After hearing about Sharky’s incredible Italian meet-up and then seeing all the support and photos for Mike Hagen on the WhatsApp channel, it got me thinking about what makes this community so special. We call ourselves the “zaniest cycling community,” a global group that takes our cycling seriously, but never ourselves . But these two recent stories, unfolding hundreds of miles apart, show the true depth of that statement. They reveal a spirit that lives not just in our weekly race results, but in the powerful, real-world connections we forge.

The Joy of Connection: An Impromptu Alpine Adventure

It started with a simple holiday plan. Our own Manuel “Sharky” Lamber was taking a day off in his home region of Italy when he got a message from Daniel (Denny44), the celebrated organizer of our Black Forest meet-up. Denny was vacationing nearby. At the same time, an Instagram post revealed that top Mucker Mads (Grochang) from Denmark was also in the area.  

What happened next is pure Muckers magic. A solo ride turned into a multinational group adventure. Sharky, Denny, and Mads were joined by fellow Italians Alessandro and Lorenzo for an unforgettable day in the Alps. Together, they tackled two legendary climbs, the Passo Mendola and the Gampenpass (Passo delle Palade), covering 70 kilometers and a grueling 1700 meters of elevation.

The photos tell the story best: smiling faces at the summit signs, a well-deserved coffee stop, and a group of riders moving as one through stunning mountain scenery. It was a day that perfectly captured the joy of our community—the way a simple message can spark an epic adventure, turning online friends into real-life companions sharing a passion on the road.

The Heart of a Mucker: Support Without Borders

The second story shows a different, but even more important, side of the Muckers spirit. Many of you know Mike Hagen, a top team rider from Canada who is the definition of commitment, having traveled across the Atlantic for our Black Forest gathering and consistently placing high in our World Championship.  

While continuing his European tour in the Netherlands, Mike had a serious accident that left him hospitalized, thousands of miles from home. The news spread quickly through the Muckers network. The response from our Dutch members was immediate and unconditional.

Without a moment’s hesitation, they went to the hospital to be with him. The photos of them visiting Mike, first in his hospital bed and later as he began his recovery, are a powerful testament to what this community is truly about. In a moment of vulnerability, his Muckers family was there, offering comfort, support, and the simple, powerful reassurance that he was not alone.

This wasn’t about racing or watts; it was about solidarity. It was a quiet, profound act of kindness that proves the Muckers jersey is more than just team kit—it’s a promise that we look out for one another, no matter what.

We Are Muckers Worldwide

These two stories—one of spontaneous joy on an Italian mountain and the other of unwavering support in a Dutch hospital—are two sides of the same coin. They are the heart and soul of Muckers Worldwide. We are a community that celebrates together, pushes each other to be better, and, most importantly, lifts each other up when it matters most.

This is the Muckers spirit. It’s in every shared laugh, every grueling climb, and every act of support. It’s what makes this more than a club; it makes us a global family.

Do you have a Muckers story to share?

These are just two examples of the Muckers spirit in action. We know there are countless others. If you have a story of friendship, adventure, or support that you’d like to share, please send it, along with any photos, to Kyle at kyle@muckersworldwide.com.