Dobbiaco to Pieve di Cadore

Link to Dolomiti days tre e quattro

We were slightly depressed to be moving on from the Hotel Pider, in La Val to start the third stage of our Italy adventure.  We were leaving behind extraordinary views, heated bathroom floors, and fantastic food of the South Tyrol, for the unknowns of Venezia.  After a couple hours of bus and train travel, we were exploring the small town of Dobbiaco, in the Sunday afternoon drizzle.  Not much happening on a Sunday afternoon in a very small town.

That evening we meet up with Angelina of Fun Active Adventures, to get our trip itinerary, and the bikes we'd be riding for the next three days.  These guys are another outfit I found online and had great communication with. We contracted with them for luggage transport and bikes for the next three days and 150 miles.



It was a bit cool, but the sun was shining when we departed.  After a not so quick stop at the tour company's shop for a bike switch and some shopping, we were off to Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The valley we would be riding through

Lago d'Dobbiaco

As this ride was following an old railway line from Dobbiaco to Cortina, the grade promised to not be steep.  Maybe not steep, but it was long - 10 miles worth of gentle incline along a gravel pathway.  There were mountain peaks everywhere, and I spent the majority of this uphill travel gawking.

Not paying attention to the road

Ten miles in we reached the summit, Passo Cimabanche, and started the long downhill to Cortina d'Amprezzo.

As this was an old railway, there were many "stations" along the way that housed the railway caretakers.  This is one, of twenty or so, we noticed.

Again, more peaks and more gawking.  Unfortunately, clouds were building causing flat light and crappy photo opportunities.

Tamara enjoying a short break while crossing the river.

Entering Cortina d'Ampezzo

We stopped in Cortina at a bike shop and inquired about a pizzeria.  The owner's son suggested one down the road, so we stopped in and fueled up with a pizza and Patate fritte (fries)!

No picture of the fries

Cortina

More views of Cortina

Close up

Another railway caretaker's house

After a long stretch of ups and downs we pulled into Pieve di Cadore and found our hotel.  That evening, while wandering around finding a place for an Aperitivo, it started to rain.  Luckily, we were done cycling for the day.

Stats
Distance: 43 miles
Elevation: 2200 feet

Link to GPS track

Link to tour to Venice day due