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I have the chance of a day or 2 to ride in Finale in September. I’ll only have my XC full sus (Oiz) with me.
Is self guiding easy enough? Or will a local be able to get the best out of the area?
Any recommendations for guides (I’m an XC mincer these days- don’t need a EWS style day out)?
Also recommendations for self catering accommodation in the area if anyone has experience?
I’ve never been, so take what I say with a pinch of salt, but from what I’ve heard, Finale starts at steep tech and builds in difficulty from there.
I suspect you’ll be quite underbiked. A guide may help you find the easier stuff?
If you're on a true xc bike then you'll do better to avoid the trails higher up that the shuttle companies drive to.
Plenty of less full-on enduro fist bumping stuff nearer the coast, lower down, although not all of it is easy. Have a look on Trailforks and YouTube to get an idea.
Most of the shuttle or "guiding"* companies ride the same trails so it doesn't really matter which one you use. You can hire decent spec Santa Cruz at Ultimate Bike Shop who also run guided days or single uplifts.
Finale has jumped the shark somewhat, imo.
* I use the term guiding loosely as, ime, you'll only see the guides at the start and end of a trail/section. Not the most professional approach and I say that as someone who used to guide Transalp and shuttle tours in Finale.
Re accommodation... There's plenty around. I would recommend my mate's place that I was working on last year, but not sure if he'll be open by September. Have a Google.
If you're more into long days on the bike you'll do well to find a place around Le Manie, up on the plateau above Varigotti. Plenty of xc style tours and the 24hr xc track can be found there.
alpin
If you’re on a true xc bike then you’ll do better to avoid the trails higher up that the shuttle companies drive to.
Most of the shuttle or “guiding”* companies ride the same trails so it doesn’t really matter which one you use.
Finale has jumped the shark somewhat, imo.
This is all nonsense, if you're riding the same trails all the time, yoyre not with one of the decent companies, theres a massive variety of stuff outside the trails near town/Nato base
It’s not a DH destination. By which I mean there are no huge features and nothing too crazy. I don’t think the bike will be a problem but if you don’t like tech stuff you might want to avoid some of the trails.
I’d get a guide. Nothing is really marked that well and plenty of opportunity to take a wrong turn and end up going miles out town, or ending up on an unplanned fire road descent.
@honourablegeorge Yeah, of course there is, but the majority of the companies ride the same trails. There's lots of stuff over around Calizano and down to Mallare.
The fact is that many of the guides don't know the area (or even classic trails such as Briga or Caprazoppa) outside of the "classic" area .
I was there for three months last year and have spent lots of time there in the past. I rode/guided for a week back in October for Feglino when it was super busy and have spent quite a bit of time there in the past riding privately and as a guide.
Personally I think if you've got Trailforks and take a single lift then you don't need a guide. From the top you can make a decent tour with a bit of climbing in between down to the coast.
Added to that, a shuttle day is now relatively expensive, especially when you add in lunch.
When I was guiding in October there were over 80 shuttle vans (not including the single lift vans!) on the road. We had traffic jams leaving Finale and towards the drop offs at Cafe Din and NATO Base. Added to that the trails were in the worst state I've even seen them.
alpin
@honourablegeorge Yeah, of course there is, but the majority of the companies ride the same trails. There’s lots of stuff over around Calizano and down to Mallare.
The fact is that many of the guides don’t know the area (or even classic trails such as Briga or Caprazoppa) outside of the “classic” area
Right... that's why I'd say the shuttle/guide company you're with matters an awful lot.
I do tend to avoid the Classic area, maybe half a day at the end of the week, for the reasons you mention. but the wider area is. fantastic.
If matey boy is open by then I'll happily pay some info. I spent the best part of three months at his build installing doors, planning down solid oak worktops and building a pizza oven. He went skiing over NY and twisted his knee which required surgery.
Although friends of ours may be renting out a tiny house at the big white house next to Ca Bianca trail (hence the name of the trail). Not sure whether they've decided to rent it out or use it privately.
I can highly recommend a guide, Francesco Gozio. Inst #francescogozio
https://www.mtbguidexp.com/info
We stayed in Finalborgo which is a great little town and he sorted out transport for us, picked routes based on our preference / competence / bikes etc. We had a great time and he's a good guy.
I was on a short travel full-sus (Transition Scout) and never felt underbiked on the trails he took us down.