And then there were three, the Famous Five were reduced to 3 for their 2018 ‘mid-life crisis’ challenge ride as Phil and Tony decided the profile of the Dolomites was not for them and potential new recruit Crispin let work take priority over pleasure.
So it was just Chris, Rob and Simon who piled into the van down to Luton airport in late May for the flight to Geneva and transfer to the same hotel as at the start of last years Raid Alpine at Thonon les Bains. This time it was with Marmotte tours who met us with their 2 very well equipped vans and tour leaders Tim & Katia. Usual routine of getting the bikes out of the boxes and set up, where Rob applied all his years of bike experience and sheared the seal clamp bolt, a bit of a problem before we had even started. although ? couldn’t immediately find a spare but Marmotte had spare bikes and were able to find a bike shop in the next couple of days to sort it, crisis averted.
First group evening meal in the hotel where introductions to the other 9 riders were made, mainly solo sportive riders, including 3 Canadians and us 3 club riders but all of a similar age profile except for one youngster who was under 40.
Day 1: Thonon les Bains to Simplon: 199km, 2600m ascent:
Meet up in town by the lake for group departure shots then hit the road. 7km up the first climb and the road is blocked, great start, retrace to the lake and reroute around the lake to Montreux of film festival fame. On the flat lake side roads the sportive guys set a hot pace, firing of the front, not for us this early on and we settle into a steady pace at the back for a chat.
Turning inland at Montreux up the Rhone valley we rejoin the route proper at Monthey, then Martigny for a long flat section to Sierre for nice Italian restaurant for lunch. Very busy but after 80 miles it was worth a long sit down lunch to refuel, although some riders skipped this which they cam to regret this later on. Another 40km up the valley to Brig and the start of the Simplon pass (2006m), it was hot, with over 100 miles covered and a 1100m climb over 21km to come but at least the hotel was just over the top!
This was a nasty climb, some 8% sections early on, which seemed worse, then it just kept dragging on through lots of claustrophobic tunnels. Luckily the vans were supporting us well. A couple of km from the top one, after missing lunch one of the Canadians finally popped. Katia had to try and get the van to him in one of the tunnels to get some food in him, we pressed on.
The hotel was only 5km over the top and down the other side, the instructions said easy to miss, surely not! Chris got stuck into the straight fast descent flying past a couple of right turns, at the third right turn Simon shouted to Chris that we should check the map, too late as he disappeared at 40mph into the distance. Sure enough this was the end of the village bypass and the hotel was 1km back up the road, sorry Chris every man for himself this late in the day. It was a lovely hotel with soup ready on the bar for us and a cold beer. Chris turned up half an hour later, having turned round when he realized he was on his own.
Nice introduction to the trip, finished at 136 miles at the end, my longest ever single day ride.
Day 2: Simplon to San Bernadino: 157km 2240m ascent
Started off with a nice 35km descent into Italy before hitting the short 10km Druogono climb (831m) climb then a 20km descent to the shores of lake Locarno. Very scenic ride round the lake in an obviously affluent area to the lunch stop at Ascona. The dull grey weather now turned drizzly through the afternoon as we headed out through Bellinzona and the start of the long climb of the St Bernardino pass where we stopped at a height of 1668m
Day 3: San Bernadino to St Moritz: 118km, 2600m ascent.
On the face of it a nice short day but the profile looked challenging. From the off the route carried on to the top of the St Bernadino pass at 2065m then 18km down to the town of Splugen then 9km up the Splugen pass (2113m) with plenty of 8 and 9% sections. This time a 30km descent to Chiavenna for lunch and some shade as its getting hot now. Busy town with lots of flash cars coming through as it seems to be the area to cruise around in your Ferrari or Porshe.
Only 25 miles in the afternoon to the hotel in St Moritz but ¾ of that was up the Passo de Maloja (1815m) which includes the St Moritz wall with its impressive set of hairpin bends. Over the top a flattish 15km thrash to the upmarket hotel, which wasn’t serving food. But a short stroll to a very nice restaurant where we were asked to go easy on the wine, as it was a bit on the pricey side.
Here Chris dropped the news that he would have to leave the group tomorrow and return home for business reasons, something about an Irishman and his secretary!
Day 4: St Moritz to Goldrano: 143km, 2900m ascent
A high altitude day staying over 2000m for most of the time. In the first 60km we hit 4 cols at 2328, 2315, 2218 and 2291 m before dropping down to Turri Piana at 1300m for lunch.
To be continued
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
