Cycling the Dolomites: "Where your soul longs for more and your legs beg for mercy."
- Igor Tavella
- Igor Tavella
DAY 1. SEPTEMBER 15: VENICE PICK-UP
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The Air Canada flight from Toronto to Venice lands at 9:10 am on September 15. Store your luggage at the airport and enjoy a day of sightseeing in Venice, one of the most unique cities in the world. There are several options for transport from the airport, including a bus, train, or taxi.
Your support van for the week will pick you up at 16:30 at a cafe in Piazzale Roma (lots of signs in Venice lead you to this bus depot/parking lot). We will stop by the airport to pick up luggage, then make our way towards the jagged peaks and scenic valleys that make up the Dolomites. ETA is 19:00 at Hotel Malita where we will feast on delicious Italian cuisine. |
Day 2. SEPTEMBER 16: PASSO Fedaia
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We begin with an 18 km warm-up before reaching the challenging Passo Fedaia with its ramps of 12 to 15% and stunning views of the Marmolada, the tallest peak in the Dolomites. Deviate on the Serrai di Sottoguda for a quiet car free road (2 euro entrance fee) and enjoy the solitude of the gorge. Passo Pordoi, a 12 km ascent with grades of 7-9% will be climbed before a rewarding descent back in to Arabba.
This ride may seem like a short loop, but with jet lag and 2 mountain passes amounting to over 2,000 m of climbing, it will be a good start to our week in Italy.
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DAY 3. SEPTEMBER 17: SELLA RONDA
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The classic loop around the Gruppo di Sella mountain range is one of the most spectacular bike rides in Europe. The four mountain passes are manageable in terms of gradient and offer dramatic scenery that will awe and inspire. The Dolomites are an UNESCO World Heritage Site after all!
From our hotel, we’ll head over the Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena, then finish with the iconic Passo Campolongo. The longer route adds on a second loop including the Passo Falzarego and a second time up the Campolongo. |
DAY 4. SEPTEMBER 18: PASSO GIAU
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A stunningly beautiful one-way ride from Arabba to Ravascletto today takes us towards the Alps and through the beautiful Cortina d'Ampezzo overflowing with 1000s of years of history.
We begin with the magnificently epic Passo Giau. With mostly double digit inclines be sure to look around and get distracted by the jagged peaks of the surrounding mountains. We then ride up and over the Passo Tre Croci, through the Sappada valley and over the Cima Sappada before celebrating the end of our ride sipping on local grappa.
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Suitcases will need to be packed up and loaded in to the van this morning as we will be staying in the Alps this evening.
DAY 5. SEPTEMBER 19: MONT ZONCOLAN!
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Todays ride features the most challenging climb of all the Grand Tours - Monte Zoncolan. At an average gradient of 12%, and most of the climb over 20%, be sure to bring your climbing legs for this Beast of a climb!
We will have a bit of a warm-up before our first climb - the infamous Monte Zoncolan. After the Zoncolan summit you will have a choice of descending the same side for a shorter, though still epic route, or continuing on to tackle another HC climb, Monte Crostis, with a total distance of 17.7 km at 5.5% average! |
Ride distances and routes will be decided the night before dependant on how the legs are feeling and shuttle departure time to Venice (2.25 hour drive) where we will be spending the night.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
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I'M IN, WHAT NOW?
Have questions or want to sign up? That part is easy! Simply e-mail Petrina at cyclingcentre@gmail.com.
