Val Muiè

Val Muiè is one of the prettiest, most peaceful rides in this area.  It's also quite fun with a fast descent, lots of curves and some rolling saliscendi to keep you on your toes.  I warmed up riding to Maniago then headed up Valcolvera, opting for Bus di Colvera instead of the first tunnel.  Just before Poffabro took the right turn marked Navarons.  It's only been a few minutes since you've left civilization at Maniago but you could easily be a couple of centuries back in time in Val Muiè- nothing but forest, a white water stream, birds, surrounding snow-topped peaks.  The effect continues in Navarons, practically uninhabited in winter (in summer those who've moved away return for a few weeks).  Across the Meduna River, steeply up to the main road, then more rolling hills to Meduno, Fanna and home.  2 hours and 50km of happiness. 

Val Muiè vineyard

Monte Raut

Monte Jouf in background, Frisanco on the right

Villa d'Arco

Short flat ride to ops check my left leg.  On the Monte Ragogna ride it developed a sharp pain in upper left thigh/groin area which was barking with every seated pedal stroke (oddly it felt fine when standing on the 16% grade).  Yesterday I rested it all day other than a short, shuffling walk with the dogs.  On today's ride I didn't notice it at all.

First half of ride is slightly downhill- a great spinning warm-up.  The second half rises gently, giving just enough resistance to get your heart rate up.  Leg is good to go.

Cornino - Monte Ragogna

The rain stopped today and I headed east to see the snow on the mountains.  I rode through Pinzano, up to Cornino, crossed the Tagliamento River, then took the rolling road up to Muris where the climb for Monte Ragogna begins.  It's very steep  (10.3% average, with 16% stretches), and has appeared in the Giro d'Italia previously.  Just below the top is a beautiful park with church and World War I memorial- I stopped to take some landscape pictures here because the top is covered with trees.  At the top I headed south on the ridge road, which is closed to cars because of a landslide.  Great ride, though I tweaked a groin muscle on the easy climb out from Meduno River up to Sequals (neglected to downshift).  Hopefully it will be all better by tomorrow.

Note: tried out my new Pearl Izumi Pro Barrier WxB gloves. I ordered them after my hands got wet, cold and numb a few weeks back.  Didn't get to test their water resistance yet, but they are nice and warm riding in 2℃ windy weather ( I had a thin pair of inserts inside).

Monte Ragogna- antennas at 500m, to right below them
 you can see chiesetta alpina Julia

Alpi Giulia from near Muris

Beautiful Alpi Giulia looking north

Tagliamento River and mountains near Austrian border

A view of the alps stretching to Slovenia

Chiesetta alpina Julia war memorial

Monte Cavallo floating in the clouds,
Castello di Pinzano in foreground

Monte Raut with Castelnovo del Friuli in foreground

Fregona - Grotte del Calglieron

A brief break in the rain/snow this morning, but temps still below freezing.  Paul Kim contacted several of us about riding, so Naz, I and some Italian friends showed up.  We headed out through Caneva and Sarmede, and a couple of the fellows mentioned they were in their 50s-60s.  In the back of my mind I must have thought "Finally someone I can keep up with" but I would be wrong.  Both were in great shape for their age and broke away from our little pack soloing for considerable distances.  I've learned my lesson:  never underestimate an older Italian cyclist.

We took a new route up to Fregona, and it's my new favorite.  As you run into Vittorio Veneto  take a right on Via Pola.  It's wonderful, with switchbacks up the wooded hillside and views of the city and plains below.  Near the top it passes over the entrance of Grotte del Calglieron, which looks like a spectacular cave; we'll have to tour it this summer.  From here we descended to Fregona then climbed up to Osigo.  We continued along the cliffside road to Rugolo, then headed home.  Hopefully I'll get to ride with this bunch again soon- they were great companions.   

Cold and Wet

It was lightly sprinkling when I woke up- almost like mist, a couple of degrees above freezing.  Around 0800 I got ready and left for Maniago to join my friend Naz for a ride.  Unknown to me, he had sent a message to call off the ride because of the weather.  He was cool about it though, and went ahead and got ready.  Our original plan of climbing was altered by the low altitude freezing point.  Instead we rode down to Vivaro, across to Spilimbergo, up to Meduno, and back to Maniago.  Most of the way it was sprinkling/drizzling, just enough to gradually soak you thoroughly.  Naz very kindly throttled back so I could keep up with him- very fast rider.

