My name is Enrico Gremmo, I was born in 1980 in Biella, a small beautiful province at the foot of the Italian Alps. Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated with maps and stories of great journey and have dreamt of adventures to places unknown. I have also always had a passion for spending time in nature, and spent much of my childhood exploring in the mountains and woods of the Alps.

By chance in 2003, thanks to a dear friend, I discovered the unique privileges that travelling by bicycle affords- freedom of movement, freedom from schedules, the opportunity to reach destinations both large and small, and the time to observe and absorb every single metre the road and its surroundings has to offer. I discovered all this during a trip with this friend to "Camino de Santiago". We spent two weeks from the French Alps to the magical town of Galizia. An excellent beginning...

There were other journeys with good friends by train, but every time I returned home I felt unfulfilled. I knew there was more that I needed to see, more adventure to be had...

In 2007, after passing a few years working in the sunny vineyards of Lessona, I decided to make my first solo trip-to Cape North. The idea, which at first seemed unthinkable given the many years that had passed since I had done a ride of any significance, quickly gathered momentum and soon the day of my departure arrived. After two months on the road, I reached my destination.

This trip helped me overcome my fear of long distances and taught me an important lesson- travelling by bicycle is like playing a game, if you have the patience and perseverance, it can take you anywhere.

While making my way home through Sweden, I felt the need to discover more and decided to make a detour through Scotland. I decided to stop to work for a bit to finance my expanded trip. After spending eight months in the fascinating city of Edinburgh, I set off once again, this time with the intention of reaching southern Spain and then returning home. I did this, and after sixteen months away from home, eight of which were spent on the roads of Europe, I arrived home in Biella.

It was also during this trip that I understood and learned to appreciate travelling in solitude. Travelling alone allows me to listen to the demands of my body and to follow the rhythm it imposes. Most nights I sleep in a tent, alone under the night sky. While this is in part driven by the need to economize, it is moreover motivated by my need to be connected with Nature- a key motivation behind my journey. Travelling by bicycle also allows me to enter a village in silence. The loneliness is alleviated by encounters with the local people and with the exchanging of experiences with other travellers I cross paths with.

I have realized that on a bicycle loaded with dreams, alone, under the Skies of the World, I am a free spirit.

A year or so passed, and although I felt satisfied with my life, I still harboured a feeling of wanting to know and to see more of the world.

In April 2010 I set off again from Biella, this time with Japan as my destination. More specifically, to reach the city of Kiryu, the city which is "twinned" with Biella.