AlpenBrevet Gold

Yeah! AlpenBrevet sunny and hot! No cancellation for heavy snow, no freezing cold descents in the fog, but this time - too hot!
I had a great day, descents were all super fast as zero wind gave a lot of confidence for the high speeds on these super long alpine roads.
But the Susten is always the final climb, the final memory for all if its Silver, Gold or Platinum. Today, there was a strong tail wind up the Susten - but this wind was wamr, and heating up as it rose, the majority of the climb was over 34 degrees, reaching 39 degrees maximum! There are many streams, to the side of the road but they are all frustratingly bricked off, I guess to prevent splashing on the road and freezing any other day of the year. So many people were walking up, I've not seen this before on previous brevets.

For me, the best section was the Gothard, la Tremola is a friendly gradient, unique cobbled complexion and the descent to Andermat was really enjoyable today.

Official time 7hr 42min 43s

Engadin - Umbrail - Livigno

Starting in St Moritz, heading east to Zernez then the Ofen/Fuon pass before dropping down to Santa Maria you could continue further to Italy and Prato for a full climb of the Stelvio from the east. For a nicer ride, shorter, much much less traffic head up from Santa Maria and climb the Umbrail pass. The most stunning part of the Stelvio is yet to come, as you descend towards Bormio. I'd been up the east side of the Stelvio before, and its impressive, but I have to say the west side was jaw dropping. Some immense rock formations rise up around you as you begin to take a wider view of the drop below. On a day like this its astounding, it really is a memorable landscape not just an altitude measurement on a signpost.
Slightly too much traffic heading up to Livigno to be a classic, but Livigno to Bormio must be an amazing ride on day like this.

AlpenChallenge Lenzerheide

Driving towards the start line at 6am, the rain poured down on the early arrivers, most without lights in the dark morning in Lantsch/Lenz. I decided to stay in the car until 10 mins to go, and it was worth it. The rains stopped, and didn't fall again until a breif shower before St Moritz. The roads were of course wet, but on the way up the Albulapass this wasn't a hindrance.
Once in the Engadin valley, I worked with a group of four to catch another group, which stayed together all the way to Italy and Chiavenna. Two guys were doing a lot of work, and annoyed with the rest of us, however when we tried to ride through the pace dropped as we just weren't as fast as these two.
I still don't know if the descent of the Maloja pass was neutralised, I just know I was clinging on the back of this group all the way down, and it went down and down forever.
Finally, once on the Splugen at a point with a reasonable incline I could stop to remove the hat, gloves and rain jacket for the 30km climb to the pass. 
The descent was fun, joined by two other riders to Thusis, then face the dark tunnels on the way to Tiefencastel. Why racing cyclists don't use bike lights is still a mystery, these tunnels were dark and we had been warned. 

The climb back up to the finish in Lenz was steep, tough and the final battle of the day. 

Great event, great scenery even in this weather. 

(Photos taken a few days later ;)

Viamala

Lower down Albula, at the first real kick

Bergün

7hr 36m 48s, 69th out of 298 finishers.