Alta Badia

Undeniably, the Maratona dles Dolomites is one of the greatest cycling events in the world. One day, nearly 10,000 riders, 140 km, 9 passes, 4200 meters of climbing and all amongst one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, the Italian Dolomites.

Leading up to race day is the Maratona dles Dolomites week, which grows each day as more and more cyclists pour into Alta Badia to pre-ride the area. This year I decided I would ride each day of the week to enjoy the buildup, meet some new people and get my fill of riding in before Sunday’s main event. I am not racing this year, Janine and I have been made the Official Photographers for the Maratona dles Dolomites. I will be on a motorbike following the race while Janine will be hovering above in a helicopter.

To attempt to describe the scene of Maratona dles Dolomites week is futile, it must be experienced. The Dolomites become like an ant hill bursting with activity. There is movement everywhere of the two wheel, non-mechanized variety. For the cyclist, you are home. It is wonderful.

My first morning was sunny and warm, I hopped on the road in La Villa, right at the start line and found myself immediately amongst countless riders, packs, and tour groups all heading toward Corvara and the Campolongo, the first pass of the Maratona dles Dolomites. So thick was the cycling traffic that the cars actually came to a standstill. Not being able to squeeze by in the gutter, I pulled up behind the last car alongside a small group of riders. They looked at me and with Dutch accents asked how I thought the weather would play out for the day. “Rain”, was my simple answer.

“Ah, you speak English”. The traffic started rolling and so too our conversation. Four Dutch riders here for the Maratona, and this was the first cycling day for them. We were headed on the same passes so I asked to join in. They were clearly having fun and more seemed imminent.

As we climbed the Campolongo, I inquired if they had ever been to the Dolomites. “Well, kind of, I did ride the Giro d’Italia 4 times but really never saw the area other than the wheels in front of me.”

“Wait, you rode the Giro d’Italia?”

2 X-Pros finally enjoying the Dolomites

“Yes, and the Tour, myself four times, Jan here did it five times”.

I was impressed.

And so began several days of exactly what I suspected – fun. That first day we did the Passo Giau, on top of which we found ourselves in a massive thunderstorm and ducking into the restaurant on the pass we found ourselves wedged into a corner amongst hundreds of other cyclists all waiting out the rain. Later we all bundled up as best we could to descend wet roads towards Cortina before the climbs back to La Villa. I joined them for the remainder of the days leading up to race day and had no shortage of laughs. The youngest of the group, Martijn, has been riding for only 2 years, and coming from Holland had literally never descended before. Learning to descend in the Dolomites is like learning to kayak at Niagra Falls. After only a couple of days he was ripping along without problems. He is going to do well on Sunday.

Finally, last night, both Janine and I joined them for a big dinner. Here a truth struck me. I am not doing the race and yet I am experiencing the Maratona dles Dolomites, and I may even be experiencing it in a way that is more special than the event itself. For the 9000 entries to the cycling race almost 20,000 apply. I continually hear how disappointed people are for not getting in. But wait a minute… It may still be experienced. I sit here today on the eve of the race, feel no stress for competing, I’ve made new friends, heard some great stories, spent an amazing week on the bike, and besides these Dutch also met numerous other fun people.

If you don’t make the 2010 registration you can still make the Maratona.

–check back in later this coming week to see our images from the Maratona dles Dolomites itself.

The Maratona may be followed via Twitter hash tag #mdd09

We’ll be posting fun cycling pics and reporting in at: http://twitter.com/dolomitesport

For now, a few iPhone pics from riding this week

3 of the 4 Dutch Amigos

The Sella Pass

Waiting out the rain

The Sella Pass

The Sella Pass

Pizzas at La Villa's La Ciano - the best