San Bernardino

Now what do you do after a eight day trip loaded including 3 trips up Ventoux in a day, ah, climb San Bernardino was my answer 🤣 and maybe I'd bitten off more than I could chew let's say.
As we left Bellinzona and made our way up the valley it felt good to be cycling back in Switzerland a place I love so much, the valley felt somehow narrow and tall, the mountains sculptured and meaningful, the sun shone again and I could feel the temps rising, I was hoping as we climbed it may cool but it was only a hope.
As we made our way to Messoco the gradient steeped and the heat honestly was starting to cook me alive, the sight of the local fountain was heaven, we drenched our caps, heads and filled our bottles, sheer bliss. I honestly was contemplating whether we should carry on, I think the last few days and heat had taken its toll but after a break in the shade we started up the bike paths, again fairly steep to the village of San Bernardino.
Another water stop and it was the final ascent to the summit, the surroundings were both huge and magnificent, the mountains stunning in the sunlight, still snow caps present and as we got closer to the top the panoramic view was just something else, this really is one of the prettiest climbs you could wish for and the views back down the valley utterly mind blowing.
The summit looked and we passed and stopped at the lake, pretty wild flowers in bloom and the water felt refreshing, we had made it, another great pass conquered in all it's beauty. I was amazed by the amount of stone statues created and even built a small one of our own, sitting just breathing in the mountain air and beauty of the surroundings, peaceful.
We haddecided on a stop back at Mossoco so with a wave goodbye to the mountain we carved our way back down for a nice cold coke and cake 😀, then back down the valley at speed, the cool breeze on our faces, a fitting end before I needed to fly back and my love for these passes fulfilled for the moment, an amazing stay with my partner in crime 🔗🫶.