Jim Merz wrote,
> Can we get some stories? What is your most challenging one day ride? Has
> to be on a luged steel frame bike of course.
This is easy! Back in 1985, I wanted to go to watch the World Championships on the Montello, just outside of Bassano del Grappa (Treviso) in Italy. I flew to Amsterdam and then proceeded to ride down through the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg ( I purposely went to the highest point in all three countries, not that that is saying much), France, Germany, Switzerland (with a side trip to Liechtenstein), Austria (passing over the Arlberg and Brenner passes) to Italy. Once I arrived in Treviso, I made side trips to Pula in Yugoslavia (over the worst 'improved' roads ever encountered in my life), to Venice and to the Croce D'aune and Gavia passes. On the rides to these two passes, I left my gear behind and met a few pros out training. I tried to keep with them for as long as I could... aarrgh! At least they had a good time fooling around with the wannabe racer on the bike with mudguards and racks.
On the return trip, I rode through Lombardy to the lake district (Garda, Iseo, Maggiore...) and in one particular stage rode 270 km (close to 170 miles) from Como to a campground just beyond Aosta. For those that know the area, they will be aware that at least the last 50 km of this ride are all uphill. I then passed through the Gran San Bernardo pass into Switzerland. The pass itself is over 2500 meters above sea level but required over 8000 feet of altitude gain in less than 24 hours to be reached and this was on a day with over 95°F weather. From there I rode the southern shore of Lac Léman and effectively rode the stage from this year's tour into Bourg en Bresse before heading North to Paris from where I flew home. All told, I rode just shy of 4000 km in 22 days including watching some track racing and the wonderful win of Joop Zoetemelk at the World's.
Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ
PS: the ride was made on a home-made frame with 13-23 block and 42/52 chainrings.
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