The cold and wet wasn't too bad except for fingers and toes- need waterproof shoe covers and gloves.  I had to soak my hands in cold water for 10 minutes when I got home until my fingers regained feeling- reminded me of sledding at my grandmother's in New Jersey as a kid.   

Artegna - Stella - Tarcento

The climb from Artegna to Stella is way over on the other side of Friuli.   I rode there via Pinzano, Cornino, Majano, Buja.  Finally at 57 km I reached Artegna and approached the climb.  It was a sunny, calm winter day, and in the piazza loudspeakers were playing Pavarotti arias.  I decided I would dedicate the climb to Pavarotti, which came in handy later.  After Artegna (203m) you follow signs for Montenars, and after crossing the bridge over Torrente Orvenco begin a crazy series of switchbacks.  They have very steep curves at the ends (+16%) and less steep straight stretches in between (12-13%).  Not that I'm complaining- I was desperate for any relief I could get.  Then there are long straightish stretches at 16% as well.  Toward the end of these I was dying and wanted to get off and walk in a bad way, but I thought about Pavarotti and kept going, despite seeing stars from lack of oxygen to the brain.  This madness ends at 662 meters

The road follows the ridge eastward, with great views of mountains to the north.  It's an interesting saliscendi, around every curve lies another unexpected climb or descent.  At Stella (647m)  you head down a curvy road, averaging -9.6% for the next 4 km.  The front tire flatted but I found a nice sunny spot to change it.  It was almost a welcome break.

The end of descent is Tarcento, a pretty town with hundreds of people out enjoying the sunny day.  From here back through Buja, etc.  The weather was so nice there were people sunbathing down on the sand bars in the Tagliamento River (in long sleeves and pants).     

Looking northeast toward the Julian Alps

Monte Musi (1878m)

Monte Chiampon (1709m)

0.5 km stretch average 16%

Gradients approaching 20%

Monte San Lorenzo - Frisanco

Buon anno!  Perfect sunny winter day so I took a little ride toward Fanna, then turned left toward Monte San Lorenzo.  This is a smooth, wide, well-paved road, usually full of large trucks hauling rock from the quarry on Monte San Lorenzo to the cement plant at Fanna.  But on Sundays and holidays it's deserted.  The gradient is a good workout but never impossibly steep.  Very nice to descend too because of the wide switchbacks.  Today instead I descended northward on a narrow mountain lane to Valcolvera.  From here I continued north to the turnoff for Frisanco and headed up again, steeply but not unreasonable.  Just before Frisanco I turned right at the sign marked Madonna della Stangada.  This is a beautiful ridgetop road that climbs high above Val Muie (to the north) with great views of Monte Raut, Monte Valcalda, Monte Rest, and the hillside town of Casasola.  Soon you reach a pretty old church, Madonna della Stangada.  The road continues briefly to Valdistali then dead ends.  I think you can hike down to the Meduna River from the road.

Rode back quickly so I'd make it home by dinnertime.  No black-eyed peas, collard greens and sweet potatoes but I substituted ceci, costa da bietola, and zucca.  Hopefully it brings good luck in the new year!

"Reclaimed" remnant of Monte San Lorenzo's east slope; luckily the
west slope is still a beautiful hiking area with 13th century church  

View northward toward Monte Raut

Beautiful Madonna della Stangada church

Looking down at the campanile di Frisanco; note
characteristic wooden balconies on house (right)

Castello di Caneva - Osigo - Castello di Cordignano

Perfect winter day-  headed down Via Pedemontane Occidentale to Sarone.  Lots of cycling clubs out today, including 70-100 GC Meschio guys riding through Giais.  From Sarone I rode up past Castello di Caneva and then down to Caneva town.  From there to Sarmede, where I took Via Fracas toward Fregona.  I ascended this last Spring, but took a right turn and climbed to Montaner.  Today instead I rode through Busa and then up Via Borgo Danese to Osigo.  This was a good climb but not a killer like Borgo Canalet to  Montaner.  From Osigo the main road follows the cliffside to Montaner and then you continue to Rugolo.  Here I turned upward again, on Via Rugolet past Castello di Cordignano.  This is more of a ruin of a castle, unlike Caneva which is quite well preserved.  La Conca between Caneva and Vittorio Veneto is  a great cycling area because there are so many combinations of small to medium climbs you can create.

