Cycling in the Dolomites: breathtakingly beautiful and terribly painful

In mid-April on a beautiful spring day I cycled around the polder. In the meantime, daydreaming about the great surroundings and the fast time (5:40 hours) that I achieved during the upcoming Dolomites Marathon, officially the Maratona dles Dolomites, go drive. What fantastic rocks, smooth asphalt roads and terraces everywhere for something tasty. Suddenly the cycle path ends and I wake up again. Sigh, how nice it would be if it would continue. Nothing is certain in these corona times, but light is slowly coming at the end of the tunnel.

text and photos: Emil van der Wal

Maratona too tough, wrong date or drawn? Drive it yourself

When I get home I check my email and what surprises me: the Maratona will take place on July 4. Yes, yes, yes, one of Europe's most beautiful and popular granfondos continues. But will Europe open on July 1? And under what conditions will it continue? Still some uncertainties. Italy really needs to be in yellow, otherwise you are not insured in the event of accidents and I don't want to take that risk.

I have been to the Dolomites several times in recent years and the cycling there is really beautiful. CYCLOsportive not only organizes a catered trip to a cyclo like the Maratona, but can also put together a trip to your personal wishes. It is highly recommended to plan your trip so that you can participate in the Sella Ronda Bike day. This is a free event during which all roads in the Sella Ronda are closed and are only accessible to cyclists. This is usually held at the end of June and mid-September, both editions are still planned for this corona year. What could such a cycling trip look like?

Marathon; three loops

Maratona too tough, wrong date or drawn? Drive it yourself. You can ride three distances during the Maratona, which are three laps (loops) that are connected to each other. The longest distance is a combination of loops 1 and 3. The middle distance combines loops 1 and 2.

Loop 1: Sella Ronda: Canazei – Arabba – Corvara – Canazei

According to some, and also many experts, the most beautiful cycling tour in Europe. The Sella ronda is 52km long and you overcome 1700 meters of altitude. You always cycle this in the Maratona, regardless of the distance you choose. This round doesn't seem very long and difficult, but there are a few nasty sections of 8 - 10% where you can really blow yourself up. Car-free three times a year, ideal for cyclists.

It is impossible to describe how beautiful nature is. Doubt? Impossible! You MUST have this on your bucket list and have cycled both left and right.

If you cycle counterclockwise you will encounter these four climbs:

• Passo Gardena: 8.8km – 6.7%
• Passo Sella: 5.3km – 7.1%
• Passo Pordoi: 12km – 6.6%
• Passo Campolongo: 3.9km – 7.2%

Loop 2: Corvara – Arabba – Falzarego – Corvara

Do you have an extra day to cycle? Then loop 2 is also a very nice circuit of 53 km and 1420 meters of elevation. In terms of views and challenge, however, in my opinion it cannot match the other two. By cycling this route you maximize your Dolomites experience. The nice thing is that, just like the Sella Ronda, you can do this on an ebike, making it very accessible to many cyclists. Halfway through lunch, recharge and continue.

Don't forget to take a nice group photo in Corvara at an enormous wooden Pinarello.

If you cycle counterclockwise you will encounter two climbs from Corvara:

• Passo Campolongo: 3.9km – 7.2%
• Passo Falzarego: 9.5km – 6%

Loop 3: Corvara – Arabba – Cortina d'Ampezzo – Corvara

This round is 85km and has an elevation gain of 2500 metres. Doesn't seem so bad? You do have to cross the famous Passo di Giau and you want to do it at the start of your tour and not after 80km like the Maratona and with the Sella Ronda already in your legs. The first six kilometers are relatively easy. The devil is in the remaining nine kilometers. The gradients there hardly fall below 9%. Don't forget to look around you during the last kilometers to the top. Although, the view takes your breath away.

But here too you will find the reward at the top! If you cycle around the restaurant, a beautiful view reveals itself.

If you cycle counterclockwise you will encounter three climbs from Corvara:

• Passo Campolongo: 3.9km – 7.2%
• Passo Giau: 15.6km – 7.9%
• Passo Falzarego/Valparola: 17km – 6%

Cycling in the Dolomites

I could easily offer you six more beautiful laps, but the Dolomites is an area where you have to visit for a few weeks or several times. The great thing is that you can really cycle in circles here. Which can also be easily combined depending on your wishes and level. You must have driven each lap both left and right. Otherwise you won't experience the full beauty of the area.

No cycling goal for this year yet? Book your trip to the Netherlands quickly with us Maratona. Cyclosportive still has five starting tickets!

Stay

Three very different locations for different purposes, which we have also been to:

• Enjoy with your partner in a luxury hotel in Corvara: Hotel Col Alto
• Something for everyone: hotel, cottages, camping and camper pitches and wellness: Camping Vigor in Val di Fassa
• Large group of friends and each with his own bed: Ciasa Solda in Vigo di Fassa (no direct link, use Google)

Enjoy your cycling holiday in the Dolomites: breathtaking experience.

You can via Cyclosportive travel book your dream cycling holiday to go cycling in the Dolomites. Experience and cycle the Maratona dles Dolomites with a mechanic in your wheel and a physio who will be waiting for you on your return. Or let Cyclosportive-travel put together your dream holiday and arrange it for you.