Guest Stories: Mark Kosieradzki & Joan Fox

Pedaling Into the Best Years of Our Lives

It all started when Mark bought Joan a road bike for his Father’s Day gift. We started with Saturday afternoon bike rides, and over time, those short spins grew into longer journeys—sometimes even ending with a lunch date. Then on a cold winter’s night in January of 2019, enjoying a bottle of wine with friends around a fire, Mark mused, “I’ve always wanted to do a bike tour in Italy” To which Joan lovingly teased, “You better do it soon—you’re 65!”  With the now-or-never mentality, we began surfing the internet and came across Ciclismo Classico. Their website focused on experiencing the culture, offering high-quality bikes, and local guides.

We were both in our 60s. We had not been a part of any formal cycling group.  We had no idea if we could complete the rides, let alone climb the hills. But we thought this would be an interesting experience, an adventure of a lifetime. So, we went outside of our comfort zone and booked a 9-day trip to Puglia, Italy with Ciclismo Classico.

In Sept of 2019, we touched down in Puglia.  Excited and nervous: Were we too old? Were we going to be strong enough? Did we lack the skills? Could we go the distance? What would it be like spending a week with people we didn’t know? Dear God, what had we gotten ourselves into? Then we discovered the magic.

From the very first day, we were wrapped in warmth, passion, and encouragement. The Ciclismo guides weren’t just expert cyclists—they were fascinating locals. Sandro, a sommelier and agriturismo host. Massimo, a former pro soccer player turned photographer. They welcomed us into their world and culture in ways we never imagined.

And the group we worried about? They became instant friends—curious, adventurous, and full of life. Cycling, we learned, attracts people with stories to share and a zest for living fully.

That first tour to Puglia was life-changing. That first tour was transformative. At home, we often heard, “We’re getting old. We have to accept our limitations.” But here, surrounded by like-minded people embracing life, we realized we were entering the best years of our lives. We rode through ancient olive orchards, along stunning coastlines, and discovered that hills and rain didn’t stop us—they strengthened us.

On our final day in Matera, we had the thrill of riding down a long, exhilarating hill.  Then, on the return, we learned that we had to go back up that same hill.  Mark turned to our guide, Sandro, and said, “This is a joke, right?”  Sandro laughed and said, “You can do it.”  He was right, we could. What an accomplishment it was, and of course, what a great story to tell.

At our farewell dinner, we all felt like badasses. We’d cycled 215 miles with 10,900 feet of elevation. Along the way, we stayed in a palazzo once visited by John Lennon, a 5-star cave hotel in Matera, and sipped Campari sodas in a medieval hilltop village. We celebrated rediscovery, resilience, and the joy of starting new chapters at any age. 

Since then, cycling has anchored our travels. We’ve pedaled through Tuscany, Sud Tyrol, Slovenia, Sicily, Sardinia, and Normandy, often reconnecting with friends from earlier tours. These trips have taken us to places we’d never dreamed of exploring—like Istria, the Aeolian Islands, Verona, and Saint-Malo

Our first trip with Ciclismo Classico didn’t just give us a vacation—it gave us a new rhythm to life. Every ride reminds us: the world is vast, with so much to see, so much to learn, and so many wonderful people to meet.

Andiamo!