Travelling with a Folding Bicycle

Category Archives: SILK ROAD

ISTANBUL and BACK

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What happens when a long dreamed, awaited and imagined journey … becomes reality?
First of all, you try to live it to the fullest – and for as long as you can – collecting experiences, places and meetings, which one day will become your memories of the Silk Road. A baggage of indelible – and incredible – memories, which you would never think you could be able to create.
Then you leave your bicycle somewhere.
Because even if you want to believe that by now everything is all over … you actually know that nothing will ever end.... Read More

GEORGIA: Caucasian chronicles (Part 2 – 26 November / 7 December)

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If – after China, Central Asia and Iran – Armenia had suddenly cleared the table, Georgia was about to overturn it completely.
The charms of Tbilisi, the history of Uplistsikhe and Gori, the magical views of Mtskheta and the snowy peaks of Kazbegi; few – cold – days, yet one of the purest and most enduring gems of my entire journey.
And then a race to the shores of the Black Sea, before the last, long ride to the borders of Europe.... Read More

ARMENIA: Caucasian chronicles (Part 1 – 16/25 November)

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One month in Iran had plowed deeply in me; I wanted to stay there much longer, but the Caucasian winter was already preparing its grip. Armenia and Georgia – I confess – were two big question marks for me. Knowing nothing at all about them, the shock was immediate.
Ancient Persia was only a few kilometers away; however, already in Meghri, the change was impressive.
So Armenia presented itself like that, subverting everything.
A secret land, tender but sharp, proud and never tame, with a long, incredible and controversial history, where nature and monasteries recall everywhere tales and wounds which are still alive. A rough and difficult corner of the world, dug between boundaries of all kinds.
Nevertheless … of a boundless beauty.... Read More

IRAN: in Wonderland. The real one. (16 October – 16 November)

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The flight from Turkmenistan was not planned, but happened in record time.
Two months in Central Asian countries had given me so much, but Iran’s call was now out of control.
Thirty-three days, a birthday, a stolen phone, nights in trains and in deserts, minarets, teas, bazaars, spices and non-alcoholic beers; and then traditions, cultures, religions, citadels, gardens, parks, landscapes, flavors and stories of a land with a million-year history.
But most of all, the warm hospitality and the smiles of a unique … and simply unforgettable people.... Read More

TURKMENISTAN: a 23-hours transit!

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A world record I’m not particularly proud of, coming out from bizarre circumstances and a sometimes too instinctive temper.
From Uzbekistan to Iran, by land and without motor vehicles, in 23 hours.
Turkmenistan crossing … in less than a day.... Read More

KAZAKHSTAN: Almaty, Shymkent and Turkestan (15 – 22 September)

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After three surprising weeks in Kyrgyzstan, the journey took an unexpected detour.
The East and Uzbekistan were supposed to wait for eight more days; another huge country was about to catch my attention.
Too big to be totally revealed, Kazakhstan showed me only a few of its innumerable details: Almaty‘s richness, the splendor of its mountains, the desolation of Shymkent and the first blue domes of my Silk Road, in Turkistan.... Read More

KYRGYZSTAN: from South to North, wonderful nature all around (25 August – 14 September)

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After crossing Irkeshtam Pass with a broken chain, I entered a country whose name I couldn’t even pronounce.
Completely unknown to me, a land which immediately struck me for the enormous differences with the neighboring great China: Cyrillic language, Soviet influences, nomadic peoples and a pristine amazing nature.
From Osh to Bishkek – camping in Arslanbob, in front of Issyk Kul lake and, with the nomads, among the magical silences of Song Kul lake – discovering one of the most amazing countries of my whole journey: KIRGHIZISTAN.... Read More

CHINA: from Hong Kong to Kashgar, on the Silk Road (28 July – 24 August)

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The FIRST PART of the journey, from Milan to Bangkok, was brought to end, after ten months, with a surprise.
The SECOND PART – an adventure which I imagined for years, along the ancient Silk Road – started in Hong Kong.
Almost a month, to cross the old path in Yangshuo, explore the Tibetan regions of Sichuan and Qinghai and reach the mythical cities of Turpan and Kashgar … before passing into Kyrgyzstan.... Read More

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