Vláďa Mišík

Ing. Vladimír Mišík, 50 years old, businessman

Hi, my name is Vláďa. This year, I celebrated my 50th birthday. I live in the northern Czech Republic, in a village close to Most. I co-own a construction company, just to tell you what I’m built of.

I got into some serious bicycle sports very late. In 2015, I was on vacation in Provence, France, and lived right under the Mont Ventoux hill, which is an iconic incline in Tour de France. It’s the cycling Mekka in the south of France.

I love Tour de France, so I decided to ride up Mont Ventoux too. I went to borrow a bike in Bédoin. For the first time ever, I borrowed a carbon road bike, not even knowing how to use the Shimano shifters, I set off uphill with difficult gears set. I’ll cut the story short – I nearly died there, but somehow pulled through and got uphill in 4 hours.

That’s what started my passion for cycling and bikes in general.

I returned from France and went straight to get my first Scott Spark bike, on which I returned to climb Mont Ventoux a year later. It also helped me climb many other hills after. The next year, I bought the Cannondale SuperSix Evo road bike, after that a trail bike, and an e-bike for my girlfriend. A bike is my life. I’m not a purist, I love all kinds of cycling.

While on the road, I like to challenge myself and track every watt I leave there. I enjoy taking down iconic inclines of the Grand Tour. Apart from Mont Ventoux, I have Stelvio, Gavia, Colle Dell’agnello, Colle Delle Finestre, Col Izoard, Lagos de Covadonga, Angliru, and many others under my belt. There are many I’m missing still…

I like the mountain bike too, albeit in easy terrain, because I only own a cross-country bike. I tried riding trail, but at my age, I was afraid of breaking something, which I can’t afford happening. I sold that bike and started getting into bikepacking.

First, I was following it online, mainly abroad though. I don’t know why, but I was never interested in the 1000 Miles race. Then I discovered Italy Divide and that was it. I simply had to attend. That decision is probably why this text is now here.

I contacted Štěpán to get some tips and tricks to set me off. I was a total newbie and he was very forthcoming. We met at Okoř castle and he gave me great advice, which helped me tremendously. Thanks to that, I knew, at least remotely, what I was getting myself into. He then also put me in touch with other people, with whom I then participated in a part of the race. Thanks again, Štěpán.

I have lots of plans when it comes to bikepacking. This year, I was planning to return to Italy for the Tuscany Trail, but that didn’t happen because of covid. I’m hoping for next year…

Long story short, I enjoy everything revolving bicycles, which is why I’m really happy to be helping with pathfinding for WOLFman.