From the Vatican to Switzerland by touring bike: an unforgettable adventure by 3 guardsmen

Have you ever wondered what might happen if three guardsmen decided to swap their weapons and uniforms for touring bikes from Pedalmondo after 26 months of service in the Vatican? Well, this is the exciting story of Gian, Ferdinand and Alexander, who tell us how they rode back home after finishing their service in the Swiss Guard with the Pope. In this interview, Gian Cavegn gives us an interesting insight into their motivation and proves that even in November, touring bikes can be ridden in our latitudes without any problems - albeit perhaps with slightly better clothing next time.

The guardsmen and their adventure

Gian, let's be honest, which of you had this crazy idea??

After our time together in the Guard, we wanted to create something unforgettable, a memory that we could proudly share later. It all started during our recruit school in Rome, when someone brought up the idea of bicycles and we all immediately caught fire. It was all the better that this idea became reality a good two years later. We were looking for a special way to end our time in the Guard and the idea of cycling home came up, as the idea of walking seemed a little too extreme. In the end, we decided on touring bikes and the Pedalmondo rental service.

Which route did you choose?

For this bike tour, we decided on a total distance of 860 kilometers in 10 stages, which means that we covered just over 80 kilometers a day. Our journey began in Vatican City in Rome and took us via Florence, Pisa, La Spezia and Milan back to Switzerland. In total, we covered 7110 meters in altitude and spent almost 52 hours of pure riding time on the Pedalmondo touring bikes. We planned the entire route, which can be seen in the picture below with the title "Mer chömed hei", with the help of the Komoot app, which guided us through the landscape extremely reliably.

The sporting challenges on the road

The distance covered by the three of you in terms of kilometers and altitude is really impressive. Did you have the opportunity to prepare yourselves physically for this undertaking during your service?

Serving in the Swiss Guard is very physically demanding, so we already have a solid basic level of fitness. Nevertheless, we prepared ourselves for the adventure with additional fitness exercises and cycling whenever possible. However, various ailments arose during the tour. Personally, even though your saddle is very comfortable, I struggled with discomfort in the seat area due to the long periods of sitting, while my two colleagues experienced increased knee problems during the tour.

However, we always supported and motivated each other to achieve the goals we had set ourselves. The landscapes we rode through were breathtaking, and these impressions gave us additional motivation. The physical ailments were challenging, but in the end we developed tremendous mental strength as a group to successfully complete the tour. This experience not only strengthened our physical fitness, but also our team dynamics in the long term.

Did you also have moments when you reached your personal limits?

No, we didn't reach any personal limits during our trip, as we deliberately chose a relaxed pace on our route. Our focus was on enjoying and exploring the surroundings. Traveling as a trio proved to be extremely supportive as we were able to constantly motivate each other to keep going and persevere. Every day brought new challenges and there were certainly days that were more challenging than others. Not all of us always had a good day. But our common goal and clear planning of goals and breaks helped us to overcome these challenges. Ultimately, we realized that many of these challenges required more of a mental approach than physical exertion. A lot of it is just a head thing!

Insights into the breathtaking nature along the route

You mentioned the beautiful landscapes before. Can you tell us more about it, especially where you found it most beautiful?

Our absolute highlight was Tuscany. A very beautiful landscape with wide fields and beautiful forests, especially at this time of year when so many colors are visible. We particularly liked the small but very charming village of San Quirico D'Orcia, where we also spent the night. Despite the often rainy weather during our tour by touring bike from Rome back to Switzerland, we were able to enjoy the beauty of Tuscany to the full.

Conclusion

Gian, would you do a tour like this again?

Yes, definitely! The bike tour home allowed us to reflect intensively on our 26 months as guardsmen in the Vatican with the Pope. We were able to thoroughly analyze the past and prepare for the future. It was a challenging but extremely rewarding experience. Having fun was always our top priority.

What did you learn for yourself on this tour?

Indeed, I realized many things. The bike tour made it clear that it's not just about the individual, but about the collective. If someone is not at their best, it affects the group and we make less progress. In moments like these, it was crucial to support each other as best we could. I also realized that the right attitude in the morning, even if you start the day with some pain, is crucial. It wasn't always easy, but it made me realize that mental strength has a significant impact on the success of the whole bike tour and the dynamics in the team.

Finally, one last question: if you had the opportunity to do something differently next time, what would it be?

There are definitely a few improvements on the agenda for our next adventure. After taking somewhat involuntary footbaths on our tour in the cold and wet November, the number one thing on our packing list will be waterproof shoes! Because wet socks are really not our thing. In addition, it would certainly have been advisable to take gloves against the cold. This would help to make the ride on the touring bike more pleasant overall.

Inspired? Great - then rent the suitable equipment from us!