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Rob Gitelis

@robgitelis

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Founder at Factor bikes
Living life in Taipei
From Miami

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You need to be a little crazy. That’s what Rob Gitelis, Factor and Black Inc Founder, says when asked why he decided to commit to doing the Tour 21 to raise money for Cure Leukaemia. Starting Saturday, 27 June, he and ten other athletes will be tackling every stage, every climb, every metre of the men’s Tour de France a week ahead of the actual race.

In addition to completing each stage, Rob will also be taking us on the journey with him, offering daily insights into the effort and allowing us to get to know him and his fellow competitors.

Be sure to follow @robgitelis so you don’t miss a day or a story. And maybe you will be inspired to be a little crazy next year. by @robgitelis

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4 months ago

What would you ride if you planned on racing every stage of the 2026 Tour de France, which includes 56,000 meters climbing?

Rob Gitelis, Factor and Black Inc Founder, is here to explain why he has chosen to ride the Factor ONE. He has paired it with the Campagnolo Super Record 13, Black Inc wheels, and a whole host of exceptional components. Sounds like the perfect set-up for a mountainous loop around France. by @robgitelis

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4 months ago

A good friend told me Zara fitting rooms also making nice resting places, she’s definitely right. by @robgitelis

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4 years ago

by @robgitelis

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2 months ago

Love in Paris @p.bjei by @robgitelis

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2 months ago

Rob Gitelis 🇺🇸
🏅The Tour 21 In Partnership with Flutter Entertainment Finisher

After the mother of his children was diagnosed with blood cancer, Rob took on The Tour 21 and has raised an incredible £36,000 so far.

His challenge is complete, but you can still support his fundraising 👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/rob-gitelis-factor by @robgitelis

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3 months ago

Paris. I have been thinking about this day for as long as I have been thinking about doing this challenge. It is so good finally to have made it. To see the people I love and be able to realise that I actually finished the Tour de France route for 2026; it’s almost too much to process. I am sure I will need a few days to compute what I’ve done and how I feel. Knowing that my fellow Tour 21 ride buddies and I have worked to raise funds for Cure Leukaemia makes this moment very satisfying. Beyond that, it’s hard to put into words at the moment.

Right now, I am looking forward to a little time off, enjoying Paris with my girlfriend. Maybe I’ll even get to watch a bit of the Tour and see how the pros race over the roads we have covered this past week. For now, I just feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to do this. Thanks to everyone who followed along on my journey and sent supportive messages or donated to my Just Giving page. It has really meant a lot to me.

21/21 by @robgitelis

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3 months ago

Stage 20, the Queen stage, finished. It was a lot of climbing. More than I have ever done in one day. Grinding away at my pace most of the day, I was reminded again of just how important the bike has been to me all my life. Having this time to reflect while riding, not just today but these last three weeks, has just made it so clear again how blessed I’ve been to have the opportunities I have had, and so many of them are thanks to the bike. That’s one reason it seemed so appropriate to take part in this challenge, something that uses the bike to help raise funds for something as important as Cure Leukaemia’s mission. It’s been an honour and a privilege.

Tomorrow, we’ll have the pleasure of riding into Paris. I am actually quite looking forward to getting a firsthand look at this new circuit. It means that our Tour 21 journey for 2026 has finished. That doesn’t mean our job is entirely done, though, since I would still like to raise as much money as possible. I am just a little more than £3000 away from hitting my goal of £40,000, so please consider donating still if you can. Thanks to everyone who has followed and supported me in this process. It’s really been something I’ll never forget.

Twenty down. One to go. 20/21 by @robgitelis

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3 months ago

So, Gap to Alpe d’Huez. The best thing I can say about today is that it’s over and we’re just two days from Paris. But what a day today. And what a day tomorrow? I don’t even want to think about tomorrow. That reminds me of the year that Andy Hampsten finally won his stage at the top of Alpe d’Huez. The stage before was a tough one, to Sestriere. He did alright; finished top-5, I think. I remember they interviewed him at the finish. He was sitting on the ground and drinking some water. They asked him what his plans were for the following day to Alpe d’Huez, and he said something like, “I don’t want to think about tomorrow.” He said it with a smile. That’s about how I feel now. No doubt it’ll be tough. And it’ll be more metres climbing than I have ever climbed in one day in my life. But, I’m happy we are at the hotel already, looking forward to a good dinner, and will hope I have Hampsten-like legs tomorrow.

Nineteen down. Two to go. 19/21 by @robgitelis

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3 months ago

We aimed for eight hours and we made it in just a little over eight hours. “Attritional” is the word of the day. I’d be spelling it in my head to help myself get to sleep tonight, but I don’t think falling asleep will be a problem after such a tough day. Looking forward to a nice dinner and some recovery time before having to start another difficult stage. It’s Gap to Alpe d’Huez tomorrow. The type of stage you dream about doing when you are a kid. I’m both looking forward to it, and looking forward to it being over. Tonight, we are one step closer to Paris. Not too many more to go, though. It feels good.

Eighteen down. Three to go. 18/21 by @robgitelis

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3 months ago

Something that cancer forces us to recognise is the fragility of life. But as David Brayshaw’s story well illustrates, that recognition still can be used in a positive, motivating way. We should all make the most of every day, every opportunity. Because it can all change very quickly. That’s something life on the bike teaches us as well. Never take anything for granted and enjoy every minute. by @robgitelis

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3 months ago

A Tour de France rest day is a welcome respite that allows everyone, riders, team staff, media, and fans, to take stock, take a breath, and recharge for another tough week on the Tour de France. This year, Factor has taken a deeper dive into life in the Tour on multiple fronts. Factor and Black Inc Founder, Rob Gitelis has been riding every stage of the Tour with the TOUR 21, and raising money for Cure Leukaemia in the process. Follow @robgitelis on Instagram to learn more. His donation page is still welcoming donations. Every £100 donation will earn a place in the raffle for a Factor frame once Rob reaches Paris.

David Millar is experiencing the Tour in a whole new way, outside of the Tour bubble, neither a competitor or a member of the accredited media. This has given David a chance to reflect on the all-consuming nature of the Tour de France. He is using his Substack to record his daily diaries while he and his fellow podcaster, Ned Boulting, are covering the Tour roadside with their For the Love of Cycling podcast.

Though Rob is facing the final week of riding the Tour, there are still two weeks to go for the professional men’s peloton and plenty of action to look forward to.

Read more via the link in bio. by @robgitelis

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