Roadside St. 19: That was one hard stage. The kind that conjures up long lists of Rainman-like repeated swear words in your head as you grind and grapple your way over the kind of super-hard climbs only the Giro serves up. At least it was for me as I rode the final 85 kms of today’s corsa…

Sifting through the PEZ archives I stumbled upon my day at the stage 4 Team Time Trial at the 2010 d'Italia from Savigliano to Cuneo - a gorgeous event in the foothills of the Alps that was worth an upgrade to our big wide format.

Over a lifetime of cycling the roads of our sport, a few stand out: the fun ones, the beautiful ones, and the brutal ones - where you suffer like you never knew possible. Riding your bike up the Mortirolo in Northern Italy is all three, and ranks up there with the Stelvio and Gavia as epic climbs one must do.

Best Of PEZ 2010: The Giro finale in Verona was the first time I’d seen a grand tour conclude in such a magnificent setting, where an ancient Roman stadium was filled with thousands of fans cheering for two-wheeled gladiators. I was backstage as the final clock stopped and the awards were presented. I’ve never seen anything like it…

With the 2011 Giro d'Italia making a triumphant return to the Dolomiti by way of the massive climbs of both the Giau and the Fedaia, we figured this would be a good time to look back at the Pez's own experience on the stern slopes of the Fedaia...and we'll throw in the Pordoi for good measure.

Giro Roadside Wrap: The curtain fell on this Giro a few weeks ago, but as I’ve learned over the years, as the days tick by the memories of even my worst day seem better, and I simply can't wait for next year's race. And with daily deadlines and transfers, we have precious little time to distill an entire day’s adventure into 1500 words and 20 photos to share with you readers. Here’s a couple more stories that are at least worth a look, and that second cup of coffee…

The Giro is over – but what’s it like to do ride and finish your first one? We asked that very question to Saxo Bank’s Michael Morkov at his Luxembourg home

At PEZ, we look forward to reader submissions, even moreso when it's a story about following our favorite Grand Tour with lifetime Distraction in tow. Craig Gartland was lucky enough to enjoy the Giro's ninth stage, which took in the mighty Monte Grappa. Here's his story.

Roadside PEZ: The team bus is the home away from home for the riders on Tour. Every night a new hotel room, every day a new start town and a different finish location, but with the bus along for the ride, they know that there will always be a warm shower, a hot coffee, some great music and the chance to relax in comfort on the short or (more often than not) long transfer to the umpteenth new hotel of the race.