I’d started to write a review of this fantastic event but soon realised that it was becoming a bit of an epic so here’s the abridged version [believe me, the other version was far more detailed].
It was back in March that Alpine Bikes ran a competition in association with Gore Bike Wear Windstopper® products offering the chance for one lucky winner [plus friend] to win a trip to ride the Maratona dles Dolomites. The prize included return flights from Edinburgh, 3 nights stay in San Cassiano, Italy and transfers from the airport to the Dolomites.
The Maratona dles Dolomites is a sportive event for road cyclists set in the heart of the stunning Dolomite mountain range and offers 3 course distances to choose from, 55km, 106km or 138km. The course itself is steeped in pure Giro D’Italia history from start to finish. It’s got over 4,200 meters of climbing, covering 7 mountain passes (including Passo Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella and Giau) all taking in spectacular, breathtaking scenery.
With the competition ending mid April, Andrew Sprunt from Edinburgh was the first name to be drawn with his winning entry offering him the opportunity to bring a friend/partner to either participate in the event or simply come along to watch and take in the fantastic scenery.
In addition to the prize winners, both Mathew Cutler and myself were lucky enough to be given the opportunity ride the event representing Alpine Bikes along with representatives from Gore Bike Wear.
Fast forward to June 27 and an early start was the order of the day to be at Edinburgh airport for 7.30am where I’d meet up with the prize winners; Mathew from Alpine Bikes, Chris Blackwood, Phil Wilkes and Jamie Stewart -all from Gore Associates. The flight itself was to Munich were we’d meet up with another 2 - Ben Washington (Gore Bike Wear) and Stuart Reid (Wheelbase) then transfer by coach to our hotel in San Cassiano where we’d meet up with Alex Metcalve from Gore and his wife, Kat, who were actually on their wedding anniversary. Apart from Ben and Stu’s bikes going missing for about and hour at Munich airport, the transfer process was smooth and straight forward.
With registration and the chance to meet some of the European guys from Gore Associates/Windstopper ® products on the Saturday, everyone took the opportunity to take in the atmosphere and scale of the event before preparing for the following day’s ride. Given the comparative lack of interest in cycling in the UK it was refreshing to see how everyone in the surrounding towns and villages was out in support of the event [a major happening in the Italian cycling and tourism calender]. With a total of 8,500 participants [plus their associated support/familes etc], it would be difficult to ignore - even if you wanted to.
Sunday, 4.15am and an early rise to be at the start line for 5.45, an hour before the off so that we could guarantee a decent position on the grid. With the hotel we were staying at full with cyclists, they’d agreed to lay on breakfast for us from 4.30am [can’t imagine that happening for anyone in the UK!], and very good it was too.
A final check of the bikes and we headed down the mountain into La Villa to the start where the riders were gridded into 3 separate ‘pens’ to avoid everyone trying to get to the head of the start line together. It was only now that we began to appreciate the full scale of the event with riders spread across the road and disappearing out of sight in the distance while waiting to start. The event is actually televised live on Italian TV with camera crews hovering above us in helicopters in exactly the same was as for any of the major professional cycling events. In fact, events such as this are ridden by ex-professional and riders of near professional ability with full on the road support.
3-2-1 and we’re off. I’d already decided to ride this at my own pace, especially since I didn’t know what to expect with the climbs [and descents] so I basically went with the flow picking my way past riders as and when but without getting too enthusiastic. Climbing up through the town of Corvara shortly after the start, the roadside support was amazing with what appeared to be practically everyone out to see us ride by. This was the same for every town and village that we passed through en-route to the finish.
