Road to Italy

Beyond the Distance: Two Generations, One Shared Goal

Road to Italy 2027 represents much more than just covering distance. It is a shared endurance challenge built on preparation, structure, and long-term commitment.

Since 2018, Matthias has consistently trained with Emiel Pieterse, following a structured coaching program in TrainingPeaks focused on measurable performance development, combining cycling and strength training. Freek, on the other hand, has focused heavily on his love for mountain biking and singlespeed cycling. Both are proud members of Arnhem’s local cycling club, RETO.

This journey is the practical expression of that long-term dedication, a shared passion for the outdoors, and a deep friendship forged in the saddle.

The Road to Partnership

Traveling together allows us to combine individual strengths with shared motivation. The decision to tackle this route as a team was driven by a common desire to test ourselves over multiple consecutive days, experience Italy by bike, and document the journey authentically.

• First Encounters: Freek and Matthias first crossed paths in February 2020 at Erwin Sikkens’ GravelMania event at the Mountainbike Museum. They stayed in touch ever since, with Freek joining Matt for training rides whenever the opportunity allowed.

• The Losser Proving Ground: In April 2025, they put their partnership to the 1st test with a rigorous three-day weekend tour/gravel riding to, through, and back from Losser for the local gravel ride—a proving ground that showed just how well they ride and work together.

From Yorkshire to the Italian Sun

Around that same time, the initial idea for a major trip was a bikepacking tour to Yorkshire, UK, with a 10-day route already mapped out on Komoot. But as inspiration often does, it shifted south.

Thoughts of sun-soaked Italian roads took over, and Freek suggested setting our sights on joining thousands of other cyclists for the Tuscany Trail—without quite knowing what we were truly getting ourselves into. Logistics soon presented the next puzzle:

• By car? Definitely not (we are committed to sustainable, zero-flight travel).

• By train? A solid, eco-friendly option.

• The hurdles: Then came the complication of a event-specific health certificate, forcing another creative pivot.

Luckily, Freek and Komoot get along just fine, and between the two of us, we bring plenty of practical outdoor know-how. The idea evolved once again, setting the stage for our ultimate independent, self-supported bikepacking adventure across Italy in 2027.

Ride for Doctors: Purpose in Every Pedal Stroke

Road to Italy 2027 is driven by a powerful core belief: endurance sport has the power to create real-world impact. While our physical goal is to conquer a multi-week, self-supported journey across Italy entirely by train and bike, our ultimate mission is to raise funds and awareness for Doctors Without Borders (Artsen zonder Grenzen).

In crisis zones, conflict areas, and remote regions worldwide,
Doctors Without Borders provides life-saving emergency medical care where it is needed most.
By taking on the physical hardship of consecutive days in the saddle, we want to channel our journey into meaningful support for medical heroes who save lives every single day.

Looking for Partners & Sponsors

To bring Road to Italy 2027 to life and maximize our impact for charity, we are actively collaborating with high-end cycling, outdoor, and equipment brands. We view partnerships not as simple logo placements, but as authentic, collaborative journeys.

Why Partner With Us?

• Real-World Product Testing (Two Generations): Testing gear across two distinct demographic profiles (riders aged 44 and 64) provides brands with invaluable, authentic R&D feedback from demanding Alpine and Italian terrain that lab testing cannot replicate.

• Turnkey Content & Storytelling: We deliver high-resolution photography, video assets, and honest field reports capturing gear in action—from train platforms to mountain summits—ready for your marketing channels.

• Sustainable Adventure Alignment: Our zero-flight, train-and-bike philosophy aligns perfectly with the outdoor industry’s modern commitment to low-carbon travel and eco-conscious adventure.

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Associating your brand with our campaign amplifies your commitment to global health and humanitarian aid through Doctors Without Borders.

Join Us on the Road to 2027

Are you a brand, equipment manufacturer, or organization looking to support an authentic multi-generational endurance project with a charitable heart?
We would love to start a conversation.

• Get in touch: Download our sponsorship deck or reach out directly via our Contact Page.

• Follow our buildup: Track our training weekends, gear tests, and route preparations on Instagram @road.toitaly.

Storytelling
Every journey is a story, and this one is ours. Two riders, aged 44 and 64, step onto a train in Northern Europe and cycle their way across Italy for Doctors Without Borders. We share who we are, where we ride and why, so you can be part of every stage.

Online presence
This website never closes. Here you’ll find route guides, Komoot collections, live tracking through Dotwatcher and our updates on Instagram (@road.toitaly). It’s one place to follow the whole journey, before, during and after the ride.

Content
We create photos, video and travel logs that are real: the small towns, the mountain passes, the rain and the coffee along the way. Honest, detailed and ready to inspire anyone who wants to discover Italy by bike and train.

Campaigns
Around the key moments we run focused campaigns: the route announcement, the train journey south, the start in 2027 and our fundraising goals for Doctors Without Borders. That turns a story into a movement with visible impact.

At ages 44 and 64, we are proving that long-distance adventure has no age limit. ~ Pedal for Doctors is more than just a ride; it is a deliberate choice to slow down, travel mindfully, and use our journey to create real impact, make contact with people and communities.

By leaving all flights behind and traveling entirely by train to and from Italy, we are championing sustainability, low-impact travel—immersing ourselves in the landscape from perron to mountain pass. But our primary motivation goes beyond the physical challenge.

Every kilometer we pedal and every mile we train is dedicated to supporting Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), raising critical funds and awareness for emergency medical relief where it is needed most.

We invite our friends and partners to join us on this multi-generation journey—proving that endurance, sustainability, and humanity can go the distance together.