Thomas Voeckler with the Pain Face

This post is going to be a community effort – in other words, at the end of the story, I need your own contribution on this subject -but first, read on.

Recently, while suffering mightily in a race, I actually pondered the question, “What do other people think about in competitive events when they are suffering?” Apparently, I think about blogging. But not just this, I was trying to stay focused, maintain my breathing and be aware of my body to see where/if I could either save some energy or be more efficient at my max for the distance. But all of this only goes so far, at some point the other stuff creeps in; doubt, anxiety, longing to be finished, and fear of being caught. From my years of being a competitive athlete, I know that all this stuff needs to be managed.

What seems like a lifetime ago, I was a young road racer living in Davis, California. One spring I did California’s Visalia Road Race in a full field of 100 plus riders. Alone, with about 8 miles remaining and one big climb, I got away from the group. There, on the last climb, I realized that all my training was for this moment, and we don’t get them so often.

I’d spent the winter riding obsessively, also alone, in miserably wet, foggy and windy conditions of California’s Central Valley. I vividly remember days riding on partially flooded farm roads, where each pedal stroke dunked my foot in brown water. I can still see the rain drops as they dripped from the rim of my hat while I sat changing a flat tire with soaked, wrinkled skin and numb fingers in the muck on the side of some country road. It was no surprise I was the only one out.

In Visalia I managed to stay away, I rolled over the top of the climb and began my descent knowing I had a chance. Inside my head came the voices, “A chase group is coming”, “They are better descenders”, “They are closer than you think”, “How will I keep it together for the flat section to the finish?” This is the stuff that needs to be managed. “Fuck all that, this is why I spent all those hours sitting in the rain and wind.” For perhaps the first time in my life, I was 100% focused on what I wanted, everything else dropped away. Inside my Pain Face was one thing only, determination.

At the bottom of the descent I took the last right turn wide, got out of the saddle and started sprinting the final section of straight road through a corridor of orange trees. Ahead was the finish line and some audible cheers from the meager crowd. With 200 meters to go, I looked back over my shoulder to see the chase group in full pursuit. Every rider was out of the saddle sprinting towards the line. My Pain Face turned into something else when I looked forward again, I was crossing the finish first. From not having anything in my head to having it all, that moment is mine.

Still in a full sprint, I did something that surprised no one more than myself. I didn’t stop, I kept going, straight to my little white pickup where I jumped off my bike, threw it in the back, grabbed my hidden key, jumped in and sped away. What could have been my first big victory salute on a finish line was saved for the privacy of my own car. Maybe I wasn’t ready to get outside my head, I wanted it all to myself.

Ultimately, unless you are a professional athlete, the outcome does not matter – what matters is what goes on inside your head, for that is what you really experience.

My Question to You

What do you think about at times like this? You ultra runners… what are your thoughts at mile 80 when you’re hurting and full of doubt? Or, the ski mountaineering racers on those long and painful climbs when there are someone else’s ski tips on your tails? And you bike racers in a break wondering if everyone else hurts as much as you do as you rotate through to the front? What goes through your head? Are you focused on your body? Managing the stress? Thinking about ice cream? Or are your thoughts scrambled, a little of this, a little of that?

Please, for all you athletes regardless of what you compete in, leave a comment here and let’s hear your thoughts.

Thank you in advance to those the contribute.

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Thanks to Manuel Riz www.manuelriz.blogspot.com

The Problem of Too Many Motorcycles in the Dolomites

(Note 12/19/11 : Thanks to so much great support, this post is getting a ton of traffic, BUT – having views means nothing if we are going to show it to the powers that can do something about this problem, PLEASE – Leave a comment)

It’s time to bring up a nasty subject that many who visit the Dolomites experience in a very negative way. For years now I have felt growing anger and frustration for the thousands of motorcycles that come to the Italian Dolomites. I finally brought it up to locals, business owners and my athlete friends and promptly discovered I’m not the only one who feels this way. So angry are they that the subject is almost painful to discuss, for it seems nothing is being done about it. I however, am more than happy to publicly state my thoughts and make it clear that these motorcycles are a cancer to this amazing region.

