Every map tells a story. Behind every line on the paper is a journey; a challenge accepted, a friendship forged, or a moment you never want to forget. Our favourite part is hearing those stories from the riders themselves.
This one comes from Sam, who ordered a map of his Rad Race Tour de Friends ride: 438 kilometres through the Dolomites, climbing over 10,000 metres in four days. After printing his map, we caught up with him to hear more about the trip that inspired it.
Images of the RAD RACE event by @paulinjnz
The Friendship Behind the Ride
“I met my good friend Marty through riding bikes,” Sam began. “We originally met on a fairly cold, tough Rapha club ride shortly after I’d moved to Berlin from London with my partner.”
That ride led to countless others — all-year-round spins and, in summer, evening rides that ended with “a couple of beers and a pizza from Nostra at Kulturbrauerei.”
When Sam later moved to Amsterdam for work, the pair kept their cycling tradition alive by meeting up for holidays in places they’d always talked about riding. “This trip was one of those shared inspirations,” Sam said.
by @paulinjnz
Why the Tour de Friends?
Tour de Friends, organised by Rad Race, is known for its mix of stunning routes, camaraderie, and type-two fun. For Sam and Marty, it was the perfect reason to escape their city winters.
“We were on a video call having a beer just before Christmas,” Sam said. “We were dreading the long Amsterdam and Berlin winters, and Marty mentioned the Tour de Friends was returning to the Dolomites. He’d done it before and said the riding was unbelievably good — so it was an easy decision.”
by @paulinjnz
Getting Ready
Training in the Netherlands might sound like the worst way to prepare for a mountain ride, but Sam insists it has its perks. “Despite the flatness here, it’s actually great training — you’re rarely freewheeling, and the headwinds keep you honest.”
He also got some serious mountain time in before the event. “In June, I rode both the women’s and men’s Étape du Tour stages back-to-back — 295km and 7,800m of climbing over two days. It was the hardest riding I’ve ever done, but perfect preparation for the Dolomites.”
by @paulinjnz
It also inspired one important bike upgrade: “I swapped my 52-36 chainrings for compacts — absolutely the right call.”
Instead of flying, Sam and Marty turned the trip into a proper road adventure. “We drove from Amsterdam to Feltre. It took longer, but it gave us flexibility and made the journey part of the experience.”
Riding Through the Dolomites
The opening stage didn’t go quite as planned. “The first morning was a total washout,” Sam recalled. “We were soaked to the bone within hours, climbing through mist and rain. But when we finally broke through the clouds and saw the mountains, it was incredible. It reminded me why we do this.”
by @paulinjnz
Normally, he avoids riding in bad weather. “Life’s too short to have cold feet and clean your bike that often,” he laughed. “But that day sticks in my mind the most.”
By stage three, things had changed completely. “Climbing Passo Giau in 25º sunshine was far more enjoyable — even if the climb itself was brutal.”
There were quieter, reflective moments too. “I remember riding past a lake so blue it didn’t seem real, with a bus stop overlooking it — probably the most picturesque bus stop in the world. I started wondering about the people who live there and what their lives are like. The pace of life, the scenery… it made me think about how I could find a bit of that one day, away from my tech job.”
by @paulinjnz
Challenges and Lessons
“The rides were actually the easy part,” Sam admitted. “It was the constant packing, unpacking, finding food, checking hotels, and sharing tiny rooms that wore you down.”
“There were three of us in rooms made for two — so a few bathroom scheduling issues,” he joked. “But that’s all part of it.”
The descents were another learning curve. “You can’t train for that in the Netherlands. Everyone else was flying down while I was still figuring out my lines. I just accepted I’d make up time on the climbs.”
by @paulinjnz
The Final Push
On the last day, storms were forecast for their finish in Feltre. “Three of us regrouped at the final feed station and decided to ride the last 30km together, hoping to beat the weather. The final 15km turned into a team time trial — the air was heavy, the light was fading, and we could feel the storm chasing us.”
They crossed the line just as the first drops started to fall. “Ten minutes later, it was biblical rain. Everyone huddled under awnings while the organisers and supporters kept the flares burning. The atmosphere was unreal.”
by @paulinjnz
What It Meant
“I knew I was capable of the ride physically,” Sam said, “but it reminded me why I love exploring new places by bike. It made me more open to just throwing the bike in the car and going somewhere new.”
Sam’s Ride in Numbers
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Event: Rad Race Tour de Friends (Dolomites)
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Route: Feltre – San Martino di Castrozza – Canazei – San Vito di Cadore – Feltre
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Distance: 438.5 km
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Elevation: 10,675 m
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Bike: Basso Astra
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Favourite snack: Pizza at the feed stations
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Next trip: “I’d love to go back to Rocacorba Cycling near Girona — quiet roads, incredible riding, and great coffee.”
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Best song: Sorry You’re Not a Winner by Enter Shikari (played as he crossed the stage three finish line)
His advice for anyone taking on the Tour de Friends?
“Be ready to climb — sometimes for two hours at a time — or make sure you’ve got every gear possible. Pack lighter than you think, and buy one of those mini electric pumps; they’re worth their weight in gold.”
by @paulinjnz
Sam’s map is still waiting for a spot on the wall while he finishes decorating his home office in Amsterdam. “It’ll be amazing inspiration for all the indoor riding I’ll be doing this winter while I dodge the rain and cold,” he said.
Turn your ride into art
If you’ve completed a ride that means something to you — whether it’s an epic coast-to-coast, your first sportive, or a weekend loop with friends — you can turn it into your own custom cycling map using our online designer.
Just upload your ride, choose your colours and layout, and we’ll print and ship your personalised artwork, ready to hang and relive those miles every day.
