Stage 4 -- Savage Beauty: September 6, 2012

Chiaulis -- Cortina d'Ampezzo
137.8 miles, 19,095 feet
Strava: http://app.strava.com/rides/21076836

I will go out on a limb a say that a number of us were nervous about the Zoncolan, which was coming after 20km. It is widely regarded as the hardest climb in Italy the Giro uses, 10.5 km at 11.5% average, with 6km at an average of 15%. Phil told us to look for the image of Indurain at km 4.9, and the worst would be over ....

 As usual, Phil was a bit "optimistic" on the details, but more on that later. I took off with the group, which insisted on pulling quite quickly to Ovaro, the base of the climb. I knew I would be grinding a 34x29, since Giro winners had used the same gear on this climb and they were both lighter and much more powerful than I. I could not pull very effectively on the bars with my left, so I "compensated" with my core/back, which would come back to bite me since I more or less pulled it here. On the upside, I made the climb non-stop, met an Italian "Piemonte" who laughed with me on the absurdity of this climb. I had no desire to push the pace since I knew we were in for quite a day with about 15,000 feet and 120 miles left after this beast.

 

Piemonte and I at the top

 

 

 Poulidor

 Rob (CH) and Tim

 Bravo

Evidence! Go Simon!

 

 

After breathing a quick sigh of relief we set off for our next "testing" loop. The Forcella Luis was about 5km at 9% with a wicked kick for a start, just to let us know that it would still be steep. I got a coke (or two) at the top of the next climb, and got set for the long slog to lunch, and 30km climb that seemed to go on forever.

 

 

Canada Rob hung with me for a bit before muttering something disparaging about my gearing and taking off into the distance. We had been promised wonderful gnocchi (made with Zucca, or a squash like a sweet potato, but much better -- see Marcella Hazan on this point) at the refugio at the top of the climb, so who could blame him? Strava recorded 16 miles at 4.7%, an easy climb in theory but the grade was very inconsistent and it seemed to go on forever at this point in the stage. I stretched a few times, took some photos, etc. (this is the pattern for most long climbs now, so no need to allude to it each time ;) ).

 

 

Lunch!

 

 

Lunch was even better than promised .... gnocchi, Speck, cheese, etc. But it was getting late and there was much riding to do ....

 

 

Next up was a 6km, 9% climb ... I felt good climbing and my back held out for most of it ...

 

 There goes Tim again (flying by as I inhale a banana)!

 Top of the Passo San Antonio

 

 

At this point just two long, but not overly tough climbs to go .... the Monte Croce and the Tre Croci

 

 

I should mention two things here. I studied the road book but generally relied on the yellow arrows put out on course by the lead van at critical intersections. We also had photographers from Rapha following us for the first four stages ... The arrow after the descent had turned into the mountain, so that was obviously incorrect. I then checked the signs and turned left towards the Monte Croce, only to be waived off by the Rapha photo dudes and told to turn right. I did, but soon figured i was wrong after descending and not seeing any other arrows. As I stopped, two other riders (the two Tims) passed me, going further downhill. I called and figured out I was indeed of course. The Rapha dudes then showed up, admitted their mistake, and I had them go and tell the Tims they needed to turn back. This increased the distance not only to the finish but to the next rest stop and water, which I really needed. Daylight would be an issue as well, so I hurried on, where I ran into Jake and Simon ....

 

 

 

 Good news -- rest stop came relatively quickly; bad news -- drop bag with the light was not there ...

 

 

I chowed some food, and hurried on. Racing daylight, and fighting a seizing back, I headed up towards lake Misurina. First the two Tims rejoined, then dropped me once I stopped to stretch (not that they were not faster anyway), and I climbed into the sunset, happily

 

 Bye, Tims!

 Misurina

 

 

Once I got to the top of the climb, a van pulled up and asked me not to descend in the dark to Cortina .... a good call. I got all the cols, and it would be the only time on the trip I was ever in the van. I did not mind missing a descent in the dark.