Motorbikes on the Passo Gardena

The Dolomites are unarguably one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and everyone has the right to experience them. But why is one user group allowed to negatively impact the experience of all the others while at the same time causing numerous disturbances to the natural environment in the forms of noise and exhaust pollution as well as a very real threat to the safety of others.

The problem is that motorcyclists come from all over Europe to ride the Dolomite’s famously steep and curvy mountain roads. This is fine as an activity, but the manner in which all too many do it is completely irresponsible on the part of both the riders and local authorities.

This last summer was my first spent climbing some of the walls in the Dolomites. Nowhere is the issue of these motorcycles more apparent than up high where there should be no sound but the wind and jingling of climbing gear. Yet here, the roar of motorcycles is a nearly nonstop irritant. They are so loud it is often impossible to hear one’s partner. Numerous friends came for both climbing and cycling and all made the same comment, “This is disgusting”.

And the Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site? What a joke. It would be better named the UNESCO International Motor Speedway.

The Dolomites UNESCO Status

This from the UNESCO Page regarding the criterion of managing the Dolomites in accordance with UNESCO Requirements:

“The property requires protection from tourism pressures and related infrastructure. Each of the component parts of the serial property requires its own individual management plan, providing not only for the protection and management of land use, but also the regulation and management of human activities to maintain its values, and in particular to preserve the qualities of its natural landscapes and processes, including extensive areas which still have wilderness character. Areas that are subject to more intensive visitation need to be managed to ensure visitor numbers and activities are within the capacity of the property in relation to the protection of both its values and the experience of visitors to the property. Adequate resources and staffing, and coordination between the staff teams in the different components of the property are also essential.”

Seemingly nothing is adhered to. Protection from infrastructure? They just keep building; pistes, lifts, hotels, access roads, you name it. Maintain the values of human activities? Apparently loud motor sports are a historical activity and value. Or maybe they just see, “Maintain value”, as in €€€. Preserve the qualities of natural environment? In many places of the Dolomites it sounds like you are at the Indy speedway. And it seems the only staffing is by politicians looking to satisfy businesses within the region who everyone knows pockets most of their earnings to avoid exorbitantly high Italian tax rates.

Meanwhile, the Italian police, in their typical show of dramatic yet completely inefficient force, have set up speed traps on busy summer days. The joke is, according to Italian law they must post signs warning oncoming traffic of the impending radar check that lay just ahead. The motorcycles slow to legal speeds, pass by, then resume their ear splitting roar after the next curve in the road. …”Ha ha carabinieri. Fools.”

Or, as is well known, motorcyclists come in groups and send one rider ahead to check for police or anything that may be in the way of his friends – once all clear, he calls back and gives the go ahead for his 18 buddies to charge full bore up or down a pass. Never mind the cyclists silently pedaling along who have to listen to or be nearly taken out by the mirrors on these super bikes. The father of a close friend was killed by a motorcycle while riding his bike up a Dolomites Pass in just such a scenario.

While riding here, I have seen several serious crashes and countless near misses when they lose control in turns, or veer right into my line, when they can’t control the power of the bike they have rented.

What Can be Done?

I have heard from local businesses that there is a fear that with increased motorcycle regulations will come a decrease in revenue. But wait, motorcyclists can’t drink beer during the day. And, it is commonly known that many do not stay in hotels within the Dolomites but opt to stay outside where it is cheaper, the same place where they eat dinner so they aren’t driving at night. I asked several friends who have affordable hotels right in the Dolomites if they ever have motorcylists as guests. The answer, “Almost never”. Why can’t these businesses turn their attention to other summer tourists who also come in great numbers; hikers, cyclists, and climbers.

