Jagoda is one of our Borne Cycling guides and this is the second part of her summer riding report. If you missed part one it is here on the Blog page, and part 3 will be coming next week. Enjoy this brilliant personal write up of her week with us at the Maratona dles Dolomites.
The trip to Ventoux gave me both confidence and hunger for more. But what was next? July, which brought with it a packed schedule: the Maratona dles Dolomites, l’Etape du Tour, and both Tour de France (Hommes et Femmes) to spectate.
Well, where do I start with the Dolomites? I knew it was gonna be the highlight of the year well before it happened.
Finding Peace in Corvara
Pax (peace) was the main theme of the 39th edition of the Maratona. As much as it corresponds to global hopes, the Dolomites themselves bring a sense of peace. Arriving in Corvara transported us into another realm, where we could sit back & relax, or rather sit down & pedal (an active, more preferred alternative). Borne Cycling’s support means that all we need to do is pedal. But that often comes as a challenge itself, albeit a very rewarding one.
Corvara wakes up slowly day by day, transforming itself from a sleepy mountain village into a lycra-dressed, vibrant zone, full of hub-orchestra noise that is music to a cyclist’s ears. You are never alone on the road; there is just more and more of everything and everyone.
Reconnecting with the Passes
The daily plan was to cover a different part of the route – and this is such a wonderful idea. Even though I did the event last year with the same one-week lead-up, it was a game-changer to ride the roads all over again this time. To our delight, plenty of the road surface had been redone. Is there anything better than smooth tarmac on a descent? (This is a rhetorical question).
An Ode to the Mountain Cols
Passo Campolongo, how come you don’t get tired of the riders? Each and every route starts with you, to the point that I even forget you’re a col itself.
Passo Pordoi, I love looking back halfway up the climb, as the wave of my like-minded mates keeps unfolding on your beautiful curves.
Passo Sella, you’re probably my favourite, making up for your length with the views.
Passo Gardena, how cool it is to sit on a fast wheel before your final ascent.
Passo Falzarego, I still have mixed feelings, as you never seem to end and “not too steep” becomes actually annoying, especially when the legs don’t go so well. And your instant successor, Passo Valparola – somehow I can always find that last and much-needed push to reach its summit.
Passo Giau, I think everyone has a love-hate relationship with you. I hope you don’t mind.
And finally, you, Mur dl Giat, I’ve heard around that you’re “really not necessary”. I do like you; you spice things up and let us keep the focus till the very end.
Yes, I could almost write an ode to all the climbs. Although I am sure they’re all covered by people’s prayers, hidden under painted names of the pros who flew by there, making it look so much easier than it feels for us, the motivated amateurs.
Early Alarm, Rough Legs, and Pink Wings
How did the event itself go?
I didn’t feel good, to be honest. Wake-up time is one thing, but everyone’s alarm is set to a similar “silly-o’clock”. It was tricky to dress: how many layers do I need? Will I be cold? At the end we still go high up. Clothes sorted eventually.
Paul and the Borne team’s presence and support after the first lap is priceless. Bottle swap, snacks recharge, quick and efficient. Thanks! I knew I would miss you during l’Etape in two weeks. Legs were not in a collaborative mood; I told myself it was gonna change after an hour or so. It didn’t. I didn’t feel like myself, couldn’t really push. Just kept grinding, but not feeling anxious when overtaken multiple times on the uphill. I had to adjust my head to what I had in the tank that day. Downhills were awesome on the other hand. I was flying with my pink wings.
Flats, Fights, and Cold Cokes
Anyway, enough complaining. My goal, pretty much the only one, was to finish it faster than last year. 6h54 was the target. Oh, and another small win to reach – manage not to stop for a toilet or another feed zone. Both were done!
Some other highlights, perhaps more interesting: at the top of Pordoi I passed Elia Viviani with his crew. On Sella, I thought I was waking up, but it didn’t last long. Gardena’s descent, I heard from a guy I overtook, “you’re going so fast!” After the first loop, just out of the village, I felt my rear tire going flat… Phone out, dial Paul. Can you come quick? Of course. Off the road, run down.
Oh, there’s a Shimano car! I smile, and they help me so efficiently that I lose only 6 minutes overall. They pass me on the way up to Campolongo asking if all is ok. I joke that maybe they should follow me all the way to the finish just in case.
Giau … I did it 10 minutes slower than a few days before. Oh well, can’t pour from an empty glass. Falzarego, the guy who told me I was going fast, tries to follow me but gives up after a few minutes, wishing us both good luck.
Valparola, all I am thinking about is a cold Coke. I look at my Garmin, and I know I will meet my time goal. So happy! Stay focused, I tell myself. Mur dl Giat, it is what it is, I smile and stick my tongue out, which is captured by a photographer. That’s a great new profile picture and even a greater memory.
Crossing the Line in Corvara
Now all out back to Corvara. I pass a girl and cheer, “allez allez.” A Polish guy takes me over and says “czesc”. The roundabout, right turn, I see the finish line. Left turn and last few pedal strokes. It is emotional. Tears come to your eyes, whether you want them or not. Knowing that there are familiar faces waiting for me adds to it. Hugs, congrats, smiles, high-fives. And my well-deserved Coke.
6 hours and 31 minutes, and no stop other than the enforced one. I pat myself on the back and promise that the total time will shrink with each edition.
It is so difficult to return to reality after such an event. All the excitement, all the anticipation, the build-up, my newly created memories, our deep belly laughs. It’s not gone; it just shifts into the memories locker.
What’s next? Everyone kept asking me. There’s only one answer – l’Etape du Tour.