 

 

We took quick showers at our nice hotel, and then scurried off for dinner in town. A glass of wine was in order for sure! One more day until the rest day!

 





Stage 3 -- September 5, 2012: Real Dolomiti!

124 miles, 15,912 feet -- Fiera Di Primero to Chiaulis
Strava link: http://app.strava.com/rides/20951379#z18450|18814

We started early and knew we were getting into the real Dolomites now ... not just the classic geology, but the steep passes as well. I could not believe my luck after having a giant room to myself and getting a great night sleep after a quality meal ... real Dolomiti in all respects!

First up was the Passo Cereda, 8km at 9%, where the first few km are relatively flat .... I had a decent rhythm and climbed with Ole, who would often be near when he was "slumming" it on a climb ....

 

Ole, Ole, Ole!

 

 

Next up ... descent, bump, descent, and then the Passo Duran, a stiff climb of 12.5km -- I ran out of water (a recurring theme) and found out Nuun tablets do not agree with me towards the top. I had a good climb in all, though. Geneva Rob caught and dropped me on the descent, allowed me to yo-yo and then took off as usual ...

 

 

The weather held over the Cibiana and the Mauria as I rode more or less solo ...

 



After that, it got interesting ... another 10km climb at about 9%, then we were tasked with descending a series of tunnels with wet cobblestones (nice cobbles) through dramatic scenery. Not very good for torn thumb ligaments, though.

 

 

Here is Phil & Co. riding up the tunnel section in a Rapha clip, fwiw:

http://www.rapha.cc/everything-and-nothing/?cm_mmc=email-_-190912-_-img-_-feature



Finally, we entered a wooded section reminiscent of Sonoma with its narrow wooded switchbacks, broken pavement bordering on unpaved, and little traffic -- then we hit a 20% sign and got a taste of the steepness to come (1-2km of steep with some 18% sections, like the first steep section on King Ridge). I felt good but, in an ominous turn, my back was quite sore since I could not pull on the bars with my injured left hand.

To put things in perspective, I was thrilled to have made it three days, the hand was actually getting better if still painful, and the Zonclan and an epic stage were on tap for tomorrow ... lodging for the day was much more basic than the night before, but we were here for the climb from hell, not vacation paradise!



Stage 2 -- September 4, 2012

Pieve Di Ledro -- Fiera Di Primero
132 miles, 16,400 feet, corrupted Garmin file

After trying to dry shoes overnight and get psyched up for a rainy start, many riders were a bit somber at breakfast. The days of rain had also obviated Phil's plan to take an off road route to bypass the tunnel to Riva del Garda (no bikes allowed), but we were forced to tuck in behind a support van and go for it.

View from breakfast table

 

 

After a few "bumps" that would be climbs at home, we hit our first real HC climb of the tour, the Monte Bondone. I felt good and was literally singing in the rain for a good bit of it. Very foggy, chilly descent, and then the weather changed to sunny before the next big climb, the di Compet.

 

 Dudes on the descent

 

 

The Compet was a beautiful climb, narrow, wooded and 10km with gradients in the high single digits for the most part. Here I really enjoyed riding with Jez. We got water from mountain springs and he saved me with some salt tablets. Cheers, Jez!

 

 

Then it was onto the Forcella and the Brocon, a long steady climb with another natural water source!

 

Here is Jez again ....

 

 

 

I then flew down the descent, and pass the hotel! Bonus miles! Luckily I got in by dark ...



Stage 1: September 3, 2012 -- San Pellegrino to Pieve Di Ledro

Strava stats: 109 miles, 12,705 feet
http://app.strava.com/rides/20871348

Not in the stats: Jetlag, rain, dirt roads, amazing views, my first bonk, but first stage bagged.

