My Big
Backyard
Mountain Biking Across The Dolomites
With Francessco Drago
Not since childhood have, we cherished our backyards as much as today– The ability to walk out the door, get fresh air, and ride our bikes around the neighborhood. The only difference from childhood is now our bikes are a little bigger, and the concept of the yard and neighborhood has expanded. This notion of exploring locally has led me to launch this project, crossing the Italian Dolomites, my childhood backyard by bike.
Not since childhood have, we cherished our backyards as much as today– The ability to walk out the door, get fresh air, and ride our bikes around the neighborhood. The only difference from childhood is now our bikes are a little bigger, and the concept of the yard and neighborhood has expanded. This notion of exploring locally has led me to launch this project, crossing the Italian Dolomites, my childhood backyard by bike.
Who is Francessco Drago
A passionate adventure athlete and an avid environmental supporter– Francesco Drago’s enthusiasm for playful endurance activities is only rivaled by his passion for promoting eco-conscious adventures.
While growing up at the seaside in Genova, Italy, Francesco began competitively racing sailboats, which led him to move at a young age to Lake Garda. The mountains beckoned with force from the water, persuading him to shift his energy and training to focus on mountain biking, competitive cycling, and freeskiing. This has taken him across Europe, connecting with the greater outdoor and adventure community. These experiences have helped him better understand the impact traditional fast-travel has on the environment and the limitations it creates in connect with the community and culture as you travel.
Now, after recently finishing a Masters in Management with a thesis on CSR Communications, he has been left feeling the impact of COVID-19 and the unforeseeable economic shifts this has brought. Wanting to utilize this free time positively, Francesco has decided to take on an endurance project he has dreamt of for years– A slow travel trip to explore the Dolomites and the diverse mountain culture right out the backdoor in his home country. Demonstrating how much you can see and experience in your own backyard with little more than a mountain bike.
Who is Francessco Drago
A passionate adventure athlete and an avid environmental supporter– Francesco Drago’s enthusiasm for playful endurance activities is only rivaled by his passion for promoting eco-conscious adventures.
While growing up at the seaside in Genova, Italy, Francesco began competitively racing sailboats, which led him to move at a young age to Lake Garda. The mountains beckoned with force from the water, persuading him to shift his energy and training to focus on mountain biking, competitive cycling, and freeskiing. This has taken him across Europe, connecting with the greater outdoor and adventure community. These experiences have helped him better understand the impact traditional fast-travel has on the environment and the limitations it creates in connect with the community and culture as you travel.
Now, after recently finishing a Masters in Management with a thesis on CSR Communications, he has been left feeling the impact of COVID-19 and the unforeseeable economic shifts this has brought. Wanting to utilize this free time positively, Francesco has decided to take on an endurance project he has dreamt of for years– A slow travel trip to explore the Dolomites and the diverse mountain culture right out the backdoor in his home country. Demonstrating how much you can see and experience in your own backyard with little more than a mountain bike.
Project Description
As a global community, we are working to find some level of normality, and discover a silver lining in the COVID pandemic and the unknowns it has left. Jobs have shifted, travel is restricted, and socializing is taking shape in new forms, as we all move forward from an experience that has proven how fragile the world is.
As a recent University graduate from Italy, Francesco is facing his own version of the unknowns from the pandemic. He has decided to use this time as a positive opportunity, though–A time to explore his entire backyard by mountain bike, to discover the intricacies of the landscape, the varying culture, and history. He will accomplish this by linking mountain trails and high alpine routes from his childhood doorstep in Lake Garda to the border of Austria in Toblach, traveling through the Dolomites by human power on a South to North route.
This project will allow Francesco to connect in small numbers with the community throughout the region and draw awareness globally to a lower impact approach of traveling within one’s surroundings. Following local, social distancing protocols, he will meet riders for various stages to share in the passion of mountain biking and further promote his message showcasing what is possible with a low impact on the environment in a manner others can adapt or scale to fit their schedules or travel limitations. Along with this there will be a highlight on local food, traditions, and characteristics that make the Dolomites a unique destination for mountain biking and slow travel.
Like being a kid again, Francesco will remind us we don’t need to travel far for the adventure of a lifetime, and we don’t need to rely on cars and airplanes to have new experiences. With a bike and the freedom to our backyards, our imagination will do the rest.
Project Description
As a global community, we are working to find some level of normality, and discover a silver lining in the COVID pandemic and the unknowns it has left. Jobs have shifted, travel is restricted, and socializing is taking shape in new forms, as we all move forward from an experience that has proven how fragile the world is.
As a recent University graduate from Italy, Francesco is facing his own version of the unknowns from the pandemic. He has decided to use this time as a positive opportunity, though–A time to explore his entire backyard by mountain bike, to discover the intricacies of the landscape, the varying culture, and history. He will accomplish this by linking mountain trails and high alpine routes from his childhood doorstep in Lake Garda to the border of Austria in Toblach, traveling through the Dolomites by human power on a South to North route.
