Mountain bikers, rock climbers, alpine runners and mountaineers alike love the Dolomites for the ever new choice of challenges and the majestic backdrop they provide. This summer’s event schedule for the Alta Pusteria/Hochpustertal region features a sheer endless array of sporting highlights, starting out with the Dolorock Climbing Festival in the Val di Landro, followed by the Cortina-Toblach Run, which leads along a historic railway track. In July, visitors get the chance to take part in the legendary Dolomiti Superbike and the Adventure Outdoor Fest Innichen, an action-packed fun sports platform. The season closes with the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run, one of the most impressive and toughest mountain races in the Alps.
For rock acrobats: The 3rdDolorock Climbing Festival / Val di Landro An established event in the scene, the Dolorock Climbing Festival takes place May 27 – 29, 2016 in the Alta Pusteria/Hochpustertal region, a true paradise for any rock climber. This is the place to live their dream and compete against some of the biggest names in the field. www.dolorock.com
For endurance runners: The 17thCortina-Toblach Run Runners participating in the Cortina-Toblach Run should mark their calendars for July 5, 2016. The 30-kilometre run follows the historic railway track between Cortina d’Ampezzo and Toblach, crossing rugged landscapes, leading through tunnels and over spectacular bridges. www.cortina-dobbiacorun.it
For bike lovers: Dolomiti Superbike On July 9, 2016 the Alta Pusteria/Hochpustertal region welcomes the toughest mountain bike race in the Dolomites, the 22nd Dolomiti Superbike – one of the most famous bike marathons worldwide, featuring a 119 kilometre tour through the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. www.dolomitisuperbike.com
For the adventurous: The Adventure Outdoor Fest / Innichen The Adventure Outdoor Fest takes place July 20 through 24, 2016 in Innichen featuring fun sports activities such as highline, parkour, rock climbing, mountain biking, running and yoga. Classes, conferences and demonstrations, workshops, film projections in the evening and an exciting kids’ program are also part of the five-day event. www.adventureoutdoorfest.com
For cross-country lovers: The 19thDrei Zinnen Alpine Run Its incredible mountain backdrop makes the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run one of the most scenic mountain races in the world. At 17.5 kilometres with a vertical drop of 1,350 metres the run is also one of the most challenging races of its kind. On September 17, 2016 the event goes into its 19th edition. www.dreizinnenlauf.com
Super G skis, the right head and eye protection, curved poles and fluoro wax: technical advice on getting the most from an Alpine skiing race as tough as the Südtirol Gardenissima which marks the close of the Val Gardena skiing season on April 2.
There is now less than a month to go to April 2 and that means that the Südtirol Gardenissima and the end of the Val Gardena skiing season are both getting seriously close. Any training you can do now has to be honed to perfection. Having worked so hard to lay the foundations for success throughout the winter, you’ll need to arrive at the start line of this long slalom with the very best of specialist equipment.
Super G skis for a giant slalom to remember
Anyone that breathes the intoxicating air of the Dolomites all year round and has grown up with the Südtirol Gardenissima will advise you to avoid giant slalom skis and instead go for Super G versions because the extra seconds you might shave off in the first stretch of the giant slalom can easily be lost in the final one where what you really need is improved glide. So the perfect solution is Junior Super G skis of between 190 cm and 195 cm. They have enough flex to play on the bends and a 28 – 34-metre radius – in other words, you’ll be able to tackle the Südtirol Gardenissima’s big curves beautifully.
Ski with your head
Another pivotal factor in such a long, challenging race is taking care of your head, absolutely essential if you’re to hang in there for six kilometres. If you want to ski in absolute safety, then you’ll need an approved yet aerodynamic helmet, possibly fibreglass. Do not go for helmets with an incorporated visor. Vision-wise, we don’t recommend using sunglasses. It’s better to opt for aerodynamic goggles with mid-light coloured or, better still, polarised lens to give you a clear view even in the final stretch where the light dims because of the surrounding woods. You’ll also be exhausted by then and that can play nasty tricks on you so every little helps.
Curved poles and fluoro wax
The length of the run and the incredible physical toll it will take can mean you’ll be feeling a little out of it and so even the tiniest detail can really be vital to your performance. That includes using curved ski poles which you’ll be able to keep close to your body, thereby avoiding knocking against the gates. Lastly, there will be spring weather on April 2 and seasoned skiers recommend a high performance fluoro wax: 100% fluoro is best – apply three layers after rubbing it well with granular snow.
Life in harmony with nature: Set against the majestic backdrop of the Dolomites in South Tyrol, the Alta Pusteria/Hochpustertal region takes sustainability and ecological awareness beyond being just a catchy idea. The communities of Sexten, Innichen, Toblach, Niederdorf and Prags actively support a series of projects from different areas and incorporate green concepts in everyday life and tourism. Activities range from renewable energy supplies for as many households as possible, a powerful public transport network and environmentally focused hotels, to the annual Toblach Talks, a discussion forum on sustainability which touches even sensitive issues and has developed quite a number of efficient resolutions.
Green energy: Full speed ahead! The Toblach district heating power station, which uses wood chips, bark and saw dust to produce energy and heat, was designed to keep carbon dioxide emissions below the level of previously bound CO2. More than 1,000 households in Toblach and Innichen are supplied with renewable energies from this source. Compared to the cost of fuel oil this creates annual savings of four million euro. A special trail presents the way biomass is used to produce power. It is part of the district heating power station and the only trail of its kind in Europe.
The Alta Pusteria mountain gondolas, too, rely on green energy: The Sextener Dolomiten AG uses power that originates solely from South Tyrolean hydropower sources, thus reducing CO2 emissions by 3,680.5 tons annually.
Green think-tank: The Toblach Talks Founded in 1985 by Hans Glauber, the Toblach Talks have grown to become a renowned think-tank for issues relating to the ecological turnaround in the Alpine region. Once a year, experts from various fields, scientists, community officials, and business and tourism representatives meet at the Grandhotel Toblach to discuss topics like “Soil: War for the last resource” or “Wealth without growth”. In addition to the green think-tanks the Toblach Talks Academy, too, organises training programmes and supports energy restructuring programs in the Alta Pusteria communities along with various projects focusing on energy efficiency, mobility, tourism and agriculture.
Sustainable products: You are what you eat! Whether it is at home or when eating out: Sustainable and regional products play an important role in the Alta Pusteria. From breakfast jam to cheese snacks, the destination boasts a great variety of locally produced specialties. Many manufacturers even open their doors to visitors. This helps build trust and raises awareness of the products’ origins. Beekeeper Ewald Kamelger e.g. offers in Niederdorf a programme called “Visiting the beekeeper and his honey bees”, which provides exciting insights into his work and explains the importance of bees for the region’s biodiversity.
The Regiohof Toblach is another perfect example for sustainability: Its orchards are maintained in line with highest ecological standards. The fruit is made directly on site into high-quality preserves and tasty chutneys, and these are then sold at the Regiohof’s shop in Toblach. There are also more and more organic farms that operate their own shops, including the Bioland-certified Ranerhof in Innichen, the Demeter-farms Baumgartnerhof in Toblach and Schneiderhof in Sexten, and the Bio-Beef Hackerhof in Toblach.
Food lovers with a taste for local products can now refer to the new “Quality Partner” seal. It is given to hotels serving mostly dairy products from the area, from the Drei Zinnen alpine dairy and the Sexten cheese dairy for example. This does not only support mountain farmers but is also beneficial for the environment.
There’s never a dull day in Val Gardena (ITALY): even at the end of the winter season.
Save the following dates: the Spring Race Party, an obstacle ski race from Monte Seceda to the centre of Ortisei, on 19 March between 1.15 pm and 9 pm. Head to Piazza S. Antonio for more fun with Dj Simon and Dj Ondy. Tasty local food and beverages to be served during the evening. Rock the Dolomites, a musical event featuring Val Gardena rock-pop band, the Pëufla, on Sunday 20 March at 3 pm at the Ciampac.
The big freestyle show on Monday 21 at 9.30 pm at the Campo Frëina di Selva Gardena: an exciting freestyle show and mulled wine for everyone!
Move 24h on Saturday 26 March from Ortisei, a guided, two-day ski mountaineering excursion.
Easter concert in the parish church of S. Cristina on Sunday 27 March from 8.30 pm.
Südtirol Gardenissima: 20th edition of the Südtirol Gardenissima on Saturday 2 April from 8 am. The longest giant slalom in the world (6 km) is a much-awaited event in the valley, attracting countless registrations (around 650) which include both amateurs and professional skiers. The event attracts also quite a large crowd. Legends such as Isolde Kostner, Peter Runggaldier, Peter Fill and Maria Rosa Quario have also been known to participate.Südtirol Gardenissima KIDS on Sunday 3 April at 9 am. A giant slalom race (2 km) for the champions of tomorrow born between 2002 and 2009.
For a cross-country skiing holiday, there is no better place than Alta Pusteria. Why is that so? The five municipalities of Sesto-Sexten, San Candido-Innichen, Dobbiaco-Toblach, Villabassa-Niederdorf and Braies-Prags offer about 200 km (124 miles) of perfectly groomed cross-country skiing trails with guaranteed snow conditions, framed by a stunning landscape part of the UNESCO natural heritage: the Dolomites!
Moreover, a consistent price-list (weekly ticket for 25.00€, season ticket for 60.00€) enables guests to use only one ticket for all available trails marked on the map of this area: this is a dream coming true for all cross-country skiing fans! Enjoy a tour from Braies, moving on to Villabassa, passing by Dobbiaco, San Candido and Sesto, ending up in the enchanting Val Fiscalina valley.
When talking about Nordic skiing, a special touch is given by the wonderful trails on the high-altitude plateau of Prato-Piazza-Plätzwiese. Trails are already prepared and groomed in November, and offer an exceptionally beautiful panorama.
And – there is more! Have an extraordinary winter season enjoying cross-country skiing by night: at the cross-country skiing trail of Sesto (1 km/0.6 miles) with a direct linkage to Moso-Moos open from 5pm-9pm, and the Nordic Arena of Dobbiaco open from 6pm-8pm.
Those who are not ready to face the ambitious trails yet, find an ideal solution at the cross-country skiing stadiumNordic Arena in Dobbiaco. It is unique of its kind in structure and classification, and offers trails approved by the International Ski Federation FIS of diverse difficulty grades. Many are used for training sessions by international teams. In fact, three famous Olympic athletes have given their names to the following tracks: “Monika” (5 km/3.1 miles), “Nathalie” (7.5 km/4.6 miles) and “Albert” (10 km/6.2 miles).
To complete the holiday experience, many associated accommodation structures of the Dolomiti Nordicski located in the five municipalities of the Val Pusteria-Pustertal valley offer dedicated services to all cross-country skiers, as hotel owners are familiar with their guests’ needs. They are happy to offer advice on the most beautiful slopes, and sometimes they reveal some suggestions about lesser-known and secret spots in the Dolomites.
Finally, here is some advice for all cross-country skiers: the holiday pass enables convenient and unlimited travelling on ski buses in the Val Pusteria valley and public transport of all kinds (regional trains excluded) in South Tyrol and Cortina during winter season 2015/16. Guests who stay at accommodations, which are part of the local tourism association, get free tickets directly at their hotel.
Sheffield, the fourth biggest city in the UK, launched its credentials as The Outdoor City in autumn last year. Why? Because the close proximity between the urban and rural landscape gives Sheffield a unique identity, making it the UK’s leading destination for people seeking outdoor adventure, city culture and rural escapes. In particular, with The Peak District National Park which holds world class routes, tracks and trails on its doorstep; Sheffield is the city of choice for Mountain Bikers worldwide.
Ride Sheffield doesn’t waste any time. After only 4 months since they opened the Lady Cannings trails in Sheffield, they are at it again…but this time they are making their mark on Redmires Reservoirs!
Ride Sheffield is a local mountain bike advocacy group, with over 3000 members and a mandate to speak for mountain bikers in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. Although many people get involved, it is a core group of 10 volunteers who help drive projects like trail building for mountain bikers in Sheffield. They first formed back in 2010, and have been very busy indeed. Alongside Sheffield City Council, they have been responsible for the development and continued management of trails in Greno Woods, Lady Cannings and Parkwood Springs.
The Lady Cannings Plantation is particularly impressive, with the resources coming from a mixture of crowd funding, local business donations and Go Outdoors. Not only is it the first dedicated mountain bike trail to be built in the Peak District, but it’s also the first and currently only crowd funded mountain bike trail in the UK.
Cy Turner, one of the volunteers and founder of Cotic, said: “It has been a major success! At Ride Sheffield we have good contacts with the media, and so we were able to get coverage in national magazines to spread the word. The amount of support and generosity has been unbelievable. We pitched our story to local businesses and raised over £7,500, with one local architect company, Norton Mayfield, donating £5,000.” A further £8,700 came from the crowd funding, thanks to hundreds of individual donations from local and not-so-local people wanting something better for Peak District mountain bikers.
The trail has been very popular already, with over 14,000 runs down in 14 weeks since it opened on Strava alone (an app which monitors your route, giving you split times). “The point behind Lady Cannings was to add some fun and learning to a trail, one that is suitable for kids and beginners starting out, as well as intermediates wanting to improve, yet still providing a challenge to experienced riders.” Cy continued. “Before Lady Cannings (a blue trail), Sheffield had either very easy-going routes or really technically challenging natural trails like Wharncliffe or Blacka Moor. There was no middle ground.”
But there’s no rest for these mountain biking enthusiasts. Ride Sheffield has already started to have a whip-round for their next challenge: Redmires Reservoirs. On Dec 1 they celebrated their 5th Birthday, raising £1,250 at their social to get the ball rolling.
@ridesheffield: “Thanks to everyone who came to our social last night. We raised £1250. A great start for the #RADmires crowding”.
The trail at Redmires Reservoir is set to run alongside the byway up to Stannage Pole (a pole that has been around for nearly 500 years and is believed to mark the boundary between Derbyshire and Yorkshire) from Redmires Road descending for 1.8km, which is 50% longer than the current trail at Lady Cannings!! “It is going to have a higher technical level, compared to Lady Cannings and will be a great trail to develop your skills. The route will be mainly blue again like Lady Cannings, but with red and maybe even black level opt ins, making it perfect for development and being more inclusive than some of the other trails”.
This exciting new venture comes at a price, though, with a whopping £45k target! But after their success with the last project (thanks to local support), it’s certainly not impossible. “After our achievement with the first trail we thought we could be more ambitious this time. The hope is to open the trail in the summer of 2017.” Cy continued.
This new project ran by Ride Sheffield is just another example of what’s possible when local people come together and support each other, whilst highlighting the strength of Sheffield’s communities. “There really is that community feel here, the mountain biking scene is so strong. In fact, it is world famous for it.” Cy said.
So if you’re an eager mountain biker, or just like to support community projects within your city then your help would be more than welcomed.
In the words of Ride Sheffield: @ridesheffield New trail crowd funder announced. GIVE US YER MONEY!! #RADmires
Riding down the twisted route ofParkwood Springs, Sheffield, with only trees and green for company, you’ll come across a view you wouldn’t expect to find in a forest.
Just behind a set of trees, the sun has leaked across Sheffield’s skyline bringing the rider to his ultimate finale. This is just one of the many mountain bike trails to be found in the UK’s fourth largest city and showcased inSteel City MediaandCotic’svideos.
Cotic, a bike design company, first approached Steel City Media back in 2011 and together they have produced seven short mountain biking videos around South Yorkshire. Both companies are Sheffield based, with Cotic being founded by Cy Turner and Steel City Media, Joe Bowman.
The latest video, called “Rise of the Straightline”, was filmed in Wharncliffe Woods, which according to Joe Bowman, “is one of the best places to go for downhill biking”. This trial is known to most as the training ground used by Steve Peat – an international mountain biking star and local legend. Indeed, this neck of the woods can challenge even the most experienced riders, with its steep and technical downhill runs, rock gardens, drops and many trees.
The main theme of the video is to point fun at a mobile app which records your timings, in a light-hearted, fun way. According to Joe, “Since this app was created, mountain bike riders have become obsessed with using it, wanting to beat their own time and compete against others”.
And so, the idea behind this film is to laugh about this by featuring the ‘Straight line man’ racing down the Wharncliffe Woods trail all in a straight line, avoiding every corner so as to enhance speed. “It was so much fun filming this video; we managed to pull in a big crew of mountain bikers to help us!”
Each of Cotic’s films aim to promote a different brand of Cotic bike, by creating a new character each time, whilst also encouraging people to get back out on their bike and ultimately provide entertainment. “The films tend to be very tongue-in-cheek. Sometimes there is a topical theme but other times the videos are just random.” Joe continued.
The films have been a huge success, with the video ’26 aint dead’ seeing ½ million views on youtube. This video was topical at the time of filming as there was a new wheel size introduced and mountain bike riders were annoyed about having to change their bikes to keep up with the trend.
“The theme of this video is to tell people not to worry about the style of bike they have and to get them to ride regardless of their wheel size.” He continued, “To do this, the video starts with a funeral of a 26 inch wheeled bike (filmed in my mum’s garden!), which used to be the typical mountain bike size before being phased out. Then it shows a guy, who doesn’t care about this trend, riding a 26 inch wheeled bike at top speed around Wharncliffe Woods and Parkwood Springs.”
The main audience of our videos is usually the mountain biking community and people with an interest in extreme sports – most of our videos have on average 50/60,000 views. “I love filming around Sheffield. It’s such a good scene for mountain bikers here and there are so many riders that it is easy to find someone to ride with. There is also a big mix of different trails.” Joe said.
The videos cover several destinations across Sheffield, including Grenoside, Wharncliffe Woods, Blacka Moor, Lady Bower and Sheffield city centre. “I would definitely recommend mountain bike riders to come to Sheffield. It’s a great weekend away as you can do stuff in the city centre, there are lots of great pubs with a good nightlife but you can escape to the countryside afterwards.” Joe said.
If you’re tempted to trial the trails of Sheffield then watch some of these videos, filmed at several of the Sheffield mountain bike trails: http://www.cotic.co.uk/videos/
So don’t waste any time. Plan your trip and visit us here in Sheffield:
The hut excursion around the fascinating mountain chain of Val Gardena (Italy) is called “Curona de Gherdëina”.
This 60 km stretch starts from the Puez Odle Nature Park in the northwest of the valley (part of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and crosses the high plateau of the Sella in the southwest to the Group of the Sassolungo in the southern side of the valley.
Hikers will climb a total of 4,155 m and descend along a total of 3,936 m elevation gain. Participants can start from any of the three Val Gardena villages, and the excursion proceeds in a clockwise direction. Choose your overnight accommodation from a simple hut (4-day tour) or from the exclusive mountain hotel (5-day tour). Choosing the “Mountain hut trekking” or the “Trekking Deluxe” option won’t change one thing: the breathtaking scenery only the Dolomites can offer, the magical sunrise and sunsets as well as relaxing evenings eating exquisite traditional dishes and refined wines.
Simple or exclusive, in company or on your own, this tour is an ideal journey into the world of the mountains packed with adventure and filled with legends.
The Val di Fassa Bike organizing committee has finally revealed innovations and technical aspects of the route for the 2015 edition of this international mountain bike granfondo race taking place on Sunday, September 13th, in Moena (TN) in Val di Fassa.
The race is valid as a test for the UCI MTB Marathon World Series, the Marathon Tour FCI, the Prestigio, the Zero Wind MTB Cup and the Alpine Pearls MTB Cup. It will be disputed over two different routes: the Marathon (61.3 km for 2898 m altitude difference) and the Classic (46.3 km for 2071 m altitude difference), which is also accessible to e-bikes. “Contrary to what had already been announced previously, the routes have been revised during the last several weeks with the aim of offering participants even more adrenaline and fun. There will be sections deep in the woods surrounding Moena, with plenty of changes in rhythm, surface and scenery. We have added new dirt trails and even steeper descents. Furthermore, in both the Marathon and the Classic, bikers will have to take on some entirely new single tracks” explains head of route planning Gianfranco Degiampietro.
After the starting line set up in the southern area of Moena (in via Riccardo Lowy on State Road S.S. 48 delle Dolomiti) and the passage through the famous tourist resort in Val di Fassa (Piaz de Sotegrava and Piaz de Ramon) the two routes will take on different directions, towards the municipalities of Soraga, Pozza di Fassa and Vigo di Fassa.
The Marathon bikers will get right down to business on the hard climb (9 km for 1030 m altitude difference) towards the Mountain Grand Prix at Lusia-Le Cune (2200 m) to then descend to Passo Lusia (2055 m) and take on the first, all-new single track (3 km for185 m altitude difference) that goes to the village of Colvere (1870 m).
From here a long descent will go towards località Ronchi, near the valley station for the Alpe Lusia cabin lift, where the two separate Marathon and Classic routes meet up and merge to proceed together all the way to the finish line, with parts on ski slopes, cement or asphalt roads, hilly stretches across fields, forest trails, cycling paths and single tracks in the middle of the woods.
The most important new addition participants will have to face, regardless of the route chosen, is the long and challenging single track from Col da La Chiusa to the hamlet of malga Roncac (about 2.5 km for 370 m altitude change) where the descent will be clocked to assign prizes for the three fastest times.
For a complete description of the Marathon and Classic routes: Val di Fassa Bike
Today’s press conference marked the countdown to the sixth edition of the Suedtirol Sellaronda HERO, the world’s toughest mountain bike race and which this year will assign the marathon world titles. On Saturday 27 June the HERO has the honour of hosting the UCI Marathon World Championships and there is no better setting for such than the magnificence of the Sella Group.
The first man to pass the 87 kilometre finshing line and the first woman to cross the 60 kilometre line will have the honour of wearing the rainbow jersey presented by the UCI, it the World Cycling Federation. There will be 4015 bikes from 50 countries, and if a handful of them only may have the chance to win the title the remaining 4000 will have the chance to prove themselves as ‘heroes’, by finishing what is considered to be the world’s toughest mountain bike race.
With an elevation difference of 4700 metres in the 87 kilometre route (and of 3400 metres in the 60 kilometre route) the Suedtirol Sellaronda HERO is something more than a long distance mountain bike race.: «It is a biker’s dream to become a ‘hero’; and for many it is a project which starts a year in advance of the race itself and preparation becomes a part of daily life – so says Peter Runggaldier , an ex ski champion and now the marathon race director – and to boast of the title of HERO has become more and more the goal of many bike enthusiasts». These enthusiasts often have to resign themselves to be in a waiting list so as to participate for the initial number of race registrations made available is always sold out in just a few hours. Many many wish to take part in the Suedtirol Sellaronda HERO.
The race taking place on Saturday 27 June in Selva Gardena will be the third World Championship Marathon which Italy has hosted, after those of 2008 in Villabassa, in the province of Bolzano, and the one held in Montebelluna (Treviso) in 2011.
Great champions to line up.
The cream of the world’s long ditance mountain bike elite will be at the starting line of the HERO with just one thing in mind: to win the 2015 world title.
One name which stands out is Jaroslav Kulhavy, Olympic champion in London in 2012 and who has already had some great results in Italy, including the World Championship Marathon event in Montebelluna in 2011. One who might battle it out with the Czech rider is the Swiss biker Christoph Sauser who has two world titles to his name (cross-country in 2008 and marathon in 2007) and an Olympic bronze in Sydney in 2000. Also a contender will be Leonardo Paez, the Colombian rider having won the last three HERO races and who makes no sectret of his intention to win the 2015 race as well.
As for the ladies all eyes are pointed on Norwegian Gunn-Rita Dahle, she having Olymic gold from Athens in 2004 and as many as 8 world titles, split beteen cross country and marathon. Another to watch out for is another Olympic champion, German Sabine Spitz, she winning gold in Peking in 2008. These two Olympians will have to fend off the challenge of Danish biker Annika Langvad, she the reigning World Champion, and the British rider Sally Bigham, she having won the HERO in 2013.
CONI supporting the HERO.
