Ultracycling – Go further than the rest

Lesedauer // Reading time: 6 Min. Selfie with Omar di Felice, star of the Ultracycling scene

Ultracycling is a somewhat crazier form of cycling. In autumn 2017, I accompanied one of the protagonists of this sporting torture, Omar di Felice, on his way to the Stelvio Pass. It made a lasting impression on me …

Before you read, please note: this post was translated with the help of Deepl.
If you find any errors – please have fun first and then give me a hint.

In spring 2017, I came across a captivating Facebook profile. Omar, a racing cyclist from Rome, posted photos of his rides up the snow-covered Stelvio Pass several times a day. Photos from the morning, afternoon and evening, always accompanied by profound and personal texts. At first I thought ‘just a cyclist, slightly crazy’. But at some point I became fascinated.

Nothing against cyclists. I also had two MTBs in my garage and my 40-year-old racing bicycle from my youth. I wanted to use them to balance out my office job – but, I have to be honest, they mainly served as dust collectors. Even with the greatest enthusiasm, I rarely cycled more than 50 kilometres a week. The climbs were too steep, the temperatures were unpleasant or the wind in Val Venosta was too strong – there was always a reason NOT to ride.

50 kilometres only elicited a mild smile from Omar – he rode them as a warm-up exercise before breakfast. His passion: ‘Ultracycling’. For me, even the short climb behind my flat was an ultra challenge; ultracycling, on the other hand, is about daily stages of 500 kilometres and more, 24-hour races, collecting five-digit metres in altitude, riding around entire countries or crossing continents – all without an accompanying vehicle or with minimal support. So, definitely ultra.

With this knowledge, I followed Omar’s marathon rides, rejoiced in his victories in endurance races and marked him as a favourite so that he would always pop up first.

Italy
Unlimited

Omar also wrote about his biggest project to date: Italy Unlimited. A solo ride on the route of the 2017 Giro d’Italia. Over 3500 kilometres, but not in stages, but non-stop. It was inevitable that this ordeal would lead over the Stelvio. And I finally realised: THAT’S WHY he climbed the Stelvio several times a day.

I wanted to see for myself. At the end of September, the time had come – I followed Omar’s journey across Italy via live tracking, and when it was clear when it would be my local mountain’s turn, I made my way to the Umbrail-Stelvio junction.

Not by bicycle, of course, but in a comfortable car. Since the start in Rome, Omar already had more than 2000 kilometres in his legs, having only interrupted his pedalling on the ferry from Sicily to Sardinia and the mainland. Night, fog and temperatures dropping by the minute awaited him on Italy’s highest pass. Snowfall was also on the horizon.

I tried to remain patient, but the cold won out. I didn’t like firing up the heating when I was stationary, so I drove downhill. Not far from the Malga di Bormio, a single LED light emerged from the thick fog, with a conspicuous escort vehicle flashing behind it – that had to be him. I stuck my fist out of the window and shouted ‘Forza Omar, sei grande!’ at him. He seemed to be completely in a trance and only replied a quiet ‘Ciao’. I turned round and followed at a respectful distance. I was able to use the cruise control, the chap was travelling so steadily towards his destination.

Ultracycling:
At night, alone, in sub-zero temperatures

At the top of the pass, he handed the bicycle over to his crew with the words ‘I need a plate of pasta’. I was later invited into the restaurant after devouring two portions of pizzoccheri. Omar thanked me several times for accompanying him and asked for a video interview. He was clearly delighted, as I was the only tifoso to venture up the Stelvio at this time of day and in this weather – it was actually snowing by now.

A likeable guy, with eyes that still sparkle even after this effort. Unbelievable. After my ridiculous bicycle tours, I was always cooked up and ready to be blown apart. Omar, however, started in Rome, rode non-stop to Sicily, around Mount Etna and across the island, then through Sardinia and from Genoa to the Alps, where he stood grinning at an altitude of almost 2,800 metres – and next set off for the Dolomites, next stop Passo Gardena.

After this encounter, I rode back to the valley extremely impressed and checked the tyre pressure of my MTB that same night. Because …

I can do that
too …

No, of course not a solo tour over 3500 kilometres. But getting up the Stelvio under my own steam – even I could manage that somehow? This thought had been buzzing around in my head for some time – but of course there was always a reason not to try. On this autumn night, however, the sight of this irresistible hero pushing upwards convinced me: ANYTHING seemed possible to me.

That very night, I promised myself that I would conquer the eastern ramp of the Stelvio by bicycle in autumn 2018, conquering the 30 kilometres, almost 1900 metres in altitude and the famous 48 hairpin bends. I knew that my usual 50 kilometres per week would not be enough training for this.

The start of my Project 2018. By the way: Felice means ‘happy’. After fulfilling my promise, I would be too.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the Stelvio Pass road, I have revised and republished my cycling texts from 2018. Have fun reading them again!