This is the last photo of a smiling cyclist out on top of a mountain that was posted with the caption "that feeling" shortly before he plunged more than 600 feet to his death.
Andreas Tonelli died on the Piz Duleda mountain in Italy on 15th July, shortly after posting the photo of himself on Instagram stories, which, although not permanent, was copied and shared by fans after his death.
The 48-year-old mountain bike guide had just completed a brutal climb from 5,250 to 9,530 feet in the Dolomites when he snapped the picture with his bike slung over his shoulders, and a wide grin on his face.
Andreas Tonelli poses in undated photo. He died after falling on his bike in Val Gardena, Italy. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@andreas_tonelli/Newsflash/NX)
He shared the moment with his 128,000 Instagram followers at 7:15pm, writing simply: "That feeling."
More than an hour later, he lost control during the descent and fell more than 200 metres (656 feet) into a ravine near the Vallunga area in Val Gardena, Italy.
He was riding alone at the time.
He also shared images of himself climbing a sheer cliff face with his bike on his back and another of him riding downhill on a narrow path at a breathtaking speed.
Andreas Tonelli poses in undated photo. He died after falling on his bike in Val Gardena, Italy. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@andreas_tonelli/Newsflash/NX)
His family raised the alarm at 9 pm when he failed to return home, triggering a major rescue operation involving mountain police, firefighters, law enforcement, and a helicopter.
Rescuers searched through the night and eventually spotted his lifeless body around 1 am on Wednesday, 16th July.
It was recovered by helicopter after sunrise.
Tonelli was well known for sharing his extreme cycling adventures around the world, from Chile and Jordan to Uganda and the Lofoten Islands in Norway.
He had started his new life as an adventurer after leaving his boring office job to travel.
Andreas Tonelli poses in undated photo. He died after falling on his bike in Val Gardena, Italy. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@andreas_tonelli/Newsflash/NX)
He had previously climbed two of South America’s highest volcanoes—Nevado Ojos del Salado, which stands at 22,615 feet, and Tupungato (21,555 feet)—with his bike.
At home, he lived in an eco-friendly wooden house and promoted a sustainable lifestyle. He had left his office job to become a full-time mountain bike guide in 2003 and was an ambassador for the Norwegian outdoor brand Norrona.
In a past interview, Tonelli reportedly summed up his philosophy in a single sentence: "Travel extensively as a way of learning."
(MJ Leidig/newsX)