Innisfree Wheelers

The statistics above state it all - one of the most popular and tough sportive events in Europe took place on 4th of July last and Innisfree Wheelers had two representatives there - Pam Benson and Brendan Brogan. Unfortunately Brendan suffered from heat exhaustion early in the week and was unable to participate on the cycle challenge on 4th of July. However Pam was ready and able to tackle this massive challenge and was among the almost 9,000 cyclists participating in the very hot conditions in the Italian Alps. Congratulations to Pam for completing this extremely tough challenge on behalf of our club.

The race is actually divided into three courses of varying difficulty: the Sellaronda course, the Middle course and the Maratona dles Dolomites proper. All riders start at 6:30am in the village of La Villa (a.k.a. La Ila or Stern) and complete the four pass Sellaronda course first. After completing the Sellaronda course riders can either choose to finish the race or proceed directly onwards with the Middle course.

As the Maratona course is an extension of the preceding shorter Middle course, riders wishing to tackle the full Maratona dles Dolomites have to proceed with the Middle course.[All three courses lead the riders through the Dolomite mountains around the Sella Group and over roads, where legendary rides by great champions of the Giro d’Italia have taken place.

The Sellaronda course starts in the village of La Illa and finishes in the village of Corvara. The course goes clockwise around the Sella mountain group. Four passes must be surmounted to finish the course. After the start the course follows the main road through the Badia valley to the village of Corvara.

The ascent to Campolongo Pass (Ladin Ju de Ćiaulunch) begins immediately behind the village. After crossing Campolongo Pass the course descends to the village of Arabba in the Fodom valley; from there it climbs to the Pordoi Pass (Ladin Jouf de Pordoi) and then descends into the Fassa valley. There the climb to the Sella Pass (Ladin: Jouf de Sela) begins, from which the riders descend into Val Gherdëina (Gardena valley).

The last pass the Sellaronda course traverses is the Gardena Pass (Ladin: Ju de Frara). From it the course begins its final descent towards the finish at Corvara.

Passes:
- Campolongo Pass: 5.8 km, Gradient: 6.1%
- Pordoi Pass: 9.2 km, Gradient: 6.9%
- Sella Pass: 5.5 km, Gradient: 7.9%
- Gardena Pass: 5.8 km, Gradient: 4.3%
Total distance: 55 km (34 mi)
Total altitude difference: 1,780 m (5,840 ft)

The roads are lined with tens of thousands of cheering spectators and the entire event is broadcast live on Italian national broadcaster. Along the courses seven refreshment stations are manned by volunteers, where riders can strengthen themselves with foods and drinks, varying from sports drink to coffee to Strudel or Speck sandwiches

See some pictures from the event here