Bormio trip (Stelvio, Mortirolo, Gavia etc)

rhnb

Hi all
For anyone interested, six of us (mostly frequenters of this forum - richyboy, fathead, brianb, alesupper, rhnb) had a fantastic week in Bormio, Italy last month.
Have written up the experience here which includes our daily routes and ride reports and a zillion pictures in the gallery section.

See here... http://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk/bormio2008/index.htm

Can't recommend the place highly enough. Bormio is a great base as you're within spitting distance of some of the legendary high passes (Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo, Umbrail etc). A fantastic place for a week of cycling heaven.

Cheeers... allan

oldwelshman

Looks great, maybe there could be a forum trip there?

rhnb

Well I can think of worse places to spend a week ;-)

The Hotel we stayed at (Hotel Genzianella) was superb. Really geared up for cyclists.

I'd been wanting to have a pop at the Stelvio and Gavia for years and was beginning to think it was never going to happen. Now I just want to go back!

Even the weather was brilliant.

pneumatic

Great website and what looks like a really good trip.

All that stuff on the wider website about the "days before lycra" is mesmerising and has cost me the first hour of my working day! :evil:

rhnb

Glad you enjoyed it pneumatic.

I take it you're not 'self-employed' then

wakemalcolm

Allan

A pleasure to read as always and a reasonable excuse for your no show at the Bealach this year. Have spent some time on the Swiss side of these hills, think I need to go back and reappraise from the south side.

rhnb

Well I'd rather have done both! Just have be quicker off the mark next year for the Bealach. I was gutted to have missed ot after having donw the first 2. It's still my favourite sportive.

Yes, that trip will take some topping I think. The only way to improve it would be to go for 2 weeks, but Mrs RHNB might have something to say about that!

pneumatic

rhnb wrote:

Glad you enjoyed it pneumatic.

I take it you're not 'self-employed' then

Actually I am, really! My organisation (me) therefore has a highly enlightened and person-centred approach to flexi-time. On non-client-facing days, I get to choose my working hours on the basis that I will work any 8 out of 24. So today, with the sun shining, the wind dropped and Autumn all around me, I put it to the Board that all employees should be required to go out on their bikes and get some exercise. The motion was carried! It was bonza.

Now back at the desk, focused, working hard, not distracted by anything at all. DOH! :oops:

Captain Fagor

Great gallery, rhnb. Fantastic scenery - looked pretty intimidating, right enough. Well done to all those who climbed those monsters.

Nice to see Fathead enjoying his cycling - I unwittingly rode with him during the Southern Upland Sportive earlier this year, and neither of us were doing much smiling that day!!

Brian B

I like the website Allan. What a trip eh. Nice pic of me trying to see that refuge up that mountain. That was some view. Undecided as to what was the nicest climb - Stelvio or the Gavia.

I have not been able to upload my pics from my phone. Have lost my pc connector during the house move but are all pretty similar to yours (but yours are better quality).

rhnb

Thanks Brian. No problem re the pics. I think we've got enough

Gavia or Stelvio - hmmmm. I think for me the Gavia just edges it. I liked the fact that it was so quiet up there (ie no traffic/people - well not at the time of day we arrived up there). It's an isolated spot on top of there alright (and bloody cold! )
But, ask me tomorrow and I'd probably say the Stelvio - that's just an awesome bit of engineering - with scenery!

arranandy

That's looks like it was a great trip Allan. Photos and write-up are excellent

BillR1

Fantastic write up and what a trip.

Hope I can join you all on the next one.

Bill

rhnb

thanks arranandy and billr1 - much appreciated.

Hope I can join you all on the next one.

I hope I can too!

Fat Head

Captain Fagor wrote:

Great gallery, rhnb. Fantastic scenery - looked pretty intimidating, right enough. Well done to all those who climbed those monsters.

Nice to see Fathead enjoying his cycling - I unwittingly rode with him during the Southern Upland Sportive earlier this year, and neither of us were doing much smiling that day!!

cheers fagor, nice comments, it was funny at the SUS as we were in a decent sized group yet me and you seemed to be chatting the most!

hope the winter isnt too tough on you!

andyp

I finally got the chance to read your account this morning and enjoyed it immensely. I've ridden all those climbs myself so it brought back some great memories. I especially liked the fact that you noticed the refuge high above on the left on the north side of the Stelvio. Did you not notice that as you get towards the top you can see it far down below? It makes you realise how high the climb is.

Glad you all enjoyed your trip out there.

rhnb

Thanks Andy. Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, it's hard to believe when you see that refuge that you'll be going way above that. That refuge is on the tree line and I'm sure someone can tell us what that tree-line height is - all I can say is - there's no trees on the top of the Stelvio!

Still amazed that a) they managed to build that thing there (perhaps they ask any passing climber to put a concrete block in their rucksack and b) it hasn't been flattened by falling rocks and snow!