{"id":22552,"date":"2025-03-11T13:50:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T12:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=22552"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:25:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:25:23","slug":"riding-a-saddle-runt-bike-is-even-more-beautiful-in-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/italie\/dolomieten\/sella-ronda-fietsen-is-in-de-winter-nog-mooier","title":{"rendered":"Cycling on Sella Ronda is even more beautiful in winter!"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you ask about the favorite route among cyclists, the Sella Ronda<\/a> Probably one of the most common answers. And for a reason. The magnificent views over the rocky peaks of the Dolomites, the delicious food along the way, and the often sunny days make this a ride that you won\u2019t soon forget. Ella rode this route this summer on the road and on the mountain bike and fell in love. In her enthusiasm, she exclaimed: \u201cI want to ski this too.\u201d But not only that, I want to ride it in the winter too. And that\u2019s exactly what happened!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Sella
Beautiful view on the Sella Ronda in winter (c) Mark Prinsen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Winter sports by bike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Instead of our usual winter vacation to the sun, this time it was a traditional winter sports vacation. The ski destination was the priority, which was quite a challenge with my limited skiing experience (read: a few days ago). Fortunately, my skiing skills were just good enough after a stopover in Austria to comfortably ski the Sella circuit on our first day in the Dolomites. By the way, also a great recommendation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we are packing the car, the neighbors are really going to wonder why we\u2019re packing skis and bikes. Even when we explain at breakfast that we\u2019re going to cycle around, they still think we\u2019re crazy. Maybe they\u2019re right, because during our stay it was very cold the first few days! After looking at the weather app, I circled our last day in the Dolomites: radiant sun and not least: temperatures above 0!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test drive in Austria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the evening we pack our backpack with extra gloves and a jacket. In Austria we also tested the Jaufenpas<\/strong> We cycled up, and concluded that there was no problem going up, but for the descent you really do need a lot more extra clothing. Around 10 o\u2019clock we set off from Canazei, first a little bit uphill and then right towards Pordoi. The views are even more beautiful in the opposite direction, but that\u2019s where we get the most sun, and therefore the most warmth, on the route! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ella
Ella on the Sella Ronda in winter (c) Mark Prinsen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In this environment, cycling in the winter can sometimes feel somewhat surreal. You pass by several busy ski runs and cable cars also intersect the road. I think this feeling is not only felt by the cyclist, because I get more directed attention and filmed from passing cars or people in lifts along the way. We also don\u2019t encounter any other cyclists, but this is also the great advantage of riding this popular route in the winter. The large number of motorcycles, cyclists and cars are then invisible in fields or roads, and you encounter little other traffic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the top of the Pordoi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We stop at the Pordoi to put on the extra gloves and jacket and descend towards the start of the Campolongo. These extra layers are quickly taken off here because the heat of the sun makes the air move even above the road. I wear my undershirt for the rest of the climb, but with the descent the winter jacket is still on. But I don\u2019t feel cold at all this day. The temperatures around the freezing point and the sunshine make for a lovely day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ella
Ella on the Sella Ronda in winter (c) Mark Prinsen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stop at Gardena<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having arrived at Gardena, we stop briefly at a shop. The woman behind the counter cheerfully says that there were cyclists yesterday too! Local people, of course, but we\u2019re not the only ones. The conditions are therefore really perfect for today\u2019s ride. The only downside of the slightly warmer temperatures is the runoff that comes onto the road later in the day. This means you have to be a bit careful in the curves, but because the asphalt is also warm, this doesn\u2019t freeze on the road unfortunately. With a slightly moderate speed on the descent and good foresight, you can get down just fine. The roads are otherwise completely clean, the passes are important connections between the villages, so these are well-swept. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a few hours, we reach the intersection where we turn towards Canazei. This route is also highly recommended in winter and a special experience. The ski scenes, the snow walls next to the road, and the quiet traffic make it a completely different experience than in the summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ella
Ella has plenty of attention on the Sella Ronda, (C) Mark Prinsen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Sella Ronda in winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want to do this too, I have a few tips for you: <\/p>\n\n\n\n