Cycling in the high mountains. Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees etc

UK is not a real country. It should not be classified as 'first world' or developed country, its all a myth. Europe should have had a referendum to cut off UK long time before 2016.

Run into the ground by shitcunts lining their pockets.

Planning to go to Stilfser Joch area, thinking of the time and if late September is too late? Can't forecast the weather of course! Also I really want to do a road/singletrail/gravel route from Prad – Müstair – Santa Maria – Valchava – Lü – S-Charl – Scuol and via Norbertshöhe back to Prad.

Anybody been riding south from Bellinzona? I'm clueless but for Lombardia race and San Pellegrino therme.

While that ticket does not include the bike reservation I was still happily surprised.

I’ve ridden around Lago Maggiore, Como and Iseo a bit. Where are you thinking of heading?

General experience is that the valley roads can get very busy so it’s nicer to ride over the passes. But the roads can be small and rough as they are not well maintained as no one really uses them.

Perfect weather today, such a nice climb. Hard to believe how constant the gradient is.

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Great shot, which ascent(s) did you do?

Bedoin, and it worked out perfectly. It's market day in the village, the town is cute, weather was glorious and there wasn't much road traffic, maybe 5 cars overtook me on the way up. Lots of cyclists of all ages and abilities, but I found a pocket where I was mostly alone for the climb.

It's only my second large mountain on a road bike, did some lumpy stuff before on a loaded tandem but still, I feel new to this.

Excellent 👍🏼

Excellent!

Where you going today?

Nowhere, heading to Geneve in the next days for the Etape on Sunday. Other than that, it's a holiday with my gf and dog, the plan is to spend time with them.

Now I see why it's only your second big mountain climb on a bike! Very noble :D

But always great to make something like that on a 'normal' holiday too!

I've planed now my trip to Prad am Stilfserjoch, 6th to 9th of Sept. with 4 planned tours. Ready for a beer if someone is in this area this time =) If weather is more or less OK I'm happy when at least 2 of the tours will happen. The last day is probably too much for me then: train from Prad to Meran (to skip some miles), and then via the Passo del Rombo from St. Leonhard to the train station in Imst in Tyrol.

Nice, I'm off to Annecy on 13th July (next Thursday :-0) to follow Le Tour with three mates.

First climb is Grand Colombier on Friday 14th, Bastille Day. There's sure to be fireworks.

well done, it's great ain't it?

My first trip to Italy has been amazing, such a great cycling country. Not looking forward to returning to London tomorrow. Some pics.
The mini Stelvio on the way to Lake Cancano

The real Stelvio, from Bormio side





Stelvio from Prato side




Gavia Pass




The Dolomites is also amazingly beautiful
Passo Sella



Passo Pordoi



And though you can't cycle there, my favorite view was probably of Seceda in the Dolomites

great pictures dude. awesome.

only a little disappointed you didnt take one of your amazing steel rigs. though I suppose the Look made more sense.

glad to hear you had awesome trip

Cheers, and haha yes I too felt very guilty about not taking one of my Italian bikes, but needed all the help I can get to haul myself over those mountains. All my Italians have old school 53/39 cranks and most don't have a cassette with anything over 25 teeth, so I'd have done a lot more walking :)

One day I'd like to throw them all in a van and take them all on a trip home to visit their makers.

In fact since being here I've not seen a single old steel Italian bike, which I was very surprised and disappointed by considering Italy's cycling heritage.

I've of course been on the look out for old Lancia's and Alfa too, but disappointingly have seen only one, so this little beauty was the only old Italian steel I've seen.

It's quite nice but tbh I'm excited for you and the Grand Colombier. It's a wonderful climb, the views on the twisty bit are incredible and it gets proper steep around there. It's mega, I loved it.

Last year the road from Culoz was closed because of a rock slide, but you can easily dismount and go around it. It means the road is empty and the climb is all yours. Just watch out if you descend on that side because there might be loads of loose stones, but you'll see them on the way up :)

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Looking forward to it already. Rock slides? Yup been there in 2019 when we made it to Tignes in bright sunshine and then it started raining meaning le Tour stage was suddenly cut on the Iseran.

The last picture is really great

when I rode here it said MOLLEMA on the road, Culoz is a shithole, I bonked at km 3