The Poems That Make You Pedal Harder, Tech Tips, and Other News That Probably Won’t Change Your Life

Do you have a cycling mantra?
A thought, a line from a song, a prayer, a lyric you keep coming back to when the ride goes on longer than expected, the rain won’t stop, or your legs have simply had enough?

We have quite a few.
Some aren’t exactly fit for print, others are closer to a prayer, but they all have their moment.
We find ourselves going back to old songs by beloved Italian singer-songwriters, nursery rhymes by designer and author Bruno Munari, especially The Little Crane Man, and, on particularly long rides, even the occasional imaginary conversation.
But it’s poetry that has the strongest effect.
The kind you have to remember by heart, the kind you repeat line by line until the rhythm becomes part of your cadence.
Somehow, it makes us pedal a little harder, feel a little lighter, and reminds us, with every breath, that life is an extraordinary thing, demanding and beautiful at the same time, just like a long climb.

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When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
you must hope that the road is long,
full of adventures and experiences.

Do not fear the Laestrygonians and the Cyclops,
nor the anger of Neptune,
you will not meet such things along the way
if your thoughts remain high and a feeling
of purpose firmly guides your spirit and your body.
You will not encounter the Cyclops or the Laestrygonians, no,
nor the wrath of Neptune,
unless you carry them within yourself,
unless your own soul sets them against you.

You must hope that the road is long.

May there be many summer mornings
when, with what joy, with what happiness,
you enter harbors you have never seen before.
Stop at Phoenician markets and purchase
mother of pearl, coral, ebony, and amber,
all kinds of fine goods, and also perfumes,
fragrant and intoxicating perfumes of every kind.
Buy as many of these scents as you can,
visit many cities in Egypt,
learn from their wise and knowledgeable people.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind,
arriving there is your constant goal.

Above all, do not rush the journey.
Let it last for many years,
so that when you are old,
you finally reach the island,
rich with all the treasures you have gathered along the way,
without expecting riches from Ithaca.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful journey.
Without her, you would never have set out on the road.
What else could you hope for?

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Having become wise, with all the experience you have gained,
you will already understand
what Ithaca truly means.

Ithaca, Konstantinos Kavafis

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We love people who create with their own hands. We love even more those who not only create, but also repair, restore, and give new life to existing objects. Those who recreate a single part of something to make it useful again.

This year at BAM!, we met many people and brands proving that creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability can move in the same direction. Some choose repair over replacement, some recover materials that would otherwise become waste and transform them into beautiful, useful products, some experiment with new ways of producing while reducing waste, and some use their craft to support social projects.

This is what we like to call the re-creative spirit.

And this is exactly what Doctor Pad does.

When the chamois of your cycling bib shorts has reached the end of its life, there is no need to buy a new pair.
Doctor Pad, in addition to creating high-quality chamois pads designed for your cycling adventures, can replace the worn one, extending the life of your garment and helping reduce waste.

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🚀 A few beautiful and interesting things. Or just interesting. Or just beautiful.🚀

🚲 You might never need it, but if you do: thank goodness for a chain tool
On my last trip, I broke my chain and, for the first time (or at least the first time I can remember), I hadn’t packed a chain tool.
A small mechanical issue can bring your whole adventure to a stop, so it’s always worth carrying a multi-tool with an integrated chain breaker. We’re big fans of the one made by our friends at Crankbrothers

The perfect travel camera
It’s not true that smartphones take photos just as well as cameras.
At least, that’s not how we see it. A proper camera is better at capturing light, creating depth, and preserving details, but above all, it changes the way you look at the world around you.Sometimes, it’s the simple act of taking a photo that changes your perspective.
We love the Ricoh Gr III: it’s small enough to take anywhere, easy to find second-hand, and takes beautiful, honest photos, without unnecessary extras.

⚡Mini Thing Cage
It’s a small object (see photo below), but it can completely change the way you pack your bike. Easily mounted on your fork or frame, it allows you to carry an extra bottle, even a large one, attach a small dry bag, secure tent poles, or even a banana 😀
It’s not as versatile as its bigger sibling, the Manything Cage, but when you’re not using it, it’s so compact that you’ll barely notice it’s there.You can find it here

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WORTH A DETOUR
Our new mini-series: destinations that are worth taking a detour for.

Liguria is a dream destination for bikepacking, especially if you can visit outside the high season, perhaps in winter. Riding among maritime pines, where the sea meets the mountains, is a reward that makes every steep climb worth the effort.Above the famous coastal town of Bonassola, there is a small village called Montaretto. Ride up there, take in the endless horizon, and stop for a meal at Casa del Popolo.

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🌍 BECAUSE WE ARE MORE THAN JUST TRAVELLERS

⛵ The Strange Journey of Donald Crowhurst
In 1968, Donald Crowhurst set out to take part in the Golden Globe Race, the first solo, non-stop sailing race around the world.
He was not an experienced sailor, his boat had serious problems, and he soon realised he would never be able to complete the challenge. That is when he made an extraordinary decision: instead of withdrawing, he began to fake his logbook entries and radio communications, making everyone believe he was leading the race.
But the lie slowly became a psychological prison he could no longer escape.
A true story, both absurd and deeply human, about ambition, failure, and the weight of expectations. If you love travel stories, this is one you will not easily forget.
Find the book at your favourite bookstore. The Italian edition is published by Mursia.