Mavi Sperotto

Someone once said she could be the right girl for us. In order to evaluate such a big statement we took her with us for a ride, one of those where everything could happen. With snow, freezing temperatures, darkness and all of that, two were the possible outcomes: get reported or stop looking further. As of today we haven’t gotten the call from the lawyer – so here we are.

How did she convince us? Well, we saw her pedaling and that could have been enough already. But there was even more: when at the end of the day she literally said “gravel sucks”, we hugged and toasted to celebrate a new entry for Enough.

A past in the pro’s peloton, a tendency for danger (ask her about her relationship with fireworks) and loads of love for good food and good wine. We could have never imagined a better upgrade to our crew.

How long have you been cycling for? What pushed you to do it for the first time?
I started when I was 8 but to be honest I raced track for the first time at the age of 6. Why do I do it? I can’t tell you the precise reason. I tried many other sports – some of them just for one day, like swimming – then, committed to my choice, I got back to cycling and I fell in love with it. My parents were part of a MTB team but they never pushed me to follow their path. After many tries I selected my favorite sport by myself.

How would you describe your relationship with bikes?
Now that I stopped my pro career I would say liberating, made of discoveries and adventures.

Tell us about your most beautiful ride.
Despite all the races and training sessions, I would say the best one is my 3 days bikepacking trip to Roma. Three wonderful days, made of breathtaking landscapes, food feasts, unexpected events and new encounters. 

Tell us about that time you felt challenged the most while riding.
Maybe it would be an unpopular answer but I haven’t had to face many adversities so far, although getting lost in Norway after a stage was definitely no fun.

Hold on, now that you make me think about it, one day I will tell you how my first ride with Enough went: that was by far the most complicated ride of my life. 

What object do you always carry with you on a ride?
It’s a pin with a frog shape. My father always used to carry it on his bike rides

Complete this sentence: if you come on a bike ride with me be aware that…
If I’m not talking you’re better taking me to get a mortadella sandwich as quickly as possible.

What is your dream cycling event?
Maybe Jacopo will organize it soon, the idea is there already.

What are your plans for this season? Are there any events you look forward to more than others?
My goal is to learn how to manage and pace myself, looking for some balance. I think the experiences I’m about to face will be a great practice to achieve my objective. The event I’m looking forward to is the Unbound Gravel, in the US. Pretty excited for that one!

What did you say enough to in the past? What do you think you will never say enough to?
I’ve said enough, not only in the past, at the abomination of putting ketchup on pasta or pineapple on pizzas… If you are asking yourself what’s weird about pineapples as pizza topping, well…nothing, if you put it on yours and that’s it.

Switching topic, I would never say Enough to get surrendered by nature far away from traffic and to the joy of having good food along with a nice glass of wine.

Explain what Enough Cycling is to your grandma.
If I would really say to my grandma what I’m about to do she would end up traumatized and yelling: “you guys are crazy. Bring some food with you at least”

Your ideal Saturday night? What if it was a weekend?
Ideal Saturday night: bathtub and a bottle of wine. If we’re talking about a weekend, I would add a lodge in the mountains.

You have a gap year, how do you spend it?
I would spend it traveling in as many places as possible. I would try new local foods, ingredients and recipes. And of course in my spare time I would visit some museums and all that good stuff.

Tell us a sentence that represents you.
Every day every hour, turn the pain into power.

Your favorite cyclist or athlete.
Andrea Tafi

If you are not out on the bike you are …
Making coffee or pouring a glass of wine. If this is not the case it means I’m cooking.

Have you ever crossed paths with Enough last year? If so, what have you taught about it?
Yes I did, at my first gravel event. I would define it as a great initiation: deep into the snow, at night, without headlamps, phone signals and gps. “Gravel sucks!” is the first thing I’ve said. But we are all still alive and if someone would ask me to do it again I would be ready to go as we speak.

Have you seen how the other guys ended up in less than 12 months? Are you sure it’s the right choice for you?
To be honest I didn’t know them 12 months ago. It seems to me that everything is under control? Maybe I ended up in the right group of people!