Andris Kalniņš

Andris grew up cycling through rural Vidzeme and became fascinated with Latvia's extensive network of abandoned railways during his geography studies at the University of Latvia in the early 2010s. The old rail corridors weren't just historical artifacts — they were pathways waiting to be rediscovered.

After completing his degree in 2010, he didn't go into typical geography work. Instead, he joined the Latvian Tourism Development Agency, where he spent five years co-authoring the first comprehensive guide to cycling the country's restored rail corridors. That work gave him credibility. More importantly, it gave him access to local historians, municipal archives, and the early cycling clubs who were experimenting with these routes.

His landmark 2016 project documenting the Ērgļi to Vecpiebalga route changed how he saw this work. He didn't just map the route. He interviewed local historians about the railway's history, spoke with municipal officials about maintenance and access, and most importantly — he rode it dozens of times with senior cyclists, watching what worked and what didn't. Those conversations taught him that heritage infrastructure shouldn't be preserved just for historians. It should be made accessible to everyone who wants to experience it.

Since joining ouruniversaljourney Solutions Ltd in 2020, he's focused on creating detailed, evidence-based content about flat gravel routes suited for older riders. His approach combines rigorous route documentation with genuine understanding of the physical needs and preferences of cyclists over 60, informed by working directly with local cycling clubs across Latvia. He's not writing about cycling for seniors as an afterthought. It's the center of his work.