{"id":7265,"date":"2026-06-21T01:02:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T01:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velomag.eu\/pedal-power-conquering-fear-on-my-first-epic-bike-journey\/"},"modified":"2026-06-21T01:02:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T01:02:51","slug":"pedal-power-conquering-fear-on-my-first-epic-bike-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/velomag.eu\/nl\/pedal-power-conquering-fear-on-my-first-epic-bike-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"Pedal Power: Conquering Fear on My First Epic Bike Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Conquering Fear on Two Wheels: My Unforgettable Cycling Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2021, amidst the global pandemic, I returned to my hometown in the Varese province of Italy. My father, recognizing my apprehension towards cycling due to a past incident, gifted me his bicycle. What began as a hesitant endeavor soon transformed into a profound passion. Over the next 27 years, I embarked on numerous cycling excursions, blending sport with the exploration of my local surroundings.<\/p>\n

However, a yearning to elevate my cycling experiences emerged. I aspired to challenge myself further, to embark on a journey that would not only test my physical limits but also affirm my courage. The answer lay before me: the majestic Monte Rosa.<\/p>\n

Choosing the Destination<\/strong><\/p>\n

For my inaugural cycling expedition, I sought a destination that balanced accessibility for a novice with the allure of a challenge. It needed to be rich in cultural significance, aligning with my background in historical and artistic studies, and offer immersion in nature. The Monte Rosa massif stood out as the perfect choice.<\/p>\n

Having been born and raised in the Upper Varese area, the mountain was an integral part of my inner landscape. From the Lombard shore, the towering presence of Monte Rosa beckoned. The Anzasca Valley, nestled beneath its peaks, emerged as the ideal destination.<\/p>\n

Preparing for the Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n

The preparation phase was fraught with anxiety. My lack of mechanical knowledge, unfamiliarity with bicycle panniers, and the looming uncertainties of the journey amplified my apprehensions. Yet, the excitement of embarking on my first true adventure overshadowed these fears.<\/p>\n

The Departure<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the morning of June 10, I set off from Laveno Mombello, heading towards the ferry terminal. Doubts clouded my mind: “What if I can’t fix my bike if something goes wrong?” “What if I fail?” “What if I get injured?” Despite these thoughts, I resolved to proceed. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, one must embrace the unknown. Boarding the ferry, I was pleasantly surprised by the stability of my bike and the weight of the panniers. A momentary relief washed over me.<\/p>\n

The ferry ride across Lake Maggiore was not just a commute but the commencement of a significant journey. From Intra to Mergozzo, I faced one of a cyclist’s primary adversaries: Italian traffic. Nevertheless, I arrived in Mergozzo, a quaint village I had seldom explored. This time, I dedicated time to its discovery.<\/p>\n

Cycling offers the unique advantage of stopping at will, free from parking concerns, allowing for intimate exploration of places. The cobblestone streets, the small church, and the ancient elm tree captivated me. I also visited Candoglia, a fraction of the village, where I paused in front of the workshops of the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, the entity responsible for extracting marble for Milan’s cathedral.<\/p>\n

Cycling as a Meditative Practice<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Anzasca Valley unfolded serenely, enveloped by mountains that provided a sense of protection. Vogogna was the last town I thoroughly explored in the valley. A simple act, like refilling my water bottles, became an opportunity to delve into a medieval town whose structure and castle have remained intact over the centuries. The rhythmic pedaling and the rising heat led me to Piedimulera, marking the beginning of the Anzasca Valley. Here, the true challenge awaited.<\/p>\n

Anxiety resurfaced: “Can I manage the 10 kg backpack all the way to Macugnaga?” “Can I withstand the heat?” “What if I experience a migraine during the journey?” Yet, I continued to pedal. Cycling became a meditative exercise; breathing and pedaling helped manage my thoughts. The breathtaking scenery alleviated both physical and mental fatigue. The Anzasca Valley was a triumph of green, its silence reminiscent of a mountain forest hike, even as I traversed asphalt on my bike.<\/p>\n

Cycling is that mode of transport that is faster than walking but slower than a motor vehicle. A realization I had over the years but truly understood during this journey; I moved swiftly, kilometer after kilometer, yet I didn’t miss any element of the surrounding environment. I saw the Anza River below me, the trees with their vibrant green, the frescoed churches, the Walser houses (Germanic populations that migrated to various locations in the Italian Alps in the 13th century), and Monte Rosa, which was constantly before my eyes, serving as both a guide and a destination.<\/p>\n

Arrival in Macugnaga<\/strong><\/p>\n

A week hotter than usual, combined with physical exertion, left me mentally drained, but I persevered. In the late afternoon, I arrived in Macugnaga. Upon entering its central square, I experienced a mix of emotions: joy for the achievement and the beauty of the landscape, tension that had been released in that moment, and discomfort from the oppressive heat. Emotions don’t always align with expectations.<\/p>\n

I mounted my bike and headed to the hotel in the Pecetto district, but my adventure wasn’t over yet. I donned the hiking boots I had brought and, with a backpack, set out for a short hike in the surroundings. The coolness of the woods, the silence, the scent of alpine plants, and the river refreshed my spirit after this long journey.<\/p>\n

After the hike, I explored Macugnaga. Culture was as central to me as reaching the top of a challenging climb. In Macugnaga, one breathes the air of a mountain village: the stone roofs of the houses, the wood of the Walser dwellings, and the interior decorations of the Staffa church. Visiting the ancient lime tree was the last thing I did before returning to the hotel, eating, and then going to sleep to be ready for the next day.<\/p>\n

The Return Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the morning of June 11, I prepared for the return journey, setting two objectives: to visit the Lake of the Fairies and to see all the villages of the Anzasca Valley. The journey is not only the destination but also the path, and in this, there are also all the often ignored villages that also have their dignity. Anxiety, for now, gave me respite, and I descended to the parking lot of the Isella district, from where the trail to the Lake of the Fairies begins.<\/p>\n

That day was as hot as the previous one, and I felt it already in the morning; but the walk in the woods refreshed me. Cycling and walking are two forms of exploration that are not opposed but are synergistic. The view of the Lake of the Fairies completed the cycling experience, with its crystalline colors and its position immersed in the heart of the mountain.<\/p>\n

After the hike, I resumed the bike and descended slowly and began the exploration of the various villages like Ceppo Morelli, Mondelli, which gave me a challenge with its hairpin bends and steep climbs, the nearby Campioli, where there is the entrance, now closed, of the ancient gold mine that gives me a bit of coolness on such a hot day.<\/p>\n

Croppo is the demonstration of how the bicycle allows you to enhance small realities: by car, no one could stop for the little church on the state road, but with the bike, you can do it, discovering that under the church there is a small ethnographic museum, with the crypt, which tells of the life and ancient trades of the Anzasca Valley, or in the little street that leads to the Anza river, that untamed river and constant presence during the journey, that<\/p>\n

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