The Professor Who Bikes for Charity
From the peaks in Lombardy to those in Asia, the racing bike belonging to Claudio Dordi, of the Department of Legal Studies, has traveled far and now also helps raise funds to reduce the mortality rate of newborns in Vietnam.
"My passion for bikes started at a young age and, growing up near Varese, I was always cycling in the nearby mountains. In Milan it is harder to cycle, but in Vietnam, in part because of the climate, I am able to practice all year long," says Dordi.
Dordi has been in Vietnam for work since 2005, when he was director-general of a project for the Italian government to encourage Vietnam to join the WTO. Then, starting in 2008, he has covered the role of Technical Assistant Team Leader for MUTRAP (Multilateral Trade Assistance Project), funded by the EU and implemented with the Vietnam government. An assignment which requires a commitment of 6-7 months in Vietnam per year.
Around six years ago, Dordi joined a group of amateur cyclists in Hanoi, a mix of locals and foreign diplomats, consultants and officials, which organizes cycling outings. "During the week, we bike about 50km in the mornings, while on the weekends we have fun going up the mountains in the surrounding area," Dordi explains.
"Personally, I'm very proud to hold the third best time for scaling the Ba Vi mountain, according the data on the Strava app. The climb is over a 1,000-meter difference in altitude," says Dordi. He talks about the room in his apartment in Hanoi dedicated exclusively to bikes with similar pride – with his bike, a spare bike and all the related equipment.
And two years ago, he participated in his first charity race, organized by British journalist David Lloyd to support Newborns Vietnam. The organization works to reduce the infant mortality rate in Vietnam. Lloyd's event, called 'Everesting,' consisted of going up and down Ba Vi mountain nine times, for a total of 8,848 meters, the equivalent of climbing Everest. "I went with him for three legs – an amazing experience. I could have gone up the mountain at least three more times but I had to save some energy for my research and publications work during the week...," says Dordi.
"Last year I had to skip the event because I had broken my shoulder, from a cycling accident of course. Then, in September of this year, I participated in 'Cycle a Difference,' again supporting Newborns Vietnam," explains Dordi. The faculty member participated on the last day of the three-day event, cycling 150km with a group organized by the Italian Embassy.