Sella Ronda on IDEA wheels

Italy brings together culture, cuisine and beautiful scenery. What if we combined them with a passion for road cycling and rode around the Sella massif in the Dolomites? That is exactly what we did with our new IDEA carbon wheels, and it was an exceptional experience.

Riding Sella Ronda on the IDEA R1 AERO was an exceptional experience

The goal: ride Sella Ronda

We chose the last weekend of September for pleasant temperatures, fewer cars and cyclists and off-season offers. It is an ideal period for road cycling, with comfortable weather and quieter roads. We stayed at the adults-only La Cort My Dollhouse hotel in Ortisei, with outstanding wellness facilities and food. It was about 30 minutes by car from Sella Ronda. Our ride began at the well-known Hotel Chalet Gerard, where we could park. We chose it as a good starting point for riding towards Passo Sella.

53 km and 1,650 metres of climbing

Our legendary Sella Ronda route covered 53 km with 1,650 m of climbing. We rode anticlockwise towards Passo Sella, the first climb from our starting point. Narrow, steep hairpins opened up changing Dolomite panoramas. We appreciated our wheels' stiffness and low weight: the carbon spokes transferred power efficiently on the demanding climbs. At the top of Passo Sella, we were rewarded with magnificent views, made even more striking by paragliders overhead. A short rest let us take in the landscape and reflect on how much good equipment contributes to comfort on steep climbs.

22 hairpins and a 7% gradient

The first climb was rewarded by a superb descent to a left turn after just under 6 kilometres towards Passo Pordoi. Traffic was heavier here, requiring extra care and concentration. After the turn, we climbed 22 hairpins at a 7% gradient. Sella Ronda is largely a succession of climbs and descents, so another wonderful descent took us to Arabba. We stopped for aglio e olio and espresso, then followed rolling terrain to Corvara. From there came the final and longest climb: 10 kilometres gaining 578 m. The iconic views from Passo Gardena were our reward. We then followed the contour back to Hotel Chalet Gerard for espresso macchiato and excellent strudel.

Who the route suits

The route via Passo Sella suits intermediate and advanced cyclists looking for a challenge and the beauty of the Dolomites. Steep climbs and fast descents offer variety for riders who enjoy a varied day on the road.

Our Sella Ronda ride was a physical challenge and an unforgettable experience in one of Europe's most beautiful mountain regions. With new IDEA carbon wheels, we felt part of a cycling fairy tale: the perfect way to end the 2023 season.