Bormio

This is a great climb for getting into a nice rhythm.The climb starts from the 13 sign on the side of the road. Unlike most other climbs in Italy that only countdown the switchbacks, this has signs every kilometre (starting at 0 from Bormio) to keep you counting. The summit is at or around the number 26 sign. Leaving Santa Caterina you make your way up the side of the mountain passing under the ski lifts several times as you complete each switchback. The ride through the trees for the first 6km is very relaxing and at a nice gradient of about 6-7% which allows you to look around and take in the beauty. After passing by the farm and Agriturismo (farm restaurant) the climb begins to change. From here on you are much more exposed, out of the trees and at the mercy of the elements. The road steadily climbs following the side of the mountain, up a short but nasty 14% ramp and around a corner where you will be greeted with big wall in the distance… and then you see the road going up the side of it.  My first thought was… “Oh my God” but as you continue on to your surprise and relief you find this wall is not as steep as it seems from a distance apart from the last little kick. From here you are on the home straight. Only another 5 or so kilomenters of realtivly easy 4 – 5% roads that lead you to the top. Passing by the first Rifugio (Berni) on the right the panoramic views are amazing. Just before you reach the top you pass through 4m high snow walls (in early June) that line either side of the road which are quite spectacular and a great place for a photo.  Another 500m or so and you’re at the top where you can enjoy a well-deserved coffee in Rifugio Bonetta.

Amazing climb starting at Bormio. A beautiful descent down the valley via Grosio till Mazzo where the climb starts. 10.5% is the average gradient of the climb for 11,9 kms. The first 7 kms have several stretches of 18-19% of max gradient! At turn 8 there is a junction for the descent to Grosio and at turn 7 you can find the last part of the hardest side of mortirolo (Tiolo start). The last 5 bends are more gentle and gradual. When you reach the top of this climb you will be ecstatic. You have joined the legendsthat have made this climb so famous and also so feared... It was once described by Lance Armstrong as the toughest climb in the world! Whilst being steep from the very beginning the first 500m – 1km lead in into a false feeling of “Hey, this isn’t sooo bad.. What’s all the fuss about?” After the next couple kilometres I am guessing you will have figured that out – so don’t take off too fast!  With an average of 10.9% it is relentless and never seems to end. As you wind your way up through the trees, counting down the switchbacks (which are marked by numbered signs) you pray for the end… but it’s nowhere to be seen. When you finally reach tornante 11 you will pass by the Pantani memorial – time for pic? A good excuse for a rest if you need one. From there you have another few steepish ramps before you reach tornante 8 (a junction of the road leading up from Grosio – also the best way to descend) where you will welcome what seems like a flatter section. It feels like heaven on the legs, the rest that they so dearly needed to help you carry on, despite it actually still being 8%! After a nice rest for the legs you will soon reach tornante 7. From there the swichbacks are fairly close together, some steep, some not and you can almost smell the finish. Keep spinning and leave enough for a little sprint to the top where your celebration begins!