Guido Takes the Dolci Hatrick 

Into the Night: Day 1 is almost over

A Quick Single Rider Update - Thomas Quirk - Plus Dolci Release One

And They're Off: Preview for Dead Ends and Dolci!

Guido Toscanelli

Thomas Schlatter

Manuele Ghirlanda

Simon Imhof

Simon Casanova

Paul Merkel

Leonie Baumgartner

Kate Sommer

Pascal Yoncaova

Roberto Forni

Reto Aeppli

Anton Kiefer

Simone Allemann

Günter Hansinger

Freddy Mondale

Pascal Mayor

Matthias Treber

Moritz Kreilinger

Stefanie Maurer

Henri Walter

Tereza Langova

Hristos Fleturis

Thibault Raynaud

Timon Riedi

Thomas Quirk

Steven Ford

Evelyn Weiss

Peter Rinauer

Sylvain Follonier

Matthias Hausmann

Tobias Reischle

Jonas Klock

Bastian Bukatz

Quinda Verheul

Thomas Link

David Welz

Christian Juchler

Stavros Antifakos

Markus Stampfli

Oona Baumann

Gregor Pfiil Zimmermann

Howard Brundrett

Matthias Münzner

Ivan Gallati

Patrick Gerber

Lisa Banz

David Pleschko

Julia Holweck

Christian Gfeller

Dominik Süsstrunk

Laura Villiger

Lena Reese

Karl Rechenberger

Annika Kamper

Hanna Claesdotter

Daniel Züst

Ariane Richter

Lena Hehemann

Stefan Süess

Thomas Brunner

Si Gittings

Alexandra Casutt

Basil Wyss

Helen Adams

Niklas Kuschewski

Katerina Sedlackova

Mandy Birkner

Franzi Buss

Rolf Michel

Sabrina Belotti

Aurelia Zemp

Melanie Müller-Reichert & Martin Reichert

Vera Hunkeler & David Eychmüller

Lukas Müller & Benjamin Schreiber

Isabella Marti & sabine herzig

Stefan Grossmann & Tobias Kuster

Christian Biehl & Mark Henkel

Robert Strom & Patrik Balg

Julia Weder & Sandra Hohl

Nathalie Monnier & Fabien Monnier

Ximun Daguerre & Marie Daubagna

Marcus Cieslak & Simon Schreck

Daniela Lorenz & Sebastian Strohmaier

Franziska Stoof & Clara Köhler

Benedikt Mühldorfer & Simon Kleinfeld

Sophia Kühn & David Schor

Kathrin Koch & Holger Könen

Tobias & Andrea

Larissa & Luca

In the early hours of the morning, Guido arrived at the finish having ridden 405km in just 20 hrs 24 mins, an absolutely mammoth haul. Taking pretty much the most direct route to each CP, he had an efficient ride that has most certainly taken a lot of planning. Out of the first three, Guido's route has been the longest.

In second place was Thomas Schlatter in 26 hrs 25 mins	and then absolutely down to the last minute, third place saw Manuele Ghirlanda in in 26 hrs and 37 mins! A tight 2/3 there, with only 12 minutes between. All their routes where very similar, apart from Manuele's trip to Malconte where he road the banks of Lake Maggiore.

## To Fondue or Fondon't?
It's always a surprise with the Cake Movement, this year [Wheycation](https://www.instagram.com/wheycation/) have a mobile fondue station that is roaming around hitting up riders with some Fondue on their ride!

[https://www.instagram.com/p/DPXmGGpiCH6/?img_index=1
](https://www.instagram.com/p/DPXmGGpiCH6/?img_index=1)

We've also seen a lot of the riders stopping at the Camp Dolci overnight, there's been some interesting methods of keeping warm as the cool October air lies in the valleys:

![Screenshot 2025-10-04 at 09.10.45](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5RTXQgIMnZHceVEbEIXVFE/37907f29ea3e0b071513d2f29050d275/Screenshot_2025-10-04_at_09.10.45.png)

Our next Dolci reveal from Dominik:

## Checkpoint Pinci

Corona dei Pinci is a true Ticino classic. It's a long climb starting down at Lago Maggiore, with palm trees and a very mediteranean feel. Riders climb higher and higher above the lake on a road that is closed for cars. At the top we have 3 (okay, maybe 2.5) old stonehuts, where our bike-messenger crew sets up camp. They have no electricity and the huts are open to all sides... but the vibe is always great.

