Fargo and Away

Everyone was up early and excited about the last ride of the trip: an out and back over the Gavia.

The Gavia is the 10th highest pass in the Alps and often featured as the Cima Coppi (highest point) on the Giro D’Italia. From our hotel in Bormio it would be just over 31 miles round trip with about 4700 ft of climbing. Compared with some of the other rides we had completed over the past week, it was not going to be as challenging, with more gradual inclines across the climb. We planned the ride so we could be back at the hotel in time for a late lunch as three of our group had to leave Bormio in mid-afternoon so they could make early flights the next day out of Milan.

We set out as a full group surprisingly for the first time. Usually we would leave in the morning in small groups ten to fifteen minutes apart. For the last ride however we wanted to be together.

The first part of the ride was a mixture of narrow streets and cobblestones as we made our way out of town.

We soon broke into smaller groups as everyone focused on their own ride. I felt strong but didn’t want to push too hard on the bottom half of the climb. I wanted to be able to finish strong at the top.

The Gavia has just 13 switchbacks before a long windy portion towards the pass. The first switchback came up soon after we had passed through several towns.

By this point I was in a rhythm, riding alone but within eyesight of others.

About halfway up the climb the van had stopped for anyone who needed a refuel, but I had plenty of water and energy so kept pedaling as I said hello to our guide, Luc.

Nearer to there top, I felt I could push my pace more and still enjoy the scenery.

Maybe it was the fact that this was the last ride and I do I was more present, or maybe it was that my legs had become accustomed to the climbing, or maybe the Gavia was just a little more gentle than other rides, but I never felt like stopping.

There were a couple of spots where the grade jumped up over 10% and I had to stand, but then, near the top, it flattened out a bit and I was able to pick up some speed. There was a final incline and then I was at the pass.

I still felt strong.

One by one the rest of the group made it to the top.

We made our way down the Gavia at whatever pace felt comfortable, which for Steve and Ken was fast, and for me, somewhat slower. At one point, an internationally-ranked professional female rider (identified by her Strava post) and her companion passed us all going ridiculously fast, zipping around downhill turns with no guardrails and drop offs of hundreds of feet.

Thankfully, we all made it back to the hotel without incident.

We cleaned our bikes, removed our personal items attached to them, and put them back in the bike locker for the final time.

It was a bittersweet moment. Our tour was finished. We gathered one more time for a prosecco toast by our guides before Todd, Donna, and Jack headed to Milan.

I will share more final thoughts about the trip and additional photos in my next post.