There are grumblings from within the region, namely from Michil Costa, a local hotel owner and well known activist who strives to keep a handle on tourism gone wild. But it would seem that like so many things, the almighty Euro speaks loudest. As tourists grow tired of the Dolomites experience, or word does get out of the problem, perhaps would be visitors will go elsewhere. All the many tourism websites and magazine articles glorifying the Italian Dolomites are not telling the whole truth. Like my friends all said, “It is disgusting”.

The only thing that may change this is if other tourists begin making it clear that these motorcycles are not tolerable. The web, forums and social media are great ways to start. Italy was one of the first countries in the EU to do something about second hand cigarette smoke in restaurants – how different is this? A solution is to remove some of the freedom these motorcycles are abusing. Have some real speed traps with huge fines, have real noise ordinances that are enforced, and multiple offenders lose the right to drive a motorbike. I do not see this problem on Swiss passes where there are regulations and consequences for breaking them. There I see motorcycles, not in the same numbers, but I see them riding slower and not making nearly the same noise.

The Impact on Dolomite Cyclists, Hikers and Climbers

Visiting mountain lovers be warned. It can be horribly obnoxious and occasionally dangerous here, so much so that I mostly refuse to ride my bike on any of the best passes from about July 1 through early September. Also, educate yourself about the German and Austrian holidays in May and June, for these periods have the Dolomites a virtual racetrack for big, fast bikes.

The Sellaronda Bike (Bicycle) Day

A move in the right direction regarding awareness comes in the form of the now twice annual Sellaronda Bike Day. This event, held early in the summer and again in mid September, draws 16,000 cyclists to enjoy the famous Sellaronda Loop, on closed roads. In addition to the cyclists are an increase in the number of hikers and climbers who can now enjoy one of the most beautiful areas of the Dolomites in silence. The event has brought about awareness and acknowledgement that these tourists, ever hungry and thirsty, bring in enormous revenue while not impacting the environment.

Have you been to the Dolomites? What was your experience?

This is where I ask for your comments. Pressure needs to be put on the region from those that come and spend money. Voice your opinion. If you have been to the Dolomites and had experiences with the motorbikes, good or bad, please let us know. Leave a comment and we’ll make sure the messages and experiences are passed on to the Tourism Board.

(Note 12/19/11 : Thanks to so much great support, this post is getting a ton of traffic, BUT – having views means nothing if we are going to show it to the powers that can do something about this problem, PLEASE - Leave a comment)

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Over the summer I was training with an American cyclist friend visiting the Dolomites. He’s ten years younger, still competitive and hungry for results. At the time I was moderately fit on the bike, so together we rode hard in the mountains. He destroyed me. Back at my place one day I was recalling a story for him when I said, “I was listening to This American Life on my headphones while riding and…” . “Whoa, wait a second”, he stopped me. “You were listening to a podcast and not Slipknot while training?”. This little question made things very clear.

Unmistakable signs of age. They are showing up. I’m trying to convince myself that these subtle little changes are okay, let’s see what the natural aging process does. On the bike, one thing becoming very commonplace, is the Stop.

What is the Stop? It’s simple, it is saying yes to that nagging call of seeing a great spot while out riding, but actually stopping, getting out of the pedals and off the bike, and actually parking your padded, and possibly chamois creamed, rear on a bench/wall/rock/grass or cafe chair. There are few more enjoyable things to do in life. It is a pause while loving something to simply soak it all in, where you are, how you feel, and to really take in where your legs have gotten you.

I’ve known about the importance of the Stop for many years as I had an experience prove the value of taking this time for myself. I grew up bike racing in Sacramento, California. The beautiful American River Bike Trail was my commuting road, my training ground and even as a kid, my way to school. One particular bench became a standard stop. There I sat with friends and drank coffee while bike commuting to work. There I sat and ate a bar after a huge training day and River Ride. There I sat to soak in it all, being an athlete, being alive and out doing what I love.

In 1997, life took me to Alaska where I commercial fished for 6 months. It was a trying and difficult time. Sometimes 40 hours would go by without sleep and the resulting mental state would have me hallucinating to other places, other times. More than any other place I would drift off to was that bench. It was the natural place my mind would seek safety and comfort. Even so very faw away, I had to go to that bench.

