This year’s first and possibly last Gran Fondo was Gavia & Mortirolo. Around 120km and 3.500 meters climb total.
Smaller event than any of the others I’ve been riding so far. Overall a great trip. For once had dry and clear weather. Was thinking might be even too hot but it wasn’t a concern in the end. Altitude compensated for that. Was also thinking it might be too hard for my novice buddy Jari driving with me but he survived great. Sure we pedaled among the last and took pictures on top of the passes instead of looking at the time too much.
Gavia was a great way to start. It’s tougher than Stelvio, and this morning a bit windy towards the top. The summit came however quick as it was the first ascent of the day and we didn’t push too hard. Jari started to flex at this point and we decided to shoot for Mortirolo the classic route via Mezzo di Valtellina.
Now that was a completely different ballgame. Mortirolo is the hardest climb I’ve ever fought. Jari started fast and even left me some seconds in the first km or so but little did he know what was about to come. I was watching my heart rate and finding the rhythm. After Jari dropped behind it didn’t make much sense to look back. Just had to keep on pedaling and focus on my own riding. There’s nothing you can think about but the next few meters. Where the front wheel is heading into, where’s the next shade. At some point it felt like going into survival model. Mortirolo climb profile at Climbfinder or other sites are not correct. The climb felt like constant 11-12% punishment. Just like at the beginning of Gavia the heart rate went up over 160. After funding the rhythm and getting into sort of flow I was able to keep the rate at both sides of 150. The old diesel kept on pulling up and on the top it felt like I could have continued for some time. Total climb took 1.33. I waited for Jari like 15 minutes.
The rest of the race was nothing spectacular. Actually the bike paths down the valley were not in very good shape at times.