Alta Badia Promotes Spring & Summer Cycling Business
Mountains give you the chance to enjoy some fresh air in the great outdoors, avoiding any kind of gathering. This is one of the main reasons why cycling enthusiasts also prefer mountain destinations such as Alta Badia for their summer holidays. As the German physicist Albert Einstein once said: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving”.
In the last few years, this location, which is in the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has become a reference point for the most demanding cyclists, as it is located in a strategic starting point for all bike tours on the Dolomite passes and, on the roads, which have made the history of the Giro d'Italia. Starting from Alta Badia, you can reach iconic passes, such as the Pordoi, the Fedaia, the Giau, or even reach Tre Cime di Lavaredo by bicycle.
BIKE GUIDED TOURS: GUIDED EXCURSIONS SCHEDULED FROM MAY TO JULY
Once again this year, Alta Badia is offering guided bike tours from May to July. This year, the weekly events will be taking place not four, but five times. The program features a rich calendar of guided tours to experience the most fascinating trails. From Monday to Friday, two excursions are offered daily at two different levels: the "tour" is for experts and "hobby" is for intermediate cyclists. These excursions allow you to reach the most iconic spots and passes of the Dolomites alongside expert local guides. Iconic destinations include the classic Sellaronda trail, the Fedaia Pass, the Giau Pass or Pederü at the foot of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park. Excursions cost € 32 and can be booked at the tourist offices in Alta Badia.
THE DOLOMITES BIKE DAY AND THE SELLARONDA BIKE DAY: WHEN THE DOLOMITE PASSES TAKE CENTRE STAGE. THE SELLARONDA BIKE DAY WILL BE ORGANIZED ALSO IN SEPTEMBER
For those who cannot take part in the highly popular Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel, in June there's the Dolomites Bike Day (Saturday 19th June) and the Sellaronda Bike Day (Sunday 27th June and Saturday 18th September), two non-competitive cycling events accessible to everybody, no registration required. Both trails weave across the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel track and on other legendary trails, which are all closed to motorised traffic.
The stars of the Dolomites Bike Day are the Dolomite passes, Campolongo, Falzarego and Valparola, the backdrop of epic feats which have made cycling history. The trail is a loop which begins in Alta Badia, reaches Arabba from the Campolongo Pass and the valley of Livinallongo, then continues towards the Falzarego Pass, subsequently heading to the Valparola Pass, before reaching the towns of La Villa and Corvara to complete the itinerary. The trail, which is closed to traffic from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, is 51 km long and has a total difference in altitude of 1,290 metres; we recommend doing it anti-clockwise.
On 27th June, it's time for the now-traditional Sellaronda Bike Day. On this occasion, transit on the passes of the Sella Group is closed to vehicles. The event will be hold also on Saturday September 18. Cycling enthusiasts can take part in the 15th edition of the non-competitive event from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Despite the roads being closed, we suggest obeying the traffic laws in order to enjoy the event while keeping safe. Both events will be organized totally respecting the anti-Covid rules.
THE MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES-ENEL: SUNDAY JULY 4, 2021
Back in 1987, the queen of cyclosportives was born: the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel. Each year, this event attracts 9,000 cyclists and receives over 30,000 registration requests from all over the world. The 34th edition was set to take place on 5 July 2020, with the theme of “Ert”, meaning art in Ladin. Last year’s edition unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 emergency, leaving the 2020 Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel as an unfinished work of art. However, we all know that real masterpieces sometimes need a little longer to be completed. The Organising Committee is working non-stop to ensure that their masterpiece is finished on Sunday 4th July 2021, and to guarantee that the event can be held with the utmost safety standards, complying with all regulations related to the ongoing pandemic.
In keeping with the theme for this edition, the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel has launched an art competition, inviting anyone interested to create a drawing, graphic design or illustration depicting the connection between art and the Maratona. The winning entry will be printed on the t-shirts for the 2022 edition. Entries may be submitted until 15 April 2021.
The undisputed stars of the Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel are, as always, the Dolomite Passes: Campolongo, Sella, Pordoi, Gardena, Giau, Falzarego and Valparola. The three trails, which are closed to traffic, are the same as always: the real Marathon is 138 km long and has a 4230 metre difference in altitude; the medium-length trail is 106 km long and has a 3130 difference in altitude and the Sella Ronda trail, which is 55 km long, has a 1780 metre difference in altitude. If you weren't selected and you still want to take part, there's still a chance: you can purchase one of the 194 charity tickets on sold online on Wednesday March 24. www.maratona.it<http://www.maratona.it>.
GRAVEL BIKES: DISCOVERING ALTA BADIA’S COUNTRY ROADS
Gravel bikes are shaped like racing bikes but have off-road wheels, making them suitable for both tarmac roads and country lanes/dirt tracks, which only ever used to be accessible to mountain bikes. Simply put, gravel bikes are the perfect choice if you want to ride along this area’s forest trails to reach the mountain lodges, huts and meadows at the foot of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enjoying some peace and quiet far from any traffic and the stresses of daily life. On a gravel bike, you can immerse yourself in unspoilt nature, enjoying complete freedom. Alta Badia has countless trails for you to follow on this type of bicycle; a great one that comes to mind takes you on a journey to discover Ladin farmsteads and local architecture, following a route that's suitable even for novice cyclists; another is the medium-difficulty route that takes you from the small village of La Val to the Juel mountain pass, winding its way along both tarmac and country roads. This is a real hidden gem, at the foot of the Fanes-Senes-Braies and Puez-Odle Natural Parks. Last but not least in this collection of stunning routes is the medium-difficulty trail that runs from Badia to the meadows of Armentara, passing underneath the iconic Santa Croce massif.
