Top 6: Our favourite cycling hotspots in South Tyrol
Sarentino Valley – a forgotten road riding paradise?
Alpe d’Huez, Mortirolo, Passo Giau, Col du Tourmalet, the Stelvio – cycling is obsessed with major passes, but are they really the ultimate to-dos on your bike? More often than not these mythical climbs are overrun in the high season, transformed into an outdoor adventure park for the masses. So why not take a break from cycling convention? We headed to South Tyrol’s Sarentino Valley to see what life on two wheels can be like away from the tourist traps.
For route suggestions, the hotel where we stayed and Michelin star dining, check out our three part article series:
Sarentino Valley – A forgotten road riding paradise? Part 1
Sarentino Valley – A forgotten road riding paradise? Part 2
Sarentino Valley – A forgotten road riding paradise? Part 3
Where gelato meets glaciers – Ski & bike in Meran, South Tyrol
As the panacea for the exhausting daily grind, a long weekend of skiing, road riding, relaxing or socializing should be on the agenda. But finding the combination of all four is unattainable, a pipedream at the pinnacle of a short break. That’s until you consider South Tyrol’s Merano, a veritable sunspot that delivers all of the above in one stylish, mountainous package at a time of the year when Mallorca is taken over by spring breakers.
Full article: Where Gelato Meets Glacier
The All-Road Paradise of San Vigilio
It’s no secret that the Dolomites are the ultimate, no-mercy road riding location. The testing ground for last year’s DI.A, South Tyrol’s San Vigilio/Kronplatz threw back its veil and introduced us to an array of awe-inspiring routes that bisect and scale the mountains, revealing views with which life wouldn’t be complete without experiencing.
Full article: The All-Road Paradise of San Vigilio
Ticket to Paradise – Alpe di Siusi in South Tyrol
For cyclists, there are certain elements that are deemed unattainable, elusive yet eternally appealing, such as chancing upon roads in the Alps that are completely devoid of traffic, trustworthy pieces to the puzzle that’ll make climbing that bit easier without having to resort to PEDs. Or what about the even more unachievable aim of teaming family time with a road riding holiday?
Full article: Ticket to Paradise – Alpe di Siusi in South Tyrol
Maratona dles Dolomites – the best drama for real heroes
Traditionally dramas are a five-act play. But this is the 30th edition of the legendary Maratona dles Dolomites and it’s more than a drama and therefore deserves six acts. The following play is an excerpt of the more than 9,000 individual stories full of pain, fun and glory as the racers conquered the 7 passi of the Maratona. The text is based purely on true circumstances and portrays the brutal journey of the modern hero on their horses made of carbon.
Full article: Maratona dles Dolomites
What’s the best road bike to conquer the Alps? 7 bikes on test
What’s the best bike to conquer the Alps? How stable, how comfortable and how light does it need to be? If you want to explore the Alps you need the right equipment. Last year we tested seven endurance bikes with some interesting findings. But don’t miss out on our latest group test from Belgium featuring the new breeds of endurance bikes for 2018.
Full article: Best road bike to conquer the Alps?
A pentagon and custom frame building in South Tyrol – a visit to Camin Bikes
No one would predict that a trip to South Tyrol would take you to an ancient Greek enclave, and nor that a visit to a specialist carbon bike company would digress into organic wine and deep philosophical discussions. For fans of culture and individuality, there’s definitely something to take away from this story.
Full article: Custom frame building in South Tyrol – a visit to Camin Bikes
The OPEN U.P. and the digital Swiss penknife
Testing bikes gives you a great excuse to get out and explore different landscapes; when testing the Open U.P. we spent time encircled by the Dolomites taking in Northern Italy’s backroads. For more information of where we stayed check out our review and don’t forget to scroll all the way down for routes, hotels and information on the region.
Full article: The OPEN U.P.
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