Muscles stiffening, hands trembling, gait becoming unbalanced, posture curving. Then speech stumbling. Finally, often, depression looming. This is Parkinson's. Parkinson's disease. Along with Alzheimer's, the most widespread degenerative disease in the world. You can't cure it, but you can slow it down. And bicycling helps tremendously.

"Pedaling Towards Northeast" is the 2025 project of the Pedaling - Parkinson's Resistance Movement, the third edition of a bike ride aimed at promoting health and combating prejudices and ignorance: today's departure from Sant'Urbano, about fifty kilometers from Padua, arrival in Trieste on July 23rd, with stops in Bassano del Grappa (17), Levico (18), Trento (19), Feltre (20), Pordenone (21) and Udine (22). In Trento and Trieste, two meetings are scheduled to scientifically explore the disease and, most importantly, ways to address it.

Bicycling is a natural medicine. Physically and mentally. Even against Parkinson's. It provides muscle tone, improves balance, elevates self-esteem, brings happiness, encourages friendship, promotes socialization, breaks down preconceptions. Often, Parkinson's patients themselves are unaware of cycling's benefits. So the most important mission is directed right at them: leave the house, join the group, share the road. It can be done. Even these days. Pedaling-Parkinson's Resistance Movement is on Facebook and Instagram.

Parkinson's patients are increasing: eight and a half million worldwide, 250,000 in Italy, 18,000 in Veneto. Men are most affected, especially those over 65. Denying the disease is the first mistake. Reacting, going out, moving, is the first remedy. And cycling is not only possible but necessary. With due caution, with the usual precautions. Those from Pedaling are reassuring and convincing witnesses and missionaries.

P.S. A year ago, I participated in Pedaling's stage from Pesaro to Ancona, joined the group of Parkinson's patients and others, shared road and table, attended a couple of public meetings, and saw Fabiano Fontanelli again. Marco Pantani's teammate, winner of four Giro d'Italia stages, seemed to struggle walking, but maintained his pedaling stroke, honed and perfected in 15 years of professional cycling. This time, family commitments prevent me from reuniting with Lorenzo Sacchetto and friends, companions in misfortune and adventure, loyal and occasional cyclists, including Fabiano himself. But cycling roads are infinite. There will be other opportunities.

P.S. 2 The photo is, of course, from the Facebook page and was published yesterday.