This summer I had the pleasure of riding over on the Isle of Ischia twice. The route, pictured below, is just over 36 km long, and puts you through 1091m of climbing with a maximum altitude of 772m. Needless to say, it's quite the ride, and while the distance and climbing may be grueling, the vistas along the way are breathtaking! The climb is mostly road to the top, with plenty of places to stop for breaks and to pick up additional food and water. At the top, you descend on some of the best single track I've ridden in Europe, swooping down along the ancient volcano, finally reaching Porto Ischia for mandatory carb-loading (read: German beer and Italian pizza). Ischia attracts many German tourists, and as such, the beer selection on the Isle is typically better than on the nearby mainland city of Napoli.
The route: 36km, 1091m of climbing!
I live on the mainland, in the small town of Monte di Procida, which features a small port were small ferries operate during the summer. The ferries are only large enough for passengers, and take foot bound traffic (and bicycles) over to the nearby isles of Procida and Ischia. Unlike the larger car ferries that operate out of Pozzuoli and Napoli, these little pedestrian ferries move a lot quicker. Typical travel time on a ferry out of Pozzuoli to Ischia is about an hour. The ferry from Monte di Procida to Ischia is just 20 minutes! Not only are these ferries from my hometown faster, but they also save me from the additional trip via train or car to Napoli or Pozzuoli. Added bonus! So, for the first ride of the summer over to Ischia, my friend, Rich, and I met up at my house early that morning, did some last minute maintenance on the bikes, and rolled down the hill to the port. Once at the port, we bought our roundtrip tickets and waited for a few minutes for the ferry to arrive. After about 10 minutes, the ferry pulled up, we rolled the bikes over "the hook" and got settled up on the bow of the boat for the short trip to Ischia.
Rich checking out the view from the top deck of the ferry. Ischia far off in the distance (center), with the smaller isle of Procida just off port side (left).
Our two bikes safely stowed on the back of the ferry.
The ferry pulls into Porto Ischia, a small port town on the north eastern side of Ischia that is overrun with tourists from all over Europe. Taxis and buses rush them off to other parts of the isle, as most tourists are there for the wonderful beaches and volcanic hot springs. We begin our journey by starting a short climb out of Porto Ischia to the west toward Forio. On the way toward Forio, we pass through Casimicciola Terme and Lacco Ameno. There are a number of shops in both of these towns, most of them selling typical tourist fare, however these are great places to pick up some fruit and water for the ride. And if you like super yachts, this is the place to see them. With all the British flagged vessels, you think all of London's financial district takes vacation here. I feel lucky that I can enjoy this island with just a short ferry ride!
Looking back toward Lacco Ameno. My yacht is parked
After we ride through Lacco Ameno, we begin the ascent over the small hill that separates Lacco Ameno and Forio, further to the south. The hill provides wonderful vistas of Lacco Ameno and Forio, and our route between the two towns is along the dramatic (steep!) coastline. The Mediterranean is beautiful from up there!
Looking south toward Forio
The road that leads into Forio along our route became cobblestone covered and twisted back and forth, even going through an arch at one point. Some of the best urban "trail" riding I've experienced! Once down in the town of Forio, we rode along the road that parallels the beach. We stopped for a quick break at a local fruit stand, where I enjoyed a fresh nectarine. Sure beats a Power Bar! We continued through Forio, taking another moment to enjoy the vista from the Church of Soccorso. We rode down a steep staircase, to the road below, and continue along the beach, until we reached the base of Monte Epomeo. The next couple hours would be spent climbing to the top of this ancient volcano! (ugh!).
We maintained a good pace on the way up, taking breaks whenever the need arose. The heat and humidity added to the challenge, however we were well prepared. I alone was carrying two liters of water in my Camelbak, with an additional water bottle full of Gatorade.
House atop a large volcanic boulder, with a surrounding vineyard.
The road we follow toward the top of Monte Epomeo provides some wonderful views, which help keep your mind off the heat and the climb. Vineyards, fruit trees, and small villages line the route, with expansive views of the Mediterranean below.
View of the Mediterranean as we ride along...
Almost at Fontana, looking back at our route and Panza in the distance.
