Autumn in the mountains. After a long, hot summer, there is nothing better than being closer to nature with emotions inspired by the rhythms of changing colors in the spectacular Dolomite landscapes in Italy. Watching the sunrise in the mountains is an unforgettable experience, especially in this period.
There are lots of activities you can do: walking in the silence of nature, through blushing larch forests and across mountain peaks tinted in hues of red, leaves you with a profound feeling of wellbeing and relaxation that touches your very soul. Allow yourself to rest in the refuges to witness a culinary highlight – indulging in all the flavors and fragrances brought on by the season. For adrenaline hunters, the rush of a downhill bike ride, a via ferrata (it is highly recommended to seek the advice of mountain professionals prior to attempting a via ferrata for the first time) or a classic climbing route, or even run along a scenic mountain trail, offers that special satisfaction derived from transforming fatigue into pleasure.
For this trip I have chosen to train riding a fatbike, a bicycle with over-sized tires, typically 3.8in (97mm) or larger and rims 2.6in (66mm) or wider, designed for low ground pressure to allow riding on soft unstable terrain, such as snow and sand. They were invented for winter trail riding and racing but soon people also started using it in a desert environment.
I’ve been to the Bike Park in Cortina, a place I love. Probably because it’s so different from Dubai, probably because I’ve spent already so much time there.
This is the ideal place for all downhill fans, with four trails of different lengths and difficulties equipped with trampolines for jumps and technical sections in the woods. Trails range from black, reserved for more experienced riders; to red, where riders can train and have fun developing their skills. Track 1 – the most challenging, is 2,800 metres long with an average slope of 21% and maximum slope of 70%. The second is the same length, with a slightly higher average gradient (26%) and a maximum gradient of 61 %. The third is 980 metres long with an average slope of 21% and a maximum of 63%.
I tried to spend as much time as possible on the bike, bringing all the food and water needed for the day, and planning dinner at the refuge in the evening. Since I’m preparing for a long desert exploration, I kept in my mind that goal and I also tried to be self-sufficient during the whole training in those days.
Cortina has plenty of dedicated routes for those who really love two wheels, and since winter 2014/2015, two fatbike slopes are open behind Col Gallina lifts, for gravity descents. You cannot miss this thrilling experience!
We had the chance to also organize a night run with dinner at one of the local refuges. A breath-taking experience – leaving at sunset to enjoy the last beautiful glimpses of light and appreciating the beauty of nature at night and the light plays formed by the twisting mountains.
It is also possible to ride a fatbike along the paths and the routes normally used for snowshoeing and walking (but not along the ski slopes and the cross-country skiing tracks), so that the silhouettes of pinnacles, spires and towers, impressive and unmistakable Dolomite shapes, carved into the brilliant blue sky, become a perfect background for your ride.
You only have to consider that fatbikes are rigid. Fat tires do provide some very limited suspension action on their own when properly inflated. A rigid bike can be fast and efficient on smooth trails. However, as the trail gets rougher and rougher you have to slow down to maintain control plus you’ll have to stand a bunch to absorb impacts. The end result is a slower more tiring ride on rough terrain. If you have the chance and you want to appreciate some of the best routes, you may consider switching to a mountain bike in some occasions.
During the winter you can also reinvent your MTB with a K-track: a special modification kit which is used to transform any mountain bike into a snow bike, letting you tackle snow-covered slopes with ease.
In Cortina, the Kite4Freedom school introduces novices to this new sport, which at long last provides a bit of winter fun for mountain bike fans, no longer forced to leave their bikes stored in the garage for the duration of the winter. The best places for practicing with the k-track are those areas at the edge of slopes, where the snow is less compacted. So I’m looking forward to winter to also try this experience!
Ready to cycle again…
Blogger, marathon runner and triathlete, divemaster and heli rescue swimmer with Bergamo Scuba Angels. You can check my website www.dubaiblognetwork.com, contact me on social networks or via email at admin@dubaiblognetwork.com for information about this article or just to say hello.
Words by: Nico de Corato
Photos by: Giacomo Pompanin, bandion.it & Cortina Tourism Board