Now, I seek out these Stops. Equally as important as the ride’s experience are the little additions I give it. Ultimately, these things are more important than my average heart rate or kilometers ridden. Today I stopped at a bench I know well and felt the warmth of an unusually warm December day dry my sweat after a 500 meter climb. I looked down on my valley, frozen in the shadows yet glowing in the sun, and I simply enjoyed being.

My road home

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DolomiteSport has been silent these last months. This is not due to inactivity, but the opposite – too much activity and too little time to post. The spring, summer and fall were full of trips, big days out and endless mountain sport fun. There is a long list of “To Post” topics for the slower months, which are now upon us.

And so it should start with a current event while we are in Tuscany for a week long cycling trip with good friend Alain Rumpf. The most notable event has been today’s ride from my favorite cycling town on the planet – Pienza. Here are a few photos from Alain and I’s day out, along with a brief route description and link to the ride on Strava for your GPS. This ride is special as it takes in some of the most classic Tuscan landscape, passes through numerous hilltop villages, includes fast, rolling terrain and finally a section of the famed Strade Bianche to Montalcino, the very piece used in the 2010 Giro d’Italia.

Roadside attraction just outside Pienza

Calorie stop

I know there are many passionate cyclists from all over following our going’s on – this one is for you. If you have not been to Tuscany with your bike, you really need to make some changes to that sad fact, it simply gets no better.

Pienza is arguably Italy’s most idyllic hilltop town. It is tiny, easy to drive through, park and enjoy the views to the famed Val d’Orcia which surrounds the village. There are numerous restaurants specializing in Tuscan cuisine and wine. Life is good, very, very good. We have been to Pienza for cycling four times now and always stay in the Piccolo Hotel La Valle. The owners are kind, the hotel spotless, rooms bright & fun and the breakfast abundant.

Decisions...

What makes the road riding in Tuscany so good? The region around Siena maintains the asphalt roads to keep them silky smooth, there are also the famed Strade Bianche, or white roads, the dirt roads of the epic L’Eroica, and there is nearly no traffic. What traffic there is tends to be very bicycle friendly. On a 100+km ride it is possible that you will see 5 cars, 2 of which might give you a wave. But then there is Tuscany itself – the magic feeling that makes it so unique, the immediate feeling of, “I want to live like this”, and the stunning beauty of a landscape sculpted by man into something so pleasant to view as one pedals through its vineyards, olive orchards and wheat fields. And of course the food; a Fiorentina, Brunello, Cinghiale, Olive Oil, Panforte, and the Pecorino cheese. Heaven.

This loop : Pienza – Asciano – Montalcino – Pienza can be viewed at Strava where it may also be downloaded for your GPS.

Mandatory visit to the Monte Oliveto Monastery outside Asciano

Rolling Tuscan terrain

Alain on the Strade Bianche

The last climb to Pienza

Arriving to Pienza at sunset after a day on the bike

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My favorite ride in all the world, the Dolomite's Passo delle Erbe. Me, my iPhone and Alain Rumpf.

Brought to you by the same people who introduced the BAM (Burro di Arachidi e Marmalada) Sandwich to Italy through a PB&J photo contest comes an all new event for cyclists. We want to see your absolute favorite road ride in one photo and read about it in 140 characters or less (Twitter style).

Something tells me that you are much like me. Roadies the world over have their favorite little scenes that only other roadies will “get”.  Hands on the hoods, you dance on your pedals, smoothly shifting your bodyweight through the curves, and as you look ahead you think, “Damn, this is amazing, I wish I could share this with everyone”. Am I right? This opportunity makes a good excuse to stop, pull out that smartphone and snap a photo. If you don’t have a smartphone it makes a good excuse to either get one or carry the point and shoot with you for that special moment. If nothing else, you get to go do your favorite ride. Win win.

