A mini-alpine climb (English)

by berled on Wednesday 13 May 2015 13:59

While this climb is only about 2-3km long, it really allows one to get into a good climbing rhythm. The first long straight section is the hardest - the gradient then eases somewhat during the subsequent switchback sections. Unfortunately cars and trucks tend to zoom along quite fast (up to 100km/h…

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Switchbacks galore (English)

by berled on Saturday 9 May 2015 13:15

Cancano photo

This is a short and fun climb near Bormio that is good as a preparation climb for longer or harder climbs elsewhere. Lots of switchbacks on the way up (not sure exactly how many, but felt like over 20). I rode this in 2014 as part of a fantastic tour run by Thomson Bike Tours. Quite scenic and good…

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Hidden gem (English)

by berled on Thursday 7 May 2015 13:52

Although this doesn't have the history and reputation of some of the nearby climbs, it is a fun climb. The road surface is good throughout and you can easily establish a good rhythm. Towards the top there is a nice series of switchbacks although there isn't too much to see at the top itself as any …

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A good workout and not too long (English)

by berled on Thursday 7 May 2015 13:45

I rode this climb in 2011 in July. It is fairly consistently steep with a flat spot in the middle. It isn't particularly long, so the steepness is relatively tolerable - if it was much longer, it would be a super tough climb. It can reasonably be ridden in under an hour. Not as tough as some of the…

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Big climb! (English)

by berled on Thursday 7 May 2015 13:36

A nice long climb that is never particularly steep, but goes one and on. I really felt the effects of the altitude near the top and the final few kilometres are very exposed to the wind - so keep something in reserve for the final section. I rode it on a typical weekday afternoon in summer and the …

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Deceptively tough (English)

by berled on Thursday 7 May 2015 13:29

Although it is not super famous and even though the statistics do not suggest that it is particularly difficult - it is - or at least, it was when I rode up it before the Tour de France came through in 2011. I became quite dehydrated and affected by the heat on the way up. Even though I have ridden…

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Beautiful the whole way (English)

by berled on Thursday 7 May 2015 13:23

This climb is great! The road surface is good and you get great views over Arraba as you progress up it. It isn't as long or as hard as some of the more iconic Dolomite climbs, but it allows you to go hard and enjoy it without having to worry too much about pacing or running out of food etc.

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Just right! (English)

by berled on Thursday 7 May 2015 13:19

A very typical Dolomiti climb - hard work, but very spectacular. It starts off steep as you leave the village at the bottom and it tends to stay that way. Allow about 54 minutes to ride it if you're a club B-grade rider like me averaging 232w. It is a real climber's climb in that it is steep but no…

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The epitome of a beautiful Dolomiti climb (English)

by berled on Thursday 7 May 2015 13:10

Rode this on 29/05/2014. For a club B-grade rider such as myself doing this as part of the Sella Ronde loop, it took about 52 minutes. It is a much easier climb than the Passo Fedaia in that it is not as steep, but it is at just the right gradient to get into a rhythm and feel like a real climber. …

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Don't underestimate (English)

by berled on Thursday 7 May 2015 13:02

DSC09940

Rode this on 26/05/2014 the day before the Giro went over. Luckily, due to heavy snow, the pass was closed to cars at the time. I am a club B-grade rider (70kgs) and managed to ride it okay even though I'd ridden the Mortirolo that morning. However, I'm extremely glad I had a 34x32 gearing because …

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