12 thousand kilometers of happiness

That’s because Davide, in his early thirties, blind, and with a degree in psychology, decided to merge analysis of the mind with that of the body. Essentially, this is the meaning of his journey: a way to know not only new places, but also new aspects of himself. So, in 2019, he began a journey on a tandem from Rome to Kazakhstan, crossing 12 countries and traveling twelve thousand kilometers. This trip was followed by others: Africa, and then work with the non-profit Silvia Parente Foundation for Sport in Bologna, for which he organizes hikes and (of course) bicycle rides.

Psychology and sports: similarities and differences?

“Tire the body to rest the mind.” I have found that sports, especially if done outdoors and with others, also has a surprising therapeutic effect on questions of the soul. The act of exerting yourself, testing yourself physically, distracts you from certain thoughts and emotions that you may have obsessed over and unable to resolve. Of course, sports don’t solve those issues, but it puts the mind in a state that makes them easier to manage, especially if contact with nature and traveling is involved. Exploring, whether it’s a place around the corner or thousands of kilometers away, and doing it with someone whose character and personality are likewise discovered, is a complex and multifaceted experience that makes you feel more alive and part of the world. Traveling in tandem took me out of my comfort zone and forced me to engage in activities that I had thought were almost impossible. As I pedaled through the plains of Central Asia, climbing the roads of the Atlas Mountains in Marocco or crossing the immense stretches of the Mauritanian desert or the Guinean forest, I couldn’t believe I was really there, in this adventure that I had always dreamed of. I am of course greatly indebted to my traveling companions: Michele and Samuele in the ride from Italy to Kazakhstan, and Antonio and Riccardo in the ride from Italy to the Ivory Coast. Traveling companions and tandem drivers, but most of all friends.

What has your visual impairment meant for your passions?

I think my blindness has allowed me to discover a new world that I probably would never have experienced if I were sighted. It’s strange to think that the person driving the tandem doesn’t see me, and is therefore in a situation somewhat similar to mine when I interact with others. This is comparable to a psychoanalytic session, where the patient lies on a couch and has no direct visual contact with the therapist.

What advice would you give you a young, visually-impaired person who wants to get involved in cycling?

First of all, I’d need to know if they want to do it competitively or for recreation. Bicycle riding is above all a pleasure, an experience that puts you in contact with your surroundings, and that, in my opinion, fills part of the void left by the absence of sight. Anyone who lives in Bologna or who wants to come here can experience riding in tandem by contacting the association that I work for, the Silvia Parente Foundation for Sport. Sighted people can contact us as well, to join us on our rides with their own bicycle or to register for one of the tandem driver courses that we organize every year.

What are we talking about when we talk about inclusion?

Inclusion means providing access to all of the experiences and possibilities generally reserved to only a part of the population, for example, organizing hikes or bicycle rides in which people with impairments can participate. But this is just the first step, and much more can be done. A higher level of inclusion is achieved when, during these activities, people with impairments are not seen merely as someone to help or assist, but as normal participants. A few years ago, the Foundation decided to promote this vision by asking everyone, whether sighted or visually-impaired, to pay the same fee for our excursions.

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Plans for the future?

I plan to keep traveling, and I’d like to take the next trip with my partner, with whom I’ve never traveled in tandem. I’m also trying to plan new inclusive activities, and for next year I’m thinking about organizing a group trip in tandem and a hike, both lasting a week. As a psychologist, I’m focusing mainly on my clinical practice, which I had set aside in recent years, and I might also participate in some online platform.

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