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Perfection on a bike

Everything fits

What matters about a bicycle is the interaction of many individual parts that together result in something completely different. One of mankind’s oldest technical marvels, the bicycle shows us that one plus one does not always make two. The...

What matters about a bicycle is the interaction of many individual parts that together result in something completely different. One of mankind’s oldest technical marvels, the bicycle shows us that one plus one does not always make two.

The geography of the Val Badia is not only perfect for hikers and climbers, but also for bikers! A lap through the valley or pedaling up to the pastures and plateaus, much is possible! The Fanes Senes Braies nature park is also ideal to be explored by bike. During the Maratona dles Dolomites, the Transalp and the Giro d'Italia, the eyes of the world are on Val Badia. Many thousands of athletes take part.

In Val Badia, all the villages have their own character. That's why it's always a good idea to cycle around them. If that isn’t enough of a challenge, then head uphill along forest tracks under pines, spruces, firs and larches. There are so many...

In Val Badia, all the villages have their own character. That's why it's always a good idea to cycle around them. If that isn’t enough of a challenge, then head uphill along forest tracks under pines, spruces, firs and larches. There are so many mountain bike trails available that you will find it hard to choose. On the Plan de Corones alone, five cable cars run even in summer, and 16 original and pristine downhill trails start from its summit. Most of them are of medium difficulty, although there is one for beginners and one you should not miss if you are a professional downhiller. You can choose between Franz and Hans or Andreas and Alex – and many more. Who wouldn't fall in love in the face of such beauty and variety?

At the end of the day, you’ll return to your starting point since the trail is as round as the wheels of your bike. The day may be over, but your bicycle seems unchanged. What has changed is the person who was on the road with it. And every day writes a new story ...

If you decide to stay at the Somür, you can bring your own “draisine” (that was the name of the first bicycle), but you don't have to. You can rent a bike from the rental shop in the village of San Vigilio, and there is an e-bike charging point, so if you bring your own e-bike, we have a place for it at the Somür!

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History

The bicycle has been around for about 150 years. A lot had to happen before people started riding mountain bikes or electric bikes. In the beginning, there was only the draisine, a balance bike without pedals, and only men were allowed to ride....

The bicycle has been around for about 150 years. A lot had to happen before people started riding mountain bikes or electric bikes. In the beginning, there was only the draisine, a balance bike without pedals, and only men were allowed to ride. Women were not allowed to wear trousers and could not work the pedals. They had to be accompanied by a man on a tandem or "sociable" (a kind of tandem). For a long time, riding a bicycle was rather dangerous. Bicycles had wooden frames and their wheels were lined with metal. When pedals were invented, for a long time only the front wheel was driven. In the late 19th century, the penny-farthing came into fashion. They looked great, but riding them required courage.