Life In The Saddle

The idea of riding the five historic Maratona dles Dolomites routes, over five consecutive days, evolved from a desire to discover and celebrate what this unique mountain range has to offer. Printed on a set of route cards, provided by cyclingdolomites.com , the five routes of this classic Grand Fondo would take me on new roads, and to new heights. It would also provide a challenge that would push bike, body and mind beyond previous limits. This is my #5MaratonasChallenge Sommario - a résumé of the challenge. The greatest memories; the hardest moments; my favourite kit; and the lessons learned. The Final Statistics #5MaratonasChallenge 5 rides 42 hours riding time 873 kilometres ridden 28,300 metres elevation climbed 7 Days in the Dolomites (including the warm-up and #WildCardDolomitiRide) 7 rides 55 hours riding time 1,073 kilometres ridden 36,500 metres elevation climbed The Lasting Memory It is hard to think of one defining moment or memory, from th...

The weather forecast for day 2 of the #5MaratonasChallenge was unsettled at best. Thunderstorms and lower temperatures threatened to make the 180 kilometres, with 6,000 metres of climbing, even more challenging. Sat eating breakfast, and gazing up at the mountain peaks, the forecast seemed to have materialised. Rain hammered the windows, and darker clouds hovered over the mountains. Given the weather, it seems worth recalling that in 1988 the final finisher was revived in a hot tub of water on the finish line. Then in 1989, it was so cold that the organisers finished the race on the Giau Pass. Don't underestimate the mountains… The 1988-89 route of the Maratona dles Dolomites was similar to the 1987 route, but with the addition of the Giau Pass. To make things less repetitive today, after yesterday's 1987 route, I decided to do today's 1988-89 route, in reverse. Valparola in the mist The first climb of the day was yesterday's last: the Valparola Pass. The ra...