Stage 30 Canazei - Laces (Latsch)

I was riding on my bike late one night, when my eyes beheld an eerie sight, when my iceman, from his slab, began to rise and suddenly to my surprise. 

He did the mash, the Otzi mash and it's a graveyard smash.

Leaving the Hotel in Canazei

Back to the weather patterns we have been used to on this trip, clear blue skies. Crisp clear morning in the shadows for the departure.

A gentle descent for approx. 10klm to 1200 mtrs, then a 10klm climb up rising to 1600 mtrs, then a 30klm descent into Bolzano.

Bolzano is the capital within the South Tyrol Province with a population of 105k. It is well known for it's quality of life in Italy. We are starting to edge ever closer to the Austrian border in this region. As you would expect previous conflicts (WWI & WWII) saw this border move back and forwards over the last century, which reflect in the names of places and that 27% of the population list German as their first language. 

Shot covered. Jim Cavanaugh

On the road again. Tom, Callum & Scott

Ype is with us today, and before we reach Bolzano with hit the highest point for the day. Pozza di Fassa. A group are gathering as we hit the Pass and spot a nice little café/pub. Cannot go past this little gem! Inside or out.

Maggie & Steve (OZ), Jum & Catherine (USA)

Brian (NZ), Robyn (OZ) YPE, David (OZ), Steve (USA)

After refreshments time for the long descent, stunning views and temperature rising as we descend.

Beautiful pine forests, small towns, chairlifts to hiking locations, lots of tourists on coach tours. Sign posts are in German, as we arrive at one of the most amazing sights I have seen . (Karersee in German) or Lago di Carezza (Italian)

Postcard! Lago di Carezza

The Family back home said was it a genuine photo, sure was captured on my Sony Phone, I was impressed as I intentionally framed it between two trees. It is a real pearl in the Dolomite's,  Located at the foot of the Latemar Massif, the towering, snow-capped peaks are reflected in the small pool of water called Lago di Carezza. The name means 'the caress' in Italian, and the clear, ever-changing waters certainly add a visible caress to the stunning landscape. The lake is quite small, the glacially-carved lake has no visible inlet for water, being supplied by underground springs and snow melt.

Off again downhill, next stop Welschnofen, it feels like you are in Germany with the style of the building, the language, signs, shops, wow! Busy little tourist town.

Poster of the surrounding peaks. The road is busy as we enter a long downhill tunnel. We are descending at 60-70 kph not game to take my sun glasses off, holding tightly to the bars, not wanting to look behind for traffic in case it causes a error on my part. Quite dusty also with traffic in both directions. We exit the tunnel straight onto a large roundabout into bright sunlight, with roads and fly overs and road links in all directions. Many of us stop re-orient ourselves and endeavour to select the correct route.

We manage to navigate the correct course but unsure of it is correct. After a tense few kilometres we are relieved to be on track. Now it is flat riding through Bolzano, a beautiful town on the on the Aldige River and bike path for the rest of the ride for 55 klm. 

107 klm today, and surprisingly 1200 mtr of vertical climbing. Lunch right on the banks, see photo above. And below the quality of the bike path. Many people riding, walking and the cheeky local cars taking short cuts.

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We are very close to the famous discovery in 1991 of the Otzi Iceman in the Otzal Alps(10 klm), discovered by two German tourists. He is on display inside the Bolzano Museum, unfortunately we did not have time to visit the exhibit, maybe another day. Otzi was discovered at 3200 mtr and died about 3300BC, due to a blow to the head. He also had an arrowhead in his left shoulder which more than likely have eventually killed him due to blood loss.

Borders in times of tensions can erupt into major confrontations, thankfully this discovery was not on the same scale, but there was a dispute about ownership. Originally he was taken to Innsbruck in Austria, because the border was defined as the watershed of the rivers Inn & Etsch (Drainage is on the Austrian side), but a glacier which no longer is visible when a treaty signed in 1919, that determined the border was incorrectly located 92 mts farther north than it should be. Thanks to the melting of the glacier, he was found on the Italian side, determined by the 1919 treaty.

After Innsbruck had finished all its scientific examinations in 1998 it was returned to Bolzano. Thank goodness for global warming say the Italians!

Camping an der Latsch

Stop for a gelati and coke beside the fast flowing river. Val Fulsebakke (USA) making good progress upstream towards the campsite (above) as we take in the serenity of this region. 

Reach the campsite besides the Adige River, very nice, mostly German holidaymakers, and the mostly German spoken in the local business outlets here. Cable car running up to the surrounding peak where Oztsi was found . 

Garry, Ross, Paul, Martin & Bill Scott & I, over a few ales discuss what we would like to present to the crew as a show of gratitude for all they have meant to us over these past five weeks. We decide to put it to the extended group with the intention of a monetary donation. As the number of Americans and Australians on tour are evenly matched at 40 % each, we select Jim Cavanaugh (Oregon) to approach American travellers.

End of another great days ride, now rest and prepare for the 2800 mtr ascent on the iconic Stelvio Pass tomorrow. 

Otzi the Iceman, I'm Italian by 92.5 mtrs