Back - Part II

Day two took in two awesome climbs. The Passo del San Pellegrino and the fearsome Marmolada. Our route took us around 100 km and once over the San Pellegrino (800m climbing) the only way back to the hotel was either to retrace our steps over the Pellegrino or get over the huge Marmolada!

All started reasonably well, however a lack of nutrition kicked us in the butt when we finally got to the climb of La Marmolada. Like most climbs in italy - it starts fairly easy with ramps of around 4-6% the end ramps are always way above 10% in this case 15% for the last 2-3km or so. This climb kicked my butt like no other. It took 3 cans of coke and some hearty ham and cheese panini's to get over this climb... 

The red blob in the distance should have checked into the starting house pictured for a bit of advice and reflection prior to starting the Marmolada... I now know why it is at the foot of the climb!!!

The start of the Marmolada is deceptively flat.
Extreme beauty masks the pain about to unfold

Ski lifts and snow... and the obligatory cyclist pushing his bike up the Marmolada... for some it was the only option of getting home..