The weather was perfect, sunny and warm in the valleys, cool on the mountaintops. We headed SW from Cortina to climb Passo Giau, a 10 km climb. That seems short enough except that the middle 4 km average nearly 10% and the final 3 km average 9%. By the top, Reb observed that it felt more like doing squats in a gym than riding a bike. We’re learning quickly that if it’s Dolomitic, it’s steep.
Nearing the top of Passo Giau
We returned through Cortina just before noon and headed east up Tre Croci (“Three Crosses”). This was a moderate climb of 8 km, 580 m vertical. Then we descended and climbed some more to a lake, where we stopped for lunch. We had a decision to make. We had ridden only 30 mi., but climbed 6,000 ft to that point. Ahead of us lay Tre Cimi.
Atop Passo Giau–which way does the wind blow?
Reb, relaxing atop Giau after his gym workout
Only a titan could have ridden this bike to the top of Giau. It’s a real bike with steel-rimmed wheels.
Wow, Jack! Great photos! Love the art as much as the scenery! Miss you! be
Jack, Great photos and descriptions of your climbs. I bet any of you could ride that steel rimmed bike…..(maybe downhill)!