Lombardy, Italy June, 2010 | The Stelvio By Conor Brady
Riding the Stelvio was one of the most beautiful and hardest things I have ever done. It is the perfect climb. From forested to exposed rock face, from hairpins to long sweeping grades, it is a climb that with the altitude is a challenge for any rider. Parts of it look deceptively easy, but coupled with the headwind and altitude your forward motion is greatly reduced. Other parts look demoralizingly hard. Looking up at what looks like a cliff of hairpins, with the Refugio clearly defined in the distance as your destination isn’t exactly the motivation you need at 12km to go. From the town triangle in Bormio the climb kicks right into it’s first hairpin and from there on up there is really no respite. In 25km you gain 5427ft to 8985ft, on an average 7.4% gradient with sections as steep as 14% (I knew because someone had kindly painted it on the road and it was confirmed by my Garmin). This was all done in 80 degree temperatures, what is that saying about mad dogs and English men. Pictures don’t do it justice, either here or on TV, it is brutal, but fantastic.
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Pingback by From The Saddle: The Stelvio « Elcyclista — 07.08.10 @ 3:57 pm
Stunning, Conor. Your best post yet.
Comment by TimothyDay — 07.09.10 @ 5:30 am
Thx Tim – more to come. I am really happy with the Gavia shots as well.
Comment by cbrady — 07.09.10 @ 8:43 am
so you did Gavia? also Mortirolo?
Comment by Stefan — 07.09.10 @ 10:58 am
Gavia from the wrong side, not valid!
Comment by Stefan — 07.09.10 @ 10:59 am
There is no right side to that climb! It all looked hard to me. Did the Gavia, but didn’t make the Mortirolo as we wanted to get down to the lakes and do the Ghisallo.
Comment by cbrady — 07.09.10 @ 2:35 pm
have a good time!
Comment by Stefan — 07.10.10 @ 3:18 am
Camping at Gomagoi
Comment by glipkerio — 11.05.10 @ 8:32 am
hi guys
next time come and stay at our place right on the water of lake como. we also organize bike guided tours
Comment by federico — 03.28.11 @ 8:13 am
Hey Frederico – Your Villa is beautiful! Great spot to start riding.
Comment by cbrady — 03.29.11 @ 8:51 am
I had the pleasure of riding pasa della stelvio July 5th, the day after the Maritoni Dollomiti (13,400ft of climbing) coming up from the north end. For an American who’s ridden mostly in only in the western US. it was one of the finer experiences I’ve had on a bike. A lovely contrast to the dolomites as well. To make the experience a bit more memorable, and a quite a bit longer, I approached it on my loaded touring bike, equipped with the comically italian Campagnolo tripple, 53x42x36.
I love reading other accounts of this beautiful location. Thanks for the post. The stelvio is truly molto bella!
p.s. the descent down to Bormio was almost as glorious as the climb. If only I hadn’t come down with a bed-inducing flu following the climb! Hitting the thing at sunset. Oh the memories!
Comment by Brian — 03.29.11 @ 3:39 pm
For the truly nuts, the triple — Stelvio, Gavia and the very brutal Mortirolo — are done in one day.
Comment by VeloAsia — 05.31.11 @ 2:45 pm
That is just crazy. Although I am about to do the Glandon, Telegraph, Galibier and D’Huez in one day in the Marmotte. So maybe I am crazy too.
Comment by cbrady — 05.31.11 @ 5:17 pm