We continue to climb along the road, until we reach Fontana, where we take a short lunch break. We also buy some more water at Fontana, because the remainder of the route is away from civilization and off road. At this point in the ride, I've already drank all two liters of water in my Camelbak, so I'm grateful for the opportunity to refill along the way.
After we refill our water, we continue on our route, turning off the main road, looking forward to the final leg of our climb. This last section of the climb is the most difficult, as it's extremely steep, and by this point we're pretty tired from a couple hours exertion in the heat. Once at the top, we enjoy the trails atop Monte Epomeo, and take another break to enjoy the view of the towns and sea below us.
Enjoying the view from the top (and the break!).
Atop Monte Epomeo
Rich enjoying the trail atop Monte Epomeo. The peak is in the background.
After playing around a bit on the trails atop Monte Epomeo, we point downhill! We descend along the trail we followed to the top, turning off this trail into the wood just below the peak of the mountain. The fast singletrack descent begins here! The trail follows along the ridgeline from Monte Epomeo to the east. The trail is lined with trees and brush, and along the way we got nipped by a few thorns. The trail twists and turns, at one point leading us through an abandoned farm. The buildings were overgrown with ferns, which covered much of the field that we were riding through. We continued on, descending the mountain, coming to a rest area for horses, where a local group of riders were having lunch. Our aluminum steeds pushed on, pointed downhill, and picked up the pace as the slope became steeper. We ride down through a dark, root covered crevasse that looks as though it belongs in the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Arc. We finally break out of the forest in Cretaio, where our tires meet asphalt for the first time since we started our descent. Back on the road, we continue onto a park that sits just above Porto Ischia. This park is a relatively new cinder cone from the most recent eruption on the island, dating to 1306. A short climb to the top of the pine tree covered mini-volcano is followed by the final downhill of the day. Once through the park, we were back on the road just above Porto Ischia where our ride began. We rode down into the port and stopped off for a well deserved beer and pizza while awaiting our return trip to the mainland. What a bella giornata on Ischia!
With summer already here, I'm itching to get out and ride. Work and family have been keeping me from riding as much as I'd like, but I should have plenty of opportunities to get out and ride this summer. I'm looking forward to the club rides, as well as any chances to get out and free ride at Potenza. I'll probably get up to Germany and northern Italy, too. I will have some training in mid July in Stuttgart, Germany, as such I'm looking at trails around town. The training will last about a week, so there should be a few opportunities to get out and ride.
Three of the trails I've found that look to be fun around Stuttgart
The wife and I are planning to stop off in France on the way up to Germany, and we'll stop at points in Italy on the way back to Napoli. We're tentatively planning on stopping at Livigno and maybe in Vicenza. There's wonderful handmade pottery and plates near Vicenza, and Livigno's riding is some of the best in the Alps (so I've been told!). Some great trails up there by the looks of it!
Tremalzo is the premeir trail in nothern Italy, the American equivelent of Porcupine Rim trail in Moab, Utah. It's a spectacular trail, both for the quality of the trail but also for the wonderful vistas.
Tremalzo Trail, with Lago di Garda in the foreground and Lago di Ledro in the distance
Starting from Riva del Garda, on the north western end of Lago di Garda, the trail ascends for a 10km, initially riding along a old gravel roadway above Lago di Garda. This portion of the route provides wonderful views of the lake, allowing you to watch the windsurfers below. The route weaves through the old tunnels, apparently a part of the original roadway along the lake.
Beautiful vistas of Lago di Garda help keep your mind off the 17km/1200m climb that you've just begun!
The ascent turns away from the lake, heading up a steep valley toward Lago di Ledro. As you continue to climb toward Lago di Ledro, you will be riding along both trail and at times paved roads. It's best to equip your mountain bike with a rear safety light, increasing your visibility to the Itallian and German drivers touring around the small, curvy roads. The drivers are very courteous, and mindful of bikes on the road. The trail toward Lago di Ledro runs through a number of small villages, providing the rider with an opportunity to see parts of quaint parts of Italy rarely seen by car. Molina de Ledro is a small village on Lago di Ledro, and provides an opportunity to rest, refill water, and get a bit of gellato prior to continuing the climb.
