Another great ride in northern Italy
A very tough ride. Motirolo is a killer even though Gavia is taller. Motirolo is much more difficult.
Tribute to Marco Pantani about three miles from the top of Motirolo. The toughest climb I've ever undertaken. I took this on Thursday before the Sunday ride.
From the bus on my way to Aprica, Wednesday afternoon before the Sunday bike race.
Another shot from the bus
A view of the mountains from The Hotel Aprica
A shot of the building across from my hotel room in Aprica
Down the Via di Roma, downtown Aprica where the Gran Fondo Pantani started and ended.
A view of the building across the street from my hotel room.
The store where I bought the daily paper while in Aprica.
The last shot from my hotel room.
Near the top of the Gavia Pass looking back to the tunnel. I hired a taxi to take me along the route the Thursday before the big ride. That tunnel is about 1.5K in length and very dark inside.
A view from the top of Gavia. It was 10C that day, 50F. On ride day it was much warmer, at least 65F.
I really was there
The snow was still present on the Italian Alps
A nice bar and restaurant at the top for the weary travellers.
This small pond was frozen solid just two weeks earlier.
A tribute to the eagles who soar above Gavia.
Another view of the area near Gavia
So many choices
The top of a hellish climb. It should have a footnote "If you rode your bike up here, see a doctor immediately" Unless you're Marco Pantani who made mincemeat of the competition up this climb.
A view from near the top of Motirolo.
A very nice restaurant down from the top of Motirolo
A closeup of the restaurant's sign.
The Foyle Cycling crew just before leaving for Italy. Front row l-r: Kevin, Shaun, Fergal. Middle row l-r: Raymond, Paul, Gavin, Mark, Patrick, Donal, Ciaran. Back row l-r: Boyd, Tony, Danny, Charlie. Missing: Andrew
Mark showing me Friday morning a route that will surely crush the team. And it did.
Boyd before the climb from hell that Mark conjured up.
The unsuspecting crew preparing for the first tough climb of their 2007 trip to Italy
The Commander-in-Chief FCC grinding up the hill
Patrick happy to be at the top
A welcome break from the tough training ride. Ciaran, yours truly, and Danny
Kevin and Boyd enjoying their paninis
The crew after lunch
The festivities just beginning
Downtown Aprica readying for the race
The church in Edolo
The fountain in Edolo on Saturday where we agreed to regroup after the start out of Aprica Sunday morning.
Charlie and Andrew out on the town in Edolo. Father and son, two top-notch cyclists.
Off the square in Edolo
The tunnel out of Edolo. The orange arrow on the yellow sign in lower right points the way for the riders of the Gran Fondo Marco Pantani
A river runs through Edolo
A bridge over the river running through Edolo
The expo in Aprica
More expo
Lots of riding attire available
I'd love to have a garage full of these
A gorgeous bike on display
More pretty bikes
The expo in action
More racing setting
The restaurant where we had a great meal before and after the ride.
Barbara who served us paninis for lunch and ice cream after most meals.
The parents of Marco Pantani
Barbara's restaurant and bar
One of the big prizes
Another shot of the bell
Marco Pantani's sister (no glasses) selling Pantani memorabilia
Dinner before the big ride.
Daniela and her friend at dinner
Daniela's two buddies
Andrew knows he'll be the first of the team to arrive back at the Aprica Hotel. But by how large a gap?
The team readying for the big ride.
The crew gathering for the big ride
Shaun ready to rock n roll
Fergal anxious to get this thing going
Charlie wasn't all thumbs that day. He had a great ride
Yours truly praying not to get swept off the course this year.
Tony in his easy-to-spot yellow helmet.
Donal is ready to do this thing
Ciaran in the background in blue. Not in the hospital for this ride.
Look at all those riders. 3600 in all
As far as you can see, people in the same jersey made famous by Marco Pantani
Riders at the ready
Red and white polka dots streaming everywhere
The screamin' descent out of Aprica to Edolo and on to Gavia then the killer, Motirolo
Stuck on Gavia because all the motorcyclists and truckers didn't get the memo.
Turn here and climb
Up to the tunnel near the top of Gavia
Looking back at the tunnel from above
At the top again. This time by bike.
The picture of Patrick taken by a lovely lass that ended up launching Mark off the Motirolo into the underbrush.
Patrick at the top of Motirolo wondering how Mark got so dirty and scraped up.
Patrick proud to have finished the Gran Fondo Marco Pantani.
The church tower that made sure we never slept past 7:30AM
The fountains in Italy are amazing.
My hotel, The First of it's kind in Milan.
