I've never ridden a bike before, or rather, I've never ridden a bike so seriously and passionately . Where I come from, there's no real cycling culture, unless you have a cycling enthusiast among your family and friends. Ever since I was a child, I've watched cyclists on the side of the road, wondering why they decided to take such risks, and I've listened to the comments of worried and annoyed drivers who tried to overtake them while maintaining an appropriate safety distance.
Then a few years ago I moved to Bolzano and discovered what cycling really means . A bike is almost always an essential part of the life of a South Tyrolean: that's how we get around here. Bike paths connect the neighborhoods to the city center, and road cycling is part of everyday life.
The world of cycling
One of the first things I did, besides learning to ski, was to get closer to the world of cycling. As part of a group ride, I had the opportunity to try one gravel, the dirt bike, a cross between a racing bike and a mountain bikeThe fashion of the moment. From that first real bike ride I became curious and so I bought one gravel.
With a view to taking hybrid itineraries and multi-day trips, la gravel It's an excellent solution precisely because of its versatilityI remember my San Candido-Bolzano ride via Lago di Braies: a long bike path with numerous detours and alternative routes. It was delightful to reach Lago di Braies via forest paths, crossing streams, muddy dirt roads, and a few rougher sections.
The racing bike
After a year and a half of adventures, mostly on paved roads, I began to develop an interest in road biking . After all, my daily training always involved riding the local bike paths.
Furthermore, I loved cycling the climbs in the surrounding area and the Dolomite passes , such as the four passes around the Sella Group, the Pennes Pass, between Sarentino and Vipiteno, and a few other significant differences in altitude.
That inexplicable feeling of wanting to reach the highest point, the thrill of the descent that achieves the conquest and then starts again… Racing cycling is meditation, a challenge, the thrill of speed and the industriousness of climbing. Effort definitely comes before fun. And I think cycling teaches you exactly this: tenacity and freedom through hard work. In gravel the pace is hardly frantic, the goal is to enjoy the journey.
Today I think I'm looking more for the adrenaline rush of road riding and challenging climbs, realizing that a racing bike would enrich my experience and increase my performance potential.
Zanolini's shop
After many trips looking for my first racing bike, I turned to Zanolini Bike , a long-standing dealer in Bolzano . Cristian Zanolini, a former professional cyclist, was extremely helpful in my search, suggesting a Gusto , a Taiwanese brand whose history also includes Tadej Pogacar.
By mentioning the brand's history and inviting me to delve deeper, I already knew he wasn't just selling me a product, but a precise understanding of cycling . The choice of brands each retailer chooses to carry is meticulously researched, based on careful and meticulous study of the products themselves and beyond.
So Cristian ordered a Gusto Cobra Evo with a mechanical shifter for me , and we mounted it with low-profile carbon wheels. I brought him my pedals, agreeing to take my measurements on the saddle.
Cristian is direct, a man of few words, and without frills, he gets straight to the point: succinct, yet thorough, courteous, and convincing . Despite the many people waiting for assistance and despite my suggestion that I could return at a more relaxed time, Cristian proceeded with my assessment with great seriousness.
By hand, like in the old days. A precision jig, tape measure, plumb line, and rollers . He proceeded with small adjustments, a matter of millimeters: the main measurements, then the saddle, the handlebars; he adjusted the cleats, suggesting a more correct positioning.
Sharing and passion
When I saw the lead line, my mind wandered into a complex reflection. I realized his professionalism: through the accuracy and precision he put into those small technical measuring gestures, I observed a prepared, competent, and passionate person. A true professional, the likes of which are few these days. Despite the exhaustion at the end of the day and the possibility that it had also been a personally and emotionally taxing day, the expert managed to complete the job.
All of this happened in the pleasant presence of trusted people who were in the shop at the time , sparking an encouraging participation: comments, observations, and food for thought. In its own small way, my shopping experience was an expression of genuine friendships. It's easy to see that this comfortable atmosphere stems from a genuine spirit of sharing, fueled by a shared passion for cycling . In a world that continues to get lost in superficial reasoning, kindness and dedication to serving others are invaluable. Thank you, Cristian, it was a pleasure and an honor.
Now it's my turn, I start pedaling. Riding the new bike, I've experienced a completely different sensation. A smoothness on the road that I never imagined possible . That feeling of each pedal stroke taking me three times further than before. That feeling of being one with the bike: it feels every movement, too. That sense of lightness, of moving free from the wind. A whole other harmony, at times indescribable . Being able to tap into all this is a privilege, one that I hope I never tire of longing for.
