Alta Badia launches summer fun for cycling fans

Part 2

MARVEL AT THE MARATHON

On Sunday, June 30, Alta Badia hosts the 27^th Maratona dles Dolomites – Enel 2013, with 9,000 participants taking part. This year there will be three routes through the majestic Dolomites from La Villa to Corvara: the Marathon, which is 138km long with 4190m of elevation, a Medium that is 106km long with 3090m elevation, and the Sellaronda, which is 55km long and rises 1780m.

Patron of this prestigious event, Michil Costa, says: “This is not just a challenge, it’s not just contemplating and being contemplated by nature: the Maratona is being part of a form of spirituality shared by thousands of other people. It is the immersion of those who can and want to experience something special.”

As well as supporting education projects in the Third World, the Maratona is the first sports event to be certified carbon neutral. Spectators can also take part in a wide range of fun activities and events planned for the days leading up to the competition and afterwards.

For more information visit www.maratona.it

WE CAN BE HEROES

The fantastic fourth edition of the Sellaronda Hero takes place on Saturday, June 22, when the bravest two-wheelers gear up for what has been described as the toughest mountain bike race in the Alps. Participants can choose from two routes: 62km or 84km. The heroic feats begin in Selva in Val Gardena, before cyclists circle the Sella Range, following the Winter Sellaronda . . . only this time without the aid of the ski lifts! For more information visit www.sellarondahero.com

Not everybody is ready to test their mettle against the pros. Another key feature in Alta Badia for all keen cyclists is the Sellaronda Bike Day, a non-competitive event open to professionals and amateurs who share a love of two wheels. From 9am until 3pm on Sunday, June 23, the Sella, Gardena, Pordoi and Campolongo passes around Sella Mountain will be reserved exclusively for cyclists. The event gets under way from all the surrounding Ladin valleys and restaurants, mountain huts and refuges will be offering extra-special ‘cyclist’s dishes’. Anyone can join in the fun and there’s no need to register. And if you can’t make this one, Sellaronda Bike Day will be repeated on September 15. For more information visit www.sellarondabikeday.com

UP, UP AND AWAY!

The guided Sellaronda MTB Tour offers visitors the perfect chance to discover the fabulous natural beauty of the Dolomites by mountain bike, around the Sella Range, clockwise and anti-clockwise, departing Alta Badia from Corvara. The clockwise route measures 58km with a rise of more than 3400m. But fear not! Only 500m of this elevation is by bike and so even a medium-level biker can enjoy the route. The anti-clockwise route is more challenging, at 53km and with an elevation of 1150m by bike. Get those legs pumping! For info and/or to book a guide: www.dolomitebiking.com 

INSPIRATIONAL ATTIRE

This year sees the introduction of Alta Badia’s very first bespoke cycling kit, created by Manuel Bottazzo. The design of the jersey and cycling shorts have been specially chosen to reflect Alta Badia’s spectacular scenery and they will be on sale in top sportswear shops.   

Alta Badia launches summer fun for cycling fans

Part 1

Cycling and Alta Badia go together like Schüttelbrot and cheese. There is nothing quite as harmonious and rewarding as a summer’s day bike ride through the heart of the spectacular South Tyrolean Dolomites. With its grand peaks, meandering mountain passes and sun-filled valleys, it’s no wonder this UNESCO natural heritage site is a mecca for cyclists. Even the true pros love Badia and flock to the birthplace of Maria Canins, twice-winner of the Grande Boucle. It’s time to get on your bike and discover the beauty of Alta Badia on two wheels.

BIKE FRIENDLY

Thanks to a brand new initiative called Bike Friendly, enjoying cycling in Alta Badia has never been easier. This summer the Tourist Board is providing maps and route guides to suit both road and mountain bike cyclists. A partnership with the specialist Dolomite Biking school means there are group departures every day, including an exciting mountain bike outing accompanied by an expert guide. There is also a wide range of discounts available on accommodation, bike rental, parts and clothing, as well as at restaurants and refuges that specialise in catering especially for two-wheeled travellers. Bike Friendly hotels, meanwhile, provide everything a cyclist could need: storage with the possibility to wash and repair your bike, a special tool box, a laundry service, a generous, balanced breakfast and an afternoon snack for that extra energy boost. Best of all, ski lifts will transport bikes free of charge. For more information visit www.altabadia.org/bike and www.dolomitebiking.com

LA PERLA AWAITS 

Welcome to cyclists’ heaven, Hotel La Perla! Enjoy all the luxuries and comforts of a world-class hotel, with the added benefit of a bespoke service catering especially for cycling fans. La Perla boasts its very own cycle repair shop, with experts on hand to give technical advice and support so that each bike is in perfect working order. There is also a secure storage facility, a bike wash and laundry service. There are guided tours every day and dedicated staff are trained to ensure everyone will be mentally and physically prepared before setting off – including a chef whose dishes are created with particular attention to healthy eating for cyclists from a nutritional aspect

