Warning! This is a public service announcement. If you have a nervous disposition, have no interest of suffering in adverse weather conditions, are offended by nudity or words such as Stelvio, Gavia, Aprica, Mortirolo, Bernina, Albula, Flüela, Fuorn or Umbrail, then please refrain from reading any further. Slowly move away from the computer, make yourself a warm mug of Ovaltine and go find your pipe and slippers. You have been warned, what follows may not be for you…
June 19th 2009, Nauders, Austria. The sky is a blanket of dark low level cloud, rolling through the valley with the gusty cold breeze of this, so called, summer’s day. Peaks of the surrounding mountains lost in the mist. It’s an angry scene, but at least it’s not raining, yet. Waking up to the sound of rain against a window has to be one of the worst noises a cyclist can face. I know just
how quickly the conditions can change in the mountains and once again I’ve had to witness it. The day before conditions were perfect, a light breeze, cloudless sky and warm temperatures. Race day was all together a very different story. There’s two ways you can take conditions like this. You can run scared or stand and fight. I went outside and announced to the sky “if you’re going to be bad, make sure you’re really bad, I want everything you’ve got, no holding back. Let’s make this one to remember.”
For the full Race Across the Alps story click here
Passo Stelvio
Gavia - 500m from summit