Not too many route options - but some Mountain bikers will dare the steep rocky singletrail down to the lake. 

__DOLCI:__ Brioche that can be filled with Pistacchio-Creme or Chocolate

The layout of the course means that the campsite, the start/finish, is where most of the riders will hunker down for the night. Dominik explained a little more about the campsite:

Riders are invited to camp for free at our camp from Thursday to Monday. We have a little hut with a kitchen, showers and toilets.Throughout the weekened the team will be cooking food with Pasta provided before the start and Pizza at the party at the end. During the event, the food will be sold at a reasonable price to keep it on a par with riders stopping elsewhere.

*"Last year we did the camp for the first time and it was amazing. It creates a unique vibe and that's what makes our little bikepacking family so beautiful. And even more important, it helps those, who are riding on a budget."*

*For the first time, riders are allowed to come back to the camp during the ride. Because Start & Finish is more or less in the middle of the checkpoints, this offers a good chance to resupply, rest and reset (without having to book an expensive swiss hotelroom). This may not be inside the usual self-supported rules, but it helps to create the best possible ride. And this is what we are looking for.*

![IMG 5429](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6b0pGYtp6DbQqGjaJGoB2f/145e98a707316e1ebf4120c6168c9e99/IMG_5429.JPG)

A fantastic initiative from the Cake Movement team to bring some community spirit. As the campsite is available to all of the competitors, it offers no advantage over another in terms of availability but those looking for a more competitive event are free to press on. Speaking of... 

Guido Toscanelli, last year's winner is currently 1 CP away from finishing. Having travelled a whopping 344.76 km in 17 hours, he's looking to finish any minute now and claim the crown.

The top group of women are Kate Sommer, Evelyn Weiss, Stefanie Maurer, Leonie Baumgartner, Simone Allemann, Lisa Banz,	Quinda Verheul. They are all pressing over 200km and it is too early to tell who will take the win. It is all to play for at Dead Ends as tactics make more of a difference than distance, especially at Dolci. Their overnight plans will most likely make the biggest difference so tune in tomorrow am!

![Screenshot 2025-10-03 at 22.13.38](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2DiJC2FDtSz8HTnNbSJU1a/068622b1897b714974ad4d8de6c5f337/Screenshot_2025-10-03_at_22.13.38.png)

[Quinda](https://www.instagram.com/quindaverheul_/) has been providing some great updates on Instagram, it's worth having a look at her stories to see what it is like out there.

Finally another Dolci delight from Dominik:

## Checkpoint Malcantone

Riders will get their stamp at Monte Faeta, a remote pass close to the Italian border. During the day, our volunteers will be there and hand out dolci. But as this crew is a three generation family business,from Kids to Grandparents - or Nonni in Italian, they will be in a small hut nearby at night and riders will pick up their Dolci there - at Cima Pianca.

Riders will either come up the Italian side and climb the countless hairpins of Pradeccolo - or the will climb the Swiss side from Novaggio.

### DOLCI: 
most delicious Brownies - made by the social organisation who rents out the hut at the dolci-camp.



Dominik sent through a roundup of the Dolci and we wanted to save each one for the updates throughout the adventure:

## Checkpoint Adula

This is one of the most breathtaking places of Ticino. At over 2000m above sea level (Dolci Camp is at 230 m!).

Before riders can go get their dolci, they have to play "Tunnel-Bingo". At the dam of Luzzone, there are three tunnels next to each other. One leads into the wrong direction, one leads to Alp Garzott, where riders have to get a coin which can be traded against a Dolci at Adula, which is behind the third tunnel. 

Crazy things - only in swiss mountains.

### DOLCI: homemade Crostate

aaaand there is a big surprise! To motivate riders we have built a Italo-Disco Machine. 

It is placed in one of the tunnels and has a motion sensor. As soon as a rider enters the tunnels, disco lights will go off and Gianna Nannini will start to sing!

![fdce90d7-cca2-4b98-87f8-55ec604815ee](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2SU63ocpueVbN0CCKx33tm/69422ff57760fdcb288e91c9a07708c4/fdce90d7-cca2-4b98-87f8-55ec604815ee.jpg)

We asked the organiser about who he thinks the best riders to watch are. Dominik mentioned some strong riders, such as Quinda Verheul, Simon Alleman, and Maria Ossowska. As is often the case, the Cake Movement entices some incredibly strong women to their start lines.

