Contributor: Pinar Pinzuti, Cycling Brainwasher
When I began cycling nearly 20 years ago (oh, time flies), the bicycle quickly became more than a simple vehicle for me — it turned into a bridge connecting me and my partner Paolo. While he was passionate about rugby and photography, and I was drawn to yoga and writing, we both shared a deep love for adventure. The bicycle became our perfect common ground, seamlessly blending action with mindfulness, and soon Paolo became my husband.
Back then, we were living in Nuremberg, Germany. As a young couple just starting out in our careers, our budget was tight. But cycling gave us the freedom to explore. Germany made it easy: armed with only a map, no GPS or smartphones, we simply followed signposts along rivers and trails that led us to new discoveries.
Over the years, we’ve cycled in Switzerland, Spain, Morocco, Iceland, Scotland, France, Jordan, and Syria. At 30, we decided to leave our well-paid jobs and embrace a new path. We dedicated four months to exploring South America by bike. Traveling in this way gave me an unparalleled sense of freedom and peace. There’s something uniquely rewarding about the quiet fatigue that follows a day spent pedaling under the sun, battling headwinds, or navigating through sudden rain showers.
However, cycling trips come with challenges, especially the lack of reliable information. I still remember ending up on a highway close to a metropole or pushing our bikes through endless farmland to avoid busy roads.
In the meantime, we founded a social enterprise called Bikenomist, dedicating our lives to promoting the use of bicycles in all their forms—whether for commuting, sports training, tourism, and exploration, or building businesses around cycling. Along the way, we were fortunate to meet other highly skilled and passionate professionals. Together, we became the publishers of Italy’s most widely read cycling magazine, BIKEITALIA, the creators of an e-learning platform, CORSI, for bike mechanics and biomechanics, and the publishers of cycling-focused books. We also financed grassroots movements, organized a national mobility conference, and built lots of “guerrilla bike lanes.”
Five years ago, this gap in information regarding cycling holidays sparked an idea. Tourism fairs rarely give much attention to bicycles, and bike shows usually tuck the tourism aspect into a forgotten corner. That’s when I thought, “Why not create a Cycle Tourism Show?” Paolo supported the idea, and together, we rolled up our sleeves to create something entirely new.
The first edition was scheduled for March 2020 in Milan, but the pandemic forced us to rethink our plans. Far from giving up, we used those two years to prepare for a grand debut. In 2022, the Fiera del Cicloturismo finally came to life in Milan. Tourism boards, tour operators, and service providers joined forces to provide comprehensive information for everyone planning their first—or fiftieth—cycling holidays or adventures.
The event also featured Talks, inspiring presentations from experts and adventurers who shared practical tips and stories to help attendees prepare for their journeys. Over 15,000 visitors came to that first edition. We couldn’t believe our eyes.
The Cycle Tourism Show is about the people and landscapes that make cycling journeys unforgettable. It’s the kind of event I wish had existed when I started cycling, a resource to help avoid those unexpected detours and make every kilometer count.
Today, the Fiera del Cicloturismo has grown into an internationally recognized event, thanks to the passion of our amazing team—Paolo, Giuliana, Luca, Barbara, Cristina, and others.
If you’re part of the cycling community, like those on Warmshowers, you already know how to plan a trip. But many of your friends, family, and neighbors may not. Why not invite them to discover the world of cycling holidays? You never know who might get inspired to embark on their own two-wheeled adventure.
I look forward to welcoming you to the 4th edition of the Cycle Tourism Show from April 4–6, 2025, in Bologna. Entry is free, and everyone is welcome.
Learn more about Fiera del Cicloturismo and catch up with Pinar on Instagram @pinarpinzuti
PS: Let’s inspire more people to embrace the joy of cycling. See you there!