|
The
shores of Lake Garda
at Riva del Garda,
on the most northern tip
of the lake |
|
Our first ride: 'the Altissimo'
(default reply of local bike shop
employees on the question
'what should
we ride?') |
We started climbing from Riva...
we climbed... and
climbed...
and climbed
|
|
Our map, which sucked badly
(scale only 1:35000).
Turned
out we climbed a little more
than strictly necessary (1400
vertical meters as opposed
to 800!) - everyone was
of
course delighted because
of the extra exercise we got
out of it
;)
|
|
The
views were quite worth it
|
|
What goes up must go down...
the Alps turn out to be just a
little more intense - and
steep - than the hills
in the
Bay Area.
Sometimes a touch more
than we can
take -
Thomas decided for instance
to give me a demo of his
trail flying skills on the way
down |
The views are still amazing |
|
The day after: hooking up with
Hans for yet another
epic ride!
From
left to right: Hans,
yours truly, Thomas, David
and Inge |
|
The ride: Capanna Grassi,
as described in the pretty
cool
'Moser' mtb guide
|
|
In the narrow streets
of
the tiny town Campi |
After lots and lots of climbing
our reward: Weissbier
and
pasta in a cozy cabin near
the crest of
our climb.
The Italian Alps Rule!
At last we see MTBSH in what
it does best! (David,
Hans,
Dirk, Thomas and Inge) |
|
Time for showing off
some technical
skills
(only Hans managed to
do it in style - we spoiled
Californians were too busy
bitching about the slippery
wet stuff on the trail) |
|
MTBSH in hindsight |
|
Ah, the Dolomites - steep
mountains, rocks and cabins
with endless supplies
of
the best wines and food!
|
View of Riva from the old
Fortress on the
hillside |
|
Hans is here a tad too fast
for my camera
|
|
Lago di Garda in all its (foggy)
glory |
|
The
'optional loop' at the
end was a long ultra-technical
steep
section, more a
staircase of rocks and
boulders than a trail, really |
Hans is taking it on
in good spirits!
|
|
One last pose before we hit
town |
