Solo Trip for Mountain Biking

[Ingwe]

I’ve mastered the art of airfier cooking, in a confined space, not as accomplished as Mrs G.

Chop could do with a minute or two longer in the air-frier, for me. A good vet could revive that chop……..

 

[Googlebot]

A good vet could revive that chop……..

Have chicken then, please.

 

[Neilh]

Chop could do with a minute or two longer in the air-frier, for me. A good vet could revive that chop……..

I’m not a fan of overcooked pork, it’s tough, I always use a probe thermometer, 60c is good for me.

 

[Neilh]

Day 3 at Finale Ligure, a few tired and battered guys this morning!

Our lovely guides for the day Carola and Lily.

Pre ride relaxation.
16 to 10 this afternoon, the trails are full on loose dusty with plenty of rock drops, which batters the body. Day off for me tomorrow.

 

[DBK]

I was going to ask if all the riding was downhill but this suggests it isn't.

After a hearty lunch of ravioli, veal and the best homemade tiramisu we did a 20 minute uplift and 20 minute transition, the first trail was a bit steady.

I'm guessing an uplift is uphill (?) and a transition is level. (?)

 

[Googlebot]

I was airlifted off a mountain after a fall a few years back in France doing mountain biking, I haven’t ridden that hard stuff since.

It really hurt!

It looks amazing though, not surprised a few of you are battered.

 

[Neilh]

I was going to ask if all the riding was downhill but this suggests it isn't.

I'm guessing an uplift is uphill (?) and a transition is level. (?)

Uplift; we’ve got vans with a bike trailer that takes us up the mountain roads and gravel off roads, then on the next day we have an Iveco daily 4x4 and Land Rover to take us steep off road tracks.
Generally 5 or 6 uplifts a day.

 

[Neilh]

I was airlifted off a mountain after a fall a few years back in France doing mountain biking, I haven’t ridden that hard stuff since.

It really hurt!

It looks amazing though, not surprised a few of

The

I was airlifted off a mountain after a fall a few years back in France doing mountain biking, I haven’t ridden that hard stuff since.

It really hurt!

It looks amazing though, not surprised a few of you are battered.

I’m sorry to hear that. It’s definitely a risk, but for me outweighed by the thrill and excitement. I ride at 80%-90% of my limit. I’ve ridden this type of terrain for a few years and try to keep it calm and sunny side up. Let the younger guys go for it.

 

[Neilh]

I was going to ask if all the riding was downhill but this suggests it isn't. Mostly down this week, probably 500ft of up 8000ft down

I'm guessing an uplift is uphill (?) and a transition is level. (?) exactly, uphill (this week is by trailer) transition is level riding. Next week I’m doing more climbing on the ebike.

 

[Neilh]

After a relaxing day off, up for my 4th day, Landrover to some back country trails.
After 4/5 of riding on rocky, dusty steep trails, we’re all feeling tired and battered, but enjoying the challenge.

 

[Neilh]

Lunch was as always simple Italian fare, lasagne for primi, Fritto Misto & a follow pastry horn, lots of water coke, orange & a cafe for €20.

 

[Neilh]

My last day riding with my York friends, absolutely epic and ridden at a fast pace.

Artwork at the disused NATO base

The rock roll looks easy on film, but it didn’t when you were at the top of it!

Pretty much the biggest dog I’ve seen, more like a bear, but it liked a trickle.
It’s been a real fun week, ages ranging from 15-65 I think this trip is in the diary for next year.
Lookkng forwards to a few rest my body is tired, don’t think I’ll rideuntil next Monday.

 

[Neilh]

I’m taking a few days rest down the coast at Santo Stefano. It’s a motorhome car park, no services, there’s a beach across a quiet road and a cycle track along the coast €15.

I’ve ridden the cycle track in both directions, it’s very impressive, especially the long 2km plus tunnels some even have funky music.
Might do a few proper trails tomorrow on my own.

 

[Googlebot]

Have fun and send someone an itinerary in case you fall off and can’t get help.

 

[Graydo]

Have fun and send someone an itinerary in case you fall off and can’t get help.

Send a beacon on your Garmin (I presume you have a Garmin)
That's how my wife knows if I ever come a cropper in the middle of nowhere.

Oh, and what three words as well, not many street names in the middle of a forest

Graydo

 

[Neilh]

Have fun and send someone an itinerary in case you fall off and can’t get help.

Thanks, only ride at 75% I’ve got live tracking on my Garmin.

 

[Neilh]

Up nice and early for my walk, coffee, croissant and comfort break, worked out all 3 cost less than a comfort break at the Swiss services.
I had a bit of faffing this morning finding a black and grey dump, which I did eventually on the Autoroute services, no lpg they all close on a Sunday.
Parked up a Dolcedo a lovely Ligurian village, with charming architecture. The park up is free and in the centre of the village.

After an 800m climb, did the first trail, bit average, no flow and too many, mech catching rocks, plus there were briars on the side of the trail.
Second trail was good, steep flowing, with a few techy rock rolls, enjoyed it.
Time to find some food.
Stopping at friends house tomorrow, might get my washing done .

