Bright and early the next morning we packed up the bikes and drove over the Gavia pass to the far side so Rick and Chris could make the climb from the shorter but steeper side of the mountain. There were a couple of 16% grades on the road which narrowed to little more than a path one car wide at spots. As we got higher the scenery changed. Here is a summer farm that was halfway up. It looks very Heidi-esq!
Notice the steep drop and the snow covered hills! We even scared off a mountain goat and quite a few marmots as we were making our way over the top.
Rick reached in his pack to take out his prescription sunglasses and the ear piece broke! Luckily they had a piece of masking tape so they fixed it up quick. Expect the unexpected!
There is one tunnel on the side of the pass so Eileen is fixing a flashing red light to the back of Rick's shirt to warn cars and motor-bikers that there is a cyclist in this very dark long cave!
The two very energetic looking cyclists...I think they were still in shock from just driving down the mountain. It was going to be a long haul back up!
On these trips it is the job of the chase car to ride ahead and get out and cheer and hand out water. We parked at this park only to discover that there was very little else you were allowed to do here.
The hills were alive with the sounds of Eileen singing.
"Come on Dad, looking good"...Good job, Eileen
Another rest before the cyclists came into view...and what a view it was!
Looking a little tired. This was about an hour into the climb.
Eileen doing the cheering and watering.
Sue was making her own music!
A reminder that the pass was open. After riding it twice I believe it must be under snow most of the year.
Great view of the riders and the mountains. It really makes one feel small.
Eileen making snowballs to throw at Chris, Rick and the car.
Almost there....Your documentary film crew is capturing the whole thing.
Honest, the top is in sight!
Wait! There is Eileen giving ye old Lewis and Clark directional sign!
Finally! After two hours of slogging uphill these two tired but very happy campers got off their bikes at the top.
People make it to the top in various ways...we drove, the guys biked...
Some people take the scooter route...
and some German cycling groups come up in amazingly powerful motorbikes.
A good fist bump back at the hotel for the crazy bikers. They also also just enjoyed a very fast decent down the mountain...which we let them take on their own because the bikes were MUCH faster than the car.