Small village along the way from Lago di Garda toward Lago di Ledro
Continuing south along Lago di Ledro, the route turns uphill, and the climbing really gets difficult. Another 7km of climbing await, with the trail reaching over 1250m in altitude. The climb works its way up a number of switchbacks, none of which are terribly technical. The difficulty in the ascent is in the effort to climb, not in any particular obstacle along the way. Concouring the summit means you've just climbed 1200m in under 17km! The reward is worth it, both the immediate view of Lago di Garda below, as well as the upcoming descent.
The summit is a great place for a lunch break, as there are a number of picnic spots along the summit trail. Obviously, this is also a great time for photos!
Lago di Garda from atop Tremalzo; 10km descent awaits!
The descent begins! What you've been waiting and working for all day: 10km of technical descent! Beautiful views may distract you on the way down, so it's best to stop along the way and snap a couple photos. That and so much effort goes into getting to the top, it's best to enjoy the view!
As the trail approaches Pregasina, a small village perched high above Lago di Garda, the trail becomes paved road. While passing through Pregasina, feel free to enjoy a cafe' at the small restarant, Kaffee Pregasina. Another 6km of descent await, about half of it down paved roads, the remaining 3-4km desending the gravel path that were ascended at the beginning of the loop. The descent along the lake is particularly fun, as the view is terrific, and the jumps and other fun obstacles on the gravel route provide some entertainment, too.
The old route, now little more than a gravel road. Note the tunnel and the jump ahead!
Back in Riva del Garda, time for some Italian Pizza and German beer; the best part of the Alps is the mixing of cultures, and the ability to have the best of everything Europe has to offer, including trails!
Tremalzo is a "must ride" trail!
Feel free to download the KML or GPX file of the Tremalzo trail.
Italian Pizza and German Beer: northern Italy features the best of Europe!
I’m living the dream. As a lover of mountain bikes, pizza, and great wine, I couldn’t have it any better. Two thousand nine found me moving half way around the world to Naples, Italy where I’d be working the next three years. I was excited to live in Europe, and as a cyclist, interested to find out about biking opportunities in Italy.
il gruppo di Carbonari
Before moving to Italy, I discovered some interesting videos created by a Neapolitan bike group while searching the internet. These videos were created by the Carbonari, a mountain bike club based out of Naples, Italy. Their videos featured Urban Assault on full suspension mountain bikes through the mean streets of Naples. They also had numerous videos of them riding in the mountains in/around Naples, including Mt.Vesuvius! Needless to say, I was excited to ride in Italy.
Without much difficulty, I found the group’s website, and sent an email asking to become a member. Marcello and Salvatore, the group’s founders and organizers readily accepted me. I looked forward to meeting them, and as I began the long process of moving to Europe, I continued to follow the group’s rides through the photos, maps, and videos they posted.
Upon arriving in Italy it took me a few months to get set up, at home and on the bike. During this time I got to explore southern Italy a bit, enjoy the Italian food and wine, too. I got out mountain biking on my own, locally on the volcanic island of Ischia, and further north in the DolomiteMountains around Lago di Garda, and the Alps near Garmisch, Germany. The Carbonari weren’t riding as a group during the summer, to avoid the heat. By late summer, though, the Carbonari had put together their fall riding schedule.
My first ride with the Carbonari was along the Mediterranean coast in Mondragone.We rode for over 7 hours, climbing up and over the mountain twice that day. While the heat and the mountain took its toll, I was invigorated by the awesome view of the Mediterranean Sea.
The first of many climbs at Mondragone
The trails were mostly jeep trails, with one exception: a strip of singletrack about 4 km long that traced downhill toward the Mediterranean below. Oddly enough, the trail was also being used by a boy on a Vespa scooter, despite the rough conditions of the trail. This single track descent lead to the far side of the mountain range. Once there, we took a short break at a small coffee bar. I grabbed some water, because I thought it was better to be safe than sorry, as I didn’t know if we were in for much more riding. And were we ever!
We climbed Monte Mondragone for the second time. We waited for over a half hour for the group to reassemble at the top, giving me an opportunity to try to get to know some of the folks. I had trail mix with me, a simple mixture of dried fruit and nuts that I put together before the ride. As the group started collecting at the top of the mountain, I soon discovered that the trail mix was very popular, as there were quite a few riders in need of an energy boost.
