Sella Ronda day

The Sella Ronda is the short route of the Maratona. We set off to ride this route on Wednesday morning with a forecast of rain and thunderstorms. It was cool. The first climb was immediately as we set off. Passo Campolongo. 5.8km at an average of 6.1%. Absolutely stunning views in the mist - atmospheric. The 7 of us who arrived on Tuesday set off together and re- grouped all the way around. 

In Arabba we bumped into some riders from a group from in and around Manchester who were on a charity event. Coincidentally one of the riders was a woman I had met at my company's networking event only the week before when she was telling me about the jaw dropping ride she was doing over 8 days in the Dolomites. I was immediately in awe of her and felt humble by my training for my 1 day event. As I was being photographed at the top of climb 2, the Pordoi at 9.2km and an average of 8.8% she came past me and we high fived. I wished her well. She didn't stop. She still had a long long way to go. We stopped at a cafe at the top of the pordoi and had some cake and coffee and then off again. Next climb was the Sella 5.5km and average of 7.9% which was absolutely beautiful with a crazy gift shop at the top with hundreds of glass tortoises and squirrels for sale! After a lovely descent we then climbed Gardena 5.8km at an average of 4.3% and descended eventually into Corvara where we were staying.

On the day of the event, we then go past our apartment and on to the Campolongo for the second time before turning left in Arabba and heading off along the medium or the long route. 

Decent test of the starting loop for the event. Such stunning scenery. 

We went to register at the Maratona village and picked up our goody bags. A jersey. A gilet. A bottle. Loads of give aways. A race number. A timing chip.