The 2018 Tour de Friends was a journey that once again lead us into the unknown. Newly joined riders, a partly new track and new adventures awaited us.

It’s a stage race, a long distance alley cat and a group ride in one. Together we cross the Alps riding from Munich to Venice/Jesolo on road bikes, on fixed gear, mountainbikes, cyclocrossers, or any other bike you choose. The total distance is 600km divided into 4 stages. Every evening, there’s a fancy block party on the “Piazzas” of the stage finishes where you can stuff yourself with local specialties and enjoy each other’s company.

This year 500 riders from more than 20 nations signed up. From Japan, Australia, USA, Malaysia, Chile and all over Europe. Riders above 65 years of age, people who just turned 18, people you’d wouldn’t normally meet. And the cool thing is: everyone gets along well. Helping each other with technical issues in the pouring rain, encouraging each other on the steep ascents, waiting at the finish line to cheer on each rider coming in, especially the last ones. TdF is all about the pure enjoyment of cycling together.

One of the favourite stories of this years edition is about a women named Gisela, 65 years old. She crashed on stage 2 and everybody thought that she was badly hurt. She was driven to the hospital near Innsbruck but was released soon after: just bruises and nothing serious.

The next day she wanted to continue so badly that she tried to ride the 2th stage as well as the third one, but unfortunately she could ride only 50km. She then went on to help local people from Vittorio Veneto to give the riders free wine and cheese. Gisela finished TdF stage 4 on her bike. What a legend.