I was able to gain the respect of my fellow riders, not through my ability to converse, as my Italian was still very basic, but instead through positive attitude and good deeds on a particularly hot, hard mountain bike ride. The organizers, Marcello and Salvatore, seemed to appreciate my positive attitude. The beautiful Mediterranean, visible from the various points of our ride, helped keep a smile on my face.
Once the group reassembled, we were off. We continued along some winding trails, many of which appeared to be high altitude pasture, judging by the clumps of dung lying around. We had to cross a series of barbed wire fences, passing the bikes over the top and walking through the small pedestrian gate. Quite the adventure! There was a great sense of community and team work for the entire route!
The final descent back to the trailhead was a mad dash, with the entire group starting all at once. The crowded, fast descent mimicked the automobile traffic of Naples. Needless to say the downhill was fun and fast, and riding in a massive pack heightened the challenge. What a blast!
My second ride with the Carbonari was at Cassino. The mountainous terrain around Cassino was the site for a tremendous battle in WW2, and provided excellent terrain for a great mountain bike ride. The ride was on a beautiful fall day. It was perfect riding weather--a slight breeze brought the scent of sage and pine to the air.
That ride found us climbing for about three hours up pine tree lined gravel roads. As we climbed we passed a series of technical ‘stunts’ that a couple of the riders successfully negotiated. These stunts included ladders and jumps hidden just off the fire road in among the pine trees. Once we reached the top, we took a short lunch break, and pointed downhill into some of the best singletrack I’ve ever ridden. We descended for over an hour on the fast and technical singletrack, twisting our way down the mountain. We eventually started seeing more civilization, riding through small Italian villages--a sign that the ride was coming to an end.
After we made it back to the trailhead and packed up the cars, we drove down into Cassino forpranzo, or lunch. We met at what initially appeared to be a small coffee bar. It turned out that this small place could really put on a spread! We enjoyed a wonderful meal of mozzarella di bufala, pasta, french fries, a plate of assorted meats, and dessert followed by café (espresso). The ride took about 4 hours; the meal took about two hours. What an excellent way to finish the day: calories replenished!
The third ride with the Carbonari was in Formia, just up the coast from Naples. Our course took us through Formia and Gaeta, in the area known as Parco di Ulissi, or the Park of Ulysses. The riding featured singletrack, fire roads, and the paved streets of Gaeta. At the trailhead we started a short climb, weaving through the some great singletrack in the forest. After taking a short break at the top of the hill for the customary group photo, we started downhill toward the Mediterranean coast. Half way into the descent the trail emerged from the shady forest into the expansive green hillside with an amazing view of the sea. My eyes were filled with the expanse of blue in every direction--and all this while riding some great singletrack! Awesome!
Our next stop was at an old Roman port located in the park. The piers and steps are still intact, and we took some photos of the ruins. It was interesting to see that the local Italians that I was riding with were as impressed as I was with the Roman antiquities. After the port, we continued riding through the park on the various single and double tracks that were scattered about. We eventually reached a sheer cliff along the sea, where we stopped at an old Roman fort for another quick photo break.
The ancient Roman Port at Parco Ulissi
After the break, we continued through the park toward Formia and Gaeta. The pace really picked up on the road. Despite what many think about Italian drivers (they are a bit crazy), they are actually very respectful of cyclists. Needless to say our large group successfully navigated the streets of Formia and Gaeta without mishap. Once we passed through the center of Gaeta, we started climbing Monte Orlando, a large mountain in Gaeta that rests on the end of the peninsula that creates the town harbor. As we climbed the paved route to the top we took a couple of photo breaks, taking full advantage of the terrific view of Gaeta and the Mediterranean Sea from the heights of Monte Orlando. We continued on and took a lunch break on the top, where we all enjoyed whatever picnic we had packed. I noticed some of the riders eating traditional mozzarella di buffala and prosciutto sandwiches, which looked a lot more appealing than my peanut butter and jelly. We took another group photo in front of the large circular Mausoleum of Lucius Munatius Plancus, who I later learned was an advisor to Augustus Ceasar. All sorts of Roman history on this ride!
