Lucio Vetriolo (17_wild)
Photo by 17 Wild
Riding Beyond Limits
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‘This interview follows 17 Wild, an adventurer hailing from the picturesque town of Castellammare di Stabia, Italy. From a restless childhood driven by an insatiable curiosity for nature, to breathtaking off-road motorbike adventures, 17 Wild shares his deep connection to the wild, his love for the mountains, and the lessons learned from tackling challenging terrains and life-threatening situations. Combining his passion for exploration with photography and storytelling, 17 Wild inspires others to embrace freedom, overcome limits, and find beauty in life’s unpredictability. With his trusty Honda CRF 300L and essential tools, he ventures into rugged paths, capturing moments that resonate with the spirit of adventure.’
Background
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I was born in 1983 in Castellammare di Stabia, a corner of the world where the sea mixes with the mountains, in a land that is the soul of southern Italy. A small town, but for me the only one that could exist. I grew up in an extraordinary family, which I still thank today for having given me a happy childhood, despite the stories that circulated about me: they said that I was not exactly one of those children who were easy to tame.
Since I was little, in fact, there was a constant desire to move away, to explore unknown corners, driving my parents to despair. The call of the world, even then, was stronger than anything. Today, I am the father of two beautiful little girls, little storms of impertinence and independence, who, despite the thousand tribulations they cause me, are exactly like me. Not easy to educate, intolerant of any imposition, but with a character that, deep down, I am happy they have. A character that takes me back to my childhood, when I always tried to overcome the boundaries, both physical and mental, that were imposed on me.
Despite my rebellious nature, however, I have always tried to give my parents the respect they deserved. I studied, I struggled to stay on the right path, unfortunately sometimes uncertain, but never without determination. At university, I tried to reconcile my passion for nature with my desire to discover the world, becoming a biologist. Yet, life took me elsewhere: today I work for an engineering company that deals with telecommunications. A job that has nothing to do with my academic path, but that's okay.
Passion does not feed itself, and to sustain it, sometimes you have to take unexpected paths.
At 13, independence had already taken over, and together with my friends of the time, we lost ourselves in the mountains of Monte Faito, which stands out not far from Castellammare. It was a place that, in our eyes as kids, had something magical: every walk, every step was an adventure. Hours and hours spent exploring, discovering hidden corners and breathing in freedom. Since those days, the call of nature has never stopped being heard, indeed, it has grown with me, leading me to always seek new horizons. Today, thanks to the motorbike, I reach places that were once just dreams impossible to realize.
Photo by 17 Wild
My story is made of slow steps, of dreams that chase each other and of a journey that continues, always with the same restlessness, the same desire to discover, that has accompanied me since I was a child.
For those learning about you for the first time, can you please share a little about your current outdoor passion?
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For as long as I can remember, I have felt a deep, almost ancestral call to wild nature. It is a visceral bond, an impulse that pushes me towards remote places, far from the echo of civilization and the frenzy of a society that I call 'Matrix'. In this artificial world, made of imposed rules and rigid patterns, I have always felt like a stranger, a dissonant note in a melody that does not belong to me.
But when I find myself immersed in nature, everything changes. The rustle of the wind in the trees, the silent embrace of a forest, or the immensity of a panorama that disappears on the horizon reconnect me to something bigger. In those moments I am no longer an isolated individual; I feel part of a whole, a unique and necessary fragment of the universe. It is a feeling of profound peace, of belonging, that no other place in the world can give me.
Photo by 17 Wild
As a boy, this call pushed me to explore with friends every wild corner within reach: a grove behind the house became a kingdom to conquer, a small hill a peak to climb. Over time, that curiosity transformed into an unstoppable desire to go further, to push myself further and further, higher and higher. Trekking, climbing, adventures at the edge of possibility: each experience brought me closer to my essence.
And then she arrived, the motorbike. A vehicle that is not just transport, but a true extension of myself, the ideal companion to answer that call. I am not interested in speed, nor in the desire to run or take big risks. My only goal is to live to the fullest that moment that makes me feel good, as if every moment in the saddle were a perfect parenthesis of freedom and authenticity. It is a personal ritual, a way to recharge the batteries, to return to the Matrix stronger and face it without suffering too much damage.
Photo by 17 Wild
With the motorbike there is no border that cannot be crossed or horizon too far away. It is my key to experiencing nature in its purest form, to discover places that seem reserved for dreamers and rebels. Every journey, every path traveled, is a dialogue with the wild world that I have always loved and to which, deep down, I believe I belong.
Photo by 17 Wild
When did you first decide that you wanted to begin biking adventures? And what was the deciding factor?
