From the Glacier to the Sea

The FUGA 300, conceived by former Austrian pro cyclist Peter "Paco" Wrolich, was an ambitious ride from the highest road in Austria, the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse (2,369 meters), all the way to Grado, Italy, at sea level. This epic journey was a group ride with 90 cyclists from various countries and cycling backgrounds.
The event kicked off in Villach, Austria, where we gathered the night before the ride. From there, we took a bus to Heiligenblut, located at the base of the Grossglockner mountain (3,797 meters). The weather that morning was unseasonably cold for the time of year, with rain the night before leaving fresh powder on the surrounding peaks. We were all wondering what the temperature would be at the top, and how to dress for the challenging conditions. It was a chilly start, with temperatures hovering around -0.2°C, and I layered up with four layers of clothing, shoe warmers, and gloves to prepare for the cold.
At 6 am, we began the ride. The descent from the Grossglockner was extremely cold at first, but as we gradually descended, the temperature improved, and we could start shedding layers. The first section of the ride was smooth, and we made good time, averaging about 40 km/h as we rode through Mölltal Valley. By then, the sun had come out, turning what was a frosty morning into a warm, sunny day.
The ride was accompanied by two police motorcycles, which ensured we didn’t have to stop for traffic lights or red lights. This allowed us to maintain a steady pace, even speeding through towns like Spittal an der Drau without stopping. After about 135 km, we reached Villach, where we had our first break. There, we were treated to a buffet and Villacher Beer to replenish our energy for the remaining distance.
After a well-deserved rest, we crossed into Italy at Arnoldstein/Tarvisio. Here, the police escort ended, but we were still riding in a large, cohesive peloton. We passed through some beautiful valleys, including Lago di Predil, and began to climb the only significant ascent of the day: Passo di Predil. Reaching the top of this climb marked the entry into our third country: Slovenia. We split into three groups to descend the mountain safely, as it would have been too dangerous to descend with all 90 riders at once.
In the town of Kobarid, there was a local festival going on, and we were welcomed with snacks and drinks. At this point, we had completed around 80 km, and only about 85 km remained. The mood was high, and everyone was in good spirits. From here, we crossed back into Italy and started the final leg of the journey, leaving the mountains behind and entering the flatter terrain of Udine. As we got closer to the coast, a slight sea breeze reminded us that we were nearing our destination.
Throughout the ride, I found myself riding near the front of the group. This allowed me to avoid any potential crashes and stay ahead of the pack, especially since the pace was fast and there were several changes in position. I took my turns at the front, ensuring the group stayed together and everyone conserved their energy. With just 25 km left, I decided to finish the ride at the front, pushing the pace until we reached the final stretch.
After 9 hours of riding, with an average speed of 33 km/h, we finally arrived at Grado. The sense of achievement was overwhelming as we passed the dam, our legs exhausted but happy. The welcome in Grado was incredible—there was a speech by the mayor, and we were greeted with Italian Prosciutto, Parmesan, and plenty of Peroni beer to celebrate our accomplishment.
The organizers had prepared a special surprise: they had brought a chunk of glacier ice from the top of the Grossglockner to Grado, where we took photos with our bikes in the Adriatic Sea, the ice contrasting with the warm, sandy beach. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable adventure, and the joy of completing the FUGA 300, riding from the glacier to the sea, made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
bike: Pretty Betty Specialized Tarmac S-Works
starring: Gerry Samer, Rene Haselbacher, Paco Wrolich, Phillip Ludescher, Martin Koch +90 more