 

[Neilh]

I called it my friends house yesterday and did 16 mile 3000ft ebike ride from his house above Bordighera. Some techy rocky climbs and some rock rolls, someone had been busy building trails!

Looks easy, the photo doesn’t show the 3ft drop on to woodwork.

Great views from the ridge.

It was great to see my friend and his wife, plus I got my laundry done.
Quick trip into town for a haircut numero uno et numero duo, only 2 weeks between a good or bad haircut!
I’ve move up to Triora Molini in a free park up, my 3 friends are hoping me tomorrow and we have 2-3 days ebike riding planned.
Body still holding up, bikes running well.

 

[Brains]

For some strange reason now lost to me I decided to take the ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland.

The drive from York to Harwich was long 205 miles and boring, with brief amusement opening and closing the windows to get a stubborn house fly out of the cab.

If I lived in York as was heading for Italy, that is the night ferry route I would take.
(Although the Hull/Rotterdam night ferry would be an even better option).

I always get the night ferry, so you sleep your way across and it means you can be in Germany for a late breakfast.

If York/Harwich is a boring 205 miles, York/Dover would be 300 boring miles with a toll at Dartford and stop/start M25/M20 traffic
Plus you then have to work out where to spend the night. and then once in France you have an extra day of driving (each way) plus tolls.

By using Hook of Holland you have given yourself 2 extra days holiday and saved quite a few quid in tolls, fuel and camp fees.
I'd call it a smart move!

 

[Brains]

Route home

I'd do the St Gotthard Pass (NOT the Gotthard tunnel!)
The pass is free, and as long as no snow, it's easily doable in a motorhome of any size (HGV's and coaches use it)
There is a good place to overnight at the top of the pass.

I'd then cross into Germany at either Basel and go up the Rhine, or better still cross at Constance head for Stuttgart and then up the Rhine., crossing into Holland at Venlo

We find although in miles it's much the same as the route via France, the German route tends to be quicker and you have a lot more options to sightsee on the way back (it's also toll free)

 

[Neilh]

Route home

I'd do the St Gotthard Pass (NOT the Gotthard tunnel!)
The pass is free, and as long as no snow, it's easily doable in a motorhome of any size (HGV's and coaches use it)
There is a good place to overnight at the top of the pass.

I'd then cross into Germany at either Basel and go up the Rhine, or better still cross at Constance head for Stuttgart and then up the Rhine., crossing into Holland at Venlo

We find although in miles it's much the same as the route via France, the German route tends to be quicker and you have a lot more options to sightsee on the way back (it's also toll free)

I’m on a tight schedule to get home, I’m running out of brownie points, so it’ll be a 3 day dash to Calais. I was hoping to call at Aulendorf, for Carthago to look at my delaminating floor, but I’d probably be wasting my time.

 

[Neilh]

Ive been parked up at Molini Triora for the last 2 days in the free parking just below the village. Free limited spaces, free with water and grey dump.

Thursday was a 1200m ride up, with some very varied trails. Friday we got an uplift 500m then rode up to the trail head, for a 7km downhill.

Triora is know for witches and snails.
The food L’Erbe Gatta was very good, herb ravioli with tomato, main was veal Brest.
Back over in Nava tomorrow, for 2 days uplift in off road vehicles.

 

[monzer]

Veal looks really nice. Seems like your having a great trip.

 

[Neilh]

Veal looks really nice. Seems like your having a great trip.

100% it’s pretty special to ride with 3 pals that I’ve known since we all 16 year old, I feel blessed that we can still ride the trails we are at 60 plus.

 

[Neilh]

My 3 friends have booked into Alberto San Carlo, between Ponte Nava and Ormea, the hotel have kindly allowed me to park in a grassed area, 75m from the hotel. San Carlo is next to the trout fisheries, so trout features heavily on the menu.

The food is simple but really good, highlight was the trout sushi and the fresh porcini tagliatelle, paired with some interesting wines, mostly from piedmont.
Nava Freeride are our hosts for 2 days, they do the uplift guiding and trail building and have an intimate knowledge of the terrain. We were blessed with dry autumn weather, the trees are starting go brown, which makes the scenery so pretty.

Today we did over 10,000 of descending, fast flow tracks, tight rocky switchbacks and big fill downs, with compression, it’s my favourite area in this region. Looking forwards to another day tomorrow.

 

[Neilh]

Legs are getting a bit tired this morning, but the autumn mountain air I has a refreshing feel to it.

My park up for the last 2 nights.

The trees have just started changing colour, the ground is full of chestnut and the trails are again fantastic. Only 2 days left and I have to head home.

 

[monzer]

You've squeezed a hell of a lot in to your trip, that's for sure.

 

[Neilh]

I started my trip 30 days ago in summer, yesterday on our last of riding it felt very much like autumn.
Finished with a “back country” tour with Evolve Freeride, we did some of my favourite trails in morning fast flow trails, with a few jumps. After lunch which is 3 courses, we headed to some rocky trails nearer the coast. What an end to an amazing month of riding, sad but looking forwards to seeing Karen.

The team plus 3 Californians.

post ride beers, with the boys (old) and a very nice dish of anchovies and crispy vegetables.

It was a good day to leave! 7.30 this morning it was torrential rain, so rather than linger I did a long drive to Alsace.