After lunch and the group photo, we pointed our bikes downhill to enjoy the singletrack that lay just off the paved and gravel road that lead us up to the top. We weaved down a couple technical sections, only to head up the mountain again to enjoy a couple more routes. Monte Orlando has plenty of trails, and we explored almost all of them, with the resulting GPS track looking a bit like my favorite pasta. Eventually we wound down the opposite end of the mountain on a gravel fire road. As we rode the switchback downhill, it was hard not to take in the view below of Gaeta, Castle Angioino-Aragonese, and the Mediterranean. As we continued downhill, the landscape soon changed from forested mountain to the old city landscape of Gaeta, with the gravel fire road turning to cobble stone street. Once at the bottom, we took another break: for gelato, the Italian ice cream. I love riding in Italy!
After the gelato, we hit the road back to Formia and Parco Ulissi, where our cars were parked. An excellent ride, and I left looking forward to all the future rides and good times with the Carbonari.
Italians are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, and the Carbonari are no exception. I’ve reflected many times on how quickly the group accepted me, a foreigner, into their club. I suspect that a foreigner would not be so quickly welcomed in any social club in Northern Europe or the US. I’ve learned a lot from living and riding with the Italians, and I believe the Italians are onto something by being so loving and accepting of others. While I’ve experienced many cyclists in the US being judgemental about performance, type of cycling, and type of bicycle, it’s interesting to ride with the Carbonari, a cycling group of differing skills and equipment, and to see them all get along, even on difficult rides. It’s clear that Italians focus on enjoying life, and the Carbonari are about having a good time on their mountain bikes. Not only has the Carbonari shown me quite a bit of Italy, but they have reminded me of the basic joy that cycling brings. And that this joy can be shared, even without a shared language.
Be sure to check out the Carbonari’s website for group information, ride schedule, trail information in both Google Earth and GPS files, as well as photos and videos of their exploits at:www.carbonaribikers.com. Even if just to see how great the riding in Italia really is! Ciao!
I was thinking the other day, while out on a trail ride, how my military experience provided me the opportunity to ride my bike in some great places. I've been able to ride in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Kansas, and Iraq. Great times, and fun memories.
One of the strangest bike related memories is actually from southern Iraq, where I remember seeing an Iraqi man talking with a British soldier. The Iraqi man had a bicycle, and the bicycle was all tricked out with mirrors and reflective tape. I'm interested if the Arabs have a term for outfitting his 'ride' that way. It's clear, from a western perspective, that he "pimped" his bike! The closest thing I have seen to it is a 'scrapper' bike. This guy's bike was definitely unofficial, cool, and he was proud of the thing.
"Scrapper Bike" by the Trunk Boiz
And that bike stood out, because you didn't see too many bikes in Iraq or Kuwait. They got oil coming out of the ground: why ride a bike? A motorbike! ...I guess that may be their mindset.
While there may not have been many locals on bicycles in Iraq, I did have an opportunity to ride quite a bit while I was there for a year. My unit was pretty heavily tasked, with a lot of very important missions. One of the results of our focus and high operational tempo was that there were few motor-vehicles available for driving around base. To get to meetings, network with other military leaders, and just get around, you really had to do it with your own two feet. I always liked riding my bike to work in the civilian world, so I didn't mind riding a bike to get around base. In fact it was kind of fun. I bought a used bike from the officer I replaced, and rapidly destroyed it. Actually, the environment of southern Iraq destroyed it. What was a multi-speed bike quickly became a single speed bike, as the dust and sand rapidly degraded any shifting capability. So, I manually put it into a gear that was good for cruising and starting/stopping, and left it there. Single speed in the desert! (By default) I ended up going through two bikes while I was there, both serving me well. I ended up getting a bike helmet, as it was lighter than my Kevlar helmet, and got to meetings a lot quicker than if I was walking. Fun times! Really!
The military also provided me the opportunity to ride out west a bit, too. I took my mountain bike to Fort Leavenworth, once. That was great. What a beautiful post. Probably one of the prettiest places I've been, with great mountain bike trails, too. Excellent riding there. The exercise I was taking part in ended, and I was also able to ride downtown Kansas City, in the city as well as on some nearby urban off road trails.
Photo of me showin' mad skills in downtown KC!