The rules:

1. One photo, no DSLRs allowed, smart phone or poor quality point and shoots only, it’s all about the feel. Image preparation or filters are allowed and even encouraged. Be creative.

2. The photo must be made from the cockpit, while riding, truly the viewer’s perspective. Don’t blame me if you fall off.

3. 140 character caption as to why it is your favorite, what you feel in your favorite place, or anything else that you think is critical for us to know.

4. Image Deadline is June 13 – this gives all those in California & Colorado time to have your roads melt out from meters and meters of snow.

Submit the photo to me via email: dan@dolomitesport.com I will post all photos to one page for everyone to vote.

Two categories:

Most Beautiful Road (MBR) : Grand Prize : Rudy Project Genetyk Sunglasses

Most Creative Scene (MCS) : Grand Prize : Rudy Project Genetyk Sunglasses

MBR is straightforward, make us want to be there. MCS is about having some fun with the photo, the scenery or whatever happens to be going on.

Thanks for playing, we look forward to seeing some great rides for the must visit list.

Many thanks to Rudy Project who is always incredibly supportive of all the things, no matter how silly, we do.

Rising over 1200 meters directly behind our house in the Italian Dolomites are the northern slopes of the Plan de Corones, or Kronplatz. The giant hillside is completely covered in thick, lush forest with a massive network of dirt roads and singletrack mountain biking trails. Literally 2 minutes from our door, it is our playground.

This afternoon, much later than I would like with “extreme thunderstorms” forecast, I headed out for a training session. Shorts, short sleeve jersey, vest for the downhill – it’s summer, right?

As I neared the 3/4 mark to the top I began getting glimpses west, black is an understatement for what was approaching. I continued up having no doubt it would rain but with little concern as it is not so unusual to get a good soaking in the European Alps. A group of downhillers came bombing towards me. Through each of their face guards I could see little beady eyes looking at me with sick pleasure. Turns out they had seen something from up high that I missed being down in the trees. The fact that they were on the dirt road, and not the downhill course should have been a good clue for me to turn tail and get the hell down.

Minutes after they passed the first drops began to pelt me. But this wasn’t rain, it was like waterballoons coming down. And then, like the sun had been extinguished, the day went black as night. Here, those that know me will surely question my exaggeration level – the “Dan Factor” as Janine likes to call it. I swear it to be a zero. Had I have had a headlamp I would have surely considered the On switch. Creepy is a good term to describe how it felt as I now crept upward.

The disturbing silence was shattered by what sounded like a military aircraft coming in low, as it came closer the sound grew, I thought for sure something was about to crash into the hillside, and then I was driven sideways, nearly off the road, my left foot unclipping just in time to save me from plummeting down the steep forested slope. Wind so violent it was more like a wave of water than air, a nearby tree exploded and crashed to the ground, I barely stayed upright. Determined, I carried on, intrigued by what was happening; the blackness, the wind, and now the thundering explosions of what was right on top of me. Basically, I thought, “Cool”.  I heard an SMS come in and quickly pulled the phone from my jersey pocket, it was Janine, “Are you okay? Get home fast”.

Suddenly my little game changed when one word entered my head. “Hail.”

Immediately I stopped, pulled out the vest, and by the time it was zipped closed all hell broke loose, hail, like a sand blaster. Summer no more. Back on board the bike I was ripping down best I could given that I couldn’t see and my bare skin felt like it was being torn off . But soon the hail stopped and my tempo settled into something tolerable, I actually began enjoying my 700 meter descent in what was quickly becoming a torrent of brown, rushing water. I imagined myself Captain Dan from Forrest Gump, on my bike, hanging on, loving that feeling of being really so small in something so big and powerful.

The Passo Pordoi

In 2007 I did my first Maratona dles Dolomites. It was, without a doubt, one of the most rewarding days I have ever had in a competition. To stand on a Granfondo starting line with over 8000 other cyclists, at sunrise in one of the world’s most spectacular settings, with a massive day of riding ahead – and to feel the energy – is pure bliss.