 A particularly popular highlight of La Perla is its Dogma Pinarello Passionate Lounge, where you can view some of the legendary bikes that have been stars in the history of cycling opportunity to view just some of the bikes that have been pivotal in the history of cycling, over the past 60 years. There is even the chance to test ride Pinarello’s innovative new bikes, follow in the footsteps of Team Sky and Movistar.Hotel La Perla makes sure, too, that guests accompanying cyclists are not left out and offers an activity-packed programme that takes place in tandem with or around the cyclists. For more information visit www.hotel-laperla.it/en

ELECTRIC DREAMS

This year Alta Badia is pioneering Bike Sharing at 2000m, which means there is the opportunity to now rent an electric bicycle (E-Bike) to ferry you comfortably to your destination without having to take it back. It is the first mountain resort to offer such a service. Thanks to the electric motor, even the less sporty can get in the saddle . . . and the only thing to take their breath away will be the incredible views of the Dolomites.

On the upland plain above the villages of Alta Badia, where skiers test their skills on the curves of the slopes in the winter, there are four bike rental points: at Col Alto, Piz La Villa, Piz Sorega and Pralongiá. Every bike is linked to a power point where batteries can be recharged and users have a card that allows them to take a bike and use it in the whole local area. The card can be used at every rental point to recharge the bike, or for rental and deposit. This is an ultra-modern system with a server for communication between rental points and a GPRS system that localises each bike.

You can also buy a package for your electric bike tour that includes a delicious Gourmet Picnic from one of nine participating refuges served in a lovely picnic hamper.

The E-Bikes can be used by children from 14 years old and over up to 18 years old with an accompanying adult) at a price of €20 for a half day and €31 for a whole day. Children aged 14-18: €13 a half day and €22 the whole day. For additional days the daily rate is €20 for adults and €14 for children.

Five of the best cycling tours for wine and gourmet lovers

Now featuring over 200 cycling tours across Europe, Freedom Treks has continued to respond to the increased demand for holidays, allowing travellers to discover la Dolce Vita at their own pace. Recognising that for many customers, the opportunity to enjoy world renowned food and wine is an important aspect of their cycling holiday, Freedom Treks has labelled certain tours within its programme as Gastro/Wine Cycling Holidays. These holidays are in regions recognised for the quality of the locally produced  wine and/or cuisine and are perfect for disciples of the growing slow food movement. Freedom Treks offers 32 Gastro/Wine tours in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. Here are the top five of the best wine and food cycling tours in Europe this summer.

Umbrian Gastronomic Tour
If being surrounded by fabulous food and wine is simply not enough then this hands-on Umbrian Gastronomic tour is the finest way to satisfy your appetite. Offering guests the chance to learn to cook and discover some secrets of authentic Umbrian cookery, whilst taking in the stunning countryside by bike compliments this unique experience. The tour starts in the medieval town of Spello, before cycling 28 miles to Spoleto for the first cookery lesson creating antipasti, pasta and risotto. Once in the town of Bevagna, the cooking focus turns to a mix of ‘Grandmother’s secrets’ and a take on modern cuisine. Aside from the food the cycling tour makes a stop in the small town of Torgiano, famous for its excellent wines, where a dinner of Umbrian specialities is prepared with a special wine tasting evening.

 

Slovenia – Wines and Spas

Perhaps not the first country to spring to mind when thinking of good wine and gastronomy but Slovenia is often overlooked, despite taking much of its culinary influence from Viennese and Italian styles. This cycling tour starts in Maribor, just 15km from the Austrian border, along the banks of the River Drava before stopping at the oldest town in Slovenia, Ptuj. Here, you will get to taste the Traminec white wine from the nearby Haloze Hills. Following a lunch stop at Ormož, bordering Croatia, the cycle route continues along the famous Ormož to Ljutomer wine road, one of the smallest yet most well-known wine growing areas. Balancing a stay in an authentic country inn with its own wine cellar is the opportunity to experience the thermal spas in a 4* overnight stay in Moravske Toplice. The tour continues on to Lenart before completing its circular route back on Maribor.

Parma to Lucca by E-bike

The two cities marking the beginning and end of this cycling tour need little introduction as undisputed stars in the culinary world. Start out from Parma and explore the wonderful Emilia Romana region known for its famous ham and parmesan cheese, before following the Via Francigena, the old pilgrimage route to Rome, and discovering the changed landscape of Tuscany with its castles, farms and vineyards. This tour benefits from the use of e-bikes, leaving yourself with more energy to explore the area and maximise your enjoyment, as you are helped along by an electric engine. It means the challenging terrain becomes manageable and you can attempt longer routes and steeper ascents. 

The Best of Burgundy

This aptly named Best of Burgundy cycling tour, delves into the heart of the region famed for its excellent wine. Against a backdrop of colourful rolling countryside, the tour starts in Dijon and passes countless vineyards and trundles through picturesque villages. Discover some fine cru in the wine cellars of Beaune, known as the capital of Burgundy wine, before visiting the vineyard of Montrachet, one of the most famous white wine vineyards in the world. Owing to its favourable landscape and gentle nature this tour lends itself to families with young children too, with a full range of child friendly cycling accessories available including, trailers, tagalongs and small bikes.

