The Dolomites: Passo di Fedaia
(conclusion)

After a quick refuelling with an outrageously-priced can of Coke, I put on my windbreaker and zipped down the western side of the pass. This side had more bends, and nowhere near as steep. It appeared more green, more scenic, though there were more tunnels (near the top).

(Above: The descent to Canazei on the western side of Passo di Fedaia)

The descent bottomed out in Canazei, 14 kilometers later. The start of the climb to Passo de Sella and Passo Pordoi was just a few kilometers north of Canazei. But the Sella circuit would have to wait another day, for it was not on today’s itinerary. Wearily, I turned south to start my way back to Bolzano and to approach Passo Costalunga, my last hurdle for the day.

(Above: A rare, flat road--on the way to Passo di Costalunga)

It was several hours ago that I came screaming down Vigo di Fassa from Passo Costalunga. Now I had to reverse my course. The climb to Passo Costalunga started with a very steep ascent from the town of Vigo and continued for 10 kilometers to reach the maximum height of 1,745 meters. Once out of Vigo, the climb was actually quite scenic, first, with a lateral view of the Rosengarten group, then, farther up, of the Marmolada snowfields, now seemingly a great distance away.

(Above and Below: Halfway up Passo di Costalunga)

It was past 5PM, and because of the low angle of the sun and the road’s sheltered position, the climb was now mostly in the shadows. Though nominally I still had over 30 kilometers to Bolzano, in my mind I only needed to summit Passo Costalunga and I would be homefree to the tune of 1,500 meters (4,800 feet) of downhill—cycling dessert, as it were. The hard effort to climb Costalunga from the east actually ceased two kilometers from the summit, for the road turned almost flat from this point. Like a road-weary traveler sensing the end of a long journey, I could feel the adrenalin rushing as I cranked up the speed for these last two kilometers to the summit. I stopped just long enough to snap a summit photo then away I went.

(Above: Passo di Costalunga for the second time, this time from the east)

The 26-kilometer descent down Val d’Elga started at the saddle where the roads to Passo Nigra and Passo Costalunga met. But the beauty of this road manifested itself at the bottom half of the descent. Here, the road turned narrower as it entered a very rugged gorge and followed the course of the Torrente Ega. Though barely 15 kilometers from Bolzano, I was amazed at how remote the place looked. It was scenic and stimulating riding at its finest. I so enjoyed this stretch that

(Above and Below: The absolutely spectacular run along Val d'Ega)

I was quite sorry to emerge at Cornedo, three kilometers to the finish. Ruefully, I turned left onto S12 and very shortly entered Bolzano then back to the hotel.

(Follow this link to view boring pictures of Bolzano (use your browser's back arrow to return)).

Fini.