Before the race I had been lucky enough to spend the six weeks leading up to the big day training in the very region – so, I was at a locals advantage of knowing the course inside and out. I had even ridden the course two times before race day. But still, I hadn’t raced it, I hadn’t pushed myself that hard yet, and I hadn’t done it with thousands of other cyclists around me.

A few friends had offered some advice, most of which I took, but one key piece I failed to act on cost me a top 100 finish. So, with this in mind, and with the Maratona fast approaching, I thought to share my thoughts on the event in the hopes that you will take something away of value. Keep in mind that after the race I had fallen so in love with the Dolomites and its rich cycling culture that I decided to call it home, I have been riding the same roads ever since 2007.

This advice is for those planning to push themselves as if it really were a race (and you’ll see, it is). For those looking to just survive, you get to simply enjoy the day, but you too must read on.

Stay in Front : This is basically impossible unless you have a starting number in the first 1000. But do your best to get by as many people as possible by the top of the second pass, the Pordoi. After the Pordoi it gets pretty tough although it does thin out. However, unless you have super climbing endurance, don’t blow up on the Sellaronda (the first loop and first 5 passes) as the Giau awaits – and it is the killer climb.

Careful on the Descents : Italians descend much closer together than Americans, it is pretty unnerving to have your leg hit someone’s handlebars at 75km/hr. Italians, being a vocal bunch, will be sure to let you know if you are screwing up. For the most part, people descend well in Europe, just relax and hold your line – practice the hairpin turns prior to racing, you’ll have the whole road on race day, use it.
The tricky sections in descent are:
Passo Pordoi : Long, fast straights into tight hairpins… just be ready for them.
Passo Sella : There is a right turn which will have flaggers standing as warning, who’s radius is longer and sharper than it looks. It is approached after a long and fast straight section after the initial turns off the Pass itself. This turn is so serious that there is an emergency medical team and helicopter on standby at the turn.
Passo Valparola : After the switchbacks on top, a long, straight section is descended at high speed. This is the approach to a tricky right turn that is sharper than it first appears, again, get to know it before race day. Though they are for motorcycles, there are grave markers in this turn for a reason…
Overall, the roads should be in great condition as many of them get re-surfaced prior to the Maratona.

The top of the Passo Giau

Aid Station food, not just bananas & bars. Buon Appetito

Eating : This was where I made my mistake. While there are impressively stocked aid stations around the entire course, you won’t be checking in for a panino crudo if you are in race mode. But, you may want to consider it, either that or have your own pockets filled with what works for you.
After the Sellaronda there is the day’s only flattish/moderate section of road, and it is here where you must get some food down. It is the section after the descent of the Campolongo, from Arabba to Andraz and then again to the Colle Santa Lucia where there is a great aid station.
After Arabba, get some calories and salt in you for the evil Passo Giau, then let it digest enroute to the start of the climb after the Colle Santa Lucia.
Now… where I made my mistake. A good friend who does the Maratona every year warned me to be sure to eat something on top of the Giau or risk bonking on the last climb of the Falzarego.
Locally, I have heard the Giau referred to as Monkey Hill, for when you are climbing it you are sure that monkeys ran out from the forest and jumped on your back. But on race day, my friend warned me it is more like Cow Hill, you’ll feel as if you have a heifer on board. Fair enough, I would agree. It is a suffer fest.
In 2007, my data chip revealed I was in 90th position on top of the Giau, I did NOT eat, I bombed down in a small group I had cimbed with. I would pay the price, for on the last climb up to the Fazarego 44 people would pass me. There I sat, crawling up the pass with visions not of finish line glory, just pizza and pasta.
Water is found throughout and will be handed to you roadside.
Eat on top of the Giau, let it digest on descent. There is an aid station.

Behave, you might be on TV, the race is televised

Gearing : I have embraced the Compact set up; 50/34 – 12/25. For me this is perfect. But I climb a lot in training and weigh 61kg (132lbs). Substituting a 12/27 could be nice.
Again, the Giau…. cows will be along for the ride.

