The Debora Matthews Fellowship

A question…
What is the significance of the following numbers: 700, 300, 600, 400 ?
Answer…
These are the heights in metres of the climbs over the 4 mountain passes which constitute the Sella Ronda if you do it clockwise starting from Santa Christina in Gardena. (Sorry, Francesca, from Selva di Val Gardena).
It was a glorious day, but hot, so we set out early (for us) to try to avoid the afternoon heat as far as possible. First up was Passo Gardena which didn’t seem so bad. Then down to Corvara, and onto the Passo Campolongo. This is lower than the other three at 1875m, but starts off with series of hairpins which rise steeply from the village. We did that all right, and dropped down to Arabba for lunch. As some of you may know this is the Goodall home from home in the Dolomites, where we all learnt to ski and have been back several times since.
Whether it was lunch (only bread and cheese/ham/salami), or the heat, or the effort getting to us, the next climb up the 31 hairpin bends to Passo Pordoi was a real grind. I haven’t mentioned before that Mike has joined us for the ride and this is his first day! Jo is now driving the support car, which was not easy on these alpine roads. They are steep and twisty and there is a lot of traffic. It’s all tourism so not much in the way of trucks, but there are lots of coaches. Pordoi was particularly crowded as there is a spectacular cable car which takes you up to the top of the Sella massif. We may go up it tomorrow on our rest day if we get up in time.
The final climb is up Passo Sella which is probably the most spectacular of the lot (and believe me that is saying something), but unfortunately Mike and I were past caring by then. Frankie of course cannot tell whether roads are hilly or not and seemed quite prepared to go round again if anyone would go with him. They wouldn’t. Determination and willpower got us up it, and then it was back down to Selva to finish. Never has a hotel spa seemed so attractive. About 7 hrs cycling time of which probably 6 1/2 were uphill. An incredible effort by Mike.
Tomorrow Mel is joining us for the last few days run into Venice.
Did I mention the downhill bits were really good? Apart from the bloody cars that is, which go down slower than we do.

Quite a bit to catch up on as I haven’t had an wifi connection for a few days.
Day 21 was the rest day in Bolzano. Started by seeing Lisa and Cat off on the train down to Brescia to catch the plane back to England. Very sorry to see them go. Lisa was a brilliant supporter. Always in the right place at the right time with everything perfectly organised. Cat was an inspiration with her determination to finish some very hard days.
One other person I haven’t mentioned but I must thank is my eldest daughter Becca who has been manning the base camp back in London. She has done sterling work in relaying messages, coordinating people’s movements and collecting equipment and supplies to be ferried out with the replacement crews. Thanks Bex.
Neil and Francesca joined us again in Bolzano, and took us for a truly fantastic meal. Apparently there is no part of Italy in which Francesca’s father does not know a superlative restaurant. Our excuse was that we were starting to load up the carbs for today’s climb to Selva.
This had the same vertical ascent as the Galibier, but the character of the climbs was quite different. The average gradient was abut 6% whereas on the big G it was nearer 10%, but there were a couple of km with a sustained gradient of 13%-14%, which the Galibier did not have. Maybe it was the lower altitude, or just that I am now fitter, but I found it nowhere near as tough as the Galibier, and have a bit more confidence about the Sella Ronda tomorrow.
A few words about the ride from Riva del Garda to Bolzano. We started with a 200m climb out of Riva then over to the Vale d’Adige. This has a unique (in my experience) system of metalled cycle tracks which allow you to ride independently of the roads for over 200km. We used them for about half this distance up to Bolzano. They can be a bit circuitous where they have to go round things, or up side valleys to get to a bridge over tributary rivers etc, but it was an absolute joy to be away from the traffic, and cycling up the vineyards and orchards adjoining the Adige river. The whole area is not surprisingly a Mecca for cyclists, particularly in Bolzano which is a very attractive city in its own right. There are lots of cobbled streets and a very striking cathedral. Lisa and Cat were a bit sorry to be leaving just as we got to the first really nice place for ages. We were staying in what was more or less a backpacker’s hostel, so I don’t suppose they miss that. We are a bit more upmarket in Selva, so I am going to find a a spa to soothe my aching limbs.

Phone blog again. Another very long day. Finished up at 122km, over 100km of which were in teeth of strong headwind. Again. At least was warm and sunny, but we have certainly offended the wind gods in Italy. Started with 200m climb so that Cat could do a hill. She did the whole day – and she’s not on a fast road bike. She’s on a borrowed hybrid bike which is way too big for her. Not surprisingly she was exhausted by the finish. Her last day as she and Lisa are heading home on Saturday. Rest day for Joe and Frankie which we are ready for. Some big climbs to come.

Just before we set off we did a video of me with some thoughts on why we are riding for Debora. I’m very grateful to Filip Matous for all the effort he put into filming and editing it. Find out more about Filip on Standstrong TV

Here is a still of me and one of my training partners.

