Monte Grappa

May 31, 2025

I am barely keeping up with the journaling, so this will be a short and sweet photo story. It’s fitting because we did just one thing today, besides breakfast and dinner. We rode to the summit of Monte Grappa, a whopping 1670m of climbing over 25km! It was a feat of monstrous proportions.

At the summit of Monte Grappa, which looms high over Bassano del Grappa, is a WW1 military monument, more specifically, a massive ossuary where the bones of tens of thousands of fallen soldiers and officers are held. It was built under Italy’s fascist government in 1935 and puts in perspective the senseless bloodshed of WWI and, as well, reminds us of another dark period in Italian and European History. The monumental complex is the final resting place for 12,615 Italian and 10,295 Austrian-Hungarian soldiers and Officers who battled to their death on this mountain on October 28, 1918. It is very humbling to learn that out of almost 23,000 fallen, only 2600 have a name.

Here’s a photo journal of how it looked from the saddle.

Checking the route out of the city to the start of the ride.

How fitting to see these forget-me-nots growing in the upper regions of the mountain.

I spotted this small patch of bright blue gentian.

The ride down the hill was really fun. We could let the bikes go for some good stretches, flowing through the curvy parts with ease. There were very few cars which tend to slow us down as they can’t take the corners as fast as a bike. Mostly it was us and a few motos all the way to the bottom of the hill.

We could feel the temperature rise as we descended. Then, near Corner 4, we had our first snake incident of the trip. A big black snake decided to slither across the road. Bad timing, buddy! I just missed its head as I flew past. I was sure David would slice through it one way or another. But, the alarmed snake reared up its head as his wheels grazed past. No damage done, thank goodness. It turns out it was a melanistic green whip snake, a common non-venemous type. What a breathtaking moment! We stopped to debrief and make sure we were both ok, then carried on down the hill.

We had time to visit the Basso Clubhouse for a celebratory beer and watch the jersey ceremony for the Giro. Then it was back home for a good nap.

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Scott AndersonWow. Congratulations!
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1 week ago

Patrick O'HaraAgreed!
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1 week ago

Anne MathersTo Scott AndersonThanks, Scott. I just felt I had to ride it once I learned about it. The WW1 memorial at the top, a motivation too. Plus, the Giro went up it a few days back.
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1 week ago

Anne AnastasiouWell done you two! Great achievement! So good that the weather was good for you too. You never know, do you. Beautiful views.
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1 week ago

That’s a wrap for the day. Tomorrow, we move on to Feltre.

Today's ride: 61 km (38 miles)
Total: 291 km (181 miles)

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Keith ClassenWow - what a day! Great video! You held a great line while all those motorcycles zoomed by you. No room for error there. An epic day - congrats!
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1 week ago

Anne AnastasiouThe video is great. Looks like motorbikes love the ride too. A little easier for them!
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1 week ago

Patty BarronWhat an amazing day of climbing! & agreed that the motorcycles could have been somewhat distracting.
The return ride must have been a blast!? First “eagle soar” of the tour.
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1 week ago

Anne MathersTo Patty BarronThe motos are part of the dance so, oddly enough, most are not distracting. They were respectful overall, same for the cars... mostly.
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1 week ago

Anne MathersTo Keith ClassenThe motos were good riders, so they didn’t worry me. Nobody crossed the centerline, unless necessary.
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1 week ago

Rich FrasierThat's a big day on the bike. Kudos to both of you!
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1 week ago

Kirsten KaarsooWell done. That is a big climb I bet you enjoyed doing it unencumbered by panniers.
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1 week ago

Anne MathersTo Kirsten KaarsooThis was a tough climb, but so beautiful. I wouldn’t have attempted it with a pannier on the bike. We didn’t even see e-bikers tackling it.
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1 week ago

Betsy EvansCongrats! I rode up Monte Grappa a few years ago (also with no panniers). It certainly is sobering at the summit. We got hailed on as we descended - your weather looks to have been much better. ☀️😀
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1 week ago

Anne MathersTo Betsy EvansKudo’s to you, Betsy. We were very fortunate with the weather.
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1 week ago