2012 Northern Italy Ride Report (Pictures, and Stuff)
09-11-12, 07:20 AM
#28
pan y agua
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Great pics. Any particular recomendations for rides in Northern Italy?
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
09-11-12, 08:39 AM
#29
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Thanks, you are too kind (slow pitch) 
Not sure, maybe TSA thought my Ti bike was a national security threat? I flew into Milano, bike was not there. Best thing that ever happened.
Cool! I love Bormio. It might be starting to get a bit cold there now but you might be just in time for the foliage! Jealous!!!
I'm probably the wrong guy to ask because I'm not one of the guys who has to "conquer" mountains and certain climbs. I've suffered before and then I came to the realization that I'm not getting paid to ride my bike and that riding hard and/or taking certain risks, especially when it's a "vacation" was pretty stupid. Bottom line is, it really depends on what sort of scenery you like and if you like to climb.
In my opinion, I think the best scenery/pave combination for cycling purists is definitely in the Dolomites. Although I am not a huge fan of the ritzy glamor of Cortina, it is a nice place to make as the base of a Dolomites trip. It is a large town with 4/5 star amenities everywhere and many many good shops and is at the epicenter of many, many scenic climbs (Giau, Sella Ronda, Tre Cime, Fedaia, Lago Carezza, Pordoi, Duran, Falzarego, Campolongo) and minor/backroad climbs (Furcia, Pinei, Costalunga, Valles, Rolle, etc.).
However, as a pure vacation, I like the idea of staying in the Cinque Terre (Northern-ish Italy) and riding along the Italian Riviera on a townie, stopping for gelato every once in a while. There are a lot of really nice back-roads along the Northwestern Italian coastline which I want to explore more in the future.
Not sure, maybe TSA thought my Ti bike was a national security threat? I flew into Milano, bike was not there. Best thing that ever happened.
In my opinion, I think the best scenery/pave combination for cycling purists is definitely in the Dolomites. Although I am not a huge fan of the ritzy glamor of Cortina, it is a nice place to make as the base of a Dolomites trip. It is a large town with 4/5 star amenities everywhere and many many good shops and is at the epicenter of many, many scenic climbs (Giau, Sella Ronda, Tre Cime, Fedaia, Lago Carezza, Pordoi, Duran, Falzarego, Campolongo) and minor/backroad climbs (Furcia, Pinei, Costalunga, Valles, Rolle, etc.).
However, as a pure vacation, I like the idea of staying in the Cinque Terre (Northern-ish Italy) and riding along the Italian Riviera on a townie, stopping for gelato every once in a while. There are a lot of really nice back-roads along the Northwestern Italian coastline which I want to explore more in the future.
09-11-12, 09:15 AM
#30
Hump, what hump?
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Gorgeous photos. Nice reporting, too. Thanks for sharing.
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
09-11-12, 11:27 AM
#31
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Awesome, awesome, awesome.
Thanks so much for the effort you put into the write-up and photos.
Guess I know where my next vacation is going to be...
Thanks so much for the effort you put into the write-up and photos.
Guess I know where my next vacation is going to be...
09-13-12, 02:05 PM
#32
well hello there
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Mucho Fantastico!
And to psych up a friend of mine, I just forwarded this thread to a buddy that leaves on a Hampsten tour in a couple of weeks.
It's on my bucket list.
And to psych up a friend of mine, I just forwarded this thread to a buddy that leaves on a Hampsten tour in a couple of weeks.
It's on my bucket list.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
09-13-12, 02:54 PM
#33
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thanks for brightening my day! sometimes its easy to forget all the cool scenery out there in the world. Amazing shots, im sincerely jealous 
09-13-12, 03:16 PM
#34
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Simply wonderful! There's nowhere I'd rather be riding. Thanks for the pics and report.
09-14-12, 06:12 AM
#36
Genetics have failed me
Beautiful pictures. Nice reporting. And yes, I can relate to being affected by gelato.
When I grew up as a kid in Germany, my Oma's neighbor was an Italian who was running a gelato/pizza place next door. Guess where I hung out most of the time.
When I grew up as a kid in Germany, my Oma's neighbor was an Italian who was running a gelato/pizza place next door. Guess where I hung out most of the time.
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Gelato aficionado.
Gelato aficionado.
09-14-12, 02:40 PM
#38
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WOW! Sitting at work waiting to ride home under grey skies and wet roads and stumble across this thread. The trip looks incredible as are your photos and bike. Really put a little sunshine in my not so sunny day. Will have to add cycling there to my bucket list or should I say, move it up higher on my list.
09-14-12, 02:45 PM
#39
King Hoternot
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fantastic!! thanks for sharing the stories and pictures. looks like it was a trip of a life time!
09-30-12, 12:25 AM
#40
Senior Member
Finally got around to updating my blog with day one of two riding around Bormio. Good food and wine in Sicily is distracting me, so could be a while before I get around to posting day two... 
Bormio side of the Passo dello Stelvio
Near the top
Returned the 3km down the Bormio side to continue descending off the Passo dell'Umbrail
Continued down through Müstair to the village of Prato allo Stelvio to also climb the other side.
Down low
Finally above the Refugio that marks around 7km to go!
The quintessential Prato side Stelvio shot from near the top
And Tornanti Bormio side on the descent back to my hotel
Bormio side of the Passo dello Stelvio
Near the top
Returned the 3km down the Bormio side to continue descending off the Passo dell'Umbrail
Continued down through Müstair to the village of Prato allo Stelvio to also climb the other side.
Down low
Finally above the Refugio that marks around 7km to go!
The quintessential Prato side Stelvio shot from near the top
And Tornanti Bormio side on the descent back to my hotel
09-30-12, 08:30 PM
#41
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Great thread and thanks for taking the time. My wife and I are going to Italy for our 10 year anniverary in two years. The only part of the trip I am requesting is a few days in Cinque Terre. Thanks again.
09-30-12, 10:54 PM
#43
moth -----> flame
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Fantastic job, OP. I knew before opening this thread that it was going to deliver, it did not disappoint.
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10-01-12, 04:14 AM
#44
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Great report and photos! Looks like you had a terrific time. Stunning imagery! Nice work.
10-01-12, 05:05 AM
#45
who's yer daddy?
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10-01-12, 06:26 AM
#46
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10-01-12, 06:52 AM
#47
Senior Member
My wife and I were in the Passo Gavia area two summers ago. I wanted to ride the Gavia but decided that hiking with my wife was more diplomatic, besides the only thing I love more than riding is hiking! the link is to a panorama made around the corner from the Gavia looking S over Ponte Di Legno towards the Adamello group. https://eastmanwoodworking.com/panos/ErcavelloD.html Having hiked from the Himalayas to the Cascades these are easily some of the most beautiful mountains I have seen.
10-01-12, 06:58 AM
#49
Senior Member
We stayed in Cinque Terre before heading up to the Dolomites. You may want to check on the progress of recovering from last year's floods https://www.ricksteves.com/news/cinqu...e-disaster.htm Vernazza was hit hard. We stayed in Corniglia and loved it.
10-01-12, 11:53 AM
#50
Senior Member
Awesome. We spent May in Italy cycling with our daughter and just loved it. August we did the Jura and Alps around Geneva, but next year we hope to do some of this.