DTC2303 Dolomite Touring Center
Today we started our tour with a ride into the heart of the Dolomites: The Sella Ronda is a loop of four mountain passes around the mountain peak called Piz Boe. Countless switchbacks and sweepers were part of our ride through the wonderful mountain scenery with the rough and characteristic limestone peaks in the back. The highlight was our ascend to Passo Pordoi, first with the bike, then up to the mountaintop with the cable car to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The Marmolada, highest peak of the Dolomites in the left top corner of the picture (the snowy peak in the clouds).
Our second day took us on a trip around Bozen, the capital of South Tyrolia. We started with Passo Mendola in cloudy weather and went up the mount Penegal. When we later arrived at lake Santa Giustina the sun came out and we continued over Passo Palade and descended into the Vinschgau valley. In the afternoon we took on the smaller roads of San Genesio. What a great day with countless turns.
Today it was time to go back to the Dolomites, all the way to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the famous winter sports town, which has also been the set for several movies. We arrived at our lunch stop just in time as it started to rain. Luckily after our lunch break we could continue in dry weather again. In total today's ride took us over 7 mountain passes. What a great ride!
Today we passed Merano to ride through the Vinschgau valley, the main apple growing region of Italy. After a coffee in Glurns a nice medieval town, we road the 48 switchbacks up the Passo Stelvio to have a Bratwurst at Bruno's.
Unfortunately it is already the last day of our tour, but of course this day offers nice roads and three mountain passes as well. On top of Timmelsjoch we visited the rebuilt motorcylce museum, which displays countless classic bikes. The lunch there was also very nice. A great tour comes to an end and I hope we see each other again on the road sometime.