Emotional and highly satisfying conclusion of a cycle tourism raid along the Via Francigena, with off-road bikes, by a group of dedicated off-road cyclists from Paderno Dugnano with the insignia of the well-known Pasticceria Reali, along the road of the Cassina Amata district, on the old Comasina road.

This is the third experience of the group, after Santiago de Compostela and the Loire Castles from the previous two years, with ten effective cyclists (five with traditional mountain bikes and five with pedal assistance) who, in just over a week, from Thursday, May 15 to Sunday, 25, traveled long stretches of the famous, ancient, and well-known Via Francigena, offering spectacular views of our Peninsula with an over-millennial history. A curiosity: in centers of the Sienese area, in the zone of the famous white roads of the Crete Senesi traversed by Strade Bianche and also the Giro d'Italia, almost simultaneously, the accidental cyclists, in pink jerseys, collected encouragements and special applause actually intended for the Giro d'Italia champions. Well, so be it...

The cyclists, with or without the "little electrical mechanical help", we cite without distinction of merit or specific pedaling ability, were Roberto Oggioni, owner of Pasticceria Reali, Adelina Ranesi (for chivalrous respect of the female quota), cousins Massimo and Roberto Rebosio (a couple that doesn't break up), Davide Tanfoglio, Claudio Pegoraro, Massimo Marini, Libero Osmani, of Albanian origin, a willing novice at his first experience but perfectly integrated into the group's spirit, and Alfredo Scognamiglio.

Important was also the supporting role of the three camper drivers who anticipated and sometimes followed. The cyclists to facilitate logistics, with the coordination of Alessandro Fabris (somewhat the "team leader" in the food sector and, above all, in liquid comfort goods), Fabrizio Alberti and Paolo Galli.

Various local information organs have given wide coverage to this adventure, also through social media, concluded with the group's mention from the Vatican window by the new pope after the traditional Sunday blessing.

Sunday, June 1st, before the actual start of the final stage of the Giro d'Italia 108, they will transit through the Vatican territory and will be with Pope Leon XIV. The Accidental Cyclists have therefore beaten, ahead of time, even the Giro d'Italia champions.

A hoped-for but not certain fact that has enthusiastically – justifiably – excited the "Accidental Cyclists of Paderno Dugnano" who, having recovered some strength, have planned some – and even more than some... – convivial gatherings also to remember the Via Francigena and to prospect the destination for 2026, always with the same spirit of passion for two pedaled wheels in friendship.