BIKE TRAVEL Dolomites 2023

In 2023, the Italian Dolomites are on the program!
During the fully catered cycling vacation offered by FIETSTRAVEL we will visit the most beautiful area of the Italian Dolomites. Namely, we will go to Alta Badia. Badia is a small village in the center of the Ladin region, which includes Val Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Livinallongo (the valleys around the Sella massif) and the valley of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Every year the most beautiful marathons and cycling events take place here with the famous Sella Ronda. The Dolomites are not for nothing on the Unesco heritage of most beautiful landscapes in the world. To give you a good idea, we highlight one of the most striking and beautiful routes that has everything in it that makes the Italian Dolomites so special.

One of the routes that absolutely should not be missed is the Sella Ronda. 'Only' 53 kilometers long, but with four different mountain passes that you will encounter. Campolongo, Gardena, Pordoi and the Sella, to which this round trip owes its name.

The classic version of this tour (because you can ride it in different ways) starts in the village of Corvara in Badia. The place is already beautiful. You are surrounded by the Dolomites, the famous pointed peaks of stone. The reason that the Sella Ronda can be labeled a "classic" is mainly because of its inclusion in the Maratano dles Dolomites, one of the most beautiful, best organized and most challenging Gran Fondo's there is. This includes the classic route, with the start on the Campolongo, then the Pordoi, the Sella and the Gardena to finish. During the Dolomite Bike Day it is also included in the route.

This route finally revolves around the Torri del Sella. The distinctive and pronounced shape of these points consists of five stone towers connected by a the so-called Lokomotive (locomotive), at a height of more than 2,400m. It is truly and unique place and not for nothing is this section included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage.

CAMPOLONGO

It's nice that this classic round begins with the relatively easy Campolongo. It depends a little bit on where you measure from, but the climb is about 6 kilometers long, with an average of 5.9%. In principle, you will not get hot or cold from that, provided you have a little training. Nowhere is the climb really steep and it meanders nicely to an altitude of 1875 meters. Wonderful to warm up in the morning and it is actually from the beginning enjoy. Do not forget to look back.
What is beautiful at the top is that you really can take a look on 'two sides'. Both valleys are well visible from the top. The descent is nice and long and clear. Double fine to start.

PASSO PORDOI

After the descent of the Campolongo you come to the village of Arabba. During the Maratona, after the second time Campolongo you have to turn right here towards the monster called Passo Giau. The first time Campolongo then leads you to the right towards the Passo Pordoi. The warm-up with the Campolongo is definitely useful when you start at the bottom of the Pordoi. With 9.2 kilometers of climbing at 7% average, this is no mean feat. Especially since it climbs to an altitude of 2238 meters, just slightly lower than the Sella Pass. So you are tested tremendously here, because it is above 2000 meters and it is steady uphill. When we rode this climb, it was really quite challenging in the Sellaronda. But even here the views are stunning. The roads are beautiful, wide, winding. It's so enjoyable in this part of the world.

(c) Yorit Kluitman

The descent on the other side of the Pordoi is 12 kilometers long and is a fraction steeper than the climb itself. You can descend beautifully though, so good hands in the bottom of the brackets and go!

PASSO SELLA

Brace yourself because after the descent of the Pordoi it turns sharply right up towards the Passo Sella. After the regularity of the Campolongo and the Pordoi, the Passo Sella is really a lot more irregular. It is very difficult to get into a rhythm and especially between kilometers 4 and 8 of this 2244 meter high mastodon it is really hard work. In total you climb in 11 kilometers at 7.2%. You climb slowly between the trees to the top. You really do have some nice hairpin bends, which are also well numbered. The last piece you can see the Torri del Sella very nicely.At the top is a kind of post office / coffee house where you really want to stop, if only to catch your breath after this unpleasant ordeal.

PASSO GARDENA

The finale of this classic tour is the Passo Gardena. This climb is relatively short and actually consists of two parts because in the 5.7 km long way to the top there is a piece of over a kilometer that is flat / descending. Therefore, the overall average of this climb is only 4.4%, but that is distorted by the descent. On the steep parts it is still at 7-8% up, but the final climb is again only 5 to 6%.

The descent to the village of Corvara is delightful. 7% average and about 9 km brings you back to the start of this classic circuit. At the bottom you can sit down on an Italian terrace with an espresso or you can enjoy a (hearty) pasta, while you take in the surroundings again. It is also a classic to take a picture with the letters of Corvara, which have a beautiful backdrop.

UNIQUE DAY IN THIS VACATION: DOLOMITES BIKE DAY 24-06-2023

The Dolomites Bike Day is a unique kind of Saturday. Cyclists of all levels can ride together on closed roads, up and down local mountain cols and passes. The 51 km loop is open to everyone: professionals, amateurs, youngsters and beginners.

We ride on the roads where the Giro d'Italia and the Maratona Dles Dolomites take place.

The Dolomites and the Giro d'Italia have been intertwined since the beginning of the Italian 'pink race'. Over the years, many epic battles have been 'fought' in the saddle between the best cyclists of all time. That's why the Maratona dles Dolomites and now the Dolomites Bike Day are so famous: they offer a rare opportunity to cycle along these famous roads without traffic.