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Two wheels have always been part of my life. Since I was 14, I have always had a motorbike or a scooter, and this passion has accompanied me everywhere. I have always loved the sense of freedom and independence that comes from riding, but over time I realized that I could combine this passion with my love of nature.
Photo by 17 Wild
The motorbike, especially the off-road one, has become the perfect means of exploration. Sure, I could have done it on foot, but it would have taken much longer. With the motorbike, however, I can cover considerable distances in a relatively short time, allowing me to fully enjoy as much as possible in a short time. Unfortunately, the frenzy of the ‘Matrix’ takes away more and more of our time, and even in our moments of peace we have to be quick to truly experience them.
Photo by 17 Wild
With the motorbike I didn’t just observe nature, I went through it. I could cross mountains, explore them from the inside, experience the trails as if I were an old cowboy launched between the mountains and plains of the old American West. So, more than a sudden decision, it was a natural path. I understood that two wheels were not just a passion, but the perfect way to fully experience my desire for adventure and my connection with nature.
Photo by 17 Wild
What is the make and model of the bike that you have chosen for your adventures, and why this particular bike over others?
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I started my adventures with large twin-cylinder motorcycles, the classic maxienduro, which apparently seem ideal for tackling any terrain. However, after a short time I realized their limits, especially when I was alone. Weight was the main problem: every fall was not only a nuisance, but a potential danger. Not only could you hurt yourself trying to maneuver them, but lifting them off the ground by yourself, especially on rough terrain, was a feat that was not always guaranteed.
This experience led me to reflect on what really matters in a motorcycle for my adventures, and so I decided to opt for something more suitable for the context. This is how I landed on the small Japanese Honda CRF 300L. A motorcycle that seems tailor-made for my lifestyle: light, easy to handle, easy to repair and equipped with the reliability that only Japanese manufacturers can guarantee.
Photo by 17 Wild
For those who, like me, venture on rough and often isolated paths, a motorcycle must have three fundamental characteristics: lightness, reliability and ease of repair. Everything else is secondary and negligible. With my CRF I found exactly what I was looking for: a travel companion that never let me down, even after 30,000 kilometers of adventures. Today I still use it with great satisfaction and I think I will do so for a long time to come. When you have something so perfectly functional for your needs, there is no need to look for anything else.
Photo by 17 Wild
When it comes to adventuring around on your bike, what sort of destinations do you usually look for? What is the average distance you like to travel from start to finish?
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When it comes to destinations for my motorcycle adventures, the answer is almost obvious: we always go to the mountains. That's where I find the ideal terrain to combine my passion for motorcycles and nature. The beauty of traveling on two wheels is that you can decide which mountain range to tackle based on the distance and time you have available.
Photo by 17 Wild
There is no fixed average distance, because everything depends on the type of trip. For example, if it's a week-long tent adventure, I can go even beyond 2000 km, exploring distant mountains and traveling kilometers of remote trails. Instead, for day trips, the distance varies from 200 to 600 km, depending on the place I decide to explore.
The only constant is that it doesn't matter what the precise destination is, the important thing is that there are mountains to climb and valleys to cross. The real adventure is in the journey itself, not just in the destination.
Photo by 17 Wild
What is your favourite terrain to ride on? Further to this, what’s the most challenging terrain you’ve ever encountered and what makes it so tough?
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Oh, that's a really good question! It's not easy to answer, because off-road terrain can completely change the riding experience, influencing it based on the substrate. If I had to choose, I would say that my favorite terrain is dry but not sandy, the classic rally terrain, spread out over immense valleys that invite you to step on the gas and let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of the ride. Unfortunately, where I come from, terrain like this is rare, and I often find myself tackling much more complex tracks.
Photo by 17 Wild
Most of the time, in fact, I find myself on paths in the woods, where the terrain is almost always rocky, wet, muddy and slippery. This type of terrain is unpredictable: you can feel confident while riding and, without any warning, the bike betrays you, slips and pulls you down. I know this well, because in June 2023, on precisely such terrain, I had a bad accident and broke my leg.
Yet, it is precisely this instability that makes off-roading fascinating: it is a constant challenge, a constant exercise in control and adaptation. It is a bit like a metaphor for life: you try to maintain your balance even when everything seems to slip out of your control.
Photo by 17 Wild
Despite the risks, the call of the mountains is too strong to make me give up. The key is to drive carefully, never overdo it, and above all, never venture out alone. It is essential to have company and to carry a radio to communicate in case of need, because in the mountains the cell phone often does not work. With the right precautions, even the most difficult terrains can provide unique emotions.
