Gavia Pass with Andy Hampsten

[Kirk007]

Title sorta says it all. The Gavia is a tough climb for an old fat guy even from the Bormio side, but we had perfect weather, low 50s when we left the valley, probably mid 50s a few hours later at the top.

Unbelievably beautiful countryside. Road surface wasn't the best so had to take the descent reasonably cautious (did manage to pass one car, always fun). The pictures tell the rest.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/e9098b9ec8d9fa62542efcf5b912775a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/4fabd6068ff8dfac9da9a10e44f3ac5c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/49dc1c18d28389a3f251fe1d33055041.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/e933c515dd3439c4493c8643b509fdb6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/0b9a64b82ac6df6a6a061f9c5ed72567.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/5b4bbaede50799ceedaa8d919c158158.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/e8804dbdb2c1297320b039ec5bcab252.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/2545197b165a61f82cd891acd7bcce4c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/54cba2bf43c920c540a06cf869d157ef.jpg

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[nobuseri]

Wow; the day doesn't seem like it could get much better than that. Looks like a nice ride and good times.

Nice work!

[Climb01742]

Thank you for sharing. What a remarkable trip. Yay!

[AngryScientist]

you are crushing it out there! what a trip, thanks for sharing the great pics!

[weisan]

Kirk pal. I swear. You are looking skinnier and skinnier as the day passed.

Is that what Jan Ulrich meant by "riding into shape" at the tour?

Thanks for sharing your joy. I look forward to your report every time. If only we can arrange for you and velotel to do a ride together, imagine the kind of ride report we gonna get !!! One can dream.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Jan_Ullrich_2014_01.JPG/250px-Jan_Ullrich_2014_01.JPG

[Tony T]

Bellissimo!

[Hindmost]

That outdoor poster picture of Andy is a Photoshop mash-up of the old Jobst Brandt Gavia photo and of the Andy climbing in the snow photo.

[thunderworks]

Riding in Italy on a Cinghiale tour with Andy and his crew is a fabulous experience!

[Mr. Pink]

They should have a big snow machine blasting you in the face up there just to get you into the spirit of things.

[hampco]

Can you bring me a cow?

[metalheart]

Spectacular ... what is a day's riding like? Miles/Km and feet climbed?

[clyde the point]

Double triple awesome!

[tv_vt]

Hey, I can relate! Looks like a great day. Wish I was there (sigh).

[happycampyer]

All you needed at the top was a Pabst Blue Ribbon!

[Kirk007]

Can you bring me a cow?White or red?

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[Kirk007]

Hey, I can relate! Looks like a great day. Wish I was there (sigh).Lot of great bikes on this trip including about a dozen Hampsten s lead by Andy on a steel 7-11 paint scheme bike.

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[Kirk007]

Spectacular ... what is a day's riding like? Miles/Km and feet climbed?Today was a choice: 50k and 4600 ft climbing to top of Gavia or go down the other side and back up so double that. Tomorrow probably around 5k climbing and 140+ km. Pretty long days from here on out out as we have to get over to the Dolomites then down to the Via Veneto region. Last day is riding the final time trial course from the 88 Giro so only 43k.

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[Avispa]

Very cool and I bet it was an awesome trip! I see Andy is still skinny as ever... Great memories of riding with him when I lived in Boulder.

Thanks for sharing!

[poff]

Bormio is great. The classic loop I have done several times is Mortirolo - Gavia counter-clockwise. Another great loop is to go up Stelvio down to Prato turn left get into Swissland and climb Passo Umbrail. Finally Gavia up from Bormio down to the other side and back up is great too.