Perhaps the most difficult climb ever to present itself in a bike race, the Zoncolan breeds dread in even the most experienced cyclist. The details say it all: 10 km long at an average gradient of 12% (6km of which rise at an average of 16%, with many long sections at over 20%). The Zoncolan arrived on the last day of our 6 day Italian cycling adventure and when it came, none of us were really prepared for it. With legs churning like the pistons of a laboring locomotive, we each made it to the top, richer and wiser for the experience.
The following images illustrate how that experience lives in our physical appearance. These images were taken just prior to climbing the Zoncolan and immediately after - approximately 90 minutes apart. I think it’s fair to say, we have all been changed by that climb.