I would also have to go out to Arizona for training every few years, and would take the opportunity to stop off in Moab, Utah, where mountain biking is at its best. I would usually ride the Slickrock trail, as it was a trail that is a lot of fun to ride, with characteristics that are hard to find anywhere else. I am also very comfortable on the trail, as I was often riding alone, and didn't want to combine 'solitary' with 'injury', as that combination often becomes deadly in the great outdoors. One time in particular was very memorable, as the weather is usually very clear and warm in Moab. I was riding in October, and met up with a small group of German tourists that were also riding the trail. In the middle of the Slickrock loop we were hit with a snowstorm! Visibility dropped to almost nothing, as the trail exists on top of a plateau. We all got off the trail fine, and hit the local Mexican restaurant.
Photo of me riding on Slickrock in the midst of a snowstorm with some German friends I met along the way:
verrücktfuckingunerbittlichecrazyschneesturm!
Awesome panoramic shot taken near moab along the Colorado River:
One time while on the way back from some "Army Training" in Arizona, I stopped off in Vail, Colorado, where I had the opportunity to do some 'Free Riding'. That is, mountain biking that solely consists of downhill riding...that's right, no uphill climbing involved. Cheating you say? Have you seen the Rockies? This mid-west kid needs some lungs! Giving the resort $30 allowed you to have an all day lift ticket, which was practical, as a 3 hour ride is usually all you can handle when you're riding up and down hill. But when all you have to do is cruise down the mountain, it's a lot like downhill skiing: you can do it all day! Anyway, I had a blast. Had I not broken my bike frame (at the junction of the top tube and seat tube!) I probably would have ridden longer. Either way: great time and worth the 30 bones. Great camping, too, just up the street at Gore Creek. Cheap, considering you are in one of the highest rent districts in the US (Vail!)
Ah yes, this lift behind me will drag my lazy @$$ up the mountain so I can coast down like a Mountain Dew commercial on repeat!
Arizona was a blast, too. I was lucky enough to be in the midst of the mountains of Southern Arizona, where hiking and biking were right at my doorstep or a short drive. Brown Canyon was by far the best; a fun loop that meanders up the canyon, and finally dumps you back onto a service road that provides a few miles of downhill. Just a great ride! Fondest memory of that trail is a time I was riding with a classmate there, and he had the sudden urge to do #2! So he runs off the trail, comes back a short time later with a neat little square missing from the bottom corner of his T-shirt! Funny! Good times. Thanks Pete!
...to top that story: the next day was Sunday. We decide to hike up Miller Canyon. About 3/4 the way up we take a break, and we see not one, but FOUR mountain LIONS! All of about ~50' from us! Crazy! I'm in the Army: where's my gun, rifle, artillery piece, anything explosive to throw at these things?!?! Bad situation as the little kitties were not only evolutionarily designed to gobble up unarmed homo-sapiens like myself, but were also outnumbering us by a factor of 2-1. Nuts. Seeing them in the wild was truly something I will never forget, or how they jumped atop a large granite spire like my cat jumps on top the couch. Luckily they decided to leave us alone... We finished the climb and the decent without further incident.
#&%^! Did you see those cats! I notice your shirt's advertising Cuervo...I'll need a shot of that after this adventure is thru!!!
Panoramic shot atop the peak after climbing up Miller Canyon:
My point to all this: my service in the military provided me an excellent opportunity to see the country, and perhaps the world.
Well, for the last few weeks I've been riding the local trails at night. Yes, that means in the dark, which requires very bright lights. I already had a nice light, but the battery had died a few years ago, so I thought about buying a new system. However, after looking into the price for a new system and comparing that to the cost of a new battery from Batteries Plus, I opted for the least expensive option: buying a new battery. It was only about $60 for the new Ni-Cd rechargable battery to be built up, compared to well over twice that for a new system. And, I was able to keep using the light I already had, which still works great.
Night riding makes mountain biking a bit more difficult; familiar trails become strange, easy trails become more difficult.
So, anyway, I've been enjoying riding every wednesday night. It is quite a bit of fun riding through a twisty, technical trail only seeing a few feet in front of you. The light is 15 watts, which is really bright, about as bright as a big, police-issue, Maglite. Very bright. But, it still is not like riding during the day. You lose a lot of your perception. I am riding with other folks that know the trails really well, which is a plus, because it feels like Blair Witch to me... that is, I'd get really lost. I have ridden the trails before, but they are totally different at night.
