cycling Mortirolo - Mazzo

I climbed the Mortirolo in late May 2010, the day the Giro went through. The climb is very hard with some very steep pitches, but not anywhere near as hard as the Zoncolan, which I had done a few days earlier. The Mortirolo allows you to rest a bit on the switch backs where the Zoncolan has very few. All the same, you need to bring your best legs for this climb and make sure you pace yourself from the very beginning.

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

I climbed the Mortirolo and the Gavia on a hot day in august 2009. (32 degrees C in Mazzo at the start). What a relentless climb. So narrow, shaded and dark. So evil yet so grand and beautiful. 34x25 was tough, but doable. Made it over in just over 1 hour and 5 minutes with a couple of stops for photos. Amazing how the 8-9% gradients felt like false flats. I suffered on the Gavia later in the day, but the combo is a great ride, especially if you get picked up in Bormio.

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

Relentless!! Reaching Pantanis Memorial corner seemed to take forever, and how brilliant that was riding past the legend..... I think the ipod helped, and listened to Anthems 1991-2008 was just the right tempo, oh and x6 +watt gel packs too. Still a great achievement, dont forget the great rifugio on the descent towards Aprica, which serves cold beer! and the Chicken & Chips van by the picnic area on the Mazzo side, just before the summit. This climb is a must.

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

I rode the M.Pantani Gran Fondo (Great except the descents were NOT closed to traffic fully) but only had 39x26 due to lack of time to get lower. The only bits where I felt my knees were going to pop were the slightly easier bits- And there were not many! It was only pride that prevented me stopping- I saw one bloke try to stop and his leg wouldnt support him so he slid back down the hill... I reckon 34x28 is about the gear to race up it ideally for most good amateurs: If you need lower than that MUCH better to stop and admire the view! The climb after the top (Where there was a feed zone) nearly had a grown man crying!

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

I rode the Mortirolo the first week of September 2007 the day after tackling The Stelvio and the day before th Gavia. I can say this mountain is unforgiving and you better make sure you are geared right. I came with a 36x17 and it put me to the test. The middle section is killer with grades nearing 20% for a short time. At that time I was barely moving faster than 4 mph. The top is a wonderful sight although it is somewhat misleading when you get up to the camp area and you still have more to climb. On the way down, make sure you have plenty of brake, once you let go you take off pretty quickly and the road is very narrow with tight turns. Overall, it is nice to say that I have ridden it, would not be running back to do it again next year though.

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

I climbed the Mortirolo as part of a cycling holiday of Krol-actice. It was on a wet foggy day which made the road quite slippery. I was not really prepared for the steepness of the climb and had to do it with my 39x26. It really is a hard climb bot surely not undoable! The saying that you cant get any rest during the climb is simply not truth. Several curves are flat and even pieces of 7% can give you some rest after bearing 17.5%. My time was surely not the best on the Mortirolo (1:17) but it gives you a kick to hit the top.

I climbed the Mortirolo on June 24 as part of the Granfondo Pantani. It is really tough and the hardest climb I have done. It starts hard, gets harder, is hard in the middle and the last 3 km are the easiest, only 9%! Bring a low gear. I had a 30x27 and could have used more althogh the fact that I had 120km in the legs did not help. Its reputation is well earned and if they dont call it "il brutto", they should!!

I live at the bottom of Mortirolo.It is a hard climb. first 3 km not too much hard, ok for to prepare because from fourth until ninth Km there is the hardest part;last 3 km little less steep but some hard steps. Important to start calm, and pedal with agility.