The 138km course took us in a figure of eight look passing over the following climbs; Passo Campolongo [1875m high, 5.8km long, average gradient of 6.1%]; Passo Pordoi, where I met up with Stu, Ben and Mathew [2239m high, 9.2km long, average gradient 6.9%]; Passo Sella, had to let Stu and Ben go off at their own pace here [2244m high; 5.5km long, average gradient 7.9%]; Passo Gardena [2121m high, 5.8km long, average gradient 4.3%]. At 55km travelled, I’d looped around to Corvara again at 1530m high where the shortest route finished and I met up with Mathew again who’d caught me up after being dropped on one of the previous climbs. We continued onwards an upwards, passing over the Passo Campolongo again then some minor climbs taking us through Cernadoi at 1502m high and Belvedere Di Colle Santa Lucia at 1484m before the descent into BV. Selva Di Cadore. By this point at 87.2km I was starting to cramp up quite badly which was all I needed with what lay ahead of us, the Passo Giau [2236m high, 9.9km long, average gradient 9.3% which is pretty steep]. This climb was relentless, riding at my own pace, I left Matt behind at the foot of the climb to ride at his own pace, it was the only way either of us were going to make any headway on the climb. By now I was unable to sit in the saddle and pedal without get severe cramp in either leg so I had to make the whole ascent climbing out of the saddle - not a particularly pleasant experience. Can’t say I enjoyed this climb but never the less managed to make the summit and recuperate in time for the final climb of the day. By now I was concerned about whether I’d cramp up again or if I’d be able to climb the final ascent seated. Fortunately, I was okay so managed the climb of the Passo Falzarego [2117m high, 10km long, average gradient 5.8%] without too much trouble. There was however an unwelcome sting in the tail. The summit of the Passo Falzarego wasn’t actually the end of the climb since the route then continued for and 1.5km with a viscous kick up and over the summit of the Passo Valparola [2200m high] before the 15km descent into La Villa. Once again, the cramps had returned, only this time I was getting them in my legs every time I stretched them to go round the corners.
I was so relieved to be on the final descent of the day, I’d convinced myself that the finish was in La Villa, whereas it was actually in Corvara and another 5km of gradual climb. Sensing the end, I gradually picked up the pace to finally cross the line in 6:51.10 where I collected my free energy drink before making my way to the Windstopper® stand where Ben, Stu and Phil were already resting. Ben and Stu completed the full course in 6:28.35 whilst Phil had opted for the mid course, finishing with a time of 5:43.47. Mathew was next to arrive, having completed the full course in a time of 7:17.56, Then Alex in 7:41.34 [very impressive for his first time on a road bike - must have been the shaved legs!], followed Chris 7:49.28. Jamie had opted for the mid length course and finished in a time of 7:30.04. Andrew had completed the short course in 3:30.05, an impressive time considering he was on a mountain bike. For the record, the first person to finish was Emanuele Negrini in a time of 4:29.05,the first Brit to finish was Jamie Burrow, 4:34.31 with the first women, Monia Gallucci, to finish in 5:15.54.
All in all, given the terrain and the amount of climbing, I reckon everyone was please with the results. With the exception of my experience on the Passo Giau, I really enjoyed the long steady continental climbs and soon got used to the fast descents with their 180° hairpin bends and touching speeds in excess of 45mph although the fast boys were exceeding 55mph in places.
With us all reseted and having made use of the excellent hospitality laid on by the guy’s from the Windstopper® stand, all we had to do now was make our way the 5km back down into La Villa then the 3km climb back up to our hotel in San Cassiano and some welcome refreshment - ideal.
With the bikes packed away securely for the return journey the following day, we headed out for to refuel before heading off for a well earned sleep, although some diehards managed to stay up to watch the European Cup final.
What a fantastic experience. Thanks to everyone from Gore Associates/Windstopper® products for running the competition and making everyone feel very welcome. Thanks to Andrew and Ysobel, hope you both enjoyed yourselves as prize winners. Thanks to Phil for the lend of a front tyre, think you might have saved me from a serious accident and special thanks to Chris for all your hard work in organising everything.
To any keen road cyclist, I’d strongly recommend this event, not just for the cycling but for the spectacular scenery and the feeling of achievement to complete such an event. Visit www.maratona.it for further details.