Granfondo Stelvio

rc856

Hi.
I’m heading to Bormio next month and my mate must be getting too excited as he’s already talking about the Granfondo Stelvio 2023!

Is it easy enough to get hold of an entry only for the event?

I’ve been with, and enjoyed, Sportive Breaks before for the Marmotte and they’re advertising the 2023 event.

Only issue is their one and only hotel is about £700pp whereas you can book somewhere in Bormio through Booking.com for about £400 per room.

I appreciate you get the suppport and guides etc through a company but if you’re experienced enough, an entry only would suit.

Thanks 😊

davep1

Did you go? Can't believe nobody has replied to this?! Don't bother with an organised trip, go when they close they roads to vehicles.

https://www.parconazionale-stelvio.it/en/experiences/cycling-and-mountain-biking/stelvio-bike-day.html

Quite a few of the big Alpine passes have a vehicle free day each year, sometimes two. I did this a couple of years ago, following a fail two years before. Even at a the end of August, the Pass can be closed due to bad weather, rain or snow, which happened in the year I failed, 2017. It's hard to take if you have spent the previous fortnight on the beaches of the Adriatic in 35-40 degree heat to turn up at Prato or Bormio and know the next morning it just isn't going to happen. They shut the road at Trafoi the first time I tried, it's about a third of the way up. I think 2,000 still did that ride, but I had a long drive back to the UK that day and didn't want to be cold and wet, never mind the chances of having a nasty off.

I went back in 2019, this time to Bormio, and it was one of the best days I have ever had on the bike. Most people will tell you Prato is the better ascent, and I drove up that side, so have experienced it kind of. Bormio is still brilliant, unlike anything I have ever experienced before. I found the last 300m or so, after the Umbrail turn really hard going, possibly the altitude making its presence felt.

Note if you go the roads are closed at 8. I had to drive part of the way back to the UK that day, so I set off in the dark at 6 am. It was still 6 degrees, and I was dressed for summer riding. Going up was tolerable, because of the work, but the 40 minute descent was teeth chatteringly grim. I got some surprised looks from people starting at 8!

pblakeney

Gotta say that the Prato side is much more epic, especially so if you "enjoy" hairpins. Obviously harder though.

gethinceri

Both sides great, preferred from Bormio.