Italia - Day One -- BIG ride today

Alright --lot's of emails asking for daily updates. You asked for it, you got it.

We're over in Italy to test ourselves on Sunday in one of the top 50 rides in the world -- the Maratona d'les Dolomites. It's only 86 miles, but 14,000 feet of climbing -- it's going to be trouble -- here's the course profile. Nothing but up and down:

So today, we headed out to the the back 2/3's of the course (tomorrow we'll do the first third). When we first started coming over for these epic rides, we'd rest, ride just a little, eat just a little and save ourselves for the big event day. Basically, we lived like monks.

I'm psyched that we now decide to save a little less for race day and spend it riding a ton -- spending several days soaking in all that we can pack in before the race.

First off, the scenery in the Dolomites is literally breathtaking. Have you been to the Grand Tetons? Imagine Grand Tetons times 25 -- we're surrounded by peaks that are so majestic. Here's just the view from the hotel parking lot (hit play):

Today, we left that beautiful parking lot for a ~55 mile, 8,000 feet of climbing ride. Not the smartest thing to do three days before the race, but darn well worth it. We started on a 30 minute climb of the Passo Campoloungo. Freddy made it to the top and was smiling. I was re-tasting my breakfast:

Next up, 20 miles of riding over to the Passo Giau -- the big daddy, the highest point in this year's Giro and the queen climb of the queen stage 15. It's 9KM at 9.6%. What we didn't know: you climbed 5KM just to get to the base. Some breaks to take in the mountains along the way (Kent and Brad):

See those storm clouds in the distance? We decided to pay them no attention. More to come on that little decision later.

The Fun begins at the base of the Giau:

45 Mins later, we're still climbing. At one point, I'm going so slow that deer flies

just float next to me, taunting me before landing on my back (out of sight) and laying into flesh through clothing with a big chomp. Ouch!

Finally to the top and a procession of Posse riders:

Remember those storm clouds? Well they started rolling in and it got cold, dark,

windy and nasty with rain. What do you do while waiting out a storm in Italy? Spaghetti and Cappuccino anyone?? You can't have a bad meal here:

Next up? A unbelievably fun/technical/lot's of hairpins 10 mile descent. Then, you guessed it, climbing another pass. This time it's the Falzarego, 10KM at 6% (not bad):

Followed by the steep (11%) Valparolla. Military ruins up top:

We capped the day with another amazing descent down into Alta Badia. Wherein, Steve and I fell victim to a weakness we share: we cannot say no to Gelato.

More tomorrow. Arreviderci.