On the 14th of August 2016 the RIDE TO MOSCOW team crossed the finish line and arrived in Moscow after 17 days and more than 2600 km riding their bikes across Europe.
In the morning of the last day, Paolo, Alessandro, Arturo and the whole team would have met in Mozhaysk all cyclists joining them for the last stage.
It was very surprising when the team met not only the cyclists, but also the Mayor of the city, Vasily Mikhailovich Ovchinnikov, together with local authorities, teachers and children who greeted them with a big party. A greeting made of traditional music and folk dances, of an icon offered – a very prestigious gift in Russia – and of the tasting of bread and salt – a typical gesture of hospitality.
It has been a great pleasure and joy for the whole team to be welcomed with such warmth and enthusiasm. The words of the Mayor, the smiles of the children, all coming from a city orphanage, the presence of a veteran, the tribute to the war memorial…have all been very touching moments for the whole group.
This welcoming moved and cheered the whole team up and pushed them all during the last stage from Mozhaysk to Moscow.
THANK YOU from everyone at GEOforCHILDREN and from the RIDE TO MOSOW team to the city of Mozhaysk, to the Mayor and to all people who came and welcomed us that morning.
“On behalf of the whole team, a very big THANK YOU…we are very touched by this warm welcome we really didn’t expect. We will remember this day forever” Paolo Ferraris