And here is the full video:

Rain. Lots of it. All morning.
Very slow going on busy roads until we reached the lake. By that time Cat was very cold so we packed her into the car. It was a good effort though in horrible conditions.
Frankie and I then did the East side of Lake Garda from bottom to top. Meanwhile the wind was making the same journey from top to bottom. You can see why it is such a windsurfing Mecca. They were screaming along out there. Didn’t do us any favours though, and it was a very long day. By the finish of which I was knackered. Stunning scenery notwithstanding.
Haven’t done much since apart from shower and eat. Now blogging on whilst lying on the bed prior to sleeping on it.
Forecast is better for tomorrow. Let’s hope they’re right.

There wasn’t any real way of avoiding the main road between Milano and Brescia. That was a shame as it was very very busy with large trucks belting through at serious speeds. It was still hot too so it all made for a bit of a tiring slightly stressful day. We’re all arrived safely though, and really well done to Cat. She’s not an experienced cyclist and she hasn’t spent 2 1/2 weeks cycling herself fit. She did the whole way today including the ride out of Milan (for which we found a good rat run avoiding any horrendous junctions with the Tangenziale).
We were very sorry to say goodbye to Neil and Francesca though who had been fantastic hosts. Still we will see them again on Friday when they come up to Bolzano to be with us for the weekend. Or is it Saturday – I am really losing track.
Frankie’s day was made by finding an Alfa dealer with the new Guilietta in the showroom. It does look very nice, although as a confirmed Alfa fan I may be biased.
Might try pasta for dinner tonight… or how about a risotto ??

One thing sums up cycling through Milan. Bloody cobbles. More like slabs actually. Sufficient to shake Frankie’s cycle computer off. Strangely nobody managed to run it over and he was able to recover it in working order.

This blog is taking a very long time to write because it is being constantly interrupted by Francesca serving me ever more courses of fantastic food. Her risotto was way better than last nights and that wasnt bad. If I can walk at all tomorrow never mind cycle I shall be doing well.

Cycling still flat today and will be tomorrow, but that will be the last of it. Not sorry in truth because theres only so long that paddy fields can hold your interest. Still hot and likely to remain so.

Well actually we are a few km past Vercelli which is a very attractive town in the heart of the Italian rice-growing area. After cycling through paddy fields all day, I now have a risotto craving which I intend to satisfy as soon as is decent.
Frankie and I navigated ourselves through the Northern side of Torino. I am sure there are pleasanter routes through but you would have to know Torino to find them. We didn’t so our route was efficient rather than scenic. The Iveco trucks outside the factory looked nice though. Once we were through the city Cat joined us on the ride – her first day on the continental part of the trip.
A few things to catch up on…
I’d forgotten just how wonderful Monetier-les-Bains is. Go there in Winter for the skiing, summer for the walking and cycling, anytime for the spa, Briancon for the fascinating old town. Go there: see Mel if you need an apartment or help with just about anything else Eurekaski; stay with Paul at the hotel Rif Blanc if you prefer to be looked after Hotel Rif Blanc, and for skiing lessons Gavin at New Generation Skiing New Generation Skiing . Yes I am plugging my friends, but they were all very kind to us and deserve it. They are also all great at what they do.
We’re taking a break from camping tonight as there aren’t really any sites in this part of Italy, and instead are staying in a strangely Germanic sort of motel (it’s very nice, but you’d have to be here). It’s still very hot, and there was a headwind although not as strong as yesterday. It’s also been the first ride that has been almost entirely flat, with only the odd bridge over an autostrada for relief.
Shortish ride into Milan tomorrow to sample Francesca’s cooking. Really looking forward to this. As well as putting us all up for the night, she and Neil have been really supportive all the way through. They are also coming with us from Bolzano to Selva.

Another quick blog from the phone. The ascent over the Col du Montgenevre seemed quite tame after what went before. But hey we are over the alps! Awesome descent down the other side. Followed by 70km ride to Turin to meet Lisa and Cat. Mow eating pizza and ice cream.

After the Galibier I need this. It’s a beautiful day here in Monetier. The climb wasn’t so bad after all. It took me about 2.5 hrs to do the 1200m. The others did it about an hour quicker of course. I did it without any rest stops, just a couple to replenish the water bottle from the support crew and one comfort break. Apart from being a bit breathless at the top I didn’t really notice the altitude that much. I had sprinted a bit to get there which might have been something to do with it. It was cold at the top too. I found Frankie sitting in his sleeping bag waiting for me. The cold certainly made the top section of the descent a bit less than comfortable. For me it was just a bit too steep, cold, bumpy, twisty and windy to be enjoyable. Once we joined the main road to Monetier and Briancon it was a different story though. 20km without having to pedal or touch the brakes! Surprisingly I recorded the top speed 68km/hr.
Sadly now Paddy, Min and Sarah have left us to return to England. Their support has been invaluable and I’m not sure I would have managed all the cycling without Paddy’s help and leadership. Thanks little bro’.
Debora’s brother Rob and wife Val have now arrived to support us over into Italy.
Another person to whom big thanks are due is Mel Crosby who runs Eurekaski in Monetier. Mel has lent us an apartment for us for last night and tonight. She and her husband Gavin (who runs the New Generation ski school in Monetier) are both old friends of Debora and myself. Thanks also to Paul Smith of the Hotel Rif Blanc and the Alpen Bar for his hospitality.
Now sorting out routes for Italy.