Maratona dles Dolomites

Cycling in Alta Badia, part of the beautiful Dolomites

Also known simply as La Maratona, this cyclosportive has become one of the most famous in the European amateur calendar due partly to the beauty of the area and partly to the challenging course, which comprises of 5 passes, each over 2,000m. National Geographic described it as “one of the biggest, most passionate and most chaotic bike races on Earth”

With about 9,000 people expected, the race is divided into the Sellaronda course, the Middle course and the Maratona dles Dolomites itself. The three courses, each an extension of the former, lead the riders through roads where great champions of the Giro D’Italia gave legendary performances. The week before is called Riders Week and the group rides, training rides, cycling events are organised daily. I hope to attend – and participate in – the lot.

Find all my planned rides here

Alta Badia and its neighbour Val Gardena are fantastic areas for outdoor adventure which include:

nordic walking, skiing, paragliding, road and mountain biking and more

If you’re interested in a package deal to the area, try thomson lakes