Nooooo (Zoncolan)

Unknown · May 2007

Summit under a few inches of snow apparantly.

Please clear the roads. Please please please.

Unknown · May 2007

I remember the "deciding stage" from last year when I took the afternoon off only to find that the stage had been shortened etc.

Fortunately, I'm not faced with that dilemma this year as I am off to Paris tomorrow [:)]

Mr Bumble · May 2007

Am I right in thinking that Andy Hampsten once ploughed through snow in the mountains of the 87/88? Giro?

Surely a cycloross style finish would be entertaining[:D]

Unknown · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Mr Bumble

Am I right in thinking that Andy Hampsten once ploughed through snow in the mountains of the 87/88? Giro?

Surely a cycloross style finish would be entertaining[:D]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You mean this stage? It's not the greatest quality clip but it does give you the feel for the conditions.

That was a terrible day mainly because they had to descend twenty odd kilometres down into Bormio for the stage finish. Tomorrow might not be so bad as they'll be nice and warm climbing that monster!

Cyclo2000 · May 2007

Jings. Hard men indeed!

Usquequaque in Ventus
Just once I would like to be called "Sir", without someone adding "You're making a scene".

Mr Bumble · May 2007

Aye!

Epic!!!

cheers Andyp

Anonymous · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Mr Bumble

Aye!

Epic!!!

cheers Andyp
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

They will eat the bloody snow climbing that....never/ever seen a climb as disgusting looking as that in a Grand Tour...probably the Angliru is the closest...and there are suggestions the Vuelta won't do that again due to the logistical nightmere of getting big vehicles up there..Zoncolans a bit different as theres other way to get to the top...we all know what a 15% average Kilometers is...anyone whos done the steep climbs of the Lakes/Dales/Moors know that a 15% avg is brutal...christ Winnats Pass is 1km long with 16% average and its a very well graded climb and it kills cyclists!...imagine having 6 km's of that with 2kms either side at a brutal 8% avg...its going to be devastating...even the Tri Cime Laverdo ripped the riders too pieces and although it's really steep and difficult, its not even in the same league as this thing! nothing is....Would love to give it a pop myself...I'd fit a mountainbike cassette to the rear[;)]

Unknown · May 2007

woke up this morning near the passo campalongo (1850m) with the tent weighed down with snow...about to go over to the Zoncolan to take a look.

It's wet snow and most passes over 2000 metres are clear, so I think it will be ok as long as there is no more overnight.

Unknown · May 2007

erm....just spoke to someone in a hotel in Cortina and they have told me there is a foot of snow on the Zoncolan.....

PeteinSQ · May 2007

I feel sorry for the riders in that clip from 88. They look freezing!

Unknown · May 2007

Got any links to pictures of the Zoncolan , with or without snow ?

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/roads4bikes/

Tom Butcher · May 2007

Well they've got 24 hours notice - tell them to get suitable tyres on and make them ride it.

Warning about well known bike shop removed at request of moderators.

ricadus · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I remember the "deciding stage" from last year when I took the afternoon off only to find that the stage had been shortened etc.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ha, I can trump that: I rode over the Passo Campolongo, through freezing sleet and then heavy rain, down the valley to watch that one. Ironically it was glorious warm sunshine less than an hour after the (shortened) stage had finished.

londonphoenix.co.uk

speedbump · May 2007

It would only be Di Luca who was pleased (of the favourites) if it were cancelled. They should do it! Cyclings not as bad as football, but they are paid enough!

Mr Bumble · May 2007

Rai Tre showed a clip of this years route up the Zoncolan after today's stage....

What a beautiful finish![^]

Please, Please keep it in

NervexProf · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Squaggles

Got any links to pictures of the Zoncolan , with or without snow ?

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/roads4bikes/
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

http://www.promotur.org/?id=28&PHPSESSI ... 7c885b3045

Two live webcams on link above

Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom

sing_for_absolution · May 2007

They're from over a month ago though. [:(]

tea is good

Unknown · May 2007

There is no way they should put them through a Gavia-type experience, but if the conditions are okay it'll be a cracker.

TdG

sing_for_absolution · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Timoid

There is no way they should put them through a Gavia-type experience
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Why not? It'd toughen them up! That's like saying 'oh, these riders can't start Paris-Roubaix if it's raining! [:0]'.

tea is good

ricadus · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Squaggles

Got any links to pictures of the Zoncolan , with or without snow ?

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/roads4bikes/
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/ri ... olan_1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/ri ... olan_2.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/ri ... olan_3.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/ri ... olan_4.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/ri ... olan_5.jpg

It's basically a mountain biker's fire road for the last few kilometres. [}:)]

londonphoenix.co.uk

NervexProf · May 2007

Interesting profile info on Mt Zoncolan here: http://www.climbbybike.com/profile.asp? ... ntainID=36

Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom

sing_for_absolution · May 2007

I'm looking at the Zoncolan webcam now and it appears there's been an avalance on the summit(!) http://www.crs.inogs.it/ipcam/zoncolan/zoncolan.jpg

tea is good

afx237vi · May 2007

Monte Zoncolan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVQV5c-6Agc (I suspect the pros won't be using that way up!)

ricadus · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by NervexProf

Interesting profile info on Mt Zoncolan here: http://www.climbbybike.com/profile.asp? ... ntainID=36

Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

"Second gallery" near the top looks relatively OK, but I think that is where there is a single-car-width tunnel...

londonphoenix.co.uk

Stephen Sorba · May 2007

Forecast is for 7C Wednesday afternoon, cloudy, light winds. There is no snow at 1740m as far as I can tell. http://www.3bmeteo.com/meteo-localita-M ... n-8346.htm

'e pur si muove

kmahony · May 2007

Anyone know when the climb is likely to start/finish?

Would like to get to the pub for it, if it's not too early.

If it wasn't for hangovers, I'd ride everyday.

Unknown · May 2007

Are they going up the steepest way ?

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/roads4bikes/

Salsiccia · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by sing_for_absolution

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Timoid

There is no way they should put them through a Gavia-type experience
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Why not? It'd toughen them up! That's like saying 'oh, these riders can't start Paris-Roubaix if it's raining! [:0]'.

tea is good
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If we demand that riders race through these conditions, on one of Europe's hardest climbs, in the third week of a three week tour, then we can hardly be surprised (or complain) when we see riders turn to medical assistance to get them through.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Grand Tours and all the mountain climbs, but we are asking humans to perform superhuman feats. It is no wonder they turn to unnatural methods to cope with the demands.

Unknown · May 2007

I think this year they climb Zoncolan from a harder side than the previous time (that was bad enough !)

PeteinSQ · May 2007

"It is no wonder they turn to unnatural methods to cope with the demands."

If none of them took drugs there would be no need for any of them to start. The speeds would be lower and they ought to be able to cope with it.

Salsiccia · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PeteinSQ

"It is no wonder they turn to unnatural methods to cope with the demands."

If none of them took drugs there would be no need for any of them to start. The speeds would be lower and they ought to be able to cope with it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Of course, you're right. But as with all areas of life people will always look to get an advantage, legally or not. I'm not conding drug use in cycling, but I can't help feel slightly complicit by wanting spectacular racing and riders succumbing because of the pressure to perform.

Nooooo (Zoncolan)

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