Extreme Mountain Biker Andreas Tonelli Dies in a Fall Riding Solo in the Dolomites
Extreme mountain biker Andreas Tonelli, who awed and thrilled with his gravity-defying adventures in the Dolomites of his native South Tyrol region of northern Italy, died in a fall on July 15, Italian media L'Unione Sarda is reporting. He was 48.
Tonelli was reportedly riding solo in the mountains of Vallelunga above Val Gardena when he fell some 600 feet. He had left in the morning and was reported overdue that evening. Friends alerted authorities, and his body was discovered by an Aiut Alpin helicopter crew at 1 a.m. at the bottom of a steep ravine. He was recovered later that day.
The Carabinieri (Italian national police) are investigating the accident.
Tonelli traveled the world climbing mountains and riding down them with his LAST bike in no-fall zones. He and Giovanni Mattielo are credited with the first mountain bike ascent and descent of Argentina's 22,211-foot Cerro Mercedario in January 2025.
His last Instagram story was made at 7:15 p.m. on July 15 after he climbed to 9,530 feet on Piz Duleda peak in the Puez-Odle Nature Park. The video showed Tonelli beaming with his bike on his shoulders and the valley stretching out below. The story is no longer on his site.
His last post made on July 13 is a POV of himself cruising down a singletrack with a dropoff on the right, saying this was Day 2 of 4 of a Dolomites Enduro Traverse with Norrøna Adventure.
Norrøna Adventure is the Norwegian company that Tonelli guided for, taking clients on mountain biking trips worldwide. On its site, Norrøna Adventure says Tonelli was a passionate mountain biker committed to sustainable mountain living.
"Andreas Tonelli is a passionate mountain biker and splitboarder from Südtirol, Italy," his bio reads. "He calls the Dolomites his primary home but feels at home wherever he travels. Joining the Norrøna family in 2023, Andreas is committed to sustainability, living in an eco-friendly wooden house, and minimizing his carbon footprint. His career highlights include adventurous biking expeditions and climbing feats. For Andreas, the Dolomites and Lofoten Islands are the most cherished places, and he advises everyone to travel extensively as a way of learning."Tonelli earned the admiration of clients and social media followers worldwide with his white-knuckle missions in the Dolomites. Friends and admirers are leaving remembrances on his social sites.
His top-pinned post that shows him scaling a Via Ferrata with his bike on his back, Tonelli wrote "No matter how crazy your goals are, always remember to give everything to pursue your dreams! 💪"
BikeMag.com extends our condolences to Tonelli's family, friends and many fans around the world.
This story was originally reported by BikeMag on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
NEWS OF THE WEEK: Venus Williams confirms engagement
The tennis champion was first linked to actor-producer Andrea Preti in July 2024 when they were spotted on vacation together in the Amalfi Coast, Italy. In February, Venus also sparked engagement rumours when she was photographed wearing a diamond ring on her left hand. The athlete-entrepreneur revealed she was engaged to Denmark-born Andrea during an interview, following a singles tennis match as part of the Mubadala DC Citi Open in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.