Night Riding: more smiles per mile
It has been fun riding at night, though. Interesting following people through the woods, with everyone's individual light collectively illuminating the trail. As I stop and take a break, I notice a few riders catching up, and because the night hides most details, all you can see is their lights zig-zaging through the woods. Quite a sight.
I've been researching Naples and Italy online. Not for anything important (like where to live or buy groceries), but just to get an idea of what kind of biking they have in the area. I came upon a bike group out of Naples that is really into 'Urban Downhill Riding'. I've seen this stuff in magazines featuring urban European riding, rolling through alleys/steets that are barely wider than your handle barstight, over cobble stone streets older than the USA. Here is a sample from the club I found...neat stuff:
The videos provide some sense of what the city of Napoli looks like...makes me excited! Here's more:
I've always wanted to go mountain biking at Mt St Helens, but I've never had the opportunity... But Napoli has Vesuvius! Here's the climb: 1000 meters! Holy shnickeys! My a$$ needs to get in shape...or will get in shape!
I have never ridden my snowboard on Vail's mountains, but I can tell you that I had a blast on my mountain bike in August of 2003. Awesome Trails! For the initiated, ski parks have been providing mountain bikers with a place to ride for about a decade, now. While some of the trails at a ski park will go meander down the ski slope, most of the trails make full use of the land available and provide a more scenic, less direct route around the park. Vail, like some other ski parks, offers their ski lift service to the top. Free Riding, or using the ski lift, can be a blast, especially if you just finished a few days riding in Moab, Utah, and are pretty wore out. It is a completely different experience just riding down hill all day. Free Riding is really quite fun, kind of like downhill skiing. Which would explain why I am not entirely opposed to using a ski lift: If I use one in the winter, why not in the summer, too?
I made it all the way to the top thanks to a Gondola!
Some hard-core cross country types may not see the joy in missing the uphill climb everytime, but I find it fun to just focus on the downhill aspect of riding. You always work so hard for that all-to-short, fast and fun downhill, just to climb again… With Free Riding at a ski park, you just get to ride downhill all day, if you want. And if you’re like me, and may feel guilty about not working for your downhill joy ride, than using a day Free Riding to cap off a weekend or week’s worth of ‘real’ mountain biking can be just the thing to give you a break and end the trip on a high note!
At the bottom near the Gondola/Lift
Anyway, I really enjoyed Vail. Cheap camping is just up the road, at Gore Creek. I recall waking up the morning of the ride and enjoying a 35 degree temperature in the mountains while Missouri was over 100 degrees! The mountains are so nice, especially in the summer.
The trails at Vail ski park varied in their difficulty, from moderate to extremely difficult (read: dangerous, as Vail is attempting to attract the downhill crowd). The gondola (enclosed ski lift) provided a quick trip to the top, where there were a number of trails to choose from for the way back down. I tried all but the terribly difficult downhill variety, and found those that meandered along the mountain the most fun.
Vail, features a lot of services, few that I could afford on my budget. However, the mountain was worth the price of admission (lift ticket), and I had a blast riding downhill all day to recover from a few days riding in Southern Arizona and Utah.
The views are great, the riding is excellent, even if you are just going downhill. I just wish I lived closer to Vail.
The Berryman Trail is 26.5 miles of sweet singletrack in the midst of Missouri, about 3 hours drive west of Saint Louis. Two camping areas located along the trail allow easy trailhead access. The trail is not as technical as other area trails, like Council Bluffs, however its distance will challenge most riders. Follow the Boy Scout Motto (Be Prepared) by bringing along plenty of water and trail food for the 4-6 hour ride.
The trail takes is a long loop, so you can be sure that you will not be seeing anything twice. The best time to ride it is in the spring or fall. If riding in the fall, be sure to wear bright colors to protect you from hunters (they are actually looking for deer, but they could mistake you for a fast four legged creature!).
The interesting thing about Berryman is the trails diversity. Either because of its length, or topography of the area (probably a little of both), the trail goes through a lot of different types of terrain. Most of the trail is really dry, with some areas riding through loamy, pine covered ground. However, one particular section gets so wet, you’d think you were in a swamp. There is a few rock gardens that allow you to test your suspension, and a lot of smooth flowing hills and twisty singletrack that follows a hillside’s contour line.