The ride home surprised me- there are several hundred meters of climbing on the way home so I was happy to have plenty of energy and never got tired.  A good finish to 2012.

Castello di Caneva

Eastern edge of the prosecco wine district

Osigo with Col Visentin in background

Clauzetto - Orton - Campone

Cold but sunny out, so I left just after 0900 for Travesio.  From there up Valcosa to Paludia, then the road heads up the gorge of tiny Rio Molino.  Around 400 meters you climb above the shadow of adjacent hills and the sun begins to warm you.  The switchbacks end at Clauzetto (500m) where you begin the climb to Orton.  You ascend to Cristo (710m) then down to Orton.  Here you head downhill to Gerchia (517m) and then upward again toward Piani di Clauzetto (665m).

After descending to Campone you reach the coldest part of the ride- the Valchiarzo gorge.  The sun doesn't reach down here in winter so it just stays frozen.  Finally it empties out by Lago di Tramonti, and you skirt the shore to Meduno.  Easy ride home from here.  

Note: I brought my Viner Maxima down from the trainer for this ride.  It felt great- I think this bike just fits me better than the Merckx.  I'm going to leave it off the trainer and try to ride it all winter.  

Panuch

Another cold clear day- headed to Meduno, then Lago di Tramonti, then crossed the dam, pedaled to Chievolis and began the climb.  This road is very cool- lots of hard steep ascents with steep descents in between.  On a near-freezing day like this you end up alternately roasting and freezing.  On the descent down to Lago Ca' Selva I nailed a pothole with my rear tire and thought "That's going to go flat."  But I kept going, across the dam, over the stretch of dirt road, and started the paved killer climb to Panuch.  Then the tire finally went flat so I pulled over to change it.  Quite nippy standing in the shade of the mountain around 0℃ while I changed the tire.  I resumed the very steep ascent, made more fun by a thick layer of slippery beech tree leaves, and periodic drainage grates with 30mm wide slots (must cross at nearly a right angle).  Eventually I made it to the top, gasping the frigid air due to stretches of 20% gradient.  My view of the lake was blocked by beech tree limbs (even when devoid of leaves) so I didn't get a lovely photo of the lake with sun shining on the dam.  After a very slow, careful descent I continued with the fun ride home.

Note:  I think I will make the Merckx into an indoor trainer bike for the winter, and also use it for local flatter rides in summer.  The temporary derailleur hanger is a bit fiddly when changing the rear tire, and I seem to get many more flats in the mountains.    

Monte Valinis (almost)

Short ride to Meduno and then up toward Monte Valinis.  Just after the beginning of the climb a man pointed in the direction I'd come from and teased 'that way it's all downhill for 30 meters.'  Nice workout up to 800 meters or so but then it got too icy where the snow melts and refreezes everyday.  A man was blocking the road with his tractor towing a long beech tree so it seemed like a good time to turn around.  Nice descent and flattish ride home.

12% gradient ice rink at 830 meters

Valle Pedreit (Mezzomonte)

Mezzomonte is a favorite local climb, a good 2-hour ride after work in summer or weekend mornings.  It's steep enough to be challenging but not so long that you end up knackered.  Today as usual I stood for the first steep half-kilometer above Coltura and then remained seated for the remaining series of switchbacks up to Mezzomonte (475m).  It's a dead end so I turned around to begin the ride home.  A lady joked that I should stop, I'd already won the prize money.  They must find us odd riding up this steep road to their village then immediately returning. 

I stopped by the walled cemetery on the edge of town to see if I could get a photo, and noticed the turn for the cemetery didn't stop there, it kept going.  Intrigued I followed the narrow paved road, which quickly turned steep and began switchbacking.  There are galvanized steel drainage troughs every 50 meters or so, very slippery (I was inattentive and almost fell over in one).  I had no idea where I was headed but the road just kept going up and up- it was clear it was headed for the top of the ridge, which connects Piancavallo and Il Cansiglio.  Above 800 meters there were increasingly snowy patches where small trees shaded the roadway, but with a little care they were easy to traverse.  Finally at a tornante at 890 meters the snow looked like 23mm slicks wouldn't be adequate- I'd need some wider knobbier tires.  So I turned around and gingerly returned to the cemetery, then descended rapidly down the switchbacks.  

