Father and son’s ‘beautiful experience’ traveling to the Dolomites together to ride the Maratona

“Dad, we got to go do this, it’s going to be epic,” Frank Mizerski recalls about being invited to the 2018 Maratona dles Dolomites by Castelli, the apparel sponsor for the big mountainous ride in the Italian Dolomites. “When are we ever going to have an opportunity to do something like this together.”

This past year Dennis and his son Frank Mizerski, the father and son duo that owns and operates the Racer Sportif bike shops in Oakville, Ont. and Toronto, travelled to Corvara in Badia to soak in the atmosphere and take part in the Maratona dles Dolomites gran fondo. For them, it was an unforgettable cycling experience.

“I have done a lot of events in my life, there’s no comparison. People are so supportive,” Dennis says about the Maratona. “Imagine if you could close off three or four towns in Ontario. These towns are locked out and instead of complaining they come out and play music. Cycling, it’s a lifestyle here. It’s another way to look at life and we need to learn from these people.”

It’s no secret that cycling runs deep in many regions of Italy. The locals are passionate and the experience of riding every day on roads filled with other cyclists from around the world left an impact on Frank and Dennis. The Maratona isn’t just so well regarded because it’s held on some of the world’s most beautiful roads but the level of organization and passion for cycling that is harnessed is extremely powerful.

“You see true cycling culture. It totally takes you to another level because you aren’t exposed to the same experience back home. Everyone here is totally enthralled with the sport,” says Frank adding that it’s also amazing to get to a place with a more relaxed rhythm than the hustle and bustle of Oakville and Toronto.

The opportunity to ride the Maratona doesn’t come along easily. Most riders need to enter a lottery. As many as 33,000 people pre-register for the event but only just over 9,000 are selected to participate. Registration for the 2019 Maratona dles Dolomites opened on Oct. 18. Riders have until Nov. 8 to signup after which the lottery takes place. In 2018, riders from 69 countries travelled to the Dolomites to ride the Maratona dles Dolomites.

The Mizerski’s spent a week in Corvara in Badia to acclimatize for the ride. Usually, they can’t both leave the shops at the same time but the opportunity to ride the Maratona was too good to pass off. “Any time he’s ridden here is cause he’s racing and any time I have gone it’s because we both can’t go at the same time so he said at home,” Frank says.

“We decided we were going to do it together and take in this beautiful experience,” added Dennis.

The Mizerski’s thoroughly enjoyed their time in Corvara as they acclimatize to the time change and the mountainous terrain. Dennis prepared for the ride mostly riding outside while Frank used Zwift to get in shape for the long challenging Dolomite climbs. Getting fit for the ride is essential when you have to ride up passes like the Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Falzarego and Giau.

“Come in light,” Dennis suggests with a laugh. When it comes to actually riding the event, he suggests taking it easy at the start. “Some of the people are way over excited at the start. Nature will take its course once you get on the climb so don’t stress.”

“It’s a grind, prepare as much as you possibly can,” Frank adds. “The best thing you can possibly do is pace yourself.”

Most importantly though, enjoying the atmosphere and privilege of riding on some of the world’s most beautiful roads which are entirely closed for the event. “You just really want to take in the atmosphere, there aren’t too many events like this in the world,” Dennis says.

Pre-register for the 2019 Maratona dles Dolomites at maratona.it.