On Bicycles, and.... what else is there?

The day after my Ghisallo ride I did a flatter ride through Switzerland and on to Lake Maggiano (returning by car with family who'd driven out). Not much epic about that one, just plenty of gorgeous roads. But the next day got more interesting. I headed north along Como from Menaggio to Doggio for a relaxed panini lunch, then turned inland. On Google Maps it looked promising: squiggly lines, altitude contours, and a road which was defined all the way to Switzerland. But on the simpler commercial map I was using, it terminated. I was intrigued. It's too easy to stick with climbs which have been used in major European road races. Sometimes it's fun to just head out and see where the road takes you. So after lunch I found the sign marking the road and I set off: The road was in excellent condition. I'd say "surprisingly" well paved except I've come to expect excellent pavement in Europe. The road passed through Stazzona first, then Germa...