E-BIKE SHARING: E-BIKE EXCURSIONS AT 2,000 METRES
Thanks to E-Bike Sharing, you can pedal with ease from one place to the next, reaching the most scenic spots of the area and the three parks in the Movimënt Area. Furthermore, it's important to point out that the bicycles are electric, so it's less difficult to cycle thanks to assisted pedalling. Therefore, this outdoor activity is also suitable for those who are less sporty, but still wish to experience the Dolomites on two wheels. You can collect or return bicycles at the upper stations of Col Alto, Piz La Ila and Piz Sorega. You can even book state-of-the-art e-bikes from one of the sports shops and rental shops in the area.
ALTA BADIA IS ALL ROAD: EXPERIENCE THE BIKE BEATS MOVIMËNT AND THE SELLARONDA ON YOUR MOUNTAINBIKE
Alta Badia is a wonderful destination even for mountain bike enthusiasts, with its wide dirt roads nestled in rich and diverse vegetation. For cyclists who enjoy endurance, free-riding and touring, there are many options along incredibly beautiful trails of varying degrees of difficulty.
For the most adventurous cyclists who are all about the adrenaline rush, there's the Bike Beats Movimënt, downhill trails dedicated to cyclists. These are Country Flow circuits, which means non-congested trails, with parabolic bends and jumps of varying difficulty. The trails will be accessible to mountain bikes or e-bikes at Piz Sorega, Pralongiá and at the La Fraina area. This blue/easy trail will be 2,000 m long and will have a 193 metre difference in altitude. Thanks to the opening of the La Fraina and Bamby chairlifts, it'll be possible to connect the Piz Sorega and Piz La Ila areas. Bikes and prams can be loaded on the chairlifts. This aims to incentivise sustainable mobility through skilifts so people can easily access the towns of La Villa and San Cassiano with ease and without using cars.
Alta Badia is also the ideal starting point to tackle the Sellaronda on the mountainbike. You can take your bike on the ski lift; it allows you to reach a high altitude without making much effort, and then tackle breathtaking descents and single trails dedicated to MTBs. The loop can be done clockwise and anti-clockwise; we advise tackling it with an expert mountain-bike guide.
NEW FOR 2021 - ‘LA PEDALATA’ BIKE RIDES: FROM BORMIO TO ALTA BADIA AND BACK, CLIMBING THE GIANTS OF CYCLING
The Stelvio, the Gavia and the Dolomites: legends that reign supreme in the dreams of every cyclist, from tireless professionals through to beginners and enthusiasts. As well as being epic summits, these iconic mountains are also magical places where local history and culture mark the lives of the sincere and authentic people who live here, all of whom share the same love and respect for the natural beauty of their surroundings.
La Pedalata TOUGH
Bormio-Alta Badia all in one go. You start bright and early with the Gavia pass (2642m a.s.l.) before descending to Ponte di Legno, and then on to Tonale, Passo della Mendola and the sweeping views down towards the 'Strada del Vino' wine street and the road towards Bolzano. You’ll then begin climbing again, up to the Val Gardena valley, the Gardena Pass and then on towards your destination, the town of Badia. Your odometer will read 220 km, with a difference in altitude of 5,500 metres. After a well-earned rest, your return journey will take you past the Seiser Alm, Bolzano, Merano and the majestic Stelvio mountain pass, covering the same kilometres as the outbound bike ride, but this time with a difference in altitude of 4,199 m.
La Pedalata MODERATE
This bike ride follows the same route as the “TOUGH” journey, but this time with a completely different approach, made possible thanks to the wonderful world of bike packing. Convenient bags, made available by your hotel, are attached to your bike so you can carry all the essentials you need while on the road between the Dolomites and the Valtellina valley. This trip is all about being free to explore these enchanting places, thanks to a dedicated programme that includes breaks and overnight stays in the area's typical villages. The package includes bicycles, bags, GPX tracks and all the information you need for an unforgettable bike ride.
Both experiences can be customised based on each cyclist’s personal interests and abilities. La Pedalata was launched by Klaus Irsara, cycling lover and owner of the “Bike Expert” Hotel Melodia del Bosco.
BIKE FRIENDLY: A HOLIDAY TAILOR-MADE FOR CYCLISTS
In summer, the tourist offer for cyclists in Alta Badia www.altabadia.org/bike<http://www.altabadia.org/bike> is called Bike Friendly and is for both on-road and mountain-biking cyclists. Tourist information bureaus provide road maps with recommended trails, while local guides provide the opportunity to organise individual or group excursions every day.
There are many agreements in place with accommodation facilities, bicycle rental shops, spare parts and technical clothing shops, restaurants and specialised mountain huts to meet the needs of everyone who enjoy practising this sport. The "Bike Expert" and "Bike Friendly" hotels provide everything cyclists need: a space where they can clean and mend their bikes, bicycle storage, a bike tool box, a laundry, a balanced breakfast, and cold dishes or cakes in the afternoon, for an energy boost. All ski lifts allow you to transport your bikes at no additional cost.
ALTA BADIA: CASTELLI AND CICLI PINARELLO TWO EXCEPTIONAL PARTNERS
The partnership between Alta Badia and the Castelli brand (Manifattura Valcismon S.p.A.) represents an incredible opportunity for both parties to develop future projects aimed at creating important added value. These two entities fully share the positive values that cycling stands for, and they focus on product quality and sustainability.
Furthermore, the partnership between Alta Badia and Cicli Pinarello is also growing stronger. Alta Badia stands for excellence in hospitality: it boasts over 300 three, four- and five-star hotels which, combined with Cicli Pinarello, which is synonymous with excellence on two wheels, guarantees a holiday of the highest quality.