On the way home I was climbing the hill toward Budoia when I heard a strange wheezing behind me, similar to the sound the stray cat in our cortile makes.  It got louder and I realized someone was drafting on me and possibly in respiratory distress.  I pulled out of the way and slowed and a fellow in GC Meschio garb passed on my right.  I was very impressed by his bike, a Bottecchia Ottavio carbon frame, handmade by Sarto near Venezia.  Beautiful frame!

Here's a hiking site describing the road I "discovered"- I may try walking it soon with the dogs- they'd love it!    http://www.magichedolomiti.it/ilpalo/mezzo/mezzo1.htm

I gave up here at 890 meters

Looking down at the switchbacks on the road down to Coltura

Sella Chianzutan

Coldest day of the year so far but the sun is spectacular and I couldn't resist.  I headed through Pinzano, up the switchbacks to Anduins and then into the gorge of Val Arzene.  The road was closed to traffic by a landslide before you reach Pielungo, so I tried scrambling over the debris carrying my bike.  An Italian hunter asked if I was trying cyclocross instead of bici di corsa and I laughed and agreed.  

I continued to San Francesco where the climb begins.  The road emerges from the shady narrow gorge into bright sunlight with roaring white water of Torrente Arzene in the canyon below-  wonderful scenery.  Higher up you begin a series of switchbacks through snowy beech forest.  It finally reaches the sella, flanked by the peaks of Monte Verzegnis and Monte Piombada.

I froze on the descent and only warmed up a little when I reached the rollers near Pinzano.  By the time I rode through Lestans I was beat and struggled the rest of the way home.  Very glad to have a hot bath and coffee when I got home.      

Monte Piombada (1744m)

Beautiful ice sculptures along the climb

Close-up of ice fall

Rounded shapes of ice formed around a plant's branches

Monte Prat

Nice weather today, but just above 0℃.  My neighbor Nerina saw me getting ready to ride and cautioned me to cover myself well against the freezing air.  This is one thing I love about Italy.  Even if you've lost your grandmother or mother, someone in the neighborhood will speak up and make sure you're taking care of yourself.

I bundled up and rode out through Pinzano to Forgaria.  Here you start the climb up to Monte Prat, the easternmost of the prealpi pordenonesi.  It rises directly above the Tagliamento River, which separates Pordenone and Udine provinces.  The sun was out and glistening on the scenery along the climb.  Above San Rocco beautiful chocolate brown sheep were grazing, and across the road 2 lovely alpine horses with reddish-brown coat and splendid blonde manes were prancing around their pasture.   As I climbed higher a huge flock of griffon vultures circled above the cliffs.  I was surprised, as I thought the thermals the griffons glide on wouldn't rise on such a cold day.  But they were out in even greater numbers than usual.

Past the meadows of Monte Prat I continued on the narrow road to Val Tochel.  It had patches of snow, which grew more frequent until the road was covered with snow around 896 meters.  I put back on my winter gear and headed down.  Great ride- the sun stayed out and the wind was still all the way home.

Val Tochel (896m) dusted with snow

Monte Chiampon (1709m) to north

Giro della camera da letto

Rainy week so I finally gave up, brought the trainer down from the attic and mounted my bike on it.  It's good exercise but I need to move the wheel speed sensor over from the Merckx so I can quantify the effort.  Of course I'll still have the Merckx to ride when weather permits.

1988 Performance Trainer with Minoura magnetic resistance

La Crosetta

Another favorite prealpi pordenonesi climb- La Crosetta is the southward pass accessing altopiano Il Cansiglio.  It starts below Sarone, a perfect warm-up-ride-away from our house.  From here long steep stretches meander across the mountainside exposed to the sun, but it's no problem on this cold overcast day.  Around 850-900 meters elevation the environment transitions to beech forest, shady and cool.  At 1120 meters you reach the forest station at La Crosetta.  You can continue on to Monte Pizzoc (over 1500 meters high) or down to Il Cansiglio, a beautiful grassy plain surrounded by forested mountains.  Sorry, no pictures today, but you can click on "View full route" and click the "play" arrow to see location vs altitude (or gradient) animation.

Passo di Monte Rest

Haven't ridden up Mont Rest since last spring so it felt nice to be back.  All the rain has filled up the waterfalls and they looked great.  The climb gave me a good workout, and at the summit there was absolute silence- very unusual as there was no wind or even birds chirping.  I saw no other bicycles above Meduno, and only one car above Tramonti di Sopra (arriving at Passo di Monte Rest just as I left).  Felt tired on the way home- still haven't recouped training lost while I was healing in September.  I'll try to catch up this fall/winter.

