Dizzy in the Dolomites

[Elle]

Continuing my Solo trip to Slovenia, I entered Italy. The destination was La Villa, in Alta Badia. I wasn't disappointed.

 

[Elle]

The next morning, I retraced my ride over the Valparola pass and the Falzarego pass, towards Cortina and then turned to ride up to Passeo Giau. It was a brisk route and a guy following me on a Gixer looked a bit shocked when I removed my helmet
Met a few Brits up there too & it was nice to chat in English for a while

 

[Elle]

Moving on, I rode down to look at Lago di Alleghe, then had a lunch snack in Caprille. Rode over to Passo Fedaia where they'd made a huge space in the car park for me. A woman rushed over to ask me to move as they were actually on mountain rescue training. Seconds later, my bike was replaced by this!

 

[Elle]

Then I chatted to a couple of Morgan drivers from the UK

 

[Elle]

At the lakeside of Lago di Fedaia, I chatted to a lovely german couple who recommended a little cable car ride which took you up to the Refuge almost at the glacier level. But I wasn't expecting a 2-man waist height cage to take me there! Such fun! My mind was blown away by the views, sadly my bike boots weren't made for climbing slippery rocks....

 

[Elle]

After Fedaia, I rode over to Canazei and up to Passo Sella, then Gardena before returning just in time for a 4 course dinner.

 

[Elle]

Over the weekend, there was some type of military rally in La Villa

 

[Elle]

It was recommended to me that I headed north the next day towards Bruneck. But traffic was extremely heavy, despite it being a Sunday (can only assume, many were leaving the area). So I took a diversion over the Furcia pass. From there, I abandoned the original plan & rode up to the Staller pass on the Austrian border.
The car park was, for me, horrendous - chunky gravel on a slope so I pulled over to the lovely tarmac on the other side of the road where lots of people were parked. I had a little walk, took some photo's then decided I wouldn't venture further into Austria, I would instead, return down the pass back into Italy.
It wasn't until I returned to the bike that I realised I wasn't parked in a smooth car park - I was parked in the middle of the line of traffic, waiting for the traffic signal to exit the pass

 

[Elle]

At the bottom of the pass, I pulled in for lunch with a terrible view

 

[Elle]

After a brisk ride back to La Villa, I continued to Arabba to ride over Pordoi. However the turning was closed for a cycle race and I didn't have a detailed map or my gps to figure out a different route. So after a very brisk ride over Fedaia I turned south at Canazei to ride to Lago di Carezza. But myself and several Harley riders had problems obtaining fuel so time was wasted looking for a manned pump. I would have missed the lake if it hadn't been for the Harley riders. It was hidden amongst the trees and the water level was very low. But it was extremely pretty.

 

[Elle]

The next morning, I had to leave the Dolomites to head home But having missed the Pordoi yesterday, I couldn't resist having another try. I packed the bike and was on the road by 9.30 and it had rained overnight so the roads were a little damp. But it was already so warm everything was drying up quickly - I even saw steam coming from the trees! Weird.

 

[Elle]

I needed to head for Innsbruck, so after Pordoi, the only route was to go over the Selle pass again and towards the main Bolzano - Brixen road. I made the mistake of sticking to the A road rather than joining the motorway to cross the Brenner pass. Traffic was light but the constant 50 and 70kph restrictions made my back ache. Got held up on the Fernpass due to a landslip and got stuck in a lot of commuter traffic when attempting to cross over to the Schwarzwald.
At 8pm, a recommended hotel (thanks JB) had closed for the evening but the owner took pity on me & opened up a room with a huge double bed and a deep bath - just what I needed

 

[Elle]

I made it to Brugge by the next evening & took a single en-suite in a hostel with secure parking and just 15 minutes walk from the centre. I spent the next day meandering the cobbled streets resisting the temptation of chocolate. Returned for my bike & arrived at the ferry terminal around 4pm. Another holiday over and the central heating isn't working

 

[GADGET]

Very nice pictures and report Elle, I saw a little of the area passing throught to the Venice area and before Slovenia, was going to head back to the Cortina area after Slovenia, but headed into Austria instead, from your pictures it looks like I must go back again, perhaps next year!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Beautiful pics, you really have some stunners there

You must have more artistic flair......................than me

Glad you enjoyed the Dolomites, next time.................the Cristallo

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Great report and fantastic pics Elle

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Great trip - you certainly pack it all in

The Dolomites are exceptional to witness for the first time

 

[Elle]

Thanks folks - but who can take a bad photo of the Dolomites?

The weather was spectacular. Should have stopped more, should have drank more. I'm not a fast rider on the mountain passes but I do love the views at the top

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Elle,
Fantastic pictures of one of our favourite parts of Europe. An excellent write up too.
Riding quickly is nice at times but you miss too much. Ride your own pace and enjoy, even when the cyclists overtake. When we are two up my bike is mobile photo platform. Steady is good.

Made my Saturday morning thanks for posting.

 

[casperfelix]

Great report and fantastic pics Elle

I agree