ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO DI GATTEO A Comenius Project R.R.E. V. Cycling, a traditional sport in Romagna

INTRODUCTION. We, students of the third classes, interviewed our grandparents or uncles about what sports they practiced when they were young putting together many small stories that allow us to understand how habits, customs and ways of life have changed over time. Here below we report the results of our work. Let's assume that most of them were born around the thirties and that some of them have lived during the years of the Fascist period.

The older grandparents told us that the Fascist regime wanted to create an overall improvement of the Italian population, showing a great interest in physical activity and physical education from the age of four, aimed at a pre-military preparation and based on order and discipline. During Fascism Italians discovered sport, even though for propaganda purposes. Mussolini promoted and stimulated the sports facilities in schools and extracurricular activities. The most popular sports were athletics, swimming, boxing, football and cycling.

After World War II most of our grandparents were from ten to eighteen. At that time, Italy was still in a predominantly rural economy.. Only wealthy people practiced some “ today sports," in large cities, where there was only one facility for all sports. In those days, the most popular sports were boxing and cycling, the so-called “ humble sports," which were based on strength, physical resistance, training and hard work. Many young people worked in the fields and this certainly was enough to "get the muscles." The kids were more independent than they are today: playing football or doing outdoor games were games based on skill, agility, speed and physical strength and were therefore very healthy and socializing.

A bike is enough and, riding along the winding country roads and slopes of a hill, you can dream of being Bartali or Coppi. These two champions were an example of strength and courage for Italy that was emerging from the rubble of war and rode with them towards a place of redemption. They brought a sense of optimism and people identified in them.

More recently, in the late 90s, a very loved champion of Romagna was “The Pirate" Marco Pantani. He won the Tour de France in 98 and further increased the passion for cycling in our region. He prematurely died Marco Pantani, the hero of Cesenatico

And today? Although football is at present the most popular sport, cycling in Emilia-Romagna involves women, men, old people, teens and children, who practice it according to their level of training, age and organization of leisure time.

“Let’s ride together" is the slogan for a sport based on a natural competitive spirit respecting the rules and health, and use of the sport aimed at physical and mental wellness and at the desire for adventure, of freedom, of rediscovery of the territory and its traditions.

Some advice to ride safely and in the respect of nature - Always use a helmet, gloves and glasses. -. Give priority to pedestrians, even if at times they should give it to you! - Signal your arrival. - Watch out for distracted drivers: they are the majority. - When you are in a team always ride in a row especially along the main roads. - Cycle along the allowed paths - Always greet the other cyclists. - Be always well dressed, especially in winter: it is always better to be too covered than risk a cold. - Do not forget that if you ride hard then in the evening you'll be better lying on the sofa.

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