Mountain Stage
Now that we have a car, it’s time to explore the area beyond our little town. After talking to both expats and locals, we made a long list of potential things to do here in the summer. Item #23 is the Giro d’Italia (kind of like Italy’s version of the Tour de France). We went to a time trial stage two years ago, but have always really wanted to see a mountain stage. The race organizers obliged us and picked a route this year that actually went through Austria and finished in the Alps in Italy just an hour south of our place.
The stage ended on the Monte Zoncolan, which is somewhat famous in the cycling world for being a hellish climb of 10km with an average grade of about 12%. However, some spots are as steep as 22%. It seemed like the perfect place to watch the pros suffer up the switchbacks. The one important thing that I forgot was that in order to see them on the mountain top finish you have to actually get there, which in this case meant walking up.
Needless to say the hike was brutal and it gave me even more respect for the cyclists. I still can’t believe how fast they are able to push up that mountain. While the race is exciting, half the fun is watching the other spectators. They arrive long before (sometimes days) the race starts and camp out, alternately partying and sleeping. When the racers come by they shout at them, push them up hill, or run along side “encouraging” them. Some riders shouted back,but most just laughed and kept pedaling. It’s amazing that were no accidents caused by the rabid fans. In the end though, they are true fans – they know all the riders names and shout out in different languages (Vai, Venga, Allez, Go!). They boo the ones who are suspected of doping, and cheer their favorites. It’s a unique sport and I think we’re already scoping a stage of Le Tour to attend.
Here I am with the most famous of the fans:
Here’s Alberto in the pink:
halftime
June 1st, 2011 at 9:01 am
Fun! I love reading about your adventures!!