How do you prepare for a long trip on your bike?
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Preparing for a motorcycle trip is not just a technical matter, it is a ritual that mixes practicality, experience and a lot of emotion. Every time a new adventure approaches, there is that adrenaline that boils and accompanies you in every choice, from the destination to the last detail of the luggage.
The preparation always depends on the type of trip. If I stay in the country, even going 1500 km away, perhaps on remote mountains like the Western Alps, the planning is relatively simple. In Italy, I know that even in the most isolated places I still have a family system to rely on, whether it is communications or resolving unforeseen events of any kind.
Photo by 17 Wild
But when I head abroad, and especially to places that evoke a more extreme adventure, like North Africa, then everything changes. The preparation becomes meticulous, almost obsessive. Every detail counts: having the documents in order, knowing a minimum of local customs, making sure that every tool and resource is ready to make the difference in case of need. It's like preparing to explore another planet: the motorcycle becomes your trusted companion, and you are its driver, mechanic and navigator.
Photo by 17 Wild
But there is one constant that never changes, wherever you go: mental preparation. Traveling by motorcycle may seem like a romantic experience - and in part it is - but it is also a challenge, a continuous test. You have to be resilient, ready to adapt to unexpected situations and to challenge your own limits. A trip to the Eastern Alps comes to mind, in 2020. On the Stelvio, for four consecutive days, the pouring rain seemed to want to wash us away from the world. Every drop slipped between helmet and suit, the cold entered our bones, but we never stopped. The road continued, and we with it, one step at a time, until we found the blue sky again.
Photo by 17 Wild
For this reason, the mindset is everything: without it, there is no equipment that holds up. And then, of course, the equipment. You have to find a perfect balance: bring the essentials without going overboard. For me, 60 liters of space is more than enough for everything you need: an emergency repair kit, a quality rain suit, a tent, a few changes of clothes and that little bit of comfort that reminds you of being human, even in the wildest places.
The beauty of motorcycle travel is precisely this: knowing that you don't need much, that all you need is a reliable bike, a road ahead of you and the ability to adapt to anything. It's an experience that strips you of the superfluous, that forces you to slow down inside, even when you accelerate on the road. And every time you return home, you realize that you are never truly the same as when you left.
In the end, everything is simpler than it seems. You just need to be aware that the real baggage to pack is the one inside you.
Photo by 17 Wild
Have you ever faced a life-threatening situation while biking? How did you handle it?
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Ah, dangerous situations… yes, I have faced them, and each of them has left me with a precious lesson. Off-roading is unforgiving, and the mountains, with all their majesty, are severe teachers. They force you to measure yourself against your limits, to stay clear-headed and, above all, to understand when it is time to stop.
An episode that I remember well dates back to November 2021. A dear friend and I were high in the mountains, on a treacherous path. At a certain point, we ended up in a "U"-shaped depression, full of mud. It seemed like an obstacle like many others, but it turned into a real trap. The bikes got stuck, unable to move forward or back. The air was getting cold, the sky threatened rain, and darkness was now near.
Photo by 17 Wild
We tried with all our strength to free the bikes, but the mountain imposed its verdict: we had to give up. To avoid being trapped in the dark, we covered the bikes with dry leaves, hoping to protect them from the frost, and walked down to the valley. A friend who lived nearby came to pick us up, but none of us slept that night, imagining the bikes out there, abandoned in the cold and rain. The next day, with a group of friends and some peaks, we managed to get them out. A formative experience that taught me to respect my limits.
Photo by 17 Wild
And then, there was June 2023, when a rocky and muddy terrain betrayed me. A sudden slip, and in an instant I found myself on the ground with a broken leg. It's incredible how quickly a situation can turn upside down in the mountains: one moment you're at your best, the next you're forced to deal with your body and your vulnerability.
In reality, you never joke with the mountains. Even a trivial mistake, like a sprained ankle, can turn into a nightmare with an ending that isn’t always happy. This is one of the reasons why the first rule of off-roading is: never alone. And if there really is no other choice, you have to be doubly cautious: proceed slowly, always stay in your comfort zone and stick to paths where, sooner or later, at least one shepherd might pass by.
Photo by 17 Wild
Off-roading is like this: a constant challenge, a struggle between your desire for adventure and respect for wild nature. Every fall, every difficulty teaches you something, but in the end, it is precisely that thin line between control and chaos that makes everything so incredibly fascinating.
You take some spectacular footage and photographs of your trips; can you tell us what equipment it is that you use to capture such great footage?
