How We First Met: Andrei And His Nemo Gravel

Between wild boars and bears in Romania's Carpathian Mountains to a near-death longboarding accident. Andrei gives us an insight into his two-wheeled adventures, where his Nemo Gravel is key to exploration and a means of connecting with nature.

Read the full interview below.

"Hello, I'm Andrei, a 29-year-old Romanian creative professional. I spent the last decade working as a portrait photographer, video editor, and art director, connecting with people and translating their stories into compelling visuals.

I believe that creativity should be exercised in all aspects of life and I’m very passionate about experiences involving movement, self-awareness, and exploration. I pursued action sports like longboarding, rollerblading, skiing and snowboarding, even competing professionally. A near-fatal longboarding accident at 18 significantly altered my perspective, forcing me to re-evaluate my relationship with risk.

Since 2017, cycling, particularly gravel riding in Romania, has become my central occupation, combining my love for movement with exploration and connection with nature. This passion led me to work at a bike store (PlayBike Biciclete) as a salesman, photographer, videographer and social media creator. Cycling provides a sense of peace, accomplishment, and a way of life that blends adventure, self-discovery, and connection with the natural world."   

 

"For a long time I admired Cinelli bikes for their clean aesthetics and focus on function. I sought a more grounded way to recapture the freedom of action sports. The Cinelli Nemo TIG Gravel perfectly fits my needs, serving as both a stylish commuter and a rugged gravel explorer capable of handling the diverse terrain of the Romanian mountains. I appreciate the bike's classic geometry, the balance of comfort and performance offered by the steel frame and carbon components, and the generous tire clearance.

My appreciation for Cinelli has led me to consolidate my bike collection, replacing my fixed gear with a Cinelli Vigorelli Steel to complement my Nemo and cover both city riding and off-road adventures."

"The relationship with cycling evolved gradually after my longboard accident. Seeking a new form of movement and outdoor connection, I started with fixies, drawn to their simplicity and the direct connection they offered. My initial short rides quickly escalated into epic fixed-gear bikepacking adventures, fostering a love for endurance and self-sufficiency.

This led naturally to gravel riding, opening up access to the wilder parts of Romania. For me, Cinelli represents this entire journey, embodying exploration, performance, and Italian flair. I appreciate the brand's blend of style, function, history, and passion, which inspires me to push my boundaries and explore the world by bike."

 

"Romania's diverse landscapes are my cycling playground. I embrace challenging experiences, including high-altitude camping in cold temperatures. I cycled thousands of kilometres, a few that are worth mentioning are completing three gruelling 500km rides from the heart of Romania to the Black Sea. This route showcases Romania's beauty, from Transylvania's hills to the Danube Delta's unique biosphere. While challenging, the journey is rewarding.

My favorite place to ride is the Sunset Mountains that are part of the Carpathian range, which I crossed twice. I am drawn to their untouched beauty, dramatic landscapes, and sense of remoteness. The Sunset Mountains offer a sensory experience, a place to disconnect and reconnect with nature, where time slows down and I truly feel alive."  

" Transitioning from longboarding to gravel riding required me to develop a new skillset. Reading varied terrain and adjusting my riding style accordingly was a major challenge. I also had to learn to manage the bike on loose surfaces, which required a different sense of balance. Being prepared for mechanical issues in remote locations is crucial, so I learned basic bike maintenance and carried essential tools.

I experienced my share of roadside repairs, which taught me resourcefulness. The physical challenges, like steep climbs and unpredictable weather, tested my resilience. Wildlife encounters, including bears, sheep dogs and wild boars, add excitement, but require awareness. Despite the challenges, they are what make the trips rewarding, pushing me physically and mentally, fostering resourcefulness and self-reliance, and strengthening my connection, my bike, and nature."

"My mind is full of cycling adventure ideas. I dream of exploring various destinations, including revisiting Spain and Greece, and venturing to North Africa, South America, and Central Asia. Italy is a top priority, drawn to its cycling heritage, art, architecture, and food. 

I am also interested in ultra-distance gravel events like Badlands and the Atlas Mountain Race. Despite these international aspirations, I cherish riding in my home region of Transylvania. In the near future, I plan to tackle the Via Transilvanica, a 1400km trail network in Romania, inspired by my friend Bagoly Levente's impressive completion of the route."