There are journeys you choose. And then there are the ones that choose you. The Komoot Women’s Rally in Montenegro was the latter: a silent invitation that knocked on my heart on an ordinary day. A story seen on Instagram by chance and yet, it opened the door to something profoundly real.
680 kilometers. 14,800 meters of elevation. Sixty women. And one promise only: let yourself be surprised. I didn’t study the route. I chose freedom. The truth? I didn’t even really look at the route.
Sure, I downloaded it but I didn’t check every climb, every hut, every detail. I set off just like that: into the unknown. Because when you travel self-supported, you can stop wherever you want, pitch your tent wherever you like, fire up a camp stove, and breathe in the sky.
The only rule: leave no trace except in your memory. And so my journey began: with an open heart and a deep desire to explore Montenegro’s wild nature.
The First Kilometer Is Never the Beginning
Every journey starts long before the first pedal stroke. For me, it begins at home, in my kitchen carefully preparing every detail: bags of dried fruit, homemade energy bars, dehydrated meals portioned out one by one for the wild days ahead. For this rally, I chose my Kona Unit X my trusty partner in so many adventures: solid, tireless, reliable. Alongside her, my REGAL carbon saddle, light and comfortable, made specifically for bikepacking. My setup was designed to sleep under the stars, with an essential but complete approach. Over time, I’ve learned that lightness is a form of freedom: every extra item is a burden physical and mental. The real secret? Leave the unnecessary at home, and only bring what you truly need. Every gram you save becomes an extra kilometer of pleasure, agility, and breath.
I had no clear plan. Just one intention: to live the adventure for what it is. No filters. No expectations. Just me, my bike… and a line on a map.
Sixty Women. Sixty Heartbeats. One Direction
On the day of the start in Podgorica, we gathered: sixty women from all over the world.
There were seasoned cyclists, ultra riders, and women setting out on their very first solo adventure.
But what united us was something deeper: the urge to explore, to push ourselves, to share. From day one, everything flowed perfectly. The Komoot team had arranged every detail with care and passion, creating a safe and authentic space for each of us. From pre-rally workshops to field support, from contagious energy to quiet encouragement we felt part of something big. Something special.
And just a few pedal strokes were enough to turn strangers into familiar smiles.
I met Helena and Maxine, we shared this experience, a few chats, a couple climbs… and built a friendship that will last far beyond the finish line.
Mountains Don’t Lie
Montenegro is a raw land. Wild, harsh, beautifully unpredictable.
At first, it whispers to you… then it overwhelms you without asking permission. The first day after Korita, we crossed a snow-covered mountain pass, nearly 2,000 meters high. No warning. Just fresh snow under our feet, icy wind on our skin, and a profound silence broken only by quick breaths and tires sinking into slush. In that moment, we realized this wasn’t just a trip. It was a real challenge and Montenegro wasn’t about to cut us any slack. We pushed our bikes in silence, fingers numb from the cold, eyes wide with wonder. There we were, surrounded by a motionless landscape where winter seemed to have forgotten the calendar. It was May. And it was magic.The kind that stays with you. That night, we camped in total wilderness. Wild camping, under a sky that stretched forever. It was the first of many moments when I thought,“Yes this is my place in the world.”
Every Day Is a Gift
The route, drawn with love and skill by Bea, led us through breathtaking landscapes:
Durmitor National Park, with its jagged peaks and thin air, reminded me of my beloved Abruzzo mountains.
The fairy-tale bay of Kotor, shielded by rocky walls that looked hand-painted.
The walled town of Budva, where cats rule the streets and time moves slower.
The Tara River Canyon, the deepest in Europe it made us feel tiny under that vast sky.
And each day, of course: burek, the flaky pastry of Turkish origin in all its versions, better and better, always shared.
When You Come Back, You’re Not the Same
On the final day, we arrived back in Podgorica. Exhausted, muddy, messy… and alive. You’re no longer the same. It’s been eight days of struggle and wonder, of rain and sunshine, of shared laughter and endless climbs, of traditional food eaten cross-legged on the ground and views that took your breath away. Days of pedaling through deep silence and fast heartbeats, through majestic mountains and small gestures of sisterhood.
Eight days that left a mark. Every climb stripped away something unnecessary. Every descent gave back something true.
You’ve learned you can do it. That you don’t have to be “ready.”That you can be strong and fragile, tired and joyful, wild and gentle all at once. All it takes is a bike, a dash of recklessness, and a desire to discover.
See you at the next rally.
Giulia De Panfilis
@_rebelside_
Regal Short Carbon FX
Regal Short Full-Fit Carbon FX
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