Cyclopaat, an alter ego with a twist
Una passione che non finisce mai
“Giro d’Italia!” is my first thought whenever the Treasury Secretary gives the green light for another trip into the high mountains.
But while it was my first ever “Grand Tour” in 2011, the Giro d’Italia 2025 was only my 4th.
I’ve cycled 6 in France – 2026 will be the 7th – and another in Switzerland…
Monte Zoncolan (1,750 m) is located in the Carnic Alps, in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy.
It is one of the toughest and most demanding climbs in road bicycle racing, feared by many, including the pros.
If you average all three climbs, you’re looking at near 12% over the 30+ kilometers.
You can’t prepare yourself for this, no strategy works.
The hard bits are constantly 15%.
For 5 kilometers…
In July 2011 Cyclopaat – accompanied by Paula – made a trip through the Italian Alps, dubbed ‘Giro d’Italia 2011’.
It consisted of two parts, one based in San Pietro (Val Gardena) and the second part based in Valdidentro (Bormio).
We were moving to Mestre today, to participate in the Open European Mahjong Championship.
But since C. insisted he should definitely climb the Monte Zoncolan, they made a ‘little’ detour to Ovaro.
After all, it didn’t look that much of a detour on the map, but on Italian (secondary) roads…
He should have known from the transfer two days before from Vipiteno to Longega for the Furcia.
So, after another 3 hour drive, he was actually not so fresh anymore, but now that they were here anyway, he might as well go for it…
