Do you often find yourself out riding with people you don’t know?
“Living near Lake Garda means I have all sorts of terrain close at hand: big climbs, valley bottoms, hills, and even the big passes in the Dolomites aren’t that far away. A very large number of cyclists come on holiday here, both professionals and amateurs. We meet up in the morning and set off in a group. As well as my usual bunch of friends, there’ll occasionally be the odd new face. We ride together for the first few kilometres and then everyone has their own plans or routes to follow. I have my training schedules so I often head off alone, at my own pace. When everyone’s finished their workouts, we meet up again on the road and end the session together. Cycling in Trentino is more than exercise: it’s a lifestyle. Just look how many amazing cycle paths and cyclists there are!”
What do you like most about cycling?
“I like seeing new places and meeting people. That’s the great thing about cycling. It’s also a great sport because of the variable nature of sporting performance: everybody can put themselves and their own limits to the test, in a very private, personal way. In some ways, I experience the same sensations as someone who only rides a bike every now and then, perhaps when they’re on holiday. Isn’t that wonderful? That’s not as likely to happen in other sports. Then there are the roads: amateurs can take on the same roads where professionals ride in races. Just think of the great climbs in the Dolomites, Monte Bondone and also the climb up Monte Velo. You can go there and relive the feats of legends in the sport. Alternatively, you can pedal along at a leisurely pace and have just as much fun.”
