Riding in the Dolomites
Earlier this year I – DuVine Guide Justin Wuycheck – compared The French Alps to Muhammed Ali and the Pyrénées mountains to Sugar Ray Leonard – they are each going to knock you out but in different ways. So, after riding the Dolomites, in northeastern Italy, to whom can I compare these climbs, some of the most difficult of my life? No boxer comes to mind. But to stay with the theme, I ask you to step into the ring –sign up for a most amazing tour – and go toe to toe with… Muhammed Ali with Sugar Ray Leonard on his shoulders.
It’s absurd, I know, but you must see these mountains! Imagine for a second how Ali/ Leonard would look in the ring, wobbling just so slightly, off kilter a bit, looking as if they are going to tumble hard on to the mat with every step. Just like the peaks of the Dolomites. Forget neat and regular mountain tops, the Dolomite peaks jut out thousands of feet off center above their pine-wrapped bases. They look ready to fall at any moment. Instead, they just glare at you – and come out swinging.
Joining me for the smack down ride - Tom and Guido
What strikes a person most in the Dolomites is that awful combination of length and pitch. Climbs in the Dolomites can go easily for 10 to 20 kilometers (6 to 12 miles) with average pitches at eight and nine percent. And some are deceptive, throwing feints. The Tre Cime de Laverado is 7km at 7.5% average. Not tooooo bad. Worse after you climb a half- kilometer at 11% and you start to go downhill for a kilometer… so the last 4.5 km average just under 12%. It’s beautiful at the top, if you can still stand. Go ahead, lie on your back, that’s what the KOed do too.
And if that uppercut hasn’t sent one’s head spinning, well, the next round sees the Passo Giau and the Falzerago in a one-two that will leave one seeing stars, or at least a breath-taking view of the Dolomite ranges. But the blows will keep coming -the Sella group, the Passo dell Erbe, the Passo Nigra. Will you be able to stand?
Fortunately, to give a chance inside the ropes, we’ve found hotels that are much, much more cozy than any ring corner. With outstanding hotels like Il Cristallo in Cortina, or La Rosa Alpina in San Cassiano you will be living like you already are the champ. These hotels know how to feed champs – with nourishing, delicious, regional fare to make sure every round is one of your best.
Climbing....
Scared of going down for the count on this or another pro series bike tour? We guides won’t let it happen. We will be out there with you, advising you when to jab, when to dance, when to throw the haymaker. We’ll hand out a cool bottle of water or that perfect snack to make sure you have the strength to land a couple punches of your own.
So start the training now! The match isn’t won in the ring, it’s the 8 months before that decide who will remain standing. What are you waiting for? You’re going face-to-face with legends!
