stt important-information

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Important information

 

On the 11th of July there will be the start of the five edition of the South Tyrol Trail and you will ride your bike through all the South Tyrol region following the selected route, Extreme, Gravel or Road.

The meeting is set at 8:00 am in the square of Malles Station (BZ), Station Street, for the delivery of the nameplates. The start will be at 8:30 am.

 

Welcome meeting on July 10th (the day before the start).

For everyone that is interested, the welcome meeting is set for the day before the start (Friday, July 10), at 6:00 pm in the square of Malles Station, with free parking lot. At 8:00 pm we will go to eat pizza (or something else) in the “Im Sport Well” pizzeria, Via Glorenza 7, near the station and the sports area. At the end of the evening there will be a raffle of prizes offered by our sponsors Sportler – Odlo – Oxeego, and the delivery of some gadgets to all participants. We therefore advise you to be present at this nice evening, even only to get to know each other and exchange some advice.

For those who want it, it is possible to sleep for free inside a school gym not far from the station square with your own sleeping bag and mattress. Those wishing to make use of the gym will have to send an email to info@meranobike.it

If you arrive by car, you can park for free at the Malles Station parking lot. However, in my opinion, it is perhaps more convenient to park your car in the free parking lot in front of Merano Station and then take the train (departures are every half-hour) to Malles. By doing so, when returning from Dobbiaco/Toblach, the journey will be shorter and you can start off again faster by car towards Bolzano.

On Friday, the Merano Station parking lot will be available only from 5:00 pm, as every Friday, from 5:00 am to 5:00 pm, the lot is busy because of the local market. So you have to be sure to be back by Thursday night. You also have to park in the north half of the lot (on the side of the bar-pizzeria), because the other half will be occupied by the market on Tuesday. If you plan to stay longer, you can park for free in the nearby street, Via 4 Novembre.

 

Description of the route.

As you know, the South Tyrol Trail is an “unsupported” event, so there will be no support for the participants during the event.

Please always remember that phone numbers to use in case of emergency are:

  • Health Care:  112

If needed, you can contact us

  • organizer: Maurizio Deflorian 3386616765
  • co-organizer and Sportler responsible: Thomas Strozzega 3351403217
  • Camping Olympia (arrival): 0474972147

In compliance with the road code each participant must own:

  • position lights;
  • Reflective waistcoat;
  • bell.

If by following the route you are forced to drive the wrong way up a one-way street, it is recommended to get off the bicycle and go on foot.

If by following the route you are forced to drive on roads closed to bicycle traffic, it is recommended to get off the bicycle and go on foot.

In particular, in Merano, the streets Via dei Portici, Via Cassa di Risparmio and the little bridge near the thermal baths can be traversed by bike only from 6 pm to 10 am, while in daytime you will have to drive the bike by hand.

Along the route you will often find a railway or roads to the nearest station to be used in case of early withdrawal, flat tires or any other need.

Along the trail and in every town you will also find plenty of bed & breakfast rooms with great prices. If you are bringing a tent and sleeping bag with you, you will easily find many campsites, and you can also make use of the clearings in the many forests you will cross!

I suggest you to use the Google Earth software to find out where are the eating/sleeping places along the way.

Along the way there will be plenty of water, usually every half-hour you can find it by the little fountains in the towns but also in the cafés, if needed. It is recommended to bring a bottle of water with you. If you drink a lot, bring a second one just to be sure.

In the first part of the route, in the Venosta valley, you will often be following the Waalwege, the service paths for the small historical irrigation canal. These are quite narrow paths, with the canal to the right and a slope to the left, even though they are often protected by wooden handrails. Pay particular attention to these paths, and if you do not feel safe please get off your bike.

 

 

Arrival at  Olympia camp site

The arrival of the South Tyrol Trail will be at  Olympia camp site in Dobbiaco/Toblach, Via Camping 1, between Villabassa/Niederdorf and Dobbiaco/Toblach (free usage of showers and swimming pool on arrival, overnight 10% discount).

Before entering the campsite, on the right, there is a small wooden house for bicycle rental. Under the banner of arrival, in front of a window, you will find a sheet where you will have to write your name, last name, day and time of arrival. You can also give me a phone call a couple of hours before you get there, so that I’ll be waiting for your arrival while taking some pictures. The camp site gates will be always open, even at night, and immediately behind the main building you will find baths and showers at your disposal. You will also be able to settle in a free site and register the next day.  Olympia camp site has two bar-restaurants, and the restaurant “Baita” is the one we made an agreement with. To travel back home, you can go to the train station of Villabassa, about 2 km from the campsite. You can bring your bicycle on all the trains, which leave exactly every half-hour (on daytime). For more information, please use the trenitalia.com website.

I strongly advise you to bring waterproof clothing with you. Please do not underestimate the possibility of finding bad weather conditions; furthermore, as the route reaches 2000 meters in altitude, it may also be bitterly cold. In any case, along the way there will be several buildings where you can find shelter. If you only use your tent, please plan to sleep in a valley location and not in the mountains, as the temperature difference between day and night is not negligible at high altitudes.

 

Using GPS

As you know, you need to be able to use your GPS properly. Pay attention to the GPS battery. Please make sure it is always charged or bring a replacement battery with you.

 

Following the route

You need to be able to load the route on the GPS and follow it. With most of Garmin devices, in order to follow the route properly, you just have to select the route from the South Tyrol Trail and click “show on map”. You need to be able to view the route in all its length.

 

Recording the followed route

While reaching Dobbiaco/Toblach, you will have to record your path in order to prove your actual travel along the South Tyrol Trail. I suggest saving the route at the end of every day. You can use this group https://www.facebook.com/South-Tyrol-Trail-709587582442426/?fref=ts for sharing photos and videos during the event or #southtyroltrail. Once you have finished the South Tyrol Trail, please send me an email reporting : • day and time of arrival • gps-recorded travel • address for the shipping of the “finisher” certificate • any of your considerations on any sections of the route that you did not enjoy following, in order to improve the route for the next year, or tips on the organization.

Please contact me if you have any problems. Thank you and have fun!