We started under ominous skies together on a bike path out of San Pellegrino towards our first climb, the di Zambla, a gentle 23.5km climb. Despite my running fitness it was a shock to be back on a bike and I could tell with the jet lag I would be struggling all day. I managed the first climb fine, though, trying out my new modified hand grip so I could stand on occassion. With the small Campy hoods I was able to hook my middle finger under, use my palm a bit and then keep the thumb more or less straight. Braking on the first descent hurt but was much better than expected ... one climb/descent down, and the roads were still dry! Smiles all around to the first feed stop

 

The next climb, the San Zeno wiped that smile off, though. I was a bit sick to my stomach and just suffered. Folks were very encouraging (Nick, especially), and that really helped me ride through the very long bad patch

 

 

 

That bad patch lasted until the top of the next climb, the Maniva. I was worried since these were hardly the killer climbs to come, and I was struggling. 12-14 km climbs to be sure, but hardly epic ...

 

 

On this day epic was reserved for the next section of dirt, rocks, and puddles that followed the Maniva! I wished I had my Hampsten Strada Bianca with 28mm tires ... the rough road was pounding my hand and tears were mixing with the sweat and rain pouring down my face. Somehow it was perfect, though. After some spectacular views, a rip roaring descent, and a brief flat section, I found some legs on the last short climb and pedaled into our lakeside hotel in the warm rain, exhausted and elated ....

 



 

Done before day 1?

I had been cycling and trail running this year, and very much enjoying both. Running had been especially welcome during miserable weather, darkness, etc. So, it was ironic that two weeks before the trip I had my first trail running fall having decided it was wiser to run the trails than to cycle in heavy traffic and fading light. I will spare you the details, but the day before I was to leave for Italy my MRI results came back and trumped my "clean x-rays" of my left hand and showed a high grade tear of my ulnar collateral ligament in my left thumb and that surgery would be required.

So, I wrestled with whether to try at all. I was in significant pain and this trip was a stretch without injury. In the end, though, I decided it was paid for and it was worth giving it a go as long as I was prepared to pack it in on the first descent if I felt unsafe (I had not ridden since the accident to try and let it heal). I am scared of surgery, so at least I could defer that for a few days ;)

Back to the present for a moment, here I am post-op (done the first business day after the trip). This will also give an image of me typing with one hand while on Rush Limbaugh's favorite pain killers ....

 

 

Anywho, I made it to the pre-ride briefing in San Pellegrino, met the guys (and gal) who would be riding and started to get excited .... the Dolomites are likely my favorite spot on earth, and this looked to be a great adventure with a good group. The taxi ride in to SP had introduced me to a few of the guys (UK, Denmark, USA) and I was quite impressed with them (proper names are generally being avoided to protect the innocent, fwiw -- if CCC folks are reading the goal is to present you but not put names to faces publicly, just look for your pictures).

 

 

After introducing ourselves, Phil explained the challenge and previewed the first stage. The x factor appeared to be the gravel road, which wouldlikely  not be passable given all the recent rain (rain forecast for the stage as well). Phil assured us he had a plan, so I finished assembling my trusty Pegoretti (with a bit of expert help from our mechanic due to contents shifting during travel), got my ice bag and ibuprofen, and set off for bed ...

Futures Past -- Dolomites Challenge

This is a remembrance of the first Cents Cols Challenge in the Dolomites, and my first participation in the unique challenges Phil Deeker has been developing over recent years (Alps, Pyrenees). He recently tweeted that he promised not to create anything harder than this Dolomites Challenge, and for good reason I think.

Looking back, the stats of 2,000km and over 50,000 meters of climbing in ten days do not do justice to the difficulty of the event -- the relentless gradients, the pioneer nature of the inaugural challenge (how far is it again, Phil?) and the unpredictable nature of riding in the mountains (weather, injuries, etc.) give flesh to a roadbook whose dry facts are intimidating, but the reality of which is both more daunting and more rewarding than first imagined.

So, how did I end up in San Pellegrino Terme on September 3, 2012 to roll out for Stage 1?

 

The former grand hotel of San Pellegrino the morning of our departure