Waterfall on Rio Novarchis

Boisterous falls on Rio Pecol

Monte Jouf hike

I was planning to ride to Monte Rest today, but thought I'd check the news first to see if any roads were closed from landslides, bridges washed away, etc.  Instead I found a news item about rampaging baby bears in the mountains above Maniago.  Intrigued, I decided to head up Monte Jouf to search for bears.

It's possible to climb Monte Jouf with a mountain bike but I don't have one so I hiked it instead.  I drove up to the high point of the paved road from Maniagolibero, parked and set off.  I hiked up the first couple of switchbacks (under construction) then headed up the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) trail toward the summit.  Great trail through beautiful forest, and well-marked though I managed to wander off course anyway.  I couldn't find any of the red & white trail marks on trees or rocks.  No harm done, I found my way back and continued.  The trail gradually became steeper, then even steeper, and again I lost sight of any trail markings.  I rested a moment before heading back down to look for the trail, when I heard a clattering sound above me.   Peering through the tree limbs I caught sight of an elderly man rapidly descending this steep slope with trekking poles.  He seemed to be floating along, barely touching the leaf-cover and loose stones with his feet but rhythmically stabbing at the ground to left and right to keep from tumbling.  I asked him if this was the way to the summit and he asked if I was from Deutschland (I get that a lot) then said the trail led to a "gross haus" and promised it was only 5 minutes away.  I figured at my speed it would take 15, but it ended up being 30.   

Beautiful up here, the forest abruptly ends and it's rolling grassland.  Great views in all directions.  I wandered around awhile but never sighted the bears.   Then it was time to head down and I still couldn't find the CAI trail so I headed down the dirt road.  This would be a fun descent on a mountain bike, but on foot it was quite long.  I wished I had a pair of those trekking poles and could glide down the steep footpath like the old fellow.

Pillows of alpine grass foreground, with Alpi Giulie to northeast

Malga Jouf (the "gross haus") with barn for hay and livestock

Monte Raut towering over Pala Barzana

Remnant of antique teleferica, a ski-lift for cargo used in mountains 

Counterclockwise

Pala Barzana

The torrential rains are over and the flood waters are receding- time to head for the hills.  Today I set out for Pala Barzana, first visit in 6 or 8 months.  A shame to visit so infrequently- Pala Barzana is one of the classic Prealpi Pordonesi climbs, along with Il Cansiglio, Piancavallo, Monte Rest, Sella Chianzutan, Monte Prat.  It's very close to home, yet feels like remote wilderness.   

Torrente Cellina was still unusually full of water, as was Bus di Colvera.  All the streams along the climb were foaming and surging with runoff.  Luckily there were no landslides or washouts.  Part way up the climb from Pian delle Merie toward Pala Barzana there was a bad slump in the pavement, maybe a couple of feet vertical drop- no problem ascending but if you were descending fast it might cause a crash.  

Descent to Andreis wasn't bad, but when you reach SS251 the road to Molassa is closed.  I was thinking of riding down there to check out Forra del Cellina, but it's impassible.  The 4km tunnel was fine, just some water half-way across the lane in a few spots.

Traditional mountain house in Bosplans: to go from room to room you must go out
on the wooden balcony- same to go up/down stairs.  That would suck in winter.
Wooden slats are for drying hay

Cloudy rugged peaks north of Bosplans

Counterclockwise

Col Alto (almost)

A warm sunny day and no school so I decided to try my first big climb of autumn.  I got a late start because I stayed up in the wee small hours of the morning watching election results, so I wasn't sure I'd have time to reach the top and return home.  I kept a steady pace up the mountain until the steepest section, between tornanti 6 and 7 below Rifugio Bornass.  There I had to stand for the 13-14% stretch and was breathing very hard.  Afterward I returned to slow, steady, and seated.

At Castaldia I had to decide whether to go to Piancavallo, Col Alto, or just turn around.  It was getting late so I decided to continue part way up to Col Alto.  I rode up the long traverse to Candaglia (1179m) took some pictures and turned around.  Tried not to go too fast on the way down- hard not to on this wonderful road.

Candaglia, toward Casera Barzan

Fontanuzze with autumn colors; Alpi Giulie in background