Luca and his crew completed about 300 km and approximately 13,000 meters of elevation in 7 days and 25 hours of pure biking time – an impressive feat even for fit racing cyclists. The tour not only leads through spectacular nature but also through traditional villages such as Manang or Ghyaru and past hidden lakes, monasteries, and breathtaking views.

The journey was no walk in the park. Already during packing, the athletes faced the question of how they would handle the extreme climatic differences: "Down at 800 m it was around 30 degrees, and above 5,000 m it could drop below freezing at night. We had to be prepared for everything!" Luca recounts. Despite perfect preparation, there were tough moments: On the way to Ice Lake, they had to carry their bikes over frozen snow, and the anticipated descent turned into a tricky hike after thawing.
And yet – it is precisely these challenges that make it so appealing: "I have never experienced such silence on the snowy pass in my entire life. That was really fascinating."

A particularly striking encounter for Luca was in the small mountain village of Ghyaru at around 3,700 meters. As he rolled into the village, a young boy named Gurkha ran up to him – curious, open, without any hesitation. With wide eyes, he examined the bike, reached for the shift, dropper, and lockout levers, and laughed at every hum, every click, every movement. Luca let him be, eventually placing him on the bike – and in that moment, joy exploded. The boy beamed with delight, hardly wanting to get off, forgetting everything around him for a moment. This ease, this pure enthusiasm rubbed off on Luca. Amidst the altitude, exertion, and silence, he realized how little it takes to experience real joy – a moment that gave him more than many summit meters before. And on the last evening, there was a surprise: the Nepalese Cross Country champion appeared to meet them, saying it was an honor to meet them – and even cleaned all the bikes spotless as a sign of his hospitality.