King Tremalzo

I'm not personally a fan of shuttle / mnt bike rides.  Kinda feel one should earn their turns.  However, when the bike shop says, this is one of the best rides in all of Italy, it kinda sets the hook.  Why do a shuttle then.  Well, the top of the ride is at 1800m (thats 1.2 Dolomiti for those on the Kube Standards System, KSS) and is 21 miles from Riva del Garda.  Hmm, guess we can go with the shuttle / guide.  We've become pretty good acquaintances with local bike shop, GardaBike, friendly staff, once they know you're sorta capable, they are willing to give you a break and share some secrets.  Shout out to Andrea, Mateo and Carlos! So we signed up for King Tremalzo ride.

Temalzo Mt is one of many peaks near Rive del Garda that requires driving on steep (20%) single lane, twisty, precipitous roads for a couple of hours to reach the paseo (pass). Of course, this is Italy and there is a nice clean, neat Cafe at the top of the pass serving cappuccino and strudel.  Why not, it's mostly downhill.  While fueling up, we get a brief tutorial from Mateo, our guide.  The road we are going to ride down was built by Austrian prisoners during WWI to bring supplies from the valley floor to the various entrenched positions on the sidewalls that are protecting the Italian side of the front.  The grade can be no greater than 9%, so, lots of hairpins rising close to 6,000 ft from the valley floor.  I'll cease the history lesson and let some of the pictures provide some insight into the ardor, determination and engineering prowess of building such a road.

Look down onto the ridge top below. That's the road. No mistakes cycling.

Yep, lots of switchbacks. 

Where are the guardrails?  Minor note on road conditions. Think Mt Bike riding on ball bearings. Keeping it rubber side down is imperative. 

Somewhere nearing the lower third of the ride there is a rescue hut where travelers can stop 24 / 7 for shelter water and cheap Italian wine. We stopped to eat and relax w great view over Lake Garda. The other group there was a well oiled set of sinoires enjoying the alpine air, the pancetta, the Grappa and not so good singing. 

Bill ready for the ear plugs. 

Italian opera stars are secure in their employment.

We did sample the goods.

Ready for the last plunge, one can see the starting point on the peak above Holly. Hence King Tremalzo. 

Some bonus miles on extra loop were more akin to CO single track. 

The day ends, well, as per usual, enjoying a great dinner in a beautiful spot with the moon rising above. 

Tomorrow? Transit to Canazei.