More big names passed under my wheel and then I caught a glimpse of the sign post on the side of the road. PUNTA VELENO, Arrivo 5km, 16.9%. Ok so now it all made sense, I had heard about the Punta Veleno, otherwise known as the ‘Poison Point’ in English. I knew it was in the Garda area somewhere. Basically I randomly found one of the toughest climbs in the whole of Italy on a scorching hot day. But, I didn’t want to give in so early like my fellow German holidaymaker, with this new information I wasn’t going to let this climb beat me, although it was doing a great job already.
After a certain point on any tough climb there is no turning back, its like its not classed as an attempt if you turn back in the first 1km or something. But this climb could get you into a lot of trouble if you aren’t ready for it. Dropping back down would mean an added couple of hours to my route and a morally crushing defeat. Seeing close to 17% gradient written on the signs didn’t help either, as clearly that was the average and it wasn’t relenting. I had done the Mortirolo last year, definitely hard, but not as extreme as this Punta Veleno. Another kilometre on and the sign was still saying 16%. With 19 numbered switchbacks, and distance to the apparent finish sprayed onto the road, you can calculate how much pain is left- and dealing with that is the hardest part. The switch backs temporarily stopped after 9/10 and my Garmin showed me a straight line, surely a respite? I remember doing the Autumn Epic in Wales years ago, having something similar to this section, approximately 800m straight and a uniform 16% steepness to contend with, but I couldn’t believe how even a motorcar could scale this rock. I don’t think as single vehicle came past me on the whole climb.
