Today was going to be special, we hoped. When planning this trip, I was aware it coincided with the Giro d’Italia, one of the world’s three huge three week cycling events, attracting the best riders.

When the stage routes were announced, I then played around mapping to see where we could intersect, and with a stage finish in Sappada in the Dolomites, that had to be it.

Now the Dolomites are not the easiest area to bike pack ride into due to the size of the climbs over the passes, but with our successful climb over Passo Gardena we were on our way.

We left our accomodation in Brunico knowing it would rain later in the day.

We followed a river path for quite some distance, predominantly gravel, with hot mix here and there.

The path became sealed weaving through and around villages. The Dolomites to our right, an Austria to our left, as we were within km of that border.

It was raining at higher altitudes and in the valley ahead. We were able to miss most of it early on seemingly following it but the roads were wet.

We needed to climb more steeply to get to the top of Passo Croce. Some views along the way.

Part way down we stopped at this waterfall. I thought it had a funny name….

That valley is where we are headed…aagh.

We needed to complete another 10 km climb up to Sappada, and the number of cyclists on that climb was significant. Predominantly road cyclists with small backpacks and minimal gear on, locals more used to the conditions it seemed.

We stopped here as there was a convoy of tour team buses also coming up the climb.

About 2.5 km from the top the police had closed the road. Cars were parked to the right, and people were walking into Sappada up the hill. Cyclists could ride on through.

We headed to the tour village where there were giveaways, promotions and big screen. The official Giro store was there if you wanted to buy memorabilia. We got given water and bandanas. If I had a dollar for everyone checking our bikes and gear, I would pay the trip off.

We headed off to try and find our spot to watch the finish. We rode part of the final km, but they turned you off with 700 m to go.

In position we had about an hour to wait. We were positioned with about 110 metres to the finish line. Our bikes leaned on the side railing. We could see a big screen diagonally over the road.

It was surreal for me to be back in Sappada. I had been there for the 2018 Giro stage finish. I do not think I would have thought it possible I could cycle tour back into the Dolomites for a second stage finish.

I was teary as I know how hard the journey had been for me personally over the last few years to get fitness back enough to undertake our current tour.

My gastro played up here too, quite annoyingly. Timing!!

Trying to get to get out of Sappada was hard. There was a people crush as we needed to keep moving. Our accomodation was 15 km further along the road as I had not been able to get accomodation in town, even the day the tour route was announced…others must have known!!

We needed to cross the riders route from the finish line to their team buses and I felt sorry for them as they had maybe 90 cm at best, despite the physical police shoving people on their chests and shoulders to get back.

Caleb Ewen, the Aussie, was one who we recognised as he came through the crush.

We had one climb left, Clima Sappada, doing it in the opposite direction to the days stage. The road was freshly resealed, so nice and smooth.

We stopped at the village of Clima Sappada, not having eaten much today.

We are now in the village of Rigolato and will be leaving the Dolomite region.It was a nice ride downhill, to here but cold as it was after 7 pm when we had arrived.

Tomorrow we enter Slovenia for a range of cycling adventures there.

Thanks for reading 😊❣️