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Photography is my second passion, and perhaps it is the only way I have to stop time. I love telling moments through images and videos, because I find something extraordinarily romantic in them. Every shot, every frame is a fragment of life, a frozen moment that I can see again a thousand times, as if I were still there, among those mountains or on those paths.
Photo by 17 Wild
But there is more: sharing these visual stories also means allowing others to experience those emotions, especially those who, for one reason or another, cannot directly experience certain adventures. It is my way of transmitting the beauty of what I see and feel, a bridge that connects my world to theirs.
As for the equipment, you don't need an infinite arsenal, but rather knowing how to use the means you have. For adrenaline-filled shots and extreme situations, I rely on the robustness and versatility of the DJI OSMO ACTION 4: an action cam capable of capturing every moment without fear of impacts or difficult conditions.
Photo by 17 Wild
When the situation is calmer and I can take the time to take care of every detail, I use my trusty PANASONIC LUMIX G80, a mirrorless camera that offers truly exceptional image quality.
Photo by 17 Wild
For a touch of originality, especially for the most unusual points of view, I use a 360° action cam from Insta360, the X4 model, which allows you to create spectacular and immersive angles. And then, for aerial shots, those that truly tell the story of the majesty of the mountains and the vastness of the valleys, there is my little gem: the DJI MINI 4 PRO. This drone, compact and agile, allows me to capture perspectives that would otherwise be impossible.
Photo by 17 Wild
But the real magic doesn't stop there. Once I get home, the post-production work begins, which is perhaps the most delicate and important phase. Even the most beautiful images, without careful editing, risk not transmitting the emotion of that moment. With patience and experience, I work on the details, combining science, technique and a pinch of creativity. It is at this stage that the shots turn into stories.
Photo by 17 Wild
Ultimately, the world of photography and video is an art that combines science, technique and imagination. It is this combination that fascinates me and that pushes me to always improve myself. In this world, the only limit is really the imagination, and that is precisely why I am in love with it.
Do you use or have any recommendations on apps or tools you have found to be helpful during your long rides?
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When it comes to essential tools for long trips, especially in mountainous and wild environments, I prefer to focus on simplicity and reliability. Safety always comes first. For this reason, I carry a radio with me, a fundamental tool for communicating in areas where cell phones become useless. It is a faithful companion, especially when traveling in a group, because it allows you to always stay in touch even in emergency situations.
Photo by 17 Wild
For those who venture into extreme territories, I also recommend considering a satellite receiver. These devices, designed for professionals or adventurers who find themselves in very isolated places, have an emergency function that, by pressing a simple button, alerts rescue. Even if it is not an object that I always carry with me, I find it interesting for particularly risky situations.
Beyond technology, there are then the more practical but equally vital tools: an emergency medical kit, a good multipurpose knife and some ropes. These objects can make the difference in many situations, from improvising a motorcycle repair to overcoming an obstacle on the route.
And now we come to the digital side. If there is one app that I consider truly indispensable, it is OSMAND, the best GPS navigator I have ever used. OSMAND is a sort of traveler's bible: very detailed, precise and full of useful information. Its main feature is that it works completely offline, which means you can navigate in remote places without ever worrying about losing the signal. I use it for everything, not only on my motorbike but also for trekking and other outdoor activities. It is incredible how it manages to guide you even off the beaten path, helping me get out of seemingly hopeless situations.
However, OSMAND has a downside: it is not exactly intuitive. It takes a bit of patience to learn to exploit all its potential, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes an irreplaceable tool.
For the rest, you don't need many other apps or sophisticated tools. Traveling by motorbike, especially in wild contexts, also means returning to a more essential dimension, where your spirit of adaptation counts more than the number of technological objects you carry with you.
Photo by 17 Wild
The end
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Thank you so much for this lovely chat! It is always a pleasure to share my passion and, why not, maybe inspire someone to live their own adventures, on two wheels or in any other form. As I always say, true freedom is not just reaching a peak or traveling kilometers on unexplored roads, but learning to live with the unpredictability of the moment, just like we do in the mountains: every curve in the mud is a challenge, every climb an opportunity, and every fall a lesson.
The motorbike, after all, is a metaphor for life. It teaches you to find balance even when the road is bumpy, to slow down in difficult moments and to step on the gas when you feel that the moment is right.
So, to those who listen to us or read us, my wish is simple: find your path, live it intensely and, whatever happens, always remember that limits exist only in our mind. Greetings to you and to all the adventure enthusiasts out there. See you, maybe on a path in the middle of the mountains or under the infinite sky of a valley. Have a good trip!
