---
aliases: ["Cycling Trip: Dolomites"]
Is A: Project
Belongs to: "[[25q2]]"
Advances: "[[responsibility-health-fitness]]"
Status: Done
Owner: "[[person-luca-rossi]]"
---
# Cycling Trip: Dolomites

## Overview

This was the centerpiece event of the 2025 cycling season — a 5-day cycling trip through the Dolomites with [[person-paco-furiani]], tackling two of cycling's most legendary climbs: the Stelvio and the Mortirolo. The trip totaled approximately 650km with over 12,000m of elevation gain, and it represented the culmination of the training work from [[25q1-strength-program]] and the 2025 season plan outlined in [[24q4-cycling-year-review]].

The trip was planned as both a personal challenge and a goal completion event for [[2025-ride-stelvio]]. Route planning, accommodation booking, and logistics were handled in April-May, with the ride itself taking place in the second half of June when the high-altitude passes are reliably open and the weather is most favorable. Each day featured one major climb plus connecting roads through the valleys.

## Goals

- Complete the Stelvio from Bormio (the hardest side: 21.5km, 1,533m elevation gain, avg 7.1% gradient)
- Complete the Mortirolo from Mazzo (12.4km, 1,300m elevation gain, avg 10.5% gradient)
- Ride 5 consecutive days with an average of 130km and 2,400m elevation per day
- Maintain a sustainable pace throughout — no bonking, no mechanical failures, no injuries
- Document the trip with photos and notes for the vault and a potential newsletter piece

## Key decisions

- **Stelvio from Bormio, not Prato.** The Bormio side is considered the hardest but also the most dramatic — 48 hairpin turns through alpine scenery. The Prato side is more famous (classic from the Giro d'Italia) but less challenging. Chose difficulty over fame.
- **Self-supported, not organized tour.** Rather than joining a commercial cycling tour, planned the trip independently. This allowed full control over pacing, rest stops, and daily distance. Carried minimal gear (jersey pockets + a small saddle bag) and relied on valley-town hotels rather than mountain huts.
- **Rest day strategy: active recovery on day 3.** Rather than a full rest day mid-trip, did a short flat recovery ride (50km, no significant climbing) on day 3. This kept the legs moving and prevented the stiffness that comes from a complete rest day mid-tour.

## Notes

- The Stelvio was everything expected and more. Completed the climb in 2:08, which was within the target window (sub 2:15). The final 5km above the tree line, with the glacier visible ahead, were genuinely transcendent. The strength training from [[25q1-strength-program]] made a noticeable difference — upper body and core held up far better than they would have a year ago.
- The Mortirolo was harder than the Stelvio in terms of pure suffering. The sustained 10%+ gradients for 12km with minimal respite are relentless. Finished but it required every ounce of mental discipline. [[person-paco-furiani]] later said it was the hardest thing he has done on a bike.
- Nutrition strategy (eating every 25 minutes, starting from the first pedal stroke) worked perfectly. No bonking episodes across all 5 days. This was a direct application of the lesson from [[24q2-spring-gran-fondo]].
- Day 4 featured unexpected rain on the descent from Passo Gavia, which made the wet hairpins genuinely nerve-wracking. Descended very conservatively (brake check every turn) and lost about 40 minutes compared to the planned schedule. Safety over speed — always.
- The trip generated a newsletter issue ("What Climbing the Stelvio Taught Me About Endurance") that became one of the most engaged pieces of the year. The personal story format resonated strongly with readers, even those who do not cycle.
- [[measure-cycling-km-per-month]] for June peaked at 1,450km — the highest monthly total ever. The Dolomites trip alone contributed 650km of that.
