Brunico Bike Opening

Last Saturday, May 18, 2024, we were able to take part in the first edition of the Brunico Bike Opening (BBO), a unique event open to the public and to all bike lovers in all its forms.

The Brunico Bike Opening was held in the center of the South Tyrolean town, part of the Plan de Corones ski area, in an expo area of about 2750m2, and was the perfect opportunity for brands, participants and visitors to discover, display and test the latest in the MTB, Gravel, Strada and E-Bike sectors.

But let’s take a step back as our adventure begins earlier, on Friday the 17th to be precise, guests at the Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz, a 5-star hotel designed by mountain lovers for mountain lovers, inspired by South Tyrolean legends of alpine sports, the variety of landscapes in South Tyrol and the creativity of designer Matteo Thun.

Positioned in close proximity to the valley station of the gondola lift to the 119km of slopes of Plan de Corones, the hotel offers comfortable, bright rooms and suites, two swimming pools, one of which is a rooftop pool, a wellness area with a gym, sauna and steam room, and even an indoor climbing wall.

Pampered by the hotel’s attentive staff, we immediately refreshed ourselves at the 7Summit restaurant, whose main focus is on local South Tyrolean cuisine with its refined and assertive flavors. Exactly what we needed to prepare us for the active day ahead the next day.

On Saturday, in fact, we meet early in the morning riding our e-bikes provided by Cube Bikes and, once we have strapped on our Smith helmets, we are ready to set off to explore the area in the company of our guide. We are first taught the basics such as proper shifting, braking, cornering technique and proper weight shifting, and then we are immediately ready to launch ourselves into the midst of dense forests of unspoiled beauty, passing rustic huts, quaint little churches, green meadows and placid villages that seem straight out of a storybook.

The tour ends in the center of Bruneck where we find Town Hall Square equipped with test tracks, a bike workshop where anyone can check-up their two-wheeler, and lots of brands ready to show the public their top products and new products for the Spring/Summer 2024 season.

Among the activities available, the Outdoor Center Kronplatz, Bike School Kronplatz and the Vitamina F Bike Club provided a free program that gave the opportunity to participate in technical training and “small” tours, both for beginners and experts. There was also no shortage of space dedicated to the little ones to help them discover this amazing world. Music, entertainment moments and refreshment stations framed this wonderful day ensuring that we had an all-around good time.