Stelvio bike day - travel from Bormio

[Harleyboy]

Hi,

Has anyone done this? Hoping to get some input on logistics on the day of the event if poss. We were planning on staying in Bormio for a few days and then driving to Prato Allo to do the most popular/iconic ascent of Stelvio from that location rather than the Bormio ascent. Thing is, google maps suggest this will take a couple of hours which isn’t ideal at the start and end of a long day. We’ve probably left it too late as there is no accommodation in Prato now. So, what help am I after? I guess any thoughts on this from anyone who has done it. We like the idea of the festival idea of the bike day so keen to stick with that if we can.

Thanks
Adam

[Voguely]

I haven't been to that event, but have stayed in Bormio and cycled the Stelvio pass. There isn't really a (practical/short) way to drive to Prato without going over the pass in the car.

Depending on how far you want to cycle, you can do it both directions, doing a loop route. We cycled from Bormio up to nearly the top of the pass, then took a left down the Umbail pass to Val Müstair, then looped around to Prato and back up the Stelvio pass and back down to Bormio. That loop is about 100km all the way. Obviously a lot of climbing though as effectively doing the pass 1.9 times. Good route but obviously need decent fitness.

[Harleyboy]

Hi, thanks. That might be a bit punchy - I’ll run it past my mates and get their thoughts

[markcp]

I've also done the loop and I'm certainly not a svelte climber and it took me circa 6 hours but I did have to stop to try and avoid an almighty thunderstorm when going up the Stelvio itself. Its a cracking day out!

If you need accommodation, we stayed at Hotel Funivia which was great for cyclists as it has a secure garage, workshop, daily laundry and is also home to Stelvioman who is really knowledgeable about local riding.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I've done the Stelvio Day from Bormio. Everyone says the Prato side is better, but the Bormio side is still mighty fine! I'm not disappointed that I haven't done it from Prato, although I have driven up from that side. It is hard to take the scenery in as a driver though. I wouldn't get hung up on having to do it from Prato. I don't think that side has tunnels...

We stayed near Bormio, which is a lovely place in its own right. Be aware that weather can be a factor even late in August. The first time we went, it was zero degrees and rainy/sleet was falling. They closed the pass to all traffic including cyclists at Trafoi. Some 2000 folk still made a go of it, but I had a drive back to the UK after so wasn't going to risk being cold and wet, never mind a crash.

Another thing to be aware of is the road is closed to motorised traffic from 8 am, which is when most people start. I had a long drive ahead of me so I started at 6.30 am, so still had a few vehicles passing me for 90 minutes. It was still dark at 6.30, but not for long. It was also 6 degrees, and I only had summer kit. The climb soon warms you up, but coming back down was awful. My teeth chattered for the whole descent, I think it took me 40 minutes to get back down.

Here's the thread I posted after -

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Maracus]

The Prato side is more iconic IMO, but the Bormio side is not to be sniffed at. A mate and I rode up from Bormio, down about 10km toward Prato and then back up, this was in September 2023 when the Umbrail was shut.

It was hot, 32+ degs

Edited by Maracus on Thursday 9th January 13:40

[Harleyboy]

Cheers guys, appreciate the input and the comments about riding the Bormio ascent. We’ll probably only do this once so will aim for Prato climb just because its the icon is one. Managed to find a hotel about 12km up from Prato so thinking an easy run down to the bottom, whizz up there in 90 mins (jokes obvs) and then can stop off at the hotel on the return descent.

If we have the legs, we’ll do Bormio the next day but it might end up being the descent only.

Fingers crossed for the weather

[Daveyraveygravey]

Harleyboy said:

Cheers guys, appreciate the input and the comments about riding the Bormio ascent. We’ll probably only do this once so will aim for Prato climb just because its the icon is one. Managed to find a hotel about 12km up from Prato so thinking an easy run down to the bottom, whizz up there in 90 mins (jokes obvs) and then can stop off at the hotel on the return descent.

If we have the legs, we’ll do Bormio the next day but it might end up being the descent only.

Fingers crossed for the weather

Let us know how you get on! We stayed in Solda the year it was closed, wife was chuffed because it had a hot tub we sat in during the snow!