A strong week in the Dolomites is not about cramming in the hardest climbs possible. It is about building rhythm across consecutive days. Each ride should prepare the next one, not compromise it.
This five-day structure is designed for amateur riders who want a week that feels professional: balanced load, clear intent, and enough recovery to actually absorb the work.
Think of this as a template, not a rule. Distances and elevation can be adjusted, but the daily purpose should stay intact.
Day 1 — Arrival Ride
Open the legs, not the ego
The first ride sets the tone for the week. After travel, fatigue and excitement mix in unpredictable ways. The biggest mistake is starting too hard.
Keep this ride short and controlled. Ninety minutes to two hours is enough. Focus on cadence, relaxed climbing, and smooth descending.
The goal is simple: finish fresher than you started. You are preparing the system, not testing it.
Day 2 — The Classic Loop
Tempo climbing and steady fueling
This is the day for a classic Dolomites loop such as the Sella circuit. Multiple passes, steady gradients, and long uninterrupted climbing make it perfect for sustained tempo riding.
Ride this day at controlled endurance or low tempo. Avoid chasing other riders. Eat early and drink consistently.
If the day feels “too easy,” you did it right. The goal is durability, not drama.
Day 3 — Recovery Ride
Protect the week
This is the day most riders skip. It is also the day that makes the rest of the week possible.
Keep the ride short. Ninety minutes is enough. Flat or rolling terrain is ideal. Keep the effort light and the cadence high.
The purpose is circulation, not training load. A proper recovery day is the difference between surviving the week and thriving in it.
Day 4 — The Long Climb Day
Controlled intensity
Now the legs are ready for a harder stimulus.
Choose a route built around one or two long climbs. This is the day to include controlled efforts: long tempo intervals or steady threshold segments.
Avoid turning the entire ride into a race. Place the harder efforts intentionally, recover properly between them, and finish the ride under control.
This is the most demanding day of the week, but it should still feel sustainable.
Day 5 — The Distance Day
Endurance and patience
The final day is about distance and rhythm. Stack hours, not intensity.
Ride longer than the previous days, but keep the effort controlled. The aim is to finish the week with a sense of durability and resilience.
This ride often becomes the most memorable one. The body settles into the rhythm of climbing and descending, and the landscape begins to feel familiar.
Weekly structure at a glance
Day 1: Arrival spin, open the legs
Day 2: Classic loop, tempo endurance
Day 3: Recovery ride, protect the week
Day 4: Long climb day, controlled intensity
Day 5: Distance day, endurance and patience
This structure balances load and recovery so that every ride contributes to the week rather than stealing from the next day.
Fueling for the week
Consistency beats perfection.
Eat early. Eat regularly. Drink more than you think you need. Start recovery as soon as the ride ends.
A simple rule works well: finish every ride slightly hungry for more riding, never completely empty.
The quiet advantage of structure
Many riders leave the Dolomites feeling exhausted but not necessarily stronger. The difference is rarely fitness. It is structure.
A week with intent allows the body to adapt. A week without structure becomes a collection of hard days.
The goal is not to survive the week. The goal is to leave stronger than you arrived.
Endure we do.
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