A challenge isn't a challenge unless there is a chance of failure

the above image courtesy  http://www.liveforadventure.co.uk/2012/06/12/mortirolo-stelvio-gavia-passes/

Last weekend I was in Alice Springs for 4 days and it seems that the cold, crisp and  clean air finally swept out the bugs and cobwebs.  I was there for MTB Orienteering..which was for me somewhat of a disaster competitively but...the riding on local trails was great.

Yesterday I rode a solo 130km..taking a VERY long time but after the past few weeks when I've been below par, it was the ride I just had to do.

This year I turn 70 so what better thing to do than set myself a challenge of riding as many high mountain passes as possible in the Dolomiti and Italian  alps.

MY count down days til take off is now in single figures and the weather in Feltre where I'm staying for the first 2 weeks is like this:

added:  I've opted not to tide the world masters in Slovenia.....the race is rather long and I've not got the background training done.  Plus the expense was escalating ridiculously.

Life has been far too tedious to prompt me to post anything!

However I'm now on a countdown for my next European adventure.

25 days to go!

Work work work has occupied me for rather a long time and  sadly I'm not as fit as I'd like..having been well sub par health wise for the past 2 months, but I think I'm now on the up again.....Famous last words..but hopefully true this time.

Sooo..this time round the focus is not split between language school and training.....noooo..this time it's all about the bike.

THE Itinerary

this year I'm avoiding travelling over the weekend......finally I've learned

30/06  Dep Melbourne
01/07  Arrive Munich, pick up the car, drive to Sankt Johann, pick up my stashed gear, stay the night
02/07  Drive to Feltre, stay in a monastery!
04/07  Drive to Pedavena (near Feltre ) and with Lorraine  climb many mountains
19/07  Drive to Cortina d'Ampezzo  with Lorraine and Alex climb many mountains
26/07  Drive to Bormio  with Lorraine and Alex climb many mountains
02/08  Drive to Feltre watch Palio, then joined by my sister and with Alex climbing mountains, do some speed work and explore WW1 sites in the area. Sister to Treviso
14/08  Drive with Alex to Hartberg Austria Race many race (Alex to Poland for his MTBO Worlds)
23/08  Drive to Sankt Johann in Tirol rejoined by sister. Do a race or 2
30/08 Drive somewhere nice..not sure where
02/09  Final ride, pack bike, drive to Munich, catch plane
04/09  Arrive Melbourne

The mountains I'm climbing (alongside Lorraine and Alex...well I'll be alongside them at the start of the climb at least) are the iconic climbs of the Dolomites and Italian Alps eg the Stelvio, Mortirolo, Gavia, Giau, Pordoi, Monte Grappa, Bodone, San Boldo, Croce d'Aune, Selle Ronde, Tre Croci, Tre Cime  to name just a few.  There will be photos...if only so I can legitimise stopping!

hopefully after all  effort involved in heaving my sorry self over those skyscrapers I'll be mega fit and rail thin!