Introducing: Markus from Hotel Pider

A conversation with Markus Rubatscher from the Hotel Pider in La Valle about mountain passes, breaks, and why he has been a Bikehotel from the very beginning.

Markus, why did you become a Bikehotel?
The reason is quite simple: I’m a cyclist myself. From my own experience, I know what you need after a long ride – a safe place for your bike, someone who truly knows the routes, and above all, no one who looks at you strangely when you arrive at dinner sweaty. For me, it was never a matter of concept, but of attitude.

And you’ve been doing this for a while, right?
Since 1998 – so quite a long time indeed. What still makes me especially happy today: there are guests from the very first years who keep coming back. Not necessarily every season, but they return. And honestly, that means more to me than any award.

What sets you apart from other Bikehotels?
We’re a family-run business – and you can feel it. If you have a question about a tour, you’re talking to someone who knows the area because they’ve ridden there themselves. Not because they read about it in a brochure. Whether it’s me or someone from my family – you always have a direct contact you can trust.

Why is La Valle such a great starting point for cycling?
From here, you have 360-degree possibilities. The major passes – Gardena, Campolongo, Falzarego – are practically on your doorstep. At the same time, the valley is a dead end in the best sense: once you arrive here, you’ve truly arrived. It’s quiet, manageable, and you can fully focus on riding.

What do you personally prefer to ride?
In the quieter months, I like to take the road bike – long tours, over a hundred kilometers, just letting the legs spin and clearing my head. In high season, I switch to the MTB. Then it’s less about ticking off kilometers and more about really enjoying the landscape.

Imagine: a day off, sunshine. Which tour do you choose?
With the road bike, I ride up Passo Giau – simply unbeatable. With the MTB, I do the Santa Croce loop and finish via trail 15B. And if I take the e-MTB, then I go all in: La Valle, over to Fanes, across the Posporcora pass, down to Falzarego and back to La Valle. A long day – but a really great one.

Finally, a quick round of questions:

• Espresso or cappuccino? Espresso, no sugar – or actually, tea as well.
• Hardtail or gravel bike? Hardtail.
• Kaiserschmarrn or shepherd’s maccheroni? The shepherd’s maccheroni win.
• Furkel Pass or Würzjoch? Furkel Pass.
• Cake break or keep going? Always a break. Always.
• Sellaronda in August? Very gladly with MTB or e-MTB, also with a road bike – but we avoid peak times.
• Solo or group? Preferably in a group. It’s simply more fun together.