Temperatures/Weather : Even if the day dawns clear and warm, you should be somewhat ready for anything. When riding in the Dolomites, I almost always carry a superlight rainjacket in my jersey along with a thin headband – they can save the day and weigh next to nothing. Afternoon rainshowers are pretty common.

Etiquette : Do your thing, but remember the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) as there are a lot of people around.

Do not throw your trash on the road – there will be trash cans after aid stations, use them. You are not a pro so don’t act like one, it is no big deal to put your wrappers back in your jersey. In 2009 the second place overall finisher was DSQ’d for tossing trash on live TV.

Things Not to Miss in the Dolomites

The week leading up to the race is a cyclists dream. There are daily group rides to both check out the course as well as to tick other passes not in the race. Much of the fun simply comes from being around so many nationalities; Italians, Dutch, Germans, Americans, Swiss… they are all in great abundance, making friends is easy.

To Do List

Passo delle Erbe (my personal favorite in all the Dolomites) loop: From Alta Badia; Climb the Passo Gardena, descend west to the autostrada, climb the Erbe, descend back to Val Badia via San Martino (100km, difficult)

Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Tre Croce Loop: Less than an hour (in a car) from Alta Badia is the famous posh village of Cortina. Sitting right amongst many of the Dolomite’s iconic peaks, it is well worth a day to explore. If you want to ride, check out the Tre Croce loop from Cortina that takes you through Misurina and the most famous of all Dolomite areas, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. From there descend to Carbonin and then back to Cortina (about 50km, moderate).
Post ride, eat a Pizza Fantastica at Ristorante Ariston in Cortina – my vote for best pizza in all of Italy.

Walk up to the Rifugio Santa Croce above Pedraces (Badia): This is kind of a rest day activity, or something for the family – quite possibly the most peaceful, beautiful place in all the Dolomites. And good food… There is also the option of taking a lift nearly to the top from the village of Pedraces, or it is a one hour uphill (easy) walk through the beautiful forest.

People watching/bike gawking is as good as it gets. Grab a Gelato or Radler (beer and limonata) post pedal and soak in the fun sitting roadside in the village of Corvara. Better yet, do it daily in each village and decide which is best.

Note: in Alta Badia, the focal point of the race, all the famous villages where most racers stay (San Cassiano, La Villa, Corvara, Pedraces, San Leonardo) are just a few kilometers from one another, so getting around on a bike is actually about the most efficient. At some point in the week prior to the race, the area will be so thick with cyclists that being in a car is slower than walking or riding.

For more information about the area, and for guided events, visit our partners at Holimites.

For more information about the region, including hotels & guides, visit our own DolomiteSport Network

Also, visit : The Official Maratona Website

This is where you want to end up; healthy, happy and hungry

To see more of our images from the Maratona dles Dolomites, visit our PatitucciPhoto professional page

Maratona dles Dolomites Photography

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In the coming weeks we will be photographing the course conditions as well as some viewpoints along the way, please be sure to check back in.

We want to hear from you : Others who have done the race, or after you do this year’s – share your experience, please chime in using Comments.

For a complete Gallery of our images from the Stage, visit: 2010 Plan de Corones Time Trail

Thomas Voeckler, always at 100%, always fun to watch. Proud.

Alexandre Vinokourov; Love him or hate him, the guy goes for it.

Cadel Evans. Class Act.

David Arroyo proudly defended his pink jersey ...and bike

Alberto Contador in the Maglia Rosa during the Plan de Corones Time Trial in the 2008 Giro d'Italia

Cycling Photos from the iPhone

DolomiteSport posts have been thin lately. Ski season is over so my attention has turned from backcountry skiing each day to getting my cycling fitness to where it should be. A sore butt, poor form and rainy weather makes for rather dull stories. So I take time for myself, train, and see if anything comes to mind before the summer crazy season.

