Or perhaps 3 days in Corvara at the Good Greif Hotel!
Doc Lewis has been plotting this for a long time with an exemplary cast including Top Gear Driver BS , The two Doc Lewis’s , COC, BG , The Banker , Air Con man himself HB not forgetting the Silver Fox PS . We were disappointed that Herself missed the trip as she was keeping her eye on something else .
It was an early start to the airport and a long drive from Munich to Corvara , This was exacerbated by the fact that I was reluctant to travel in a glorified transit van and would have felt more at home in a transporter .
The Shame
BS was trying to save money by only using only the even number gears , this led to a somewhat jerky ride but no breakfast was revisited . Music was eventually provided by BG , such was the quality of his playlist that several pairs of noise cancelling headphones appeared to block out classics such as “Come down the mountain kate “
Eventually Arrived at the Greif Hotel now known as the Good Greif Hotel .
Unpacked and out straight away for a recce of bike shop and restaurant , early bed as everyone wrecked .
Day 1 of cycling , a taster route agreed by Doc L who had initially circulated a route of the Maratona Dles Dolomites which struck fear into the rest of us and so a variety of less scary routes were forthcoming .
Sun shone , Factor 50 all round , a beautiful spin , a bit surprised by volume of traffic especially motorbikes
Home in time for swim and sauna and a pre dinner beer
Next day up and at it , forecast was a bit dodgy with promised rain , so I packed my secret weapons
Started well , a wee shower at mid point and we thought we had escaped . The Banker was in top form taking all the KOMs with ease . However after a stop for a well deserved coffee the heavens opened and it was freezing , hailstones , thunder , the lot for the last climb and descent , My secret weapons of waterproof trousers and shoe covers came out to much hilarity but I suspect some envy!
A Fabulous day out all bar the hypothermia for those inadequately prepared , back for a swim , sauna and more! Late to dinner for a feed of pasta and several litres of Rosso de la casa , Slept well
Day Three on paper was a repeat of distance and elevation of day 2 but forecast was excellent and there were a couple of mighty climbs . Started badly by heading in the wrong direction but got sorted after a few km , started on a very busy unpleasant road . but soon got to a still busy but very pleasant road to top of first climb wher coffe and cake were eagerly consumed , the second bi climb the Giau pass ….phew what an effort with BS leading the way on his 32 county legs . Bikes had to be back for 5.30 so Doc L cracked the whip although we did manage a quick stop for a toastie before the last climb which was 100% nicer in the sun than on the previous day . BS took ( stole ) the sprint after lulling us into a false sense of security with an offer of truce .
Bikes safely left back , up to the pool and Brendan booked a cracker restaurant for the best meal of the holiday , and probably the two biggest bottles of wine around!
Definitely slept well after that …… Up later the next morning to the POOR buffet again , decided to leave early and grab a few hours in Munich …never transpired as there was so much traffic it took us all day to get back to the airport . BS had managed to book himself on the flight the next day so after a sweaty moment he got that fixed !
Great few days , much thanks to DOC L for organising , BS for the driving , BG for the music , HB for the air conditioning and Brendan for the restaurant …maybe Slovenia next year?????
COC