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.