Ever since my first big cycling trip in Switzerland, it has been a dream of mine to ride the Stelvio Pass in the Dolomites close to Bormio. In the last year I find that we really influence everything with our intentions, so I kept that intention and then suddenly the opportunity to go there came up. On the way to Corsica.
I hadn’t slept all night before the trip because I was in Ankali for an event full of suggestions for observation and we were leaving at 5am the next day. The ride took over 10 hours to our hotel in Santa Catarina, which is a village14 km away from Bormio. Uphill. We wanted to eat, but all the restaurants were terribly expensive. So we had about the 6th cappuccino and then went to bed. I was finishing up work and set my alarm for 6am.

Stelvio Pass Festival of Joy

I planned a beautiful route through Switzerland, Germany and Italy. It wasn’t until the first hill that I realized I hadn’t brought my ID and that this could be a problem in Switzerland. But I guess that they don’t really care about random and sweathy cyclists on the border check. It was my 3rd ride on my road bike that year which made the plan even more challenging but I was very dedicated and sure that I will make it
The whole route was one of those where you don’t feel like you’re on a normal ride, but literally like you’re a participant of the “festival of joy” Literally every cyclist you meet is going for the same thing – to get over the mountains and go beyond their physical and especially mental limits. Everyone is so nice to each other and full of joy. Especially because I was most of the route on my own, I was able to connect with a lot of cycling enthusiasts and that was great.

On the last section – which was Pass Stelvio – I met two Slovaks in a café at the bottom of the hill. I offered magnesium to one of them when he was having cramps. Together we then climbed the last 1300 altitude meters and I think they literally saved me. I was terribly tired, but a fellow cyclist, after a few beers and enthusiastic about photography, gave me a lot of energy. I was happy at the top and knew I would remember this ride for a long time.  I thought it was funny how that Slovakian guy was always talking about beer – that because he was drinking his sixth beer today, he had such a good ride up. Beer is just an engine.

Malcesine’s Panoramic Road 

After Bormio we went to the mountains of Lago di Garda to San Giacomo, where we slept in F.’s mom’s apartment. Next door was a fancy hotel where I went to work and drank coffee, wine and ate olives.

The first ride we planned was probably the most surprising ride I can remember. It started raining about 10 minutes after we left. I didn’t want to stop because I thought it was cool to be in the rain. I didn’t know what to expect, but the ride before the storm was so beautiful that I felt like I was in some sort of Narnia. At one point it started to rain, so we took shelter under the house and formed a little ecosystem with other cyclists. There were lots of moments for observation and I just enjoyed the power of nature and the element of water. At some point I was even worried that we would be out there for x hours and catch a cold.
Eventually we made it and the cold and rain was replaced by heat and sun. I was thrilled with the mountains, which I think few people discover when they go on holiday to Lago.

Walking from San Giacomo to Bormio 

Another day when we tried to walk was accompanied by big storm. Luckily we could hitchhike so it dodn’t hit us so hard. We ended up in one of those typical local cafés where they have tapped wine, ice cream, good big cappucino and bunch of local guys playing cards and being excited about young woman being there. I felt very observed but it was also fun to observe. The way back from Bormio to San Giacomo was just magical. Everything felt so fresh after the storm and recovered. Through agricultural places, through forests and meadows. We ended up in some very local restaurant and were a bit ashamed that we walked in so dirty from all the mud from the hike. 

HOT HOT RIDE 

Last ride in Italy was very very demanding since it was just so hot and at some point I almost fainted. I have never experienced my heart beating so much and had to stop to just get back my regular heartbeat. BUT saw many golchin places on the way, beautiful landscapes and ended up being very happy and content. So all good & great 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