This project will allow Francesco to connect in small numbers with the community throughout the region and draw awareness globally to a lower impact approach of traveling within one’s surroundings. Following local, social distancing protocols, he will meet riders for various stages to share in the passion of mountain biking and further promote his message showcasing what is possible with a low impact on the environment in a manner others can adapt or scale to fit their schedules or travel limitations. Along with this there will be a highlight on local food, traditions, and characteristics that make the Dolomites a unique destination for mountain biking and slow travel.
Like being a kid again, Francesco will remind us we don’t need to travel far for the adventure of a lifetime, and we don’t need to rely on cars and airplanes to have new experiences. With a bike and the freedom to our backyards, our imagination will do the rest.
Purpose
- Create a storyline showcasing a positive takeaway from the changes and restrictions of COVID-19.
- Showcase a slow travel style trip and its benefit for connecting with your surroundings.
- Show an ability to follow social distancing protocols while connecting with the community across Italy
- Showcase an extensive mountain bike route that explores the Dolomites, which others can enjoy as a whole trip or in stages.
- Showcase the diverse mountain regions, culture, and history in this part of Italy.
- Provide an example of the treasures you can find in your own backyard.
The Community
Along the route, Francesco will meet up with fellow riders, friends, and the bike community. As well as utilize and highlight local eateries, lodging, and unique amenities in the Dolomites. This will be pre-planned to ensure he abides by the local social distancing protocol and create a shared network of cross-promotion social media. There will also be room for Francesco to interact with the public along the way to further increasing organic visibility safely.
Timing
This trip will take place in September 2020, taking between 7 and 12 days to complete. The duration will be adjusted based on the activities and community connections built-in along the trip to increase visibility.
Content Produced
Film & Photos
The project will be documented by Tristan Hobson and his collective media team to create a short story aimed at European and North American film tours. They will also produce photographs that will be utilized for brand messages and the editorial work accompanying this project.
Social Media
Francesco and his team will continually update his story live on Instagram, tagging sponsors, organically highlighting products, and creating an engaged audience. They will also produce professionally curated content for select sponsoring brand channels specific to the brand’s needs and visual requirements.
Along with this, Francesco will be interacting with fellow riders and organizations along the way to create a broader social media-sharing community. This community will allow him to broaden his organic reach throughout the trip exponentially.
Print Media
The full story, along with imagery, will be submitted to mountain biking, outdoor, and travel magazines in Autumn 2020.
My team
Francesco has teamed up with Tristan Hobson, a professional in marketing, photography, and writing, with over a decade of experience in the outdoor industry. His knowledge and team will allow Francesco to seamlessly share this story before, during, and after the project.
Tristan will support in creating and delivering the media and content for this project, as well as managing the overall production, communication, and content distribution. He has proven experience in producing editorial and brand stories, commercial photo shoots, and managing brands’ social media accounts. Along with this, he works with a collective of creatives to expand his storytelling team. This collective brings additional film experience in producing commercial content and international film festival stories.
Project Details
Purpose
- Create a storyline showcasing a positive takeaway from the changes and restrictions of COVID-19.
- Showcase a slow travel style trip and its benefit for connecting with your surroundings.
- Show an ability to follow social distancing protocols while connecting with the community across Italy
- Showcase an extensive mountain bike route that explores the Dolomites, which others can enjoy as a whole trip or in stages.
- Showcase the diverse mountain regions, culture, and history in this part of Italy.
- Provide an example of the treasures you can find in your own backyard.
The Community
Along the route, Francesco will meet up with fellow riders, friends, and the bike community. As well as utilize and highlight local eateries, lodging, and unique amenities in the Dolomites. This will be pre-planned to ensure he abides by the local social distancing protocol and create a shared network of cross-promotion social media. There will also be room for Francesco to interact with the public along the way to further increasing organic visibility safely.
Timing
This trip will take place in September 2020, taking between 7 and 12 days to complete. The duration will be adjusted based on the activities and community connections built-in along the trip to increase visibility.
Content Produced
Film & Photos
The project will be documented by Tristan Hobson and his collective media team to create a short story aimed at European and North American film tours. They will also produce photographs that will be utilized for brand messages and the editorial work accompanying this project.
Social Media
Francesco and his team will continually update his story live on Instagram, tagging sponsors, organically highlighting products, and creating an engaged audience. They will also produce professionally curated content for select sponsoring brand channels specific to the brand’s needs and visual requirements.
Along with this, Francesco will be interacting with fellow riders and organizations along the way to create a broader social media-sharing community. This community will allow him to broaden his organic reach throughout the trip exponentially.
Print Media
The full story, along with imagery, will be submitted to mountain biking, outdoor, and travel magazines in Autumn 2020.
My Team
I have teamed up with Tristan Hobson, a professional in marketing, photography, and writing, with over a decade of experience in the outdoor industry. His knowledge and team will allow me to seamlessly share my story before, during, and after my project.
