The sun shines high in the clear sky, Cortina is full of snow. This morning i feel like skiing, staying outdoors, and trying someting new. I have been told that on Passo Falzarego, at 2055 metres, at Col Gallina it is possible to ski, but above all to ride down on a Fat Bike. Cortina is the only place in Europe where you cal live this experience, where the use of fat bikes is allowed also downhill. I am not a trained biker, but sunce exhausting uphill rides are not required, i feel ready to accept the challenge. Today is the day. First i get well equipped, with the help of informative material: “Fat Bikes are the direct evolution of mountain bikes, characterized by fat tyres. They have been created to get where mountains bikes cannot; the larger cross section of the tyres allows total adherence and the low pressure allows floating on soft surfaces like snow, mud or sand, or irregular surfaces like river beds”.

The right dose of adventure without prohibitive difficulties. Already excited, i jump in the car and drive to Col Gallina: a breathtaking view opens in front of me. Snow covers the Queen of the Dolomites, the peaks are sparkling, brushed by the rays of sunlight. I decide to wear ski boots and skis and after a few runs i slowly approach the Rifugio to rent my first Fat Bike and the neccesary protection. Raniero Campigotto, the owner, welcomes me and shows me the possibility to reach the top of the ski run by chairlift, and then to ride down one of the two dedicated courses: adrenalin is granted. Next to the Rifugio there is also a flat course dedicated to fat bikes, to train on snow without getting in the way of skiers and lovers of winter sun-tan. I look around and i see many young people, excited and amused. I have been riding a bike since i was a child, but i have to admitthat you just need to try a Fat Bike to feel technically better than you actually are. Be in the large size of wheels, that make the bike very easy to control, or the magic of Ampezzo Dolomites, but i have to say that i’m doing great. I take the chairlift, while the lift attendant loads the Fat Bike. When i reach the top i stop for a moment to collect my thoughts. I hold my breath and then…go! Downhill. Pure energy. Riding on the snow, floating on an amazing white blanket, totally safe , the crisp air lashing my face is much more than fun. I’m not tired, i ride softly and… i laught a lot. Those who seriously want a real workout can ride uphill, but this does not appeal to me. I ride down the groomed course, i pull on the breaks and while i see my face in the snow, surprisingly i remain in perfect balance. These big wheels offer a feeling of safety that i have never felt before. I start again, i ride flat out. When i get the bottom i want to do it again. i take the chairlift and with a smile on my face i go down. A tip to shy people: avoid it. These weird fat bikes call the attention of the ski pubblic: interested and curious looks, and at the end of the run also a lot of questions. It is not by chance that professionals in the field state that 2015 will be remembered in the history of cycling as the year of Fat Bike.

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