Mosel Valley
A cycling tour along Germany’s Mosel Valley explores one of the most varied and beautiful river valleys of Europe, starting in Trier and meandering through to Koblenz. Owing to its favourable climate, this area became famous for its excellent wine producing, notably Riesling and Müller-Thurgau and is a good choice for wine lovers with local wine cellars dotted along the way. The gentle riding, along mostly flat terrain, is ideal for anyone looking to appreciate the beautiful scenery along the way.

For more information call Freedom Treks on 01273 224066 or visit www.freedomtreks.co.uk

Make a Toast to British Cycling 2000m up a Mountain

Last year was a momentous one in a year of so many sports but it was perhaps cycling that surpassed expectations more than any other. First Wiggo took the biggest accolade in world cycling clinching the famous Maillot Jaune with an impressive Cav sprint on the Champs Elysée to add the final sparkle to proceedings. With Olympic success for the now Sir Bradley Wiggins as well as the likes of Laura Trott, Jason Kenny, Victoria Pendleton and Geraint Thomas it was a champagne year all round for British cycling.

Moving onto 2013 and the Tour de France a sense of excitement is once again building as Britain looks to carry momentum to win another yellow jersey on the roads of France. The big question is whether it will be Sir Bradley leading the charge or his key support from 2012, Chris Froome. Odds are on Froome to attack in the mountains and with Alpe d’Huez to be climbed twice on stage 18 the quiet man might make his mark that day. The 21 hairpins will be tackled by the peloton on the 18^th July twice in what is the most eagerly awaited stage of 2013. The resort best known for skiing will be the most in demand vantage point of the year for the procession beginning with the publicity caravan, followed by the world elite of road cycling.

VIP SKI maintains a collection of chalets throughout the summer in Alpe d’Huez in a position just metres away from the finish line on that crucial day on the tour. The chalets are modern and feature touches of luxury within their traditional alpine frames. There are 5 chalets available within the VIP SKI development situated around a cobbled courtyard at 2000m.

With 7 nights needing to be booked as a minimum over the Tour de France week what else can be done in Alpe d’Huez during July?  Cycling is of course the most relevant and one of the best activities on offer. Spectators can ride the roads taking in the atmosphere and ascents before the publicity caravan arrives and deems them closed. Mountain biking is also a favourite in the Alps during the summer with a range of ski lifts operating and nerve jangling trails to descend the slopes. Relaxation is never far away whether it be the hot tub and sauna in La Ferme or gentle strolls around the resorts restaurants and cafés.

An exciting collaboration for the week sees Hammer Sports, specialists in cycling therefore coupling viewing the Tour de France with expert training and technical advice. The aim is to progress keen cyclists to the next stage whether it is from novice up or from seasoned club rider up a level. Guided rides are included within the itinerary including much of the stage tour that ends on the summit of Alpe d’Huez. Prime position for Stage 18 on the slopes of the mountain will make sure nothing is missed and the following day starting in Bourg d’Oisans will also be attended. Prices for the 7 day holiday including half board accommodation in the Chalet Ferme and guiding through the week starts at £999 per person. This includes a road cycling guide.  For more information call VIP SKI now on 0844 557 3119 or simply visit the website at www.vip-chalets.com

Snow-Camp Receives the Freedom of the City of London

 

Snow-Camp, the charity working with young people from inner city areas through snow sports, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London. In a ceremony on the 27^th March 2013 the director of the charity Dan Charlish was joined by key supporters and staff members to collect the honour.

The Freedom of the City of London is an accolade that began in 1237 and is nowadays bestowed upon organisations and individuals as recognition of outstanding work and achievement. The ceremony took place at the Crypt within the Guildhall in the City. Snow-Camp has been acknowledged for its work with youngsters from London over the past ten years. The honour was presented by Lord Mayor Roger Gifford

Speaking before the ceremonies, Lord Mayor Roger Gifford said; “The Freedom of the City of London is bestowed on individuals by the City Corporation to celebrate their contribution to London or public life, or to mark an outstanding achievement. These individuals have helped other people turn their lives around, and my colleagues and I were delighted to bestow the Freedom of the City on each of them.’

In attendance with the charity were key supporters such as Mark Brigham (director at Ellis Brigham), Major David Budge (Skiers Trust), Ian Brown (Hemel Hempstead Snowcentre) as well as representatives of Lambeth Council where the charity was founded. Three others received their Freedom of the City alongside Snow-Camp. Ben Fogle was the most famous of these with Dwayne Fields, a young Jamaican who walked to the North Pole and Bill Templar, the founder of Futures for Kids, also receiving the award.

Did you know?

Now Snow-Camp has been awarded with the Freedom, it is now within its rights to shepherd sheep or cattle across London Bridge or to carry a sword in public, neither are within the future plans of the charity! For more information about the charity please visit www.snow-camp.org.uk