New for 2017: Dolomites Bike Day

Three mountain passes, three provinces and three Ladin valleys will come together for the first time this spring to organise a unique event: The Dolomites Bike Day.

This non-competitive cycling event will be held for the first time on Sunday 18th June, on the Dolomite mountain passes, Campolongo, Falzarego and Valparola, the setting for many epic races that have gone down in cycling history, all of which will be closed to traffic for the occasion.

Then the following two weekends two longer established cycling favourites will follow: on 25th June, the traditional Sellaronda Bike Day and on 2nd July the Maratona dles Dolomites will take place.

The Dolomites Bike Day will allow cycling enthusiasts to take part in this non-competitive, free event to be held on the outskirts of the Puez-Odle and Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Parks, surrounded by the Dolomites a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cyclists will wind their way around the circuit which leaves from Alta Badia and reaches Arabba and the Livinallongo valley, crossing the Campolongo Pass, before then moving on to the Falzarego Pass and Valparola Pass and arriving into the villages of La Villa and Corvara, completing the route. The route, which will be closed to traffic from 10am until 3pm, is 51km long and, overall, has a 1.290m difference in altitude. Cyclists are advised to follow the route in an anti-clockwise direction.

The route is part of the one used for the ‘Maratona dles Dolomites’ event and will be a favourite among the main contenders for the hundredth Giro d’Italia, with this leg of the race scheduled for Thursday 25th May 2017. Enthusiasts will have the chance to put themselves to the test at their own pace, crossing the mountain passes that will be closed to traffic, and all just a few weeks after the world’s greatest cyclists have competed on the same route.

The Dolomites Bike Day is just one of numerous events and initiative for mountain cyclists and mountain bikers in Alta Badia each spring and summer…

SELLARONDA BIKE DAY AND THE MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES

Exactly one week after the Dolomites Bike Day, on 25th June, cycling enthusiasts will be able to pedal along the mountain passes around the Sella Group for the twelfth edition of the traditional Sellaronda Bike Day. An unforgettable day, when these mountain passes will be exclusively reserved for cyclists and closed to traffic from 8.30am to 3.30pm. This is a non-competitive event that’s open to all.

Europe’s most famous and atmospheric cyclosportive, on the other hand, will be taking place on Sunday 2nd July. We are of course referring to the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel, which this year represents the 31st edition of the event.  For three consecutive weekends, the most famous and well-loved mountain passes will be entirely dedicated to cyclists.

BIKE FRIENDLY: HOLIDAYS DEDICATED TO CYCLISTS

Summer holidays in Alta Badia are dedicated to cyclists and to their love for the sport and the stunning landscape of the Dolomites. Over the summer, Alta Badia’s ‘Bike Friendly’ tourist activities for cyclists are suitable for both those who prefer road biking and mtb enthusiasts. The Alta Badia Tourist Board provides road maps with recommended routes, whereas the partnership with the specialised Dolomite Biking school allows individual or group excursions to be organised daily.

There are a number of discounts available for tourist accommodation, bike rental shops, the purchase of spares and clothing, restaurants and specialised lodges, meeting the needs of all those who take delight in practising this sport. “Bike Expert” and “Bike Friendly” hotels provide everything that cyclists need: storage areas offering the possibility to clean and repair bikes,  bicycle racks, tool boxes specifically for bicycles, laundry services, a hearty, balanced breakfast and a cold dish or cake in the afternoon in order to boost energy levels. Cable cars transport bikes free of charge.

GUIDED BIKE TOURS

In May, June and July, Alta Badia will once again be offering its Guided Bike Tours. From 22nd May until 16th July, it’s possible to go on bike rides accompanied by expert local guides every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Each day, two trips will be available to suit two different levels: “tour” for experts and “hobby” for intermediate cyclists. It’s possible to book the excursions, costing €26.00, at the Alta Badia tourist offices, or at any “Bike Expert” or “Bike Friendly” hotel.

E-BIKE SHARING AT THE SUMMIT AND IN THE VALLEY. EXCURSIONS WITH E-BIKES 2,000 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL

Thanks to the E-Bike Sharing scheme with the brand new Pinarello e-bikes, it’s possible to conveniently cycle from one place to another, both up in the mountains and in the various villages, allowing you to reach the three natural parks within the ‘Movimënt’ Area. It’s also important to point out that these bicycles are electric and are therefore very easy to ride. These outdoor activities are therefore also suitable for less sporty people, who simply want to enjoy the views of the Dolomites on two wheels. The stations where bikes can be dropped off and picked up are located at the stations above Col Alto, Piz La Ila and Piz Sorega and in the villages of La Villa, Corvara and La Val.

Pinarello has launched its first e-bikes in Alta Badia, thereby strengthening the partnership between this tourist destination and the famous bicycle brand.