United We Are, Stronger We Feel: A Week of Riding, Bonding, Becoming - UWAT 2025

This May, No Gods No Masters went to Piedmont for the fourth edition of the United We Are Tour (UWAT), our women’s-only road experience. Five days of riding. Three pace groups. One shared aim: to enjoy the best of northern Italy on two wheels, and to do it together.

We began just outside Milan Malpensa airport, making arrivals smooth for our international riders. With time to build bikes, swap names, and settle into ride mode, the mood was equal parts anticipation and calm. Some participants brought their own bikes, while others had booked premium Drali Onice and Colnago bikes in advance. At this point, half of the group was mostly first timers — but that quickly began to shift. Cultural exchange started quietly, over multi-tools and matching dragonfly-flash-print jerseys.

For 2025, we curated a five-stage circular route, changing hotels each night with full luggage support. The conditions? Pretty much perfect for a cycling holiday. The first two stages took us along lakeside (Varese, Maggiore and Orta Lakes) and into the pre-Alps, with quiet roads, forested climb up Mottarone, and the occasional flash of snow on the distant peaks. Café stops in sunlit piazzas became natural regroup points, and yes—there was espresso, gelato, and the occasional spritz. We rode with intent (yoga and massage were waiting at the hotel), but always with enough space to settle into your own pace, take in the view, and connect with the group.

By day three, the real climbing began as we headed into the mountains: longer ascents, big open descents, a new level of focus. One of the week’s most memorable stages took us to Oasi Zegna—a ridgeline retreat so under-the-radar that even most Italians don’t know it. The hotel there, a charming mid-century gem, looked like something from a Wes Anderson set, perched high among blooming rhododendrons. More than one rider had quietly wondered if they were fit enough for the week. By the time we reached Zegna, they knew they were.

Our founder Milly led the third group, which is often the most varied in experience. Some women had never ridden back-to-back big days; others were returning to the sport after time away. But the mindset was aligned. “It’s not about being the fastest,” Milly said. “It’s about finishing each stage, being there for each other, sometimes with a wheel, sometimes just with encouragement. That’s the kind of generosity we try to cultivate in any of the riding groups. Everyone can lead at different levels and jump in when needed.”

Each ride had its own personality. Some days were steady and rolling; others were shaped by longer climbs. Most hovered between 80–100 km and around 1,500m of elevation—a good, satisfying day in the saddle. It’s why we always recommend trying our Is It Right For Me/Am I Ready For It? quiz before registering. 
And if it nudges you toward more prep, all the better – cycling supports more than just your legs. It strengthens focus, confidence, and that elusive sense of headspace.

Tired? There’s always a photo stop, a mid-ride lunch, and someone pulling snacks out of a back pocket at the perfect moment.

Then, once the riding was done, we kept our evenings intentionally relaxed. Yoga on the hotel terrace or garden. Massages when the schedule / hotel allowed for it. Long dinners with conversations that drifted from bike tech to books, careers, travels, and how time on the bike gives you space to think.

Accommodation stayed true to the NGNM ethos: unfussy, well-chosen, and full of character.  The tour stayed at a castle-turned-into-hotel tucked above the Turin hills—a preview of what’s in store this September, when we return for United We Are Gravel. Same region. Same spirit. New terrain.

If this spring’s road riding tour is anything to go by, UWAG will be another 4-stage/5 nights gravel experience worth preparing for.
The tour ended in the stunning UNESCO World Heritage site of Langhe, where one can ride on breathtaking roads through and around vineyards. Between Barolo and Nebbiolo red wines, or the delicious local hazelnut cake, everyone took home a souvenir from UWAT and this corner of the world!And while the legs did the pedaling, it was the heart of the group that did the real heavy lifting. We welcomed 30 women from 10 countries, representing a range of ages (35-67) — many of whom arrived solo, some a little nervous, while others were excited to meet again after the previous UWA camps. By the end of the tour, something quietly extraordinary had happened. We didn’t just ride together—we became something together.
A family, as Milly likes to put it, forged in sweat, espresso, spritz, and shared saddle time. 
There was intensity on the climbs, cheers at the top, spontaneous joking at any time, and hugs (and maybe a few tears) at the finish. What started as a group of solo adventurers evolved into a community, with a Telegram thread that refuses to die.
Belonging isn’t something you plan for—but somehow, at almost every United We Are event, it quietly takes shape over the days.

Lastly, we would like to thank all the participants, staff, guides (Mim, Stefania, and Jo), jane of all trades/photographer Claudia, and Alex, who enlightened us on how to use trackers like Whoop/Oura, our sponsors Hammerhead, Komoot, Enervit, Dynamic Cyclist, Drali, and Aikon, for making UWAT very special once again. 

We look forward to seeing you again next year for a new road tour... We'll open registrations and disclose the new location in the fall! The best way to stay informed is to subscribe to our mailing list, and you'll be sure to receive our announcements.