Today it did. With the Giro starting this afternoon I was particularly enthusiastic about the bike. During my ride I made an iPhone photo from high above the Val Aurina of the agricultural fields far below – then, as I pedaled uphill I quickly applied an effect to the photo that I thought would add to it. And so it came to me, all these little scenes I run across while on the bike, for 20+ years now, countless beautiful scenes, have always remained in my head, but now with the iPhone and onboard camera I can snap pics and share what I see. Hours each day, sitting there looking around, one is bound to witness some special things. Or, just capture special feelings that perhaps only another cyclist can appreciate. Not everyone gets the whole bike obsession thing so maybe this will help explain what it is we cyclists love; life slowed down to our own speed, the feeling of fitness, power when needed, and the aesthetic movement – all these things, beautiful.

Therefore, I thought to make a post with a collection of favorite photos from life on the bike. For me, this is pure joy, combining what I love. As a professional photographer, using a big, bulky pro camera is my life, (for photos like Contador, right). The iPhone is freedom, always on hand, and in some ways the most creative and challenging with all the many apps for effects.

A Gallery will go up on the DolomiteSport Facebook Page called “Life from the Bike” that I will add photos to while on the go – others can do the same, let’s have a look at some moments as seen from the bike.

And the Giro d’Italia……  Predictions anyone?

1. Cadel Evans  |  2. Vino  |   3. Sastre

Today's photo that inspired the post. The Val Aurina from Acereto, Italy

Jos Van Aert on the Sella Pass, Italian Dolomites

Spring on the Michaelskreuz, Udliginswil, Switzerland

Cyclists… Now admit it, you want to feel like a European based pro. You want to ride those perfect, twisting switchbacked climbs, descend amongst towering walls, and fly through villages on cobbled lanes. When your ride is over, you want to pull into a luxury hotel, park your bike in a work room, march into the hotel, grab a fresh juice and proceed to the showers. You want to know that the hotel is designed around your exact needs as a cyclist.

Want to spoil yourself? Check out the services of a Certified Bike Hotel in the Italian Dolomites. To qualify, the hotel must meet specific requirements to cater to a visiting cyclist, road or mountain – in other words, be prepared to be pampered, which really means that you’ll live like a professional cyclist while staying at one of the hotels.

This is a blatant plug for a friend’s hotel as he has just become an official Bike Hotel in the Italian Dolomite’s Alta Badia. I was completely impressed by the set up; bike shop, wash area, special food available, daily guided tours upon request, GPS rentals, laundry service and even a full wellness center. This is an ideal way to show up to the Dolomites and ride without epics, well… at least on the logistics end of the program. It’s up to you on the fitness.

The Hotel Melodia del Bosco is situated in the village of Badia (Pedraces), the absolute ideal location in which to base yourself as a cyclist, road or mountain. In fact, this is the staging village for arguably the world’s finest Granfondo, the Maratona dles Dolomites which starts just 5 km away.

For mountain bikers, the region is known for big tours on both singletrack and dirt roads. From the door of the hotel you can hop on trails that will get you high into the mountains with stunning views and access to the famous mountain huts.

For cyclists traveling with non-cyclists and trying to make it all balance – the hotel will provide ideas for other ways to enjoy the Dolomites; Hiking trips, Via Ferrate, Cultural events, Wellness Center time or ways to enjoy the region’s famous Cuisine.

Are the Dolomites the ultimate cycling venue?

This summer may prove that they are – the region of Trentino is looking to close the Dolomites (now a UNESCO site) most famous passes to motor traffic. While not confirmed, this idea has been in the works for some time and looks to be nearing reality. With the tremendous success of events like the Sellaronda Bike Day, which draws over 15,000 cyclists to the area for a day of closed roads, the local state and tourism offices are realizing the good that comes from non-mechanized tourism. I can think of no better cycling experience than having these passes to myself.

Contact Melodia del Bosco for more information

For additional information about Dolomite trips and itineraries, visit the locally owned and operated Specialty Tour Service Holimites