---
aliases: ["Ride the Stelvio Pass"]
Is A: Goal
Belongs to: "[[2025]]"
Status: Done
---
# Ride the Stelvio Pass

The Stelvio Pass is one of the most iconic climbs in professional cycling: 24.3 km at 7.4% average gradient, reaching 2,758 meters of elevation. Completing a full ascent has been a bucket-list goal for years and represents the intersection of [[responsibility-health-fitness]] and personal ambition. After successfully completing two gran fondos in 2024 ([[2024-complete-two-gran-fondos]]), the Stelvio was the natural next challenge.

## Success criteria

- Complete a full ascent of the Stelvio Pass from Prato allo Stelvio (the classic east side)
- Finish under 2 hours 15 minutes
- No mechanical issues or health incidents during the climb
- Maintain [[measure-cycling-km-per-month]] above 500 km during the 3-month build phase
- Sustain [[measure-resting-hr]] below 52 bpm during peak training

## Key milestones

- Begin structured climbing-specific training block in March 2025
- Complete at least 3 alpine climbs of 1,500+ meters elevation gain as preparation rides by May
- Ride the Stelvio in June or July, weather permitting
- Document the ride for a potential newsletter essay on [[topic-cycling-training]]
- Recover and return to baseline training volume within 2 weeks

## Notes

- Completed the Stelvio in late June 2025 in 2 hours 8 minutes. Under the 2:15 target by 7 minutes.
- The climbing-specific training block made a significant difference. Focused on sustained threshold efforts and long climbs in the Dolomites during April-June.
- [[measure-resting-hr]] averaged 50 bpm during peak training, indicating good aerobic adaptation.
- Weather was perfect on the day. Started early (6:30 AM) to avoid afternoon traffic and wind.
- Wrote a newsletter essay about the experience that became one of the most-engaged issues of the year. Personal stories consistently outperform tactical content.
- This was the most personally meaningful goal completed in 2025. The physical challenge is a reminder that capacity is often self-limited.
