Episode 192: Daniel Troia

Bikepacking from Italy to Switzerland to rediscover the Child Within

Ever reflect back on what it was like to be a young child, playing? Games were about having fun and there were no set goals to achieve? Daniel Troia stumbled across some home videos from his parents one day and discovered one showing him riding his first ever bike. Looking at the joy on his face he wondered whether that inner joy he had when he was a child, was still there. So what did he do? He went on a bike adventure of course!

Italy to Switzerland with no plans

Daniel is no stranger to long distance adventures. In fact, I have featured him on the podcast before to chat all about his huge adventure right across the USA. He is a documentary filmmaker and he showcased that journey perfectly in his film, We Are All In This Together. This time around Daniel also chose to film his adventure, which was an interesting experience especially when you set off not knowing where it is you are going, or where you will end up.

It was actually on the plane that Daniel decided to scrap his original itinerary which was to ride to Slovenia. He realised that following that route, would mean following a structured plan, and this adventure was meant to be about not having a goal and leaving behind all pre-coneptions and expectations. So it was he left Milan and took route advice from Strangers he would meet along the way. Daniel did share that in the first few days it did feel a bit like he was going in circles, following roads but not heading anywhere. He also noticed it took him a while to snap out of the idea of having to arrive wherever he was going as quickly as possible. That all came thanks to meeting the one and only Lucho.

Lucho, was sat outside a cafe that Daniel stopped in at for some food. He seemed to be known to everyone and the shop owner told Daniel he was the master of the art of doing nothing. Daniel ended up sitting next to Lucho for hours, just chatting, taking tips from the man on how to slow things down and where to go to next.

Another chance encounter at a gas station had Daniel take a tip from another stranger to follow a road that leads to heaven. It would take him a solid climb, but he’d reach the end of the world. That was an opportunity too good to pass up. Daniel did also share he got stitched up by some farmers who sent him down a crazy road that felt like it had no place for bikes to go. He still doesn’t know if they were playing a game with him or not. Then there were the terrifying Italian tunnels, the less said about those the better!

Daniel shared how he recognised within himself that when he slowed things down that he was recognising more things around him. He’s stop to climb a tree, pick some fruit growing wild by the side of the road, and appreciate being out in nature. He didn’t come across a lot of other bike adventurers, purely because he seemed to not be on any major cycle touring routes. But that didn’t matter, he was having a ball and this adventure with no plan, or set destination was exactly what Daniel knew he needed to be doing.

Eventually Daniel would make it to Switzerland. He shares a great story of meeting Walter, an old guy who was out in the field happily playing his accordian. Daniel stopped to spend time with Walter, and to hear his story. Often as bike travellers, strangers want to hear all about the person on the bike travelling through their part of the world. This time it was Daniel who was keen to hear Walters story. It turned out Walter enjoyed living the simple life, he had a humble mountain cabin where he called home, it was very basic and Daniel shared how all Walter had was what he needed and nothing more. His shower was outdoors and the water heated from the sun. Walter said if it was a cold day, he simply wouldn’t shower that day.

When Daniel returned home from his adventure the principle of doing nothing and appreciating a simpler life is something he is trying to embed into his daily life. WHile he still works two jobs, he takes the time out to be in nature, walking through the forest twice a day to ground in him what energises him the most. Simply said that is nature.

You can watch the visuals behind Daniel’s journey on his award winning documentary film, The Child Within. Also be sure to give Daniel a follow to track his future adventures via his instagram – @the_travelin_dude

The Seek Travel Ride podcast