280 mi and 29,000 vertical feet
As part of our new 2024 bike line development, I took to the hills of Italy with a group of friends to finalize the testing of the latest Warhawk gravel bike. This bike is designed to be as comfortable on the road as it is on gravel or singletrack. We spent the first fours days riding the massive climbs and epic descents of the Dolomites and then transitioned to the west for some serious gravel and singletrack, Luckily the UCI had just released the Gravel World Championships course so we we able to give it a pre-ride over a three day period. It did not disappoint. See our write up here.
Planning
We worked with a tour company to ease the logistics in the Dolomites. Marmot was a great host and ran things smoothly without any issues. Using Alleghe, Italy as our home base we were able to stitch together several epic days in the saddle with unforgettable views.
Day 0 Arrival and Transfer
After a ten hour connection delay along the way and a late night bike assembly, I settled in at the picturesque hotel on the lake in Alleghe. The trip was set up for 4 days of supported riding, staying at the same hotel and heading in different directions each day. We settled into a routine quickly, waking up each morning to a great spread at breakfast including delicious italian coffee. We all gathered at the support van and the guides went over the day's course and weather.
Day 1: Southeast 45 mi, 6200’ feet, rain at top of the first long climb
We started off with a sense of excitement, not knowing what the day would hold for both the climbs and the weather. The forecast for the week was rain every day. Ugh. We all left with rain gear and warm clothes so we were ready. We left the hotel and rode the 4 mile flat section along the lake and then the climbing beagan.The western side of the Forcella Staulanza (1771m) was a beautiful col the views are hard to fully take in they are so majestic. The gradients changed a lot on the climbs, which was a nice break as we got some flat sections between the steep parts of the first climb. The views from the pass would've been excellent, today but the rain started about 4 miles up the climb and we were getting drenched. We stopped at an inn at the top for a coffee and to warm up. and several riders opted to take the van down the 5 mile descent. Thankfully the weather cleared as we descended down into the valley. We decided at this point to take the shorter route back to the hotel as the next climb went back into the clouds and rain. We made the right call. The other riders who opted for the long route spent much of it in the rain, but they were from Ireland and England and were used to that.
Day 2 Northeast route, 74 mi, 10,400 feet,
We left the hotel on day 2 with a sense of adventure having cut short the ride on day 1 because of rain. The vista from Passo di Giau (2238m) is considered by many as the most magnificent that the Dolomites has to offer, with a 10 mile climb almost immediately after we started. The western side of the climb is relentlessly steep. After day 1, we all have our warm clothes loaded in the van ready for a chilly long descent from the summit. The roads were so fun to descend, it was as if they were made for bikes (the Giro does pass through much of this area), with grippy pavement even in the wet and curves that allow for you to keep much of your speed. We regularly hit 45 mph on these descents and I was very impressed how responsive the Warhawk with the integrated bar and stem was on these descents. I had the bike equipped with Red AXS XPLR, 40T chainring and an e*thirteen 9-46T cassette. This was a great gear ratio for steep climbs and let me pedal up to 30 mph on shallow descents without spinning out. I also added a Reverb AXS dropper which made the descending even better as I could lower my center of gravity and was more aero. So fun !
Day 3 Southwest, Fadaia 56 mi 7100’ feet
We had a slow start on day 3 after the big climbs the day before. But we were in italy to ride bikes! We headed out for Marmolada (3343m), the highest mountain in the Dolomites, which had been dominating the skyline all week and today we entered into its shadow. We rejoined at the top after a very steep 3 mile section of road. Makes you appreciate what the riders in the Giro experience.
Once over the other side, we dropped down into civilization and the lush green valley of Val di Fassa. The route took us on a scenic bike path along the river valley. It was so fun. We stopped in Passo di San Pellegrino for some lunch before starting the second big climb of the day. This was a lovely climb up into the pine forest and is used often by the Giro. Once over the other side we rolled down into the Alleghe Valley and for a gentle climb back to the hotel. Another amazing day.
Day 4 Northwest Sella Ronda Bike Day,
I didn't know what to expect on our last day when the guides said it was Sella Ronda. Which is a big day in this area I later learned. They close all the roads to cars and 10,000 cyclists take to the road to ride one of Europe's iconic rides over four great cols: Passo di Sella (2244m) from the south, Passo di Gardena (2121m) from the west and the north side of the Passo di Campolongo (1875m). The views were just spectacular and there were riders from every walk of life, e-bikes, tandems, hand-cycles, older folks, kids- you saw it all. It was a great vibe and everyone was out to enjoy the day.
The route was amazing. You enjoy a short warm up along the lake to Caprile before taking on the eastern slopes of the Passo Pordoi (2239m) which provides the perfect introduction to the Dolomites. It is a long 28.5km climb, but in general the gradients are kind and there are even a few short downhill sections! The views from the top are magnificent and there is great choice of café's / restaurants to welcome you, regardless of the hour you get here.
What a great trip. I wasn't sure what to expect exactly, but the views and the climbs were almost indescribable. I was very happy with how the Warhawk performed on the climbs and descents- it truly was an all arounder. I will always look back on this trip with great memories
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