Lotus on the Stelvio

[drdoom]

Greetings,

Took a journey over the Stelvio Pass in a rented Alfa Giulia back in mid-September, was very pleased and not at all surprised to have quite a number of Lotus for company. First spotted was a black Evora, running with hot Audi and M-B as companions in the train of traffic along the valley out of the Bolzano area. Evidently he was quite in thrall of the Lotus' wicked exhaust note, taking every opportunity to rev up or put the boot to it. Going up the north side early on I caught sight of first one, then a quick series of several more Elise types overtaking when checking the mirror between switchbacks. Waved them all through promptly, of course. A Caterham ran in their midst as well. Paused for a few words at one of the restaurants at the summit, later enjoyed waving some of them through on the way down. Definitely added to what was already a lovely vacation.

Cheers

[ramjet]

That just doesn't look like a real picture in a way does it?.

[drdoom]

Quite a strange piece of roadway, the Stelvio. Taking those hairpins at any rate of knots requires use of the tarmac in its entirety, outside turn-in to inside apex and outside again to exit. Whilst travelling uphill, one's head must be twisted around to the limit in order to manage a shoulder-check barely sufficient to reveal oncoming traffic. The Stelvio's topography in the switchbacks is somewhere between road and carpark, and there was plenty of traffic - cyclists, motorcyclists, sportscars, camper vans and the odd tour bus - going either direction. Had just one squiffy moment when an oncoming motorcyclist rather unwisely chose to attack the corner just after I had entered, grief avoided as we were both alert and I had reserve available to widen the Alfa's arc.

[Bazza 907]

We did Stelvio in the Elise many years ago on the way to the Italian Lakes. Hugely memorable trip. 

[DanR]

Did the Stelvio a few year ago starting from Bormio. Too much traffic, even cross country skiers in summer training. The road and views were spectacular and watching skiers alight the cable cars from the glacier at the top seemed so surreal in the middle of summer. Next time though, it'll be one of the lesser used passes.

[Mark030358]

worst driving road iI encountered during my Alps trip in September.... its pants and the scenery down to Bolzano is at best average compare to the rest of the Dolomites...

[drdoom]

Wouldn't doubt it, Mark. We also had a most enjoyable drive out of Bolzano through the nearby hillside twisties to the gondola base at Alpi di Siusi. That was a very pleasant day of hiking with 360° of epic scenery to enjoy.