Start a Granfondo well trained
GET WELL TRAINED TO START A GRANFONDO
You have put months of preparation into your participation in the Maratona dles Dolomites. Your body is completely ready for it. Ready for 135 km through the beautiful Dolomites with 4,000 meters of altitude. That makes me nervous anyway. Even if I am well trained :-). How can you take away some of the stress? I will use the Maratona as an example for this article.
It actually starts at home. What should you take with you in your suitcase when you travel to Italy to participate in the Maratona. I take the Maratona as an example, but in fact the same preparation can be used for every Granfondo. Here's my packing list! And I only limit myself to cycling gear. You can decide the rest yourself :-).
Packing list
• Bicycle helmet
• short sleeve cycling shirt
• long sleeve cycling shirt
• cycling shorts
• arm and leg pieces
• waistcoat
• rain jacket
• cycling socks
• cycling glasses
• cycling gloves
• cycling shoes
• undershirt
• heart rate monitor
• bicycle computer
• spare batteries for bicycle computer and heart rate monitor
• 750 ml water bottles
• isotonic sports drink
• energy Bars
• energy gels
• multi-tool
• saddle bag with spare tire and tire levers
• spare tires (inside and outside)
• brake pads
• chain oil
• sealant (for tubeless)
• Tie wraps
• chamoise cream
• overshoes
• buff
• gloves (autumn)
The list may contain items that you have questions about. The Maratona is in July, so why bring all kinds of clothes that are normally only worn in autumn or winter. The weather can sometimes change in the Dolomites. This year we cycled up Falzarego in the sun and descended this pass in the pouring rain... So make sure you are prepared for all weather conditions!
The days leading up to the Marathon
With CYCLOsportive we have chosen to be present in the Dolomites from June 29. This way you have enough time to acclimatize. The first day we cycle a short ride with less than 1,000 meters of elevation. On day 2 we cycle the Sella Ronda, which means you can climb 1690 meters in altitude. On day 3 we take it very easy. You can choose to take a full day of rest. And the great thing about the CYCLOsportive trip is that we accompany you with a support vehicle, organize beautiful rides, the mechanic can check your bike every day and the masseur takes care of your legs. This way you are ready for THE big day.
THE Maratona dles Dolomites
The big day is here. You are going to cycle the Maratona. You will successively climb the Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, again the Campolongo, Giau, Falzarego/Valparola and the Mür di Giat! That will be a sleepless night. Make sure you have all the gear you need ready the night before the race. Tip: download the Italian weather app il Meteo. This app is more reliable than the Dutch weather apps.
What are you preparing?
In ideal conditions, the following clothing set (short-sleeved cycling shirt, arm warmers, vest, cycling shorts, cycling socks, helmet, glasses and shoes), sports nutrition (put it in the pockets of your shirt), filled bottles (put them in the bottle holder). Make sure you can put everything on the morning of the race. That you no longer have to look in your suitcase for things. Put on clothes, have breakfast and go. The rest can all be prepared the night before the race:
- Attach your starting number to the shirt
- Fill your cycling shirt pockets with the things you want to take with you
- bicycle computer (charged) on the bicycle
- bottles filled in the bottle holder
- warm jacket for the start (it is chilly in the morning). This could be an old sweater that you can throw away in case of emergency (if you don't see us at the start, it can be busy).
- fill a backpack with extra food, water bottles and clothing, then hand it over to our supervisor
- Attach the handlebar sign to the bicycle
- Take one sports bar or gel with you per hour
If you have booked a trip with CYCLOsportive, you can have breakfast very early at the hotel on the morning of the Maratona. We will all cycle to the start well in time. You'll notice we're not the only ones. There will be thousands of people who have the same idea. Don't panic if the group doesn't remain complete. This will also apply to a lesser extent if you participate in smaller Granfondo's. But it will always be busy at the start. Fortunately, the starting areas are always well marked. If you arrive at the starting box well in time, there is still plenty of time to meet up again.
Do you have any questions about THE perfect preparation? Reassure them by sending an email to: gv@cyclosportive.nl
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