Tristan will support me in creating and delivering the media and content for this project, as well as managing the overall production, communication, and content distribution. He has proven experience in producing editorial and brand stories, commercial photo shoots, and managing brands’ social media accounts. Along with this, he works with a collective of creatives to expand his storytelling team. This collective brings additional film experience in producing commercial content and international film festival stories.
The Route
this is a general overview of the route. The specific details will be published live,
The entire backyard adventure will take Francesco roughly ten days to complete, covering approximately 426 kilometers, and climbing more than 21.000 meters in elevation.
Along the way, he will pass countless iconic mountains, cross through some of the Dolomite’s most pristine villages, and enjoy a mix of the mountain culture that spreads across the region as well as share some of the lesser-known mountain bike opportunities– all under the power of his own legs.
He hopes by creating engaging content around the project (both while on the trail connecting with riders and through a full multimedia production afterward) that he can inspire others by demonstrating that new adventures are possible without having to travel to the other side of the world. This trip will also allow the public to see the possibility of exploring the Dolomites with a low impact on the environment.
Start
Riva del Garda, Italy
Finish
Toblach, Italy
Distance
426 km
Days
≈ 10 days
The Route
The entire backyard adventure will take Francesco roughly ten days to complete, covering approximately 426 kilometers, and climbing more than 21.000 meters in elevation.
Along the way, he will pass countless iconic mountains, cross through some of the Dolomite’s most pristine villages, and enjoy a mix of the mountain culture that spreads across the region as well as share some of the lesser-known mountain bike opportunities– all under the power of his own legs.
He hopes by creating engaging content around the project (both while on the trail connecting with riders and through a full multimedia production afterward) that he can inspire others by demonstrating that new adventures are possible without having to travel to the other side of the world. This trip will also allow the public to see the possibility of exploring the Dolomites with a low impact on the environment.
Start
Riva del Garda, Italy
Finish
Toblach, Italy
Distance
426 km
Days
≈ 10 days
Sponsorship and Partner Opportunities
The project is available for exclusive sponsorship from a single brand. Otherwise, we will bring together a group of complementary non-competitive brands from within the biking, outdoor, travel, and tourism industries.
The following is a breakdown of the content options and brand visibility that can be produced. Alongside this, sponsors and partners will receive organic cross-promotional visibility through editorial work, and across social media channels.
Title Sponsor
- Deliver curated social media content designed to your brand’s visual specifications. For use on your marketing channels during the project.
- Deliver commercial quality photos shot to your brand’s visual specifications.
- Deliver the film and trailer for your brand’s digital use.
- Include your logo in the film and on all communication as the primary sponsor.
- Organically highlight your brand, product, and product benefits in the supporting visuals used for editorial submission and the ongoing community Social Media story.
- Tag, feature, and directly mention your brand in the ongoing community social media story.
Supporting Sponsor
- Deliver a selection of commercial quality photos for your brand to use on their digital platforms.
- Deliver the trailer for your brand’s digital use.
- Include your logo in the film credits and on all communication as a supporting sponsor.
- Organically include your brand and products in the supporting visuals used for editorial submission and the ongoing community Social Media story.
- Tag, feature, and directly mention your brand in the ongoing community social media story.
Project Partner
- Include your logo in the film credits and on all communication points as a partner.
- Deliver a small selection of photos for your brand to use on social media directly relating to the project.
- Tag your brand in the ongoing community social media story.
Sponsorship and Partner Opportunities
The project is available for exclusive sponsorship from a single brand. Otherwise, we will bring together a group of complementary non-competitive brands from within the biking, outdoor, travel, and tourism industries.
The following is a breakdown of the content options and brand visibility that can be produced. Alongside this, sponsors and partners will receive organic cross-promotional visibility through editorial work, and across social media channels.
Title Sponsor
- Deliver curated social media content designed to your brand’s visual specifications. For use on your marketing channels during the project.
- Deliver commercial quality photos shot to your brand’s visual specifications.
- Deliver the film and trailer for your brand’s digital use.
- Include your logo in the film and on all communication as the primary sponsor.
- Organically highlight your brand, product, and product benefits in the supporting visuals used for editorial submission and the ongoing community Social Media story.
- Tag, feature, and directly mention your brand in the ongoing community social media story.
Supporting Sponsor
- Deliver a selection of commercial quality photos for your brand to use on their digital platforms.
- Deliver the trailer for your brand’s digital use.
- Include your logo in the film credits and on all communication as a supporting sponsor.
- Organically include your brand and products in the supporting visuals used for editorial submission and the ongoing community Social Media story.
- Tag, feature, and directly mention your brand in the ongoing community social media story.
Project Partner
- Include your logo in the film credits and on all communication points as a partner.
- Deliver a small selection of photos for your brand to use on social media directly relating to the project.
- Tag your brand in the ongoing community social media story.