Started riding about 20 km / 300 m below Bormio. As my timing was again fucked up it was sunday again. So i thought i would not go up Stelvio but Gavia, because i figured it to have maybe half the traffic.

On my way to Bormio the was a road cycling race going on. I asked one roadie who was watching about Stelvio vs Gavia. He said if you have to choose one, then Stelvio. I thought alright then.

Sitting in a cafe in Bormio, watching the traffic going towards Stelvio i returned to the old plan and cycle Gavia instead. I started the climb at noon, full sun exposure, it’s a north-south pass. When i had looked up the height profile it looked mellow, but i don’t know what it was, i found it really exhausting. Maybe the sun or maybe that i basically only had some yoghurt, bars and a bunch of peaches until i reached the pass. Traffic was really ok for a sunday.

On the pass i saw the first two wild capricorns since i’ve been cycling in the mountains. Awesome, finally. I had a Cappucino and a beer and started the descend. Wow, absolutely amazing views. I stopped every now and then to take in the views. At one point i was taking a photo (not the title photo) amd i heard some cracking next to me. Two female capricorns climbed down some rocks to lick somw salt right next to me.

I had no idea they weren’t scared of humans. I continued the descend, an absolutely beautiful narrow road down to Ponte di Legno, where i took a room, absolutely knackered. Feeling better now after the Pizza.