Inside Cycling’s Secret Dolomite Gravel Adventure | YOLOmites5000

5,000 metres of climbing. 120 kilometres. Steep gravel tracks, hidden roads and one very simple idea: how much climbing can you possibly pack into the shortest ride?

This time, we head deep into Alta Badia to uncover the story behind YOLOmites 5000 — one of cycling’s most unique and unofficial adventures.

What started as a slightly crazy idea between Igor Tavella and Jered Gruber has become an annual pilgrimage for a small group of riders drawn to the same unlikely combination: brutal climbs, beautiful roads, good friends and absolutely no rush.The number 5,000 was chosen simply because it sounded good. The first calculation suggested it would take around 120 kilometres to reach it.

Somehow, the idea stuck.In this episode, Igor and Jered take us back to the beginning of YOLOmites — from road bikes, rim brakes and 25mm tyres to modern gravel bikes, huge cassettes and mountain-bike gearing. They explain how the routes have evolved, why the ride remains deliberately small and invitation-only, and what makes the hidden roads of the Dolomites such an extraordinary playground for cycling.

We talk about surviving 5,000 metres of climbing, pacing yourself, the infamous YOLO Mini, nutrition, weather, the ultimate YOLOmites bike setup, and what happens when the ride gets really, really hard.

But YOLOmites was never meant to be a race. It’s about riding slowly enough to stay together. Looking up from the handlebars. Discovering roads you might otherwise never find. Laughing when things get difficult. And discovering that sometimes the hardest days on a bike can also be the most rewarding. Because there’s something about the Dolomites that makes the suffering worth it.

Recorded shortly after the 10th edition in 2025.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro

02:58 – Random Round of Questions

14:40 – What Exactly Is YOLOmites 5000?

16:35 – The Crazy Idea That Started It All

19:13 – Discovering the Hidden Roads of the Dolomites

20:30 – Road Bikes, Rim Brakes & 25mm Tyres

23:38 – How the Bikes Changed the Ride

25:35 – Why People Keep Coming Back

26:16 – What Makes the Dolomites So Special?

29:31 – How to Survive 5,000 Metres of Climbing

32:26 – Designing the Route: 120km, 5,000m & Counting

34:51 – The YOLO Mini: The Escape Route

36:34 – Food, Lunch Stops & Fueling the Ride

40:37 – What Happens When the Ride Gets Really Hard?

44:22 – Riding, Shooting & Surviving: A Photographer's Perspective

48:02 – Why Riding Together Makes the Impossible Possible

52:18 – Who Is YOLOmites Really For?

53:17 – Why Is It Still Invitation-Only?

58:15 – How Can You Get Into YOLOmites ?

1:00:30 – The Ultimate Bike Setup

1:05:31 – What to Wear in the Dolomites in September

1:08:37 – Bags, Pockets & Carrying Everything You Need

LINKS

⁠2026 Route⁠

2025 Route

⁠2025 Anniversary Video Recap⁠⁠

Castelli Story and Gallery⁠

⁠Pralongià Route⁠⁠

Hotel Ustaria Posta ⁠

CONNECT

⁠Jered Gruber

⁠⁠Igor Tavella⁠

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