cycling the Dolomites with strangers that turned friends

last weekend was something else. from a 10-hour drive into the mountains to riding through the stunning scenery of the Dolomites with people I’d never met before — and ending the trip feeling like we’ve known each other for years.

This one’s not about performance, watts or speed. It’s about connection. About escaping the day-to-day. And about how a shared love for cycling can make strangers feel like family.

thanks to the roadbusters and especially Stefan for making this possible: https://www.road-busters.com

🔧 Special thanks to Sandro for helping me get my bike ready and create some shots from the intro. Check out his YouTube here:    / @sandroniosi  

thumbnail is shot by the talented: https://luisganssloser.com/work

the other guys:
sasa: ‪@sasamujagic‬
Björn on insta:   / bjoern_nwmstr  
paco / kalle:   / pauschalkalle  

📍 Big shoutout to Nancy's Holiday Home – incredible hospitality & bike garage: https://www.nancys.it/en

🎥 What’s in this vlog?

00:00 intro
00:50 Arriving in the Dolomites
01:39 warmup ride
02:26 bike setup & prep in the hotel
03:53 the next morning
05:00 scenic long ride
08:52 Honest thoughts on group rides
12:37 bike cleaning
15:55 way home

📢 my training wearables: https://noxl.ink/n04Qxk
💬 Use my code GERRITKNEIN at checkout
🎁 Add a FREE accessory (extra strap or lifestyle gear) to your order!

🎵 My Spotify Playlists for Running & Riding:
Chat Pace (easy sessions): https://shorturl.at/maBye
No Chat Pace (hard efforts): https://shorturl.at/6tMsF

📍 Follow the journey:
🔗 Strava:   / strava  
📸 Instagram:   / gksieben  

Let me know what you think about group rides vs. solo training in the comments — curious to hear your thoughts!

music:
romeo - fractal
tristan barton - ocean
jay sanon - fatal attraction
out of flux - infinite dreams
assaf Ayalon - locked in silence
rex banner - all I need
assaf Ayalon - old man
sig howler - a trip
ziv moran - get done