AS GOOD AS IT GETS

Alta Badia launches its summer programme of two-wheeled adventures

Keen cyclists will love Alta Badia in the summer when the rich cycling heritage of the Dolomites comes to the fore. A packed calendar of events has been put together around the passion for road and mountain biking in the region making the most of the tailored facilities in the villages and iconic Dolomite Mountains. 

For all Road Bike Enthusiasts (and the growing number of MAMILs out there)

New for 2015: Guided Road Bike Tours

Alta Badia has seen a rising trend of riders looking for bike guides to help explore the region and get some epic days under their belts. From 24thMay to 12thJuly there will be a choice of guided bike tours with three daily excursions on a racing bike, led by local experts. The three trips will be suited to three different levels and preferences: “speed” for experts, “tour” for intermediate cyclists and “gourmet” for those who want to combine cycling with top quality food and wine. 

The excursions costs €25 and can be booked at Alta Badia tourist offices, or directly at “Bike Specialized” or “Bike Friendly” hotels. The tours follow the legendary Dolomite ascents, including the Pordoi, Giau and Fedaia passes, which have been part of the history of the Giro d’Italia.

New Börz Plose Bike Day

On 28thJune 2015, the Sunday between the Sellaronda Bike Day and the Maratona dles Dolomites, sees the first non-competitive Börz Plose Bike Day. For those increasingly fond of cycling, the Börz (Passo delle Erbe) and the roads from Antermoia, Luson, S.Pietro (Val di Funes) and S.Andrea offer a perfect loop. The roads (61.8km) will be closed to vehicles from 09.30 to 15.00. Each participant can start where and when they want, but the suggested route is in a clockwise direction.

10th Anniversary of the SellaRonda Bike Day  

One of the highlights not to be missed for cycling fans is the more casual Sellaronda Bike Day, a non-competitive cycling event open to professionals and non-professionals who share a love of cycling. The Sellaronda Bike Day draws up to 20,000 riders to this Dolomite location each year. The first date is planned for Sunday 21st June 2015 around the Sella Range and will be repeated on Sunday 13th September. On both days the Dolomite passes (Sella, Gardena, Pordoi and Campolongo) will remain closed to traffic and will be open exclusively for cyclists from 08:30 to 15:30. 

To celebrate the 10thanniversary of the Sellaronda Bike Day there will be entertainment on the passes and a commemorative shirt will be created. Cycling starts from all of the Ladin valleys where the restaurants, baitas and refuges  near the Dolomite roads will provide tasty dishes for riders. Everyone can take part and there’s no need to register. Those starting in Corvara will be treated to entertainment by a group of local musicians and the event will be accompanied by a DJ and a speaker to liven up the proceedings. 

The first edition of the 2015 Sellaronda Bike Day will be published on social media, with a competition to write a slogan inspired by cycling and a passion for bikes. The best slogans will be written on the road along the Dolomite passes like the initiative launched for the Giro d’Italia. For further info visit www.sellarondabikeday.com 

Bike Friendly

Bike Friendly is the name given to the infrastructure put in place to support avid cyclists when they are in Alta Badia. Aimed at both road and mountain bikers the tourist board produces maps with itineraries and tours arranged through Dolomite Biking both for individuals and groups. Facilities range across the villages with hotels, shops and restaurants all aimed at those looking to cycle here. In hotels such as Hotel La Perla, Melodia del Bosco and Hotel Gran Paradiso, to mention just a few, there are storage, wash and repair facilities for bikes along with a hearty breakfast packed with carbohydrates and energy. The lifts will carry bikes free of charge and upon return to the hotel a cold snack or cake is readily available to replenish energy.

La Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel

This year will be the 29thrunning of the televised (RAI TV) Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel and will take place on Sunday 5thJuly starting from La Villa and ending in Corvara. The race has grown in popularity over the years with foreign riders drawn to  race alongside  the Italians. The 9,000 spots in the starting peloton were contested for by 35,000 who made enquiries. 

There are three routes available this year of varying lengths and difficulty from “Maratona”138km hardest route with 4,230m of climbing to the medium course of 106km with 3,130m climbing and the 55km Sellaronda route with 1,780m climbing. Visit www.maratona.it 

Pinarello Partnership

The world famous road bike manufacturer Pinarello, supplier of bikes to Team Sky, has partnered with Alta Badia. The arrangement means Pinarello supports all cycling activities in the Alta Badia area having been a longstanding partner of the Maratona dles Dolomites. Guests will be able to try out the latest Pinarello bikes including the famed Dogma series, the preferred bike of Team Sky. Visit the Dogma Pinarello Passionate Lounge with 60 years of Pinarello history at Hotel la Perla. 

Mountain Biking in Alta Badia

Cycling on mountain trails is just as popular and impressive as the roads in Alta Badia. The Sellaronda route and the new FREERIDE downhill route from Passo Gardena towards Colfosco are amongst the highlights, accessible from the Gardenaccia lift. The Sellaronda MTB Tour makes use of the lift system in the area for the clockwise 58km route with altitude difference of 3,400m (only 500m by bike) whilst anti-clockwise it’s 53km with 1,150m of climbing needed to complete the route. The lifts are operational from 20thJune to the 20thSeptember. The Dolomiti Supersummer Card gives mountain bikers access to the lift system. Guided tours are available with www.dolomitebiking.com 

Sellaronda Hero Race MTB

The 5thedition of the Sellaronda Hero will take place on 27thJune. It’s a race for heroes only in that it has been described as the toughest mountain bike race in the Alps. Competitors can choose one of two routes: 60km or 87km long. A part of the race crosses Alta Badia, from the Passo Gardena up to the Pralongià plateau and then down to Passo Campolongo. The UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championship will take place on the same date on on the same route. 

E-Bike Sharing 

An e-bike sharing concept in the mountains has been launched by Alta Badia working in a similar way to ‘Boris Bikes’ in London. There are three drop off points in the valleys in Corvara, la Villa and San Cassiona whilst there are four on the peaks at the Col Alt, Piz la Ila, Piz Sorega and Pralongià which also act as recharging points. The stock will be new this season and feature the newest e-bikes from Trek. Suitable for over 14s the prices start from 21€/33€ for adults and 15€/24€ for adults based on half day/full day rentals. 

Visit: www.altabadia.org for more information

For all press enquiries please contact:
Lynsey Devon, Heaven Publicity
Phone: 44 (0)20 3544 1563
Mobile: 44 (0)7717 078862
lynsey@heavenpublicity.co.uk 
@HeavenPublicity

Alta Badia in the Italian Dolomites is a resort worth shouting about with a superb mix of cycling, stunning scenery and gourmet food. Alta Badia is recognized as one of the most scenic areas in the world by UNESCO. For more information on Alta Badia visit www.altabadia.org