Cansiglio Bike Day 2023
In the spectacular Gran Bosco da Reme of the Republic of Venice - that is, the Cansiglio Plateau, which lies between the provinces of Treviso, Belluno and Pordenone - a day of biking and sustainable tourism is scheduled for Saturday, May 20. Thanks to "Cansiglio Bike Day 2023," a cycling and ecological event in its first edition.
This is the first time that this territory - with its thousand meters of altitude and a forest that is among the most beautiful and historic in the world, including a splendid native beech forest - becomes the protagonist of a day entirely dedicated to cycling.
An initiative presented yesterday in Treviso in the prestigious Palazzo dei Trecento (now the seat of the city council, but once of the Maggior Consiglio, which also met there as the supreme civic assembly) in the presence not only of regional and local authorities (first and foremost the president of the Veneto Region Luca Zaia, the mayor of the Marca's capital Mario Conte) but also of the president of the Association for the Heritage of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene Marina Montedoro, of Alpago Cansiglio Tourist Consortium president Cristiano Gaggion, Ivan Piol of ASD Dolomiti PSG and founder and director of Itlas Società Benefit Patrizio Dei Tos, which since 2009 has had a public-private agreement with Veneto Agricoltura, the regional agency that manages the Cansiglio Forest, for the use of beech logs cut on a periodic schedule with the aim of turning them into prestigious wooden floors and no longer, as was previously the case, into firewood.
The four legendary climbs of the Plateau for the entire day will be closed to motorized traffic and will be reserved only for cyclists and two-wheel enthusiasts. This is a preview of what will happen with the 106th edition of the Giro d'Italia.
"The slow movement of the bicycle, in silence, goes well with the natural environment of the Cansiglio forest, the Prosecco Hills, Alpago and the surrounding territories. This initiative," said Venetian governor Zaia, "best expresses all the potential of these territories, which are experiencing a magical moment of growth of an environmentally friendly, ecological tourism, in contact with nature. Favoring a widespread, sustainable economy that allows the birth of new tour operators and new proposals. Cansiglio Bike Day was born under the sign of all this and has the possibility to become one of the most magical events hosted in our lands."
For the president of the Association for the Heritage of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene Marina Montedoro, "the Hills continue to focus on sustainable tourism with the great events that have always characterized them, such as Prosecco Cycling, which this year turns twenty, the Nova Eroica Prosecco Hills, which last year saw over 1. 200 participants and which today, twenty days before the event, already has almost 900 registered, and the Cycling Stars Criterium, the Race of Champions, which this year will start from Pieve di Soligo. Added to these, for the first time, is Cansiglio Bike Day, an ecological pedaling involving two regions and three provinces. All united for a unique event.
All these initiatives related to bike tourism help the spread in our territory of a slow and sustainable tourism, which combines nature, culture, wellness and food and wine. To experience our Hills by enhancing them and respecting their environment."
Revealing an important detail was the president of Consorzio Turistico Alpago Cansiglio, Cristiano Gaggion. "It was Fabio Gazzabin (Zaia's former historical right-hand man, who died recently ed.) who had this idea. After his passing, a group of friends came together to carry out the project and create the various itineraries," he recounted.
These are the four climbing slopes chosen for the first edition of "Cansiglio Bike Day."
VITTORIO VENETO/FREGONA (TV) all-paved climb with the slope that passes through Osigo and climbs to the Crosetta with a length of km 20 and an elevation gain of 987 mt, very smooth climb with a maximum gradient of 11%.
VITTORIO VENETO/FREGONA (TV) all-paved climb with the slope that passes through Osigo and climbs to the Crosetta with a length of km 20 and a difference in altitude of 987 mt, very regular climb with max slope of 11%.
FARRA D'ALPAGO - MALGA MEZZOMIGLIO - CAMPON (BL) paved climb up to Malga Mezzomiglio then Gravel bike or MTB recommended, length km 18 for a difference in altitude of 973mt. Ascent with very challenging sections with gradients up to 16%.
CANEVA/SARONE (PN) All-paved climb with a length of 17.5km and a difference in altitude of 900mt, maximum gradient detected in some sections of 11%
PIANCAVALLO (PN) climb mostly on dirt roads Gravel bike or MTB recommended, length km 33 for an elevation gain of 690mt max gradient of 10%. Very scenic slope that winds all the way up.
