Is 5,500m too much climbing?

Just returned from the Alps myself though not done the Stelvio.
A major factor to consider is the elevation. My power curve dropped by 10 - 20% up there and I noticed breathlessness at comparatively smaller heart rates. This will take a toll on an epic ride such as the one you have planned.

As for gearing I'm 102kgs on a good day and I coped fine with 39/28 for 3 weeks up there. Most of my days out had about half the elevation gain you have planned however.

If you do 100+ miles regularly and got round FW you'll be totally fine. Just make sure you have the right gearing, at least 28 at the back and clothing to suit both extremes of temperature. I did Marmotte this year (5000m of climbing) and got round fine, and I probably do a bit less cycling than you. The hardest ride I'd done prior to that was Etape du Dales. Hills in the UK can be tough, don't forget that! Have a great time, sounds superb.

I've done the Stelvio from the other side - its a good climb - nothing outrageously steep - but it goes on and on. My ride was only about 40 miles for the day - up to the top and back again. We couldnt go over the other side as snow had avalanched and blocked the road.

Be well equipped for the weather - you'll need layers for the descents and look for options to shorten the route if the weather turns.

If you can do the FW - you can do this - if you're sensible.

Have fun and stop to take in the views. Its not all about segments !

I'd largely agree with all the above - if you got round the Fred you'll get round this, though i'd suggest that height gain over big continental climbs compared to the ups and downs of Cumbria are two different things. I haven't ridden the Stelvio but have ridden similar in France (Ventoux, Bonette, Cayolle) and the sheer relentlessness does, for me, require a different mindset to a 20% pull up Honister Pass. Mind you, for my money, once you've ridden the combo of Hardknott and Wrynose with 90 miles already in your legs you can manage most other things.

This new Sportive in Wales:
http://road.cc/content/news/120372-toughest-uk-sportive-monster-set-acce...

reckons it's tougher than the FW with 4200m over 190km, yours is an extra 1300m but then again the climbs are longer, steadier and considerably bigger rather than this one which is short sharp ups and downs.

I'd say it'll be a hard day out but certainly not insurmountable, especially if you're used to that kind of distance.

If you've done the Fred then you should survive. It is a massive day out, do not underestimate it and do not go out to hard or the finish will be hell. Don't go over geared either, the gradients may not be steep but tired legs need easy gears.

Have fun!

It's a beautiful route you've planned and you should be fine. The Stelvio is relatively early in the day and although it's a long one (48 hairpins!) I did not find it particularly hard, there are few really steep bits over 10%. You will probably find the climb from Süsch to the Flüelapass harder as the kilometers have started to add up by then. Main thing to remember: the descents are also long and should be used to refuel, ample supermarkets/shops in Sta. Maria, Zernez and Süsch. If you need to bail: the Swiss postbusses in the area have bike racks, taxis will be horribly expensive. The bit from the Ofenpass down to Zernez is particularly wild and beautiful, on perfect roads.

That sounds awesome! I think I'd need CXR94Di2's motorcycle option, though!

I have ridden up the Stelvio on motorcycle. From memory the hairpins can be very steep on the inside corner so go wide around each of them. The straights weren't dramatically steep , after 24km that might be a ill judged comment

I have ridden up the Stelvio on motorcycle. From memory the hairpins can be very steep on the inside corner so go wide around each of them. The straights weren't dramatically steep , after 24km that might be a ill judged comment

It seems to me that you won't have any problems, if you take things easy and don't race up Stelvio. Speaking from experience, having a couple of other guys around may be helpful or it may prove to be disastrous.

Having a bail out point is smart.

Get your food & drink strategy right, listen to your body and you will have one hell of a cycling story to tell at the end.

Good luck.

Well for a comparison I did the Club Cingles earlier this year. I did 4,555m of climb and in a shade under 8 hours (it was 150km of ascending/descending).

I'm not a natural climbers build (I would call myself athletic in comparison with a real climber). That route was either 7-10% for most of it, with no flat transitions.

I wouldn't say that 5,000m+ is not possible, but it will be a slog. I think what made my Cingles worse was that my ride partner bailed on me due to sickness, so having someone there will make the whole thing more enjoyable.

Probably the crucial issue is the gradients of the climbs. Averages of less than 7% will be exhilarating, but upwards of that and it will begin to grind. The question is what are you hoping to do before and after the 5,500m?.....

Assuming your bike is unloaded, I think you'll be able to enjoy your epic day ride. I did 2700m recently with luggage. It didn't kill me, but slowed me down and had to walk a climb or two (Peak District). Get your food and water right and in the worst case you can stop for a rest or push it up the final sections.

Judging by your route you are wisely doing the Stelvio in the first half, then one other big climb and 25km of downhill at the end. Hope you have a backup plan though, taxis are expensive in the Alps!

I ride a 39/28 at my weight, at that distance, in that gear, I can't do much more than 7% without boiling my brain or having a CV meltdown at 70odd kg, I might manage it with a few 30 second stops.

Not sure how much use it will be to you but when Graham Little was presenting the Cycle Show he did a bit about the Stelvio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW_aoTL-RBc

That's a shitload of elevation, depends on the grades, or at least it does for a fat bastard like me. Most I've done recently is 3000m over 105 miles.

Might have done more, but until the GPS era, we were all guessing.

Are you a big chap or a lightweight. ? If you are doing 100 miles outing once a month you are obviously on the more serious end of cycling. I doubt you would have any problems at all.