Le Mitiche a Bassano, June 21-23, 2013

On Friday, after the scrutineering and a lunch in the park of Villa Cornaro, we left Bassano to drive to the top of the 2200-meter Monte Grappa with wonderful sunshine and a clear sky. After coming down, we crossed the medieval center of Feltre, which was once the capital of the wood supply during the years of Venetian domination. The wood was used to build the ships that enabled Venezia to control the Mediterranean seas for centuries.

A further stop at the Pedavena brewery was very welcome. The sun was our companion all day long whilst we traversed small villages, pine tree woods, and fields till we reached the beautiful town of Alleghe with its lake for the first stopover after 150 km.

Saturday was the big day, with a 230 km run across the Dolomites. Passo Falzarego is the first of the seven passes we were to encounter. A wonderful descent allowed us to reach Cortina d’Ampezzo, where on the main street a booth with prosecco and cheese was waiting for us. Then the cavalcade started with Passo Tre Croci, Misurina and its lake, Passo Cimebanche, down to Val Pusteria and up to Passo Furcia, the steepest of the tour with its 20% gradient.

After an incredible lunch in San Vigilio, the afternoon started with Passo Campolongo and then the rain came. Rain is the usual state of weather in the Dolomites, even if we had nice sun in the morning. No problem, we were all ready for it with helmets, rain jackets, gloves, sponges, and the cavalcade continued, rain or shine! Down to Arabba, up to Passo Pordoi, down to Canazei along with alternating sun and rain, and up to Passo Rolle towards our final destination, San Martino di Castrozza, a small village in pine woods surrounded by some of the nicest summits of the Dolomites. We then all jumped on a cabin lift for a dinner at a refuge at 2500 meters. There, was wine, canederli, speck, and grappa for our efforts.

Sunday’s run was easier, only 70 km halved by a stop to eat a peculiar breakfast of trippa and beer, loved and enjoyed by the Germans crews attending the event. Then to the center of Bassano with prosecco and cerises, where old and new friends gathered together,admired the cars, shared their feelings of the three days, and organized the schedule for next year.

A quick run to Marostica and the cars were parked on the famous checkered square. Everybody was enjoying the lunch in the Castle’s courtyard, with a band playing jazz and classical songs to accompany the fine meal.

During the three days, we had 18 time trial sessions that were taken very easy by most of the crews. It was announced that the winners of 2013 edition were Riboldi-Sabbadini driving a Fiat Balilla 1936 with special coachwork by Morettini. We all look forward to the next edition and new friends coming to join the barchetta party. Pencil in dates in your diary now!

The Scene in the Car Park