Munich→Venice Day 6 to Cortina d’Ampezzo

Nathan’s stats: 59.19 km, 1327m climbing, 3:27 riding time

Katie’s stats: 19.2 miles, 1250′, many hours, relaxed style

Instead of starting the day right after breakfast with riding, we walked a bit from the hotel to a local cheese factory. We had a fun tour, and really got to see exactly how they make cheese. The tour ended with a tasting session, complete with wine and breads and crackers. They also had a delicious quince-based mustard sauce.

We didn’t start riding until 11, but it was a short day, only about 32 km if you took the quickest route. We headed up the most gorgeous valley into the Dolomites, on a gravel bike path that was perfectly graded. We passed a couple of lakes and mountain scenery that was off scale. We pedaled by cliffs that seemed to be taller than those of Yosemite.

At the second lake, we split up. Some people (Nathan included) headed out for an optional ‘extra ride’ up to the top of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo–see more about that below, while the rest of the group continued on to the Province of Belluno (the home Province of Miriam) and on down to Cortina. Katie, Scott and Rosita of the famous “Swimming and Gelato Team” took a relaxed ride back with a deliciously cold and refreshing swim in the lake, followed by a rest in the shade at the Provincial border to await Miriam driving the support-van (with cold water to refill our bottles and dark chocolate) and making many stops, mostly for photos but the last one being for a gelato cone from a young Gelato ‘Pedaler’, whose business is aptly named ‘Il Gelato Pedalato‘.

The most bicycle-adventurist members of the group did (or attempted) the optional 13 km ride up Tre Cime di Lavaredo, climbing 925m. It averaged 12% and had long sections of 15-16% grade. Several riders became disheartened and turned around, and a few others succeeded with some walking. Nathan rode with Geoff and Betty on their E-tandem and successfully summited with a few others. It was hot and sweaty work – likely Betty would have a far worse description for it. The views from the top were amazing.

It was a zoo on top with hundreds of cars and many busses. Luckily on the descent, it was possible to pass both cars and busses and cruise at speed. The hairpins required lots of strong braking though, on one of them, slowing from 80 kph to 30. The descent felt like it took 5 minutes vs over an hour for the climb.

We met back up with the bike path, then opted for the paved road for the last 13 km down to Cortina. The hotel was right at the bottom of the lively downtown area and quite nice. Cold showers again felt SO good.

We went out for a walk around town and noticed a video screen showing a Via Ferrata (equipped climbing route that anyone can do without a guide, using simple safety gear). We enquired and were directed to a rental store who said we should come by at 8:30 the next morning and gave us a couple of recommendations for “starter” routes.

Then it was dinner time which was fun and loud as usual, in the hotel dining room. Dinner started with a delicious pumpkin gnocchi and salad. It was Greg and Wendy’s 25th anniversary today so we had an extra toast with prosecco.