Granfondo San Gottardo

It felt like unfinished business with my first attempt at the Granfondo San Gottardo, now somehow 5 years ago, which saw so much snow the Furka and Nufennen were closed. This time the temperature was warm, all jackets removed before the first timing mat in Airolo, and not all were put back on for the descents.

Instead, the format of this event with only the ascents being timed proved to be a very gentlemanly affair, with riders pushing hard up the climbs, then regrouping at the summit for food, rest and photos before sailing on to the next climb.

Today Gav and Darren from Roche had brought a friend along, who had little cycling experience but was a 5km running expert,  oh and won Chester triathlon a few weeks ago. He did well on the cobbled Tremola, better than expected, but proved to be more than a match on the next climbs as he powered away never to be seen until the summits were reached. Really expected him to fade, but very impressive riding from the 5km specialist, pro athlete all the way. Chapeau.


San Gottardo     0:55:12     12,94 Km/h
Furka     0:51:11    13,36 Km/h
Neufenen     1:06:30    11,37 Km/h
Total 2hr 52m 51s

Engadin Radmarathon

Could be my single day sportive event, the Engadine mixes massive alpine ascents and descents with

the long valleys of Livigno and Engadine. Its these connecting sections, and the long, shallow descent of Bernina and also down through Davos where you group up and speed through the scenery. Events which are up down, up down limit the benefits of group cycling, you can mostly do these events on your own.
Beside the stunning scenery, this event has less traffic, less motorbikes than the central Grimsel/Susten/Furka passes. On top of that, this was perfect weather for a mountain ride!
If you organised it perfectly, you'd drop off whatever jacket you have at the end of the first lap passing through Zernez, as you won't need it again. Was worth having arm warmers and gillet still at the top of the Bernina, but only a short while, then its down, down , down to the start of the massive Albula pass.



All for a piece of Birnenbrot!

7hr 43m 58s