It's not a vacation, nor yet another trip to be described with sunset photos and tourist hashtags. Or rather, not just that. It's a race against time, fatigue, and above all, a relentless illness. From September 19th to 22nd, three twenty-year-olds from Pavia—Alessio, Fabio, and Gabriele—will cross Sardinia by bike, from Olbia to Cagliari along the eastern coast .
Four days to ride 470 kilometers with the goal of turning every pedal stroke into one euro to donate to AIL, the Italian Association against Leukemia.
The initial goal was symbolic: 470 euros, one for every kilometer traveled . But the solidarity quickly surpassed the initial goal: a week after leaving, the three had already raised around 400 euros, and the amount continues to grow. "We raised the goal," they explain, "because we didn't want the donations to end too soon. We want to go beyond the numbers; we want this journey to leave its mark."
Alessio, Fabio, and Gabriele, however, are no strangers to similar endeavors. Over the years, they've already covered thousands of kilometers between Pavia and Coverciano, Pavia and Ventimiglia, and all the way to Gorizia and Rome. But this time, the purpose is different. "We decided," they say, "to give a profound and charitable twist to what we love to do. It's not just an adventure, but a way to contribute to research that can change everyone's lives—ours and that of future generations."
The challenge also continues online. On the Instagram page "pedalando per_bene," the three young people recount their preparations, routes, and milestones, with photos and stories documenting every moment. "It's our logbook," they explain, "but also a way to engage our supporters. Because research can't be funded alone: it takes legs, heart, and the strength of a community that believes in the future."
The donation link has already been shared by dozens of friends, families, and acquaintances, transforming a journey into a small solidarity movement. "We've learned that the contagion of solidarity is stronger than fatigue," they say, smiling. "Cycling is tiring, but facing cancer without adequate resources is even more so. We can do our part, kilometer after kilometer."
