Done this route in July 2011, it was fantastic forget about Grossglockner Pass that's for wimps this is the real thing if only they could bottle it!
ash20800meters down in continuously hairpins. awesome..... unfortunately too many traffic
SteliosSorry, sorry, sorry - I wrote the above and included Passo di Campolongo, when I meant Passo di Valparola. Pso Camp is good, but not great, so you can scrub around it at Covara and continue past to Pso Valparola. In saying that, Camp is certainly worth the trip and, since this is the figure eight, can be included in the entire route. May sound confusing, but it isn't - look at the map - easy stuff.
NotarianPasso Pordio is a wonderful hairpin haven, especially the east ramp from/to Arabbas. 39 hairpins and many sweepers will keep you on your toes. Road surface is very good, but it's part of the Great Dolimite Route and can be very busy, especially before 10am and after 4pm. The western ramp is almost as enjoyable, however, a short way down the western there's a right turn to Passo ei Sella, which takes you to Passo di Gardena, Passo di Campolongo and Passo di Falzarego. This route is the Figure 8 and probably the single most spectacular ride in Europe, with an offshoot from Passo Falzarego to Passo di Giau. Passo di Giau is the 'Gold Star' ride of a lifetime. The surface on the north ramp has been repaved in the places needed making the entire pass a biking phenomenon. You can ride the entire route(s), including Psa Giau clockwise and anticlockwise in a 6 hour day, with stops for capichinos and lunch - motorcycle heaven.
NotarianLots of switchbacks and a couple of good places to stop on this pretty well surfaced, slightly less busy pass.
BBR-David