (photos to follow). We put the bike back together in a few minutes, a lot shorter than it took to disassemble and pack. The other bikes in the group are a little intimidating, a Serotta, a full carbon CSK, and a Specialized Tarmac for starters......

Punk Rocker and Folk Guitarist Support the Tour

Family musicians....
Bassist Giacomo (bottom) before heading out to play a gig in Tivoli......Guitarist Ian (top) plays his own versions of the lovely folk Norwegian singer/songwriter Lene Marlin...

Roman Cats Observe the Meal

The two Roman house cats, Pepita and Vince, observe with interest the evening pesto meal in progress...they are actually hoping fruitlessly that someone will toss them chunks of raw meat.....hehe...

Sister Whips Up Evening Carbos!

Ok, here is some of the first evidence of serious carbo loading, loading that occurred at the Gabrielli residence in southern Rome. The topping is pesto, the bread Lariano, the wine, bianco. The cook is the sister of the rider, and she has just brought the biological whole grain pasta to an amazing al dente and topped with pesto made with garlic, basilico, olive oil, and parmigiano......glycogen levels are rising....

Arrived safely in Roma! Bike safely stored in the Fiumicino airport storage, after waiting one and a half hours for baggage!! Legendary Italian efficiency....sigh....filling up now on pasta, mozzarella, basilico, pizza bianca, assorted vino....

Il biglietto

The Itinerary

This is the itinerary:

http://www.granfondocyclingtours.com/Legends2_08.htm

Some challenging climbs here, hopefully the scenery and food
will compensate some for the pain....

Surveying Their Handiwork...

OK, between the two of them, the box is ready to go, tres elegante, nothing hanging out, no loose ends, snug as can be, though PT, being a bit of a worried, is wondering how the expensive steed will do under load, in the belly of a large aircraft, will the struts fall off and put pressure on the fork or stays? Will the seat rattle around and damage the carbon finish, will the lion lay down with the lamb? Inquiring minds want to know....

Gear Ready for Stowing....

Rest of key gear, saddle bag (with spare tube, first aid kit, tools, cleat covers), shoes with newly refurbished cleats (rather fussy), and pedals, helmet (not shown) also fits neatly in between frame on bottom, then a second layer of foam, and then the two wheels, rear wheel with cassette down to avoid damage...then its a two man job (help from Phil, aka The Engine) was indispensable (he also had a packing cheat sheet!)...it took two tries to get it right...

The frame is now mounted safely on the first layer of foam...handlebars off, chain held away from frame by string, both front fork and rear stays braced with struts.....

Ok, box is ready, wheels off, pedals, seat, handlebar to follow....

This is the protective iron (actually hard plastic) case that will enable the expensive bicycle to arrive safely at its destination. Its a bit of a chore to actually get the bike in the box. But help is on the way, in the person of The Engine, who has used the box before.....

Last warmdown ride before taking 4 days of rest to prepare. Sugarloaf is a mountain, though not that challenging. The descent is quite technical, and I am known in the peleton as a fearless descender, plunging into the curves at breakneck speed....

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/email/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=127832&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=6046094&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=11

These are the missing members of the Peleton....they will be missed...

This is the steed that will carry the intrepid rider to new (ouch!) heights. Its a Specialized Roubaix, full carbonio, with mix of Campy Record and Chorus components, Toupe saddle, Campy Eurus 1500 g caliber wheelset, compact Chorus 50-34 crankset for optimal climbing. Light, just a tad over 16 lbs, this baby explodes up hills, and handles flawlessly during descents....

The adventure begins. First stop is Lago di Garda, with ride around the lake on Thursday June 26. Our hotel is:

Boffenigo Boutique Hotel
Via Boffenigo 6
37010 - Loc. Boffenigo
Lago di Garda - Italia
Tel. 39.045.720.0178

http://www.boffenigo.it

Check out hotel webpage. Photos to follow...