Program Friday, June 23 to Wednesday, June 28, 2022

-Do you want to come a day earlier? There is a possibility to book an early check in on Thursday, June 22 with an additional fee of €125, - including dinner, overnight stay and breakfast.
The cycling program is subject to, among other things, weather conditions of course. We can adjust the program if necessary.

Day 1 - Friday, June 23
Travel day and arrival in the afternoon with guided tour, introduction, briefing and coffee at Hotel Melodia Del Bosco. Followed by an hour of riding your legs loose in the area around the hotel.
For the early check in participants we have set out a short route for Friday June 24, to get used to it. At the end of the day we will join the rest.
16:00: Short cycling session with legs loosened after today's trip.
19:30h: Dinner followed by briefing

Day 2 - Saturday, June 24
08:30am: Breakfast.
09:30am: Departure at the bottom of the parking lot.
Route: Dolomites Bike Day from Corvara. Closed for traffic!
Length: 65km
Height: 1850hm
19:30: Dinner followed by briefing

Day 3 - Sunday, June 25
08:30am: Breakfast.
09:30am: Departure at the bottom of the parking lot.
Route: Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Length: 123km
Height: 3450hm
19:30h: Dinner followed by briefing

Day 4 - Monday, June 26
08:30am: Breakfast.
09:30am: Departure at the bottom of the parking lot.
Route: Sella Ronda
Length: 55km
Height: 1750hm

OR (alternative)
Route: Passo Fedaia
Length: 105km
Height: 3100hm
19:00: Dinner followed by briefing

Day 5 - Tuesday, June 27
08:00am: Breakfast.
09:00am: Departure at the bottom of the entrance to the parking garage.
Route: Maratona dles Dolomites
Length: 140km
Height: 3850hm

OR (alternative)
Route: Plose Tour
Length: 101km
Height: 3050hm
19:30: Dinner with a toast to a wonderful week

Day 6 - Wednesday, June 28
07:00am to 09:00am: Breakfast.
We say goodbye and start our return journey.

During our bike rides, a follow car will be present. We take spare materials with us, provide the necessary sports drinks, water and food along the way. At fixed locations during the bicycle tours we will make a stop with food. A permanent tour guide is present during these tours.

The sporting aspect is suitable for anyone who has an average or good physical condition. We take into account the differences between us, this is also normal in the mountains. The most important thing is that we will all have a great week of cycling. The accommodation and facilities are top, the surroundings are great!

What is included?
-The most fun bike group and guidance to go on vacation with!
-Unique cycling day on closed trails during the Dolomiti Bike Day.
-Lodging on half board basis in comfort rooms or luxury suites (Lunch from the support car on the routes)
-Mechanical support during the vacation
-Following car or tour guide during the tours
-Bike wash; every day the bikes are cleaned and checked.
-Recovery food; after each ride we provide a good recovery meal
-Locked storage for the bikes
-Bike workshop
-Towels
-Bed linens
-Reservation fee
-Final cleaning
-Use of the wellness area
-Use of the Fitness
-Free goody bag offered by FIETSTRAVEL
-Early-bird discount of €100 for registrants (until 31-01-2023).
-Free cycling jersey from a FIETSTRAVEL Giro de Dolomites 2023 worth €100.

What is not included?
-Carriage to accommodation
-Tourist tax €2,50 p.p.p.n. to be paid on the spot
-Travel and cancellation insurance
-Rent of racing bike (price on request)
-Medical examination; request via Ancora Health and possibly get reimbursed through your insurance.
-Drinks & snacks after dinner from the hotel bar or lounge.

Additional services to book;
-Sport massage from €49,-; schedule a well-deserved sports massage during the week. Recover better from your efforts.
-Sports nutrition package; a package tailored to your daily consumption including recovery. More info to follow.
-Bike clothinglaundry service; after cycling, hang your clothes in matching laundry bag at the reception. We'll make sure your laundry comes back nice and clean the next morning at breakfast. This can be done for €9,95 per day.
-Singleroom surcharge; if you choose a single room there is a total surcharge of €250.

ENROLLMENTS PER GROUP / LUXURY SUITES
For this trip it is possible to book your own luxury family suite with a minimum number of 4 people. In this luxury suite apartment is also a private kitchen and additional sanitary facilities. This is without additional cost or surcharge. Please inform us in time!

How to register.
-Directly at FIETSTRAVEL ism Cycle Travel or through one of our cooperating tour operators.

Early-bird registrations until 31-01-2023:
-Gain €50,- to even €100,- discount on the total price
-Free cycling shirt special edition FIETSTRAVEL "Giro dles Dolomites" worth €99,90

Payment options
-Directly via e.g. Ideal, Credit Card, Bankcontact or pay later via Klarna.
-Oninvoice; if you choose this option you will receive the final invoice within 3 working days with a down payment of 20% within 7 days and the remainder at least 4 weeks before the trip.
-Voucher; do you still have a voucher from a previous trip? Pay on invoice/account and receive your corrected invoice within 5 working days.
-Business ; would you like to book this trip for business please choose the option on invoice/account and receive a customized invoice.

General Terms and Conditions
https://cycle-travel.cc/algemene-voorwaarden