The Dolomites Unplugged! 2nd of August - 10th of August

The program for week 32 will likewise be very challanging and contain six new (relative to The Dolomites - rough and sweet 2007! ) and even more spectacular passes in the Eastern Dolomites: Passo di Fedaia (the Marmolada), Passo di Giau, Passo di Falzarego, Passo di Valparola, Passo di Gardena and Passo di Sella! Furthermore, we have chosen to repeat some of the successes from 2007 in the very beautiful Val di Non: Passo delle Mendola, Giro delle Dolomitti Brenta, which this year brought tears to eyes of many participants, nothing less! The former world champion Maurizio Fondriest (20 years jubilee this year, congratulations!) will join us for at least two of the stages and places his vast experience and workshop at our disposal.

After a free day with wine-tasting in Valpolicella (the home of Amarone) and opera in the Arena in Verona, we will be exploring tiny mountain roads to the Abbazia Pietralba (an ancient sanctuary), which is situated on the very roof of the incredibly beautiful Dolomite rock formations. The day after a good nights sleep (or party) in Canazei, we'll head for Passo di Fedaia, which climbs the very Queen of the Dolomite Range and highest peak: La Marmolada (3.343 m). From there we move on to the extreme physical challenge: Passo di Giau with its terrifying 9,1% average ascent!* After a hopefully happy evening in the ski town of Cortina, famous for its night-life, we'll finish the job with a series of the most renowned passes of the Dolomites: Passo di Falzarego, Passo di Valparola, Passo di Gardena and Passo di Sella, where impressive rock-formations rise to the sky from the very side of the road! Check out the altitude curves here.

Price for week 32 (8 nights)-------------------> $ 1,195.-

Program for The Dolomites Unplugged (week 32):

• Saturday 2/8: Arrival in Munich. Transport to Bressanone.
• Sunday 3/8: Bressanone - Chiusa - Bolzano - Lago Caldaro - Passo delle Mendola (1.363 m) - Ronzone.
• Monday 4/8: Giro di Val di Non - Lago di Tovel (1.177 m) - lunch by the lake. With Maurizio Fondriest.
• Tuesday 5/8: Giro delle Dolomitti Brenta: (Sella di Andalo (1.041 m) - Cascate Nardis - Madonna di Campiglio - Passo Campo Carlo Magno (1.681 m). With Maurizio Fondriest.
• Wednesday 6/8: Free day. Wine-tasting in Valpolicella and opera in the Arena in Verona.
• Thursday 7/8: Passo delle Mendola (from Ronzone) - Bolzano – Ora – Aldino – Santuario Pietralba (sanctuary) – Passo Costalunga (1.741 m) - Canazei.
• Friday 8/8: Canazei - Passo Fedaia (2.057 m) - Passo di Giau (2.236 m)/Passo Falzarego (2.105 m)* – Cortina.
• Saturday 9/8: Cortina - Passo Falzarego (2.105 m) - Passo di Valparola (2.192 m) - Passo Gardena (2.121 m) - Passo Sella (2.244 m) (optional) - Bressanone.
• Sunday 10/8: Transport to Munich.

* As an somewhat easier alternative to Passo Giau, there will be the possibility to go over Passo Falzarego from Caprile to Cortina.

The cycling week will include 8 nights: Two travel days, 6 stages, and one free day. Week 31 can be combined with week 32 at an advantageous price: Two travel days, 11 stages and 3 free days with sightseeing and relaxation.

Price for week 31 + 32----------------------->$ 2.095.-

The participants will fly to and from Munich. The hotels will be three stars with half pension (excl. drinks). We'll ride in two groups for every stage - both groups led by experienced guides with knowledge of the locality. Maurizio Fondriest will be leading our way at least two days.

Double-rooms with separable beds will be the standard for all participants unless you want a single-room which can be ordered at a surcharge (see prices).

The Italian kitchen:
Do we have to say more? For breakfast we will ensure a buffet with fresh bread, cakes, yoghurt, cereals, eggs, tea, coffee and orange juice a.o. For dinner we'll have a three meal course with classical Italian dishes and specialities from Trentino plus a salat bar with fresh vegetables. We'll eat lunch during the daily stages in small local places.

The stages:
The single stages will be performed in two groups with different level of ambition. As a rule of thump, the two groups will part together and go to the first ascent as one group. But the single group will leave the various passes together. Bike Italien has outlined a list of rules for safe driving which will be presented during the welcome-meeting.

On every stage, we will enjoy the luxury of having a follow-vehicle where extra clothing can be placed. The vehicle will contain the most essential tools and spare parts and have the possibility of buying drinks, sweets and energy bars. A doctor will be available during the week if needed.   

Briefing
Every evening will include a short meeting with information about the following stage, weather reports and time of departure which can vary from day to day. Each participant will chose which team he/she wishes to follow the next day.

As a normal condition we inform you that the roads, we will be using, will be open for traffic and that all participant are subject to the Italien traffic regulation in force.

If you have further questions, you are more than welcome to contact Joachim Jerichow on e-mail address:

joachim.jerichow@bikeitalien.com

Mobile phone: 0039-3496576683
Home phone: 0039-0457580515

Skype-name: Joachim Jerichow