A spectacular event: Maratona Dles Dolomites 6 July

Finally the build up is over and we are up at 4.45 for breakfast, and head off to queue for the 6.30 start.

The pre race energy gels are orange, guey but certainly get the system going; a very good reason for starting close to the WC!





Sarah does not like early mornings even when it means getting up for exercise but she is putting on a brave face before saying "Ciao" and cycling like fury.

Luckily it was a fabulous morning, with the sun peeking cheekily over the mountains, just teasing us as we had yet to climb on the bike let alone ascend that high!  

Full marks to the organizers, who put on entertainment pre race with clowns on stilts and lots of traditional music throughout (bells, oompah bands, accordians and a variety of brass instruments playing striking tunes to try to get us pedalling faster)

And we are off!

Sarah left me standing within seconds and I spent most of the day cycling (mostly) breathless. Fortunately it only rained after 6 hours (then the coughing began) but by then it was almost over and all worth it.  

Helicopters with the Italian national press onboard buzzed us frequently  but apart from the start, they were more focused on the speedier cyclists way ahead of both of us.

I managed to take some photos on the way, whilst Sarah was so focused on completing the whole route, she forgot all about it.

This is top of the Passo Pordoi (second ascent of the ride looking down towards Passo Sella) this was my unofficial but incredibly scenic pee stop! I am surrounded by blokes all doing the same (no pride in a cycling event; it’s a matter of go where and when you can!) They were a bit worried when I got out the iPhone :0)

This event is the only time in my life where I have had penis envy. I mean blokes can even pee without getting off their bike; the ultimate in convenience and efficiency.

Lucky for us there were some official photographers that could capture a few moments for us both (even when we cycled so far apart). Just to prove it, here we are at the start of the ascent to Passo Gardena (2121m).

When I get to the top of each pass, I spend a few minutes putting on wind proof clothes and eating something; I even persuaded other cyclists to take photos for me.

Luckily I managed to get through the 55km cut off time with plenty to spare, but then started struggling  on the next stretch of road (despite gels, bars and nuts) and finally made it to the next cut off for the longer route with 5 minutes to spare.
Decision time for me - do I try for 138 or stick to the game plan of 106km?

I know Sarah has gone for 138km and is way ahead. I chat away to a couple of British lads, who tell me they are also knackered and have decided on 106km as enough. At that I feel a bit better (they are at least 20 years younger than me!).

I opt for 106km and a shorter ride. I take it easier up the next two ascents: Passo Falzarego (2117m) and Valparola (2200) and happily whizz down to the finish.
Sadly no café was open at the top of Valparola otherwise I would have stopped for coffee and strudel! 

Meanwhile Sarah is on her way up Passo Giau (2236m) wondering why she decided on taking a pass with 30 switch backs, the first 3 all 15% climbs with an average of 10% for the whole mountain. She then drops to 1535m before climbing back up to Valparola (2200m).

I missed taking probably the photo of  the race where Sarah had to stop and put her legs in the air for 15 mins to get rid of very sore feet at the top of Giau (a very sweet medic rushed to help her, offering painkillers!) and then again at the top of Valparola.

And as for Mur Del Giat - 19% climb. Best forgotten. Suffice to say that is the steepest climb either of us has ever done. It was particularly mean being located 5 km from the end! We were both very pleased to finish - all the more so as the rain was starting to set in. Sarah looking particularly pleased with her self at the end :0)

We are still recovering from this event. We were exhausted.

Jo doubts that we will compete in such a tough race again but as it was her silly idea watch this space (as there has to be a payback!). We were very proud that we did not come last. In fact we were both in the middle of the pack.
Jo rode for 6 hours 43 mins for 106km (2970m of ascent) and came 178 out of 279 women
Sarah rode for just over 8 hours for 138km (4009m of ascent) and came 154 out of 249 women.
The fastest times in the 106km were 3hours 33 mins (men) and 3 hours 59 mins (women) and in the 138km 4hrs 44 mins (M) and 5 hours 24 mins (W).

Good bits
We were very impressed by this area of the Dolomites and recommend it for cycling tours for anyone interested in road or mountain biking. The scenery is superb and the road surfaces good. It is a bucket list item for anyone with a love of cycling up mountains. There are also fabulous walks everywhere.

The restaurants in San Cassiano are great - especially the Rosa Alpina Wine Bar and Grill; the pasta and pizza especially good after a good day on the bike. There are also 2 Michelin starred restaurants in the same village! The road detours around San Cassiano so this is the place to be based. And there is a good bikeshop here.

The organisation of the event; cannot fault it, great refreshment stops and loads of information on the event before and after really helped.  The finish was a bit zoo like and we did not hang around in the cold for the pasta party (both of us preferred a hot shower, recovery shake and heading to a good restaurant).

What we would do differently if we did this event again
Train more on mountains and steep climbs. Cycling in Germany and Austria for long distances around lakes and rivers on the relative flat helped endurance but did not help with the steep ascents that burn loads of calories.

Stay another day after the event; leaving on Monday morning with 9000 others takes some time to get out of the mountains onto the Autostrada. Maybe plan a wind down ride.