BigRingVR

Passo Staulanza (South side), a new Giro 2026 ride from Veneto, Italy is now available online!

Passo Staulanza (South side), Veneto, Italy
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2946

Distance: 14 km
Elevation Gain: 823 m
Elevation Loss: 101 m
Difficulty: 646 (Moderate)
FIETS Index: 5.42 FIETS

Avg Grade: 6.6 %
Max cat climb: HC
Min elevation: 942 m
Max elevation: 1764 m
Ride Category: Climb

Another stunning ride in Dolomites, Giro will climb it this year on Stage 19 which is widely considered the Queen Stage (the tappone):
https://www.giroditalia.it/en/tappe/stage-19-of-the-giro-ditalia-2026-feltre-alleghe-piani-di-pezze/

Passo Staulanza is an Alpine pass in the Belluno province of the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, positioned between the Civetta group to the west and the Pelmo massif to the east. The pass links Val di Zoldo on the south side with Val Fiorentina and the Cadore area to the north, and forms part of the Dolomite sector recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage landscape. A mountain refuge at the summit serves as a staging point for the Alta Via 1 trail network and for access to Monte Pelmo, Pelmetto, and Civetta hiking routes.

Passo Staulanza is regarded as a transitional but strategically important Dolomite climb in road cycling, frequently incorporated into multi-pass circuits linking the Zoldo, Agordino, and Cadore sectors. The southern approach through Val di Zoldo is considered the more demanding ascent, while the northern side from Selva di Cadore is more irregular and exposed to views of Monte Pelmo. The pass has appeared repeatedly in the Giro d’Italia, often as a connector between larger climbs in the eastern Dolomites, and was notably used during the 1980 edition contested by Bernard Hinault and Giovanni Battaglin.

Cheers!

Sandstone Peak (Malibu), a new ride from California, USA is now available online!

Sandstone Peak (Malibu), California, USA
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2869

Distance: 25.36 km
Elevation Gain: 795 m
Elevation Loss: 775 m
Difficulty: 644 (Moderate)
FIETS Index: 3.84 FIETS

Avg Grade: 5.51 %
Max cat climb: 1
Min elevation: 8 m
Max elevation: 705 m
Ride Category: Climb

The Sandstone Peak Climb is a premier test of endurance in the Santa Monica Mountains, starting from the iconic Neptune’s Net at the Pacific Coast Highway and ascending nearly 11 miles to the highest point in the range. The climb is celebrated for its steady, rhythmic grade, typically hovering around 5% to 6%, which allows riders to settle into a sustained tempo while navigating over 180 twists and turns. As the road snakes upward, the coastal fog often drops away, revealing spectacular views of the Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands to the west and the rugged, volcanic spires of the Boney Mountain State Wilderness to the east.

As you approach the summit near the Circle X Ranch ranger station, the terrain becomes increasingly "alpine" and exposed, with the wind picking up as the vegetation thins to low chaparral. This section is the heart of the climb, where the road reaches an elevation of over 2,300 feet, making it the highest paved road in the area. Because of its remote location on the western edge of Malibu, the road enjoys significantly less car traffic than nearby canyons, offering a serene, almost meditative experience. For most cyclists, the "Sandstone Peak" effort is the defining feature of the region, often capped off with a high-speed, technical descent back toward the ocean or a grueling extension onto the Mulholland Highway.

Cheers!