WORDS: FEDERICO DAMIANI

It's not easy to condense three weeks in the United States into a few lines to tell you about the days we spent on the other side of the world, competing at Unbound and Gravel Locos in May 2023.

We won't even attempt a chronological summary because we wouldn't be able to do it justice. Even if we could, we're pretty sure we wouldn't be able to convey all the emotions and sensations we experienced living together for three weeks, moving from one home to another, and pedaling through three different states.

Here, we'll just share the five most beautiful things about this adventure we embarked on together. 

1 - Life “On the Road”

We certainly didn't live it like Jack Kerouac, but living a bit like nomads between Texas and Kansas left us with a taste of it. Check-ins and check-outs (not always straightforward) at Texan ranches and improbable apartments unfit for five people, alongside shared houses in Emporia and garages overflowing with bikes, added a unique flavor to our journey. Living like this, with suitcases always packed for three weeks, is something we definitely won't forget. And to make sure we don't, we wrote and drew on our helmets all the places, people, beautiful phrases, and meaningful encounters we experienced. 

2 - The Atmosphere of Austin

It's always a matter of expectations, and from a city in Texas, we didn't expect any of this. That's why it was even more delightful to discover an insane, lively, and dynamic community that welcomed us and kept us company for a week with social rides, evening events, and activities of all kinds. We had never seen anything like it, and if you happen to bring your bike to the United States, a visit to Austin is definitely worth it. The city is beautiful, and the trails just outside are even more so. 

3 - Crowd Participation in the Races

We're not used to having a crowd like the one at Pro races. In the United States, though, that's exactly how it goes. The start of the Unbound is set for 6 in the morning, yet Emporia is filled with people ready to cheer on the participants, from the first to the last. The same goes for the cities along the route, not to mention the atmosphere and excitement in the days leading up to the race. It's loud and clear that the epicenter of the cycling world in those days is there, on a boulevard in a small town forgotten by God, experiencing its moment of glory once a year. And they do everything possible to ensure that this doesn't go unnoticed. 

4 - Scale and Quantities

We always felt like we were too small for the United States. Everything is big: roads (both dirt and paved), cars, buildings, and the packaging of any food or drink at the supermarket. We quickly adapted, especially concerning food, because with all those miles to cover, we certainly didn't hold back when it came time to add an extra half kilo of pasta. 

5 - Being Together

The truth is, more than a team, we're a group of friends. Three weeks together were a true dream from this perspective - like going on a high school trip with your pals, but a few years later. Everything went smoothly, and we shared laughs and hours in the car, beautiful moments and setbacks (because we did take a few hits in the races), and it was all perfect. Coming back from this journey was a bit tough. When you're happy and doing what you love the most - in our case, cycling - you really can't ask for anything better. It's already Enough.