{"id":48,"date":"2018-03-13T05:20:43","date_gmt":"2018-03-13T05:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bikeodyssey.cc\/what-becomes-of-the-lionhearted\/?p=48"},"modified":"2020-06-16T04:55:55","modified_gmt":"2020-06-16T04:55:55","slug":"getting-ready-lionhearted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikeodyssey.cc\/what-becomes-of-the-lionhearted\/2018\/03\/13\/getting-ready-lionhearted\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Ready to Be Lionhearted"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Glimpse of What is on the Horizon<\/h3>\n

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The Mighty Dolomites<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Departure is Edging Nearer<\/h3>\n

After almost a year of anticipation the Lionheart tour grows closer. It\u2019s just on two and a half months away now and my mind is starting to become more focussed on the journey and challenges involved. It will be the fourth big bike adventure that Dianne and I have set off on together (not counting a couple of shorter trips to New Zealand) and we are looking forward to this one with just as much anticipation and excitement as the previous three. Dianne would probably say that my biggest hurdle in any extended journey is choosing what gear to bring and actually packing it into my suitcase. While she has a point, what is exercising my mind most at the moment is the Dolomites. They come very early in the rich month of cycling that lies ahead, and there are a number of continuous days of strenuous climbing on the agenda.<\/p>\n

In getting ready for the challenges of the Dolomites, there is no problem finding enough ups locally to exercise my legs. We are lucky to live in a place with beautiful cycling terrain and a good selection of hills, including an \u201chors cat\u00e9gorie<\/a>\u201d climb literally just out the back door: Kunanyi\/Mt Wellington looms over Hobart like a benign giant and is rated the fourth hardest climb in Australia<\/a>. No, the trick is finding the balance between doing enough \u2013 but not too much! \u2013 work to get to and through the Dolomites and the challenges they present with enough energy left to enjoy the rest of the tour.<\/p>\n

Finding Inspiration<\/h3>\n

Of course the Dolomites are rich in the lore of cycling. Beautiful riding terrain  everywhere.  Challenging climbs, swooping descents and jaw-dropping views all draw cyclists from around the world. And for those who follow the world of professional cycling, there are many stories of heroic deeds to inspire us mere mortals up those long and winding mountain roads. And for the Italians, no-one is more inspiring than the great Fausto Coppi<\/a>. When Dianne and I did some hiking through the \u201cDollies\u201d in 2010 my dreams of riding there crystallised, especially after seeing the Coppi monument at the top of Passo Pordoi:<\/p>\n

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There are so many things that make cyclists passionate about what they do, and they certainly aren\u2019t the same for everyone. But for me, moving through beautiful landscapes under my own steam is one of the key things. And the legendary Dolomites, with their challenging ascents and exhilarating descents,  serves up beautiful landscapes in spades. But they won\u2019t be the finish or even the pinnacle of the challenges we will face.<\/p>\n

The Austrian Alps<\/h3>\n

Until we saw the publicity for Lionheart, Dianne and I had never really thought about cycling in Austria. And as it turns out, the biggest and most challenging climb of the tour will not be in the Dolomites at all but in Austria. It\u2019s the mighty Grossglockner Pass. It\u2019s scary, but oh so beautiful. If you\u2019ve got five minutes or so, check out this video from the Col Collective:<\/p>\n