Osservatorio Astronomico Montereale Valcellina 2

I warmed up for the climb with a ride through Montereale, down to Ponte Ravedis, up to Maniago Libero, then across the new bridge to Montereale.  I thought this might be a better warm up for the climb than the flat ride from Malnisio to SR251 to Grizzo.  Any exercise physiologists out there?  Is a flat ride in a big gear at the same power level just as good a warm up for a hard ascent as warming up by climbing?  It seems like it would be, yet I always feel better starting an ascent after some moderate climbing.  Could just be in my head.

The climb starts not too steeply up to Motel Spia, then the road steepens and encircles Monte Spia, then passes above the Cellina gorge.  It's a mix of nice shady stretches and sun-exposed sections.   It was nice and cool because I left before 0900 but by the time I reached end of pavement at 683 meters I was panting and drenched in sweat.

On the steepest bits I stood to climb, but managed to stay seated most of the time.  The descent was fun, though I almost ran over a guy with a butterfly-net.  Butterflies were everywhere (black or dark brown).  Also a very large circling eagle.

The grade from Grizzo to the osservatorio: