South Tyrol enjoys a good reputation in Switzerland as a vacation destination. It also has a lot to offer for cycling enthusiasts. Something special is represented by the Sella Ronda, a pass circuit over four passes around the Sella massif as part of the Dolomites. The Sella Ronda is so popular that in 2012 the route was twice closed to motorized traffic and allowed only for bicycles.
Not only for fans of the Dolomites is the circumnavigation of the imposing Sella massif as part of the Dolomites an experience, but also for all bike fans who love the winding pass driving in the summer. The Sella Ronda has been known for quite a while from the ski area. Val Gardena, Val Gardena or Alta Badia are well-known names from the international ski circus. All these ski resorts are established in the European area. On 26 kilometers of slopes you can ski around the Sella massif since the 70's, crossing the Sella Pass, the Pordoi Pass, the Campolongo Pass and the Gardena Pass, which are connected to each other.
Sellaronda Bike Day & Eco Dolomites
As you can easily imagine, this route attracts numerous motorcyclists, because the four passes can also be conquered in both directions by motorized means or by bike on asphalt roads. The route is about 60 kilometers long and there are about 2,100 vertical meters of climbs. There is a bus service in clockwise and anticlockwise direction, which is adapted to the transport of bicycles. Since 2006, the Sella Ronda has been closed to car traffic on a Sunday from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., this year even twice, on June 24, 2012 and September 23, 2012, when the "Sellaronda Bike Day" takes place in June and the "Eco Dolomites" in September. As a new feature, e-bikes will also be able to compete in September. In addition, there are also social programs and vacation offers for those who want to take advantage of the opportunity to spend a few beautiful days of vacation there in the region.
Dolomites are a highlight
Those who have never seen the Dolomites will be thrilled. Switzerland also knows great pass rides over several passes, for example around the Gotthard, which manifests itself in the new race, the Granfondo San Gottardo (www.granfondosangottardo.com) and which will be held for the second time on July 22, 2012. But there is something that Switzerland does not have to offer: The Dolomites!
Having visited the region myself, I'm not surprised that so many tourists, even from Switzerland, rave about it. The fabulous jagged shapes that get bigger with every step, the higher you climb, are really impressive, the panorama into the valley sometimes breathtaking. And since the Dolomites are a mountain range belonging to the Southern Alps and spread over a wide area, at every point and in every rank new jags show up again and always from a different side, wherever you go during the circumnavigation, until you are completely surrounded by Dolomite jags, fabulous. Here, every city dweller sworn to coolness becomes a hot-blooded alpinist. It does not surprise me, therefore, that during my stay various Swiss racing bike friends have passed me, be it down the valley or with a steady kick up the height with a view of the mighty rocks.
The way to the round trip
On my journey through the South Tyrol towards Bruneck, I got to know a region full of traffic. Countless HGVs and motorcycle groups thundered through the valley along with all the long car queues and....
You can find the whole article in the issue 03/2012:
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