The Maratona: The Dolomites never disappoint

We have been able to prepare the trip to THE Maratona dles Dolomites with CYCLOsportive for almost two years. Corona gave us extra time, but it also caused a lot of stress. Only at the last minute did we get the green light to travel to Italy. With a nice group of cyclists. They were all eager to finally participate in a Granfondo again! The Maratona exceeded all our expectations!

Text: Gerrit Vermeulen, Image: Sportograf, Buddy Vos, Gerrit Vermeulen

I wish I had listened to the little voice in my head! Save, save, save. Too late.

The script has been ready for a while, we just need to implement it. With a bus fully loaded with things for the trip, we drive from the Netherlands to the Passo Campolongo. This pass connects the towns of Corvara and Arabba and at the top is Hotel Laguscei. For CYCLOsportive the base for the trip to the Dolomites. On Thursday, guests trickle in one by one. With a big smile, we can cycle abroad again and because of the great location of the hotel. Away from the hustle and bustle in Corvara and overlooking fantastic rock formations for which the Dolomites are famous.

Passo delle Erbe

Enjoying the Dolomites can be done in different ways. An excellent way is to get to know the Dolomites by cycling. On the first cycling day we go with the group to the Passo delle Erbe. As far as we are concerned, a gem. Do all participants feel the same way? We suspect not. The Passo delle Erbe is a tough climb. From the hotel we descend more than 20 kilometers towards the foot. Everyone is warmed up, the climbing can begin. But the beginning is really tough! The shifting and rattling of chains over sprockets is audible from the first ascending meters. Everyone sets his or her own pace and soon the largest circle becomes everyone's favorite. But the reward at the top is phenomenal! Having lunch on the terrace of Utia Börz is no punishment.

Nothing is required, everything is allowed

The Sella Ronda is actually on the program on the second cycling day in the Dolomites. A ride of 'only' 55 kilometers. But with more than 1,700 elevation meters. The ride the day before, to the Passo delle Erbe, was 75 kilometers long with almost 2,000 meters of elevation gain. We are not used to it in our flat country. That is why we decide to adjust the program. Instead of the Sella Ronda, the group heads to the top of the Passo Gardena. A thinned out group. At CYCLOsportive, everything is allowed and nothing is required. Part of the group decides not to strain their legs anymore. After all, the Maratona has to be ridden a day later. And another part of the group will cycle the Sella Ronda and cycle with us on the Gardena.

Passo Gardena

The foot of the Passo Gardena is located in the town of Corvara. It is now clearly noticeable that the Maratona will start here a day later. It is very busy. The town is flooded with thousands of cyclists and there is a lot of work on drinking barriers to close everything off before the big day. Once out of the town we can climb the Gardena in relative peace. A wonderful climb that only has steep sections towards the end in the bends. In fact, our heart rate only seriously increases when an Italian taps a parked bicycle on the terrace. Domino D-Day at the top of the Gardena! We're lucky, the domino effect stops right at our bikes. Back at the hotel, Emil (mechanic) and Martin (masseur) can get to work. A final check of the bikes, a final massage and everyone is ready for the Maratona!

THE Marathon

Every day we discuss with the participants how the cycling day went and what the next day will look like. Short reviews. But the pre-race briefing on the day before the Maratona takes longer. The guests have many questions about the preparation, the start and the race itself. Fortunately, we have more than enough experience with CYCLOsportive and can answer all questions. Everyone can go to sleep in peace. But not for long, at 4.30 am we have breakfast to be at the start on time.

138 kilometers and 4,000 meters of altitude

The tension is noticeable. The participants are less talkative than on other days. Something is also about to happen! The Maratona dles Dolomites, 138 kilometers with more than 4,000 altitude meters with successively the Passo Campolongo, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena and again the Passo Campolongo. And this is only loop 1 of this tough challenge. After the second time the Campolongo, Colle de Santa Lucia, Passo Giau, Passo Falzarego/Valparola and finally the Mür dl Giat (the Keutenberg of Badia) follow. For participants who cycle the 106 kilometer route, there is also an elevation gain of 3,000 meters ahead.

It is a course towards the Giau

The Maratona is broadcast live on the RAI, the helicopters in the air add extra cachet to the event. Extra tension too. The Maratona is not just a Granfondo, it is THE MARATONA! We are shot away at 6.30 am. Fast Italians pass me by. I urged the participants in the pre-race briefing not to go crazy. The Passo Giau is a very tough climb. Make sure you have some left over here! I can still hear myself saying it. All participants start with their own ambition. Some people just want to finish the Maratona, others want to set a fast time. I manage to spare myself during the first loop. But when we turn left in Arabba and head for the Passo Giau, things go wrong. I'm in a group of 15 people and things are going fast. Too hard! But I'm coming along. Racing is so much fun. But I also know that I have to pay the toll somewhere. The Passo Giau becomes an ordeal, not to mention the Passo Valzarego. The body is empty. On the descent towards Mür dl Giat I feel the cramp coming on. Ai ai ai… I wish I had listened to the little voice in my head! Save, save, save. Too late.

Mür dl Giat

The Mür dl Giat is cordoned off with crowd barriers. It's raining, but there are still many people here to encourage the tired participants. The heroes of the Maratona are shouted up here. I'm not thinking of setting foot on the ground. With my last strength I push the pedals down. The climb is less than a kilometer long, 13% on average with peaks of 19%. It causes cramps in my upper leg up to three times. Don't stop, keep pedaling! And it works. The last kilometers to the finish provide a wonderful feeling. I get into the wheel of a strong German. At the finish I doubt for a moment whether I can squeeze out another sprint. No, the friendly German can push his wheel across the line first. THE Marathon is over.

Everyone is beaming in the hotel bar. One adventure after another is shared with the group. The Maratona is an adventure, a great challenge. And every participant has his or her own beautiful story. On to next year!

Would you like to go to the Maratona with CYCLOsportive next year? We will open registration from September 15 cyclosportive-travel.nl. Put this date in your calendar, experience shows that this trip comes to an end very quickly.