It was Giovanni Malagò who did the honours at CONI headquarters in Rome today: «It is a race which fills me with joy and makes me more than happy as it is an area I know very well. As with many other competitions held in South Tyrol the HERO enjoys a strong organisational network and I too am very happy to support it. The mountain bike is one of the cycling disciplines which enriches the Olympic movement and we are naturally very close to the Federation in this. As regards the particular discipline South Tyrol is something of a pilot region able to develop investments of a qualitative type in sport, and the HERO is certainly a testimony to such». Was how the President of CONI underlined the importance of this event».
The HERO: a truly eco-sustianable event.
The HERO takes place in the Dolomites and enyoys and a truly remarkable setting, it having become a UNESCO World Heritage in 2009, and the race organisers are keen to take all measures to protect the environment and to keep its beauty intact for future generations. «Apart from enjoying World Championship status this year our event is proud of an important recognition, in that it is about to be accepted as one of the Green Events of South Tyrol – informs Genni Tschurtschenthaler, Managing Director of the HERO – events which are organised thinking of environmental considerations, and we are more than happy to commit to reducing as much as possible the impact on the surrounding environment by adopting specific ecological measures.»
Another measure to be utilised by the Organising Committee and in keeping with the ‘green’ approach of the HERO 2015 is to appeal to the sense of civic pride of participants: near to the feed areas there will be ample rubbish deposit containers, and it is asked that the bikers keep all that they normally need to dispose of (creams, cartons, etc etc) until they reach the feed area and can get rid of all in the required manner. To support this beahviour it is also included as a race regulation that whoever does not respect such shall be disqualified.
The support of the Federation.
Alongside Giovanni Malagò also the Italian Cycling Federation, represented by its President Renato Di Rocco, who is happy to confirm the support of the FCI for the event: «We are happy to have supported the HERO throughout its growth and we have no hesitation in saying that it represents the best ‘global’ project ever to have been presented to the Federation. In particular we much appreciate the capacity demonstrated to unite and articulate the race itself with a tourism offer, and in addition to have ignited a very competitive attitude to the sport thoughout its entire home region. The Italian Federation is proud to support the Hero».
MTB cas a tourism product.
From the birth of the Südtirol Sellaronda HERO in 2010 the Dolomites peaks have become ever more a natural habitat for mountain bike lovers, this thanks principally to the development of paths by the public administration and other authorities responsible for management of the territory in question. This coming summer even more bikers will be able to enjoy the Dolomites, going off-road so as to explore all corners of this stupendous mountain landscape in great comfort and safety.
In this regard the four municipalities around the Sella Group (Val di Fassa, Val Gardena together with Alpe di Siusi, Alta Badia, and Arabba) have decided to come together and invest in the “mountain bike” product, creating new routes, and seeking as far as possible to distinguish cycling paths from trekking and walking paths. The aim is to offer to bikers a richer and more extensive choice of itinerary and to this end there is the Sellaronda MTB Tour, it enabling one and all to circumnavigate the four Dolomites passes with the asssitance of the uphill lift facilities.
When competitive sport meets tourism.
It is in this context that on Sunday 28 June that at Canaze in Val di Fassai on 28 June that the Italian Enduro FCI Championship 2015 will be held, it a ‘gravity’ competition that envisages timed descents of the four passes in the Sellaronda circuit in both Enduro and Freesride disciplines, some downhills already known and others in a continuing phase of development. Connections between the venues is by cablecar or chairlift. All in all the offer is a very integrated product/service in the tourism product range.
Representing the South Tyol branch of the national federation Antonio Lazzarotto declared: «The Hero is an important event in our area as it represents a stimulus for competitive activity and the development of such, and this from very young age groups up. The organisational standard and the image which the event enjoys is a matter of pride for our Federation».
A real mountain bike happening.
The HERO Bike Festival programme is also confirmed and for 9 consecutive days from 20 to 28 June 2015, the Dolomites will be the real heart of the universe as far is mountain biking is concerned. To add to the atmosphere there wll be round tables, shows, exhibitions, music concerts and many side events to do with the world of mountain biking. A world to discover!
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