![Screenshot 2025-10-03 at 17.11.35](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3UzzHgQhB1UfQZlvTbSoMS/500dcb83ff41ad2f3edc74ae0520f247/Screenshot_2025-10-03_at_17.11.35.png)

However, we want to quickly talk about [Thomas Quirk](https://www.instagram.com/thomas_quirk75/)...

Quirk is the rider who brought his snowshoes in 2023. This year, again, he is trying to avoid any of those Dead Ends. Given the aim of the game is to ride those Dead Ends, it means it's a tougher challenge to miss them. This year he is armed with ice axes and a rope... we're glued to the screen to see what's happening. He and RSPB (Robert and Patrick) also took the ferry across Lago Maggiore.

![Screenshot 2025-10-03 at 17.12.02](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2QIqmro2ve1FnfSVuzNAJm/529bedee3d8c0b32d70e3407836b1534/Screenshot_2025-10-03_at_17.12.02.png)

Dead Ends and Cake, the more road orientated version, was tackled by Emma Pooley in 2021 who equipped her bike with some scaffolding foam to climb over the mountain passes. She set a trend, and laid down the gauntlet for the wildest adventure possible. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates.

[https://www.instagram.com/p/CQkvbKOBtDr/](https://www.instagram.com/p/CQkvbKOBtDr/)


Race organiser Dominik is ready and the riders were off nice and early this morning.

With the Start/Finish being in the middle of the seven dead ends this year, there are also some key roads that cannot must ride.

The organiser commented on these new banned roads here:
*Our goal is to offer you the best possible riding in Ticino. Therefore we have a layer of roads, which riders aren’t allowed to ride on. Mainly ugly and dangerous mainroads, and some to spice things up a little. 😉*

The road is primarily designed as a gravel/off-road race but the route will depend on the rider. In 2023, one rider brought his snow shoes so that he could walk between the checkpoints via the mountain shoulders!

The checkpoints can be visited in any order, the riders must go to them, collect a stamp and then get their sweet reward. Whoever has all the CPs and is back at basecamp is the winner, but at the Cake Movement it isn't about winning. 

![IMG 5437 (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6JPEcLkZriIrEDGylwnXFc/edd8c878a08f032403bc1841766d361f/IMG_5437__1_.JPG)

It'll be tough to keep on track so we'll break it down for you - the Dead Ends.

## Checkpoint Adula

This one is tunnel bingo, three tunnels - which to choose? Only the most careful planners will pick the right one. However, riders still have to go to the viewpoint at Garzott first. The valley lies at 800m and the CP at 2000m.

## Checkpoint Malcantone

Checkpoint Malcantone will be split into two with the stamp at Stamp at Monte Faeata and  Dolci at the Cima Pianca Hut (1.2 km Distance in between). The riders can visit in any order, at 1100m and from the valley at 700m it's a smaller leap but no less challenging. The views of the Italian mountains will be a sweet reward (and Dolci).

## Checkpoint Corona dei Pinci

The Cake Movement has claimed this as the most mediterranean climb in the event, with stunning views over Lago Maggiore. A paved climb leads to a small stone hut - no refuge awaits though. No sleeping or restaurant is here just the dolci team and a stamp. If reached from the road, this is a switchbacked journey along the Via ai Mont1.

## Checkpoint Palazi

An isolated mountain hut that is completely off-grid, only a water fountain for its users. What makes this ride beautiful for those coming up from the East are the tight switchbacks leading up from the Calancasa. They could even make a quick visit to the waterfalls!

## Checkpoint Prabello

The first ever CP in ITALY! This CP has many, many paths leading to it.Within touching distance of the summit, Poncione Di Cabbio, riders will have choices of walking tracks, gravel roads but no paved way to this CP.

Keep an eye on the tracking - as we update you'll see some photos arriving of these stunning locations.

Kitty Dennis

Ellen Martin

Guido Toscanelli Franklin

A sweet surprise awaits the riders at every checkpoint on this off-road race through the Swiss Mountains. To reach the checkpoints, the fierce competitors must climb five dead ends.

DEAD ENDS & dolci 2025 Tracking and Commentary

A sweet surprise awaits the riders at every checkpoint on this off-road race through the Swiss mountains. To reach the checkpoints, the fierce competitors must climb six dead ends.

DEAD ENDS & dolci 2025

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DEAD ENDS & dolci 2025

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