Girona and cycling go hand in hand. In every circle of friends, there is at least one cycling enthusiast. In our group, we are all passionate about pedal adventures, spending our days dreaming of new trips, challenges, and joyful moments on the bike. This is how we began envisioning what seemed beyond reach. During a cold winter, while planning to escape Girona's hot summer, the solution was clear: the mountains.

We are Oscar, Javi, Marta, and Sergi, a group of friends who have shared numerous cycling adventures.  Oscar initiated this journey. His infectious smile, optimism, and outlook on life  captivated us when he proposed, "Hey, why don't we go to the Dolomites?"  For Javi and me, the Dolomites hold a special place in our hearts as one of the most  magical destinations we've ever experienced. The charm of those mountains and the  beauty of the landscape drew us back for the third time. Despite not knowing how and  when, our decision was set. Sergi was already prepared with his camera, envisioning  countless portraits to capture.  Castelli supported us from the start, guiding us towards Italy. La Maratona Dles  Dolomites awaited us... Although it was six months away, the day arrived quickly.  Uncertain of how ready we were, our passion and enthusiasm overshadowed any  doubts.

We departed Girona on Friday at 3:30 in the morning. Eight long hours later we reached Fonzaso, home of the Castelli factory. Before our arrival, we made a brief stop to enjoy an exquisite porchetta carefully prepared for nine hours by a road bar owner, also a former cyclist, reminding us of Italy's culinary excellence. Soren, Castelli's head of marketing, warmly welcomed us to the factory. Exploring every nook of the headquarters, we were pleasantly surprised to find a place that, despite using cutting-edge technology in garment manufacturing, retained a familial and artisanal essence.

Our journey continued to Corvara in Badia, pausing at Lake Alleghe for artisan gelato, another gem of Italian gastronomy. The road to Corvara set the stage for the wonders awaiting us at the Maratona, surrounded by the breathtaking alpine landscape. On Saturday, we joined a social ride organized by the Castelli family, a decision we were grateful for, as delaying riding in a cycling paradise would have been torture.

The sun was shining, the road from Campolongo Pass to Pordoi was spectacular, andwe kept meeting fantastic people along the way. What exactly is it about the people ofthis valley that makes them so cheerful and hospitable? Is it that they live in peace andharmony? Is it the power of the mountains? They welcome visitors as if they werefamily, and it is to be appreciated; they make you feel at home.

Sunday, July 7th, the day of the Maratona; we woke up at 4 am, had breakfast, and left the hotel at 6:30. The weather did not look very good. Suddenly, the reality of summer in the high mountains hit us: the road was wet, it started to rain again, and it was 9 degrees at the start. Dressed with Gabbas, Tempestas, shoe covers, and gloves, we were not missing a single item of clothing. At the start, you could see the fantastic occurrences of people who are used to going out on their bikes whatever the circumstances: plastic bags and overalls to cover themselves from the rain and the cold. The classics were back, and we were happy to see again the essence of the purest cycling.

Along the way, we saw different classic bikes. All possible materials a bike could bebuilt from were there. We could appreciate people from different backgrounds, withunique and peculiar stories. All of them climbing under the rain and cold, moved by onesame force: the love for cycling.

We started climbing Passo Campolongo, then the Passo Pordoi, we also completedthe Passo Sella, followed by the Gardena, and back to Corvara to continue with thelongest climb, Passo Giau and Falzarego. Javi and Sergi devoted the whole race toencourage the people who had the hardest time, they cheered and sang, they pushedthose who were not able to climb, they were the life of the party. Oscar, overwhelmedby the immensity of the landscape, watched with eyes wide open, the scenery thatlooked like a movie. Eight hours later we were all together again at the hotel where anoutdoor jacuzzi was waiting for us as a reward. We were exhausted!

That same evening Soren and Camila took us to dinner at Ustaria Posta, another oneof those places we would never have found if it wasn't for someone local to show usthe hidden gems. Ustaria Posta combines an Italian tradition with an Austrian influence, and cycling passion with exceptional hospitality. Thank you Eduard for your humor, affection andfor making us feel so special. We will be back soon!

On Monday, as cherry on top, we took the road to Mezzolombardo, where we had a very special visit to the Azienda Agricola Foradori. Myrtha and Emilio, the owners, welcomed us and showed us the family winery, where  they produce unique wines made with their Teroldego del Campo Rotaliano; very tasty  Pinot Grillo wines macerated for months, and Nosiolas, now almost impossible to find,  which they produced in earthenware jars.

We arrived in Italy with the purpose of completing a challenge as big as the Marathon of the Dolomites: 138km with 4230m of positive gain, but immediately what seemed to be the main objective became secondary. The impact that this trip had on us, has nothing to do with distance, watts or elevation, but with the hospitality and affection of all the people who welcomed us to one of the most spectacular places on Earth. They made this adventure an unforgettable memory. We return to Girona with happy hearts, full of new experiences that we are so thankful for and want to share with those around us. Thank you, Italy, it has been a dream!