Spending a day cycling through the quiet of our mountains already evokes in me a deep sense of serenity and peace. For many people, and for me as well, the bicycle represents the very first means of transport of our childhood. How wonderful it was when I rode my BMX to look for my friends, with the wind blowing through my hair. By its very nature, the bicycle seems to embody an idea of friendship. It is a profound bond: in many films, the bicycle appears as an invisible ribbon that connects people and makes young individuals feel part of a group, whether it be the Goonies or the children in E.T. As children, pedaling brought us closer to our dreams; and even now, as adults, we feel noticeably more at ease as we press on the pedals of our bikes. This is especially true because of the effort involved, which gives a genuine sense of satisfaction when, perhaps alone, we reach the summit of a mountain pass. Then, as we pick up speed on the descent, the butterflies in our stomach return, and for a moment we feel like Girardengo. After the effort, the descent becomes a quiet reward for every sacrifice, a testament to the resolve that pushed us to the finish when the body had already surrendered. The Maratona dles Dolomites therefore becomes, for me, a metaphor for harmony and peace: an immense number of people, from different nations and cultures, each with their own stories and destinies, ride together toward the same finish line. Finally, a small philosophical reflection. The expression “learning to ride a bicycle” is often used to describe something that is never forgotten. Once we have found our balance, we retain it even after many years away from the saddle. This balance, this ability to remain steady without giving importance to the time taken, should stand as a symbol of harmony, capable of contributing to the preservation of peace within the community. A collective goal that, just as in cycling, can only be achieved when we are willing to share even our water bottle with others.

Ivan Senoner
Principal of the Badia District School