MS Global 2007 : Stage 3
Passo San Pellogrino, Passo Fedaia
Jimmy D and Morgan cresting the Fedaia
We've just completed our second day of serious riding and by all reports, today's route was one of the most challenging of the last five years. The warm up climb was up and over the Passo San Pellogrino and down into Cavioia and Alleghe. After a beautiful lakeside lunch, the riders headed toward the Passo Fedaia, which is regarded as a difficult climb among professional racing types - an opinion confirmed by the MS Global field of riders out climbing up and over the pass today.
The temperatures were really perfect and a marked improvement from yesterday. But although the sun was shining on us, the winds were still blowing and the riders were challenged by a nasty headwind all the way through the route.
With about 3 kilometers left to reach the summit our final group of riders stopped by the side of the road to catch their breath, drink a little Coke and grab a Clif Shot. Although the climb was tough for all of them, there wasn't a single one in the bunch that thought about giving in to the mountain.
Our rest stop was across the street from a field full of sheep whose Shepard was lying on the ground sleeping with his dog and two puppies seeming to be doing his work for him. In the moment, it was as if the Shepard was taunting our riders by resting like he was. But after the group refueled they were happy to leave the herd behind and set out for their final assault on the mountain - trying to ignore the headwind trying to push them back down the mountain.
Early in the day, one of our riders, Mark Legere told us his legs felt like bricks on the San Pellogrino. He battled tight tendons all throughout the ride. But when he made it to the top of the Fedaia he had tears in his eyes. He managed to plug away all day and he made it all the way back down the long decent into Canazei.
Another inspiring ride that touched our hearts was that of Jim Turner. He's been training for MS Global all year only to develop a knee injury just before the ride. Not only that, he woke up with a cold this morning. But his attitude was that he was here to ride and so he did. He too conquered the Fedaia one pedal stroke at a time and slalomed all the way down the other side back to our hotel.
Tyler rode to the summit of the Fedaia alongside his father Bill, who at age 67 has promised he will ride MS Global every year that he is able to mount a bicycle! For a guy who only started riding at age 60, today was a special accomplishment. We're not even sure he realizes just how amazing and strong he truly is.
There is something about these challenges that brings out the very best in people. Another participant, Mike Strasser, road down from the summit of the Fedaia no fewer than seven times to encourage others as they labored over the final kilometers. And finally and most incredibly, two of our participants with MS also summitted the Fedaia. They rode to the top with such ease; one would never believe they faced such challenges in their life. But then, it's that strength, perseverance and determination that they exhibited so brilliantly today that probably allows them to manages those challenges so gracefully. They are an inspiration to all of us on how to live, ride and make the most of the experiences we are so lucky to share and enjoy throughout our lives.
Kathie Reid
Today...was EPIC. If there was a theme, it was: "The Tour de France ain't got NOTHIN' on the Giro." So, the day started bright and early at our hotel in Canazei. Today, we turned right out of the hotel, and fairly quickly began climbing the first pass of the day, Passo San Pellegrino. As we began to climb San Pellegrino, though, I felt better little by little, but wasn't able to stay with my group as well as the day before...so I got dropped toward the bottom of the climb. It was a beautiful, gradual climb, though.Lush green all around and a small river on the right, rushing down the mountain.
I met back up with my group at the top where we filled water bottles, chatted, and got some food, and then we made a long, fast, fun descent into a little village called Falcade. Dropping into Falcade was so picturesque, as it was a tiny village with narrow streets that wound through old buildings. There was a lot of activity -- old women in print dresses walking grandchildren to town fountains, people with trekking poles on their way out to hike. Church bells ringing the hour. Beautiful.
The climb up Passo San Pellegrino was long and fairly hard. Now, with lunch in our belly, we began the second and last climb of the day, Passo Fedaia.
If I could do a drum roll here, I would. I've done some climbing --in the Sierras in California, in Colorado, in France, Switzerland, and other parts of Italy. This climb was the hardest climb I've ever done. Bar none. There are some really strong riders riding here at Global, and almost everyone shared this sentiment. I have a triple on my bike and I can't even remember the last time I had to go into the smallest ring -- I mainly keep it for security purposes. We climbed steadily for about 24 kilometers to reach the top of Fedaia, and about 5 kilometers, just before a series of crazy switchbacks that bring you to the top, I had to pull over to get into the little ring. I wasn't going fast enough to feel safe doing it while riding, and my lower back felt like it was burning because straining to climb was so hard. There was a terrible headwind and I felt like I was spinning to no avail most of the time, but I just kept reminding myself that Lisa just had a baby in spite of having MS...so I could do this.
I did the switchbacks near another rider from Colorado, Jack, and we made it to the top together. I was so moved when I made it to the top that when my friend Karen from Texas hugged me, I cried. She understood without me saying a word, and knew that I was thinking of Lisa.
Everyone met up in a cafe at the top of the climb, shared war stories and cappuccino or hot chocolate (which is THE best anywhere!), and then made ready for the long cold descent back to Canazei. The view on the way was AMAZING.
88 kilometers / 2130 meters elevation gain / 2 epic passes
Whew. Another day, another unforgettable bunch of experiences at the MS Global.
Jack Irving
The ride was 64 miles in length with a total elevation change of 2150 meters (somewhere under 7,000 feet). Unlike yesterday the elevation change was divided into 2 climbs instead of 4 climbs and then the majority of the elevation change was in the second climb. I felt good on the first climb and then the first descent was upon us. This was the most amazing descent that I have ever seen with a ton of switchbacks (most of which were around 20 percent). The final climb came after lunch and was called the Passo Fedaia. It was featured in the 2002 Giro di Italia professional bicycling race (Italy's version of the Tour De France.) In short, it was 14 kilometers of a 20% grade and it did not let up. It was the hardest climb I had ever seen and still cannot imagine doing it again on the bike. But pedal stroke after pedal stroke I finally made it to the top. I have never ever ridden that far or that steep in my life. There are no climbs in the Rockies that could rival this climb. It will always be in my memory as the climb of the century. The climbs from Thursday went past this year's FIS Skiing World Cup location (in December this year) and the climbs from yesterday are regularly a part of the Giro di Italia.
There are a number of people in the g roup that have MS and to see them climb the mountains is very inspirational. I can't wait to share some pictures with everyone. I feel really good about deciding to help people with MS through the MS global bike ride. A lot of positive energy flows when people do something to help somebody, and I encourage everyone to do something, anything to help others.