Associated Press
12 hours ago
- Associated Press
From Aristocracy to Authenticity: Cook with a Real Duchess at Butera 28 Apartments in Palermo
'Cooking together is a way of preserving our history. Every dish tells a story, not just of Sicily, but of our family's place in it.'— Duchess Nicoletta Lanza Tomasi PALERMO, ITALY, July 27, 2025 / / -- In an age of curated experiences and instant itineraries, Butera 28 Apartments offers something deeply personal and genuinely Sicilian: cooking with a real Duchess inside a historic palazzo. Tucked within the storied walls of Palazzo Lanza Tomasi, Butera 28 Apartments invites guests to share in the traditions of Italian nobility - beginning in the kitchen. Duchess Nicoletta Lanza Tomasi opens her private kitchen to residents for hands-on cooking classes rooted in family heritage and local ingredients. From Market to Table The experience begins with a walk through one of Palermo's vibrant street markets, Il Capo. Alongside the Duchess herself, guests learn to choose the freshest seasonal produce, seafood, and local specialities - from fragrant wild fennel to sun-ripened tomatoes and salted ricotta. Back at the palazzo's 18th-century kitchen, participants learn to prepare a selection of traditional dishes, including trapanese pesto, swordfish rolls, biancomangiare, pistachio pesto, or handmade panelle. The classes are relaxed, engaging, and rich with family stories. 'Cooking together is a way of preserving our history,' says the Duchess. 'Every dish tells a story, not just of Sicily, but of our family's place in it.' The meal culminates with a shared lunch or dinner in the palazzo's grand dining room, complete with wine pairings and views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. These classes offer a full-circle culinary immersion - both intimate and indulgent. After lunch, the experience concludes with a private tour of the historic Palazzo, offering a glimpse into the legacy of Prince Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, the celebrated author of The Leopard (Il Gattopardo). A Cultural Feast Butera 28 Apartments is more than just a place to stay. It is part of one of Palermo's most historic and culturally significant buildings. The Palazzo Lanza Tomasi is the last home of Prince Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, the author of the internationally acclaimed novel Il Gattopardo (The Leopard). Published posthumously in 1958 and later adapted into a film starring Burt Lancaster and Claudia Cardinale, The Leopard tells the story of an aristocratic family's decline during the Risorgimento. It remains a touchstone of modern Italian literature. In 2025, the novel found renewed relevance through a Netflix original series based on the book, drawing international attention to Lampedusa's life and legacy. Visitors to Butera 28 Apartments have the rare opportunity to see Lampedusa's original manuscript on display within the palazzo's private museum - an intimate experience for literature lovers and scholars alike. The museum, curated by the Duke and Duchess of Palma, also houses first editions, family portraits, and artefacts that bring the era of The Leopard vividly to life. Living Heritage for Today's Traveller According to the Italian Ministry of Culture, interest in literary tourism has grown by 39% since 2021, and heritage-based travel now ranks among the top five motivations for visiting Sicily. Meanwhile, food-focused travel remains one of the region's strongest draws, with over 70% of international visitors citing gastronomy as a key reason for their trip. Palermo itself is also experiencing a renaissance. With over 300 days of sunshine annually and average winter temperatures above 15°C, the city has become one of Europe's top emerging destinations for remote workers and digital nomads. A 2025 study by the Mediterranean Institute for Urban Innovation found that long-stay visitor numbers in Palermo grew by 81% between 2021 and 2024 - driven by an influx of creatives, freelancers, and entrepreneurs seeking connection, culture, and quality of life. Butera 28 Apartments masterfully combines all of these experiences. Guests are not just observers - they participate in the rhythms of Sicilian life, from market to table, and from story to setting. Whether you're a seasoned cook, a literary enthusiast, or a cultural traveller in search of meaning, A Day Cooking with the Duchess offers a rare and unforgettable experience. It is personal, profound, and grounded in the lived legacy of a noble Sicilian family. Book your stay and culinary experience at to discover the soul of Palermo from inside its most historic walls. Duchess Nicoletta Lanza Tomasi Palazzo Lanza Tomasi +39 348 000 7673 [email protected] Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
I quit my job, divorced my husband, and moved to Italy to retire. I miss my kids, but I'm happier and healthier here.
