Ironman Wonderland

The Selle Pass, 2240mt.

Home base, Ortisei, in the shadow of the Selle.

Farm diggs at Sule-Hof in Ortisei. Hospitality in the extreme.

Free parking.

My favorite neighbor at Sule-Hof. This is Sven. Conveniently, he's carry-on size...

Carbo-loading, and this guy. Home sweet home.

Bianchi love, thanks to the boys at Dolomiti Adventures in Selva, a bike shop worthy of a serious cycling town.

Dreamy bike path. Front view.

Rearview.

The world as it should be.

Italians on point.

This shot's for dad. How do I join this wheelhouse?

The top of Gardena Pass. I used to think of this as Tiffany Blue...

15% grades are almost forgettable in all this grace.

Saints everywhere, in a neighborhood where all roads lead up, and up, and up.

The upside to all this up.

Mar Dolomit: 25 meters, with a beer garden, wave pool, and water slides on the side. Happy mermaid.

The Selle Pass

The Selle Pass

What to do with thunderstorms

I’m just back from a training intensive in the Dolomites, an otherworldly mountain range at the northeast tip of Italy. Also known as Ironman Wonderland, if, like this girl, your facing the steep ascents of Whistler’s Ironman Canada in T-4 weeks. Days of 15% grade climbs, long swims, and cliff top runs interrupted by nothing but thunderstorms have a way of distilling focus, wiping the slate clean. I’m a big believer in the power of retreat. Or, rather, advance. As well as in Barolo, speck, and gorgonzola. So things worked out. And don’t be surprised if you find an invitation to next year’s Sellaronda. Wonderland indeed.