https://www.strava.com/activities/388456529
Wow, what a day! After stressing about the weather today, we started out under dark grey clouds (uh-oh). First climb was 2,000' at 9-11%, a nice "warm-up." Dropped down into the valley where temps dropped to the low 40's, got on a bike path (of course), and gradually rode up valley.
Then the clouds broke, and the sun came out, which was awesome! After around 22 miles, we hit a wall - the Grossglockner. This (and Monte Baldo) were the two big climbs I was looking forward to before the trip, having done neither. It was a 4,000' climb, all at 11-12%, occasionally dropping to 8-10, occasionally jumping to 15%. One of the hardest climbs I've ever done, just relentless.
Temps were in the 50's at first, but then dropped to the high 30's, and worse we picked up a cold headwind. But the weather held, and no rain (or snow - which it did yesterday). At the false summit we went through a cold tunnel with chunks of ice on the road, then after a short (and cold) descent, back to the steep climbing to the real top.
Very steep dropping down the other side also, smelled like brakes most of the way down. Eventually warmed up again for the cruise into the hotel. Unfortunately I lost my trusty old camera today - probably in one of the many clothes swapping stops, always adding or removing. Here's a shot from the top from my phone - I'll have to get some photos from one of the others, the scenery was amazing!
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