Cindy Sheahan quit her job, got divorced, and began traveling abroad for a bigger, fuller life. She's visited more than 50 countries, but one city stole her heart: Palermo, on the island of Sicily. Sheahan told Business Insider she's happier, healthier, and saving more money in Italy. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cindy Sheahan, 64, who retired from real estate in 2017 and left Colorado to travel abroad. In 2025, Sheahan settled in Palermo, Italy. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. In 2017, I was at a crossroads. A lot of people I knew were dying, and I started thinking: You really don't know how many days you get or what's promised to you. I figured I'd start traveling abroad. My company was kind enough to let me take a sabbatical while I sorted out my world. It turned out to be a mistake for them, because I decided I wasn't coming back. Once I stepped out the door and visited places I had only dreamed of and ate food I had only read about, it was ridiculous to think I was going to go back to my "normal life." I wasn't getting any younger. I figured I could always work again if I wanted to. But right now? I wanted to climb a waterfall in Cambodia and ride a motorbike in Vietnam. So I quit my job, retired, and divorced my husband. We had 30 years together and raised our amazing kids. But I didn't want just to walk the dog, play pickleball, and tend a garden. I wanted a bigger life. I thought living abroad would be temporary, but I was wrong After the divorce, I moved into a small apartment in Colorado with a monthly rent of $1,700. I still have it and rent it out to traveling nurses abroad. In the beginning, I thought I'd travel the majority of the year, come back to the States, and live a "normal" life there for one month a year. For some time, I did that. I've visited nearly 50 countries, including Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Madagascar, Turkey, Cyprus, and the more popular spots, like France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. After being a mom to four kids, it's amazing to travel alone. Eating, sleeping, and reading when you want to is nice. You can go back to the same restaurant twice or visit a museum. You have no one to apologize to or explain yourself to. I remember sitting on a bench in front of Picasso's famous painting Guernica in the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid. Who knew I could sit and look at it for half an hour without anyone saying: "Oh my God, can we go? Are you done?" It was a sense of freedom that was incredible. The US was no longer for me After seven years of full-time backpack and hostel traveling, I was ready to set up a home base. I wanted to put my toothbrush on my own sink and put my clothes on a hanger somewhere. I knew I didn't want to live in the US anymore. Not only did I feel empowered abroad, but I also felt that the US no longer aligned with my values. I wasn't into the US's overconsumption. With the divisive political climate and the ridiculous gun culture, there was no way in hell I'd live there after experiencing a more peaceful life in so many other countries. Palermo, Italy, has my heart In 2022, moved to Portugal on a retirement residency visa. After about 11 months, I realized I could apply for Italian citizenship through ancestry, and the process would be faster in Italy than in the US. That was a game changer. For some time, I explored different parts of Italy, trying to determine where I wanted to live. I lived in a small medieval village in Umbria, and visited Bologna, Milan, Torino, Rome, and Florence. Then I went to Palermo, a city on the island of Sicily, and it hit me: I had found my soul city. Palermo is a feast for the senses. There's laughter, joy, noise — it's completely lovely. I moved to the city in October 2024. I didn't want to live in the suburbs — though living in the outer areas will always be less expensive and, in some ways, more authentic. So, I chose to live in the city center. I live in an area where I can walk for about 15 minutes and be at a cathedral, the gardens, or in the neighborhoods where all the restaurants, markets, and festivals happen. Palermo has a vast and active expat community. I feel safe in my neighborhood. I have a good friend who lives by the local train station, about a 30-minute walk from my apartment. I walk back from her house all the time late at midnight, and there's no stress — I'm not walking with my keys in my hand. My apartment is about 1,100 square feet, and I pay around $800 monthly plus a $100 condominium fee. It came completely furnished and is gorgeous. I have three sets of French doors that open onto three separate balconies. The floors are terrazzo with border patterns, and there are medallions on the 12-foot-high ceiling. My bathroom is spacious, which is hard to find in Italy, where showers are often the size of a phone booth. The apartment building dates back to the early 1930s. Although it is old, compared to some other buildings in Italy, it feels relatively new. Life is more affordable in Italy I couldn't afford my lifestyle if I moved back to the US. I receive $1,500 a month in Social Security. It's not enough to cover rent in Denver, but abroad, it easily covers my housing and much more. Daily expenses are affordable in Palermo. I love that I can go to the grocery store and not break the bank. You can buy tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, and everything else for a song. Healthcare is also much more affordable in Italy. In 2024, while traveling in Tunisia, I broke my foot. When I returned to Italy, I had two sets of X-rays and two appointments with an orthopedic specialist, and the total cost was less than $150. At the time, I wasn't even on the national healthcare system. Now that I'm an Italian citizen, I'm fully covered, which means there's no charge for general care. If I need to see a specialist, like a dermatologist, I might pay around $40. I am happier in Italy than I'd ever be in the US Living in Italy, I make a new discovery every day. That sense of wonder and joy has become a regular part of my life. I feel like I outgrew a lot of people and places in the US. Don't get me wrong, I desperately miss my friends and family, especially my kids. But they're all able to travel, and they'd much rather visit me somewhere fun than grab a drink at a bar in Denver. My quality of life has improved in Italy. I walk almost everywhere, so my blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol are in better condition. I eat better, I've made new friends, I've cut down on expenses, and most importantly, I'm happy. Read the original article on Business Insider
