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When our summer Alps trip looked unlikely to happen I managed to book some cheap flights and accommodation in Finale for last week in October (half term). TBC whether this will actually happen with Covid travel etc, but on the assumption that it might I probably need to think it through! So some background and then some advice from others who've been before please...
Background
Will be there with wife and 2 kids, Wife and daughter don't really ride, son (11) will ride everything with me.
Trip therefore won't be all riding every day, but we'd hope to get one full and a few half days in (e.g. ride as early as poss in the morning and get back to do some family stuff in the afternoon or vice versa).
Advice needed!
So what is the best way to do this and who to use for shuttles / guide, given its half term and I probably want to plan and book in advance to maximise efficiency and not be wasting time sorting things out whilst there.
Full day - I was thinking of mailing Finale Freeride who seem to have a good rep, I think they do a trip on some private flowy trails that might be a good intro?
Part days - Was thinking about trying to do a single uplift to the Nato Base, then wondering if logistically it would work to ride a trail, ride back up and hit another, then repeat and end with a ride all the way back to town. Is that practical for say 3-4 hours riding off a single morning uplift? Advantage is we can manage our own ride time to get back when we want. Looks like the main Nato Base trails would be easy enough to self guide, how about the ride back up - is that do-able? The then riding back in to Finale - that looks a bit more complicated?
Finally, who would you recommend using as a shuttle co. who we could book spaces with in advance?
Thanks for advice and recommendations!
I used Finale Freeride for years, they were pretty much the first company running uplift in finale. I'd always have recommended them in the past but they're a different company these days, different owners, location etc, just a few of the drivers still around, so I don't really know what they're like now. You're spoiled for choice though, loads of companies.
Their private trails are nice, they're soft, loamy forest trails, fast and fun, Like a day off compared to the battering you take on the fast rocky stuff elsewhere.
Most hotels can organise you a single uplift to Nato Base pretty cheap. We would often skip the van ride home and just ride down the road home after the last run of the day, stop for an ice cream, etc. (man, I'd love to go back right now) What you describe is possible, long old pedal up the road but you see plenty folks doing it.
Nato Base, then wondering if logistically it would work to ride a trail, ride back up and hit another, then repeat and end with a ride all the way back to town
Yup. Lots do this.... From Nato take H down to the road, back up, then Ingegnere, up from Feligno and one of the trails back to Borgo.... Pian Marino, then a short bit of tarmac, before the church drop down and take the old back alleys into Borgo.
Lots of shuttle guys out there. All of them will offer a full day or single ups. Ultimate Bike Shop is convenient as they are more or less directly in Borgo.
Download Trailforks before you go....
We are supposed to be going out two weeks today. Every time we have been we have used Finale Freeride initially from their base at the back of the old town and the last couple of times from the campsite they opened further out of town. The guides have always been first class and the trails they have access to on the guided tours are well worth the extra than just doing uplifts to the NATO base.
Im told they are now located back in town. Not sure if we are going to use them this time as I'm not sure about been huddled next to strangers for the days in the vehicles.
We always stay with the camper on the Tahiti site. If they are uplifting then may use them. Thats all assuming we are still going.
Thanks all, got a day booked with Finale Freeride and will do some other shuttles throughout the week.
Yup. Lots do this…. From Nato take H down to the road, back up, then Ingegnere, up from Feligno and one of the trails back to Borgo…. Pian Marino, then a short bit of tarmac, before the church drop down and take the old back alleys into Borgo.
Any idea on roughly what sort of length (time) ride that is?
I understand its roughly 40mins shuttle up to Nato/Melogno. If we were to then ride back to Finale town through a series of trails like the above, would that kind of ride back take a couple of hours, or longer (for the average rider)? (trying to work out logistics to ride from a 9am shuttle but also be back well in time to have lunch with the family)
Assuming no mechanicals or flats you should be back in time for lunch.
There are lots of options from NATO base - there are trails that are fairly whooped out (I.e the ones that go straight down from the bus drop off points - piste H) but there are others that are less so and there are some steep trails and others less steep, so depends on the kind of trails you like to do. You can pedal up from the roller coaster drop off point to get to some trails, or you can ride up through the NATO base and take Crestino into Super Groppo - a slightly longer, less steep, quieter option than some of the others. Speak with the uplift company after the first day about what they suggest following what you have ridden/enjoyed that day. Then buy a map for €5 and download the trails on gpx. We found a lot of trails without a map, using trail forks/following people (!) but found so many more after we bought the map!!
Pretty much all your questions are answered here:
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/sorry-need-to-preview-a-post-ignore-me/
Their private trails are nice, they’re soft, loamy forest trails, fast and fun, Like a day off compared to the battering you take on the fast rocky stuff elsewhere.
And they're also covered in a thick layer of leaves in October, which makes them much tricker than the non deciduous stuff nearer the coast.
Like skiing early season off piste. Lots of big sharp invisible rocks just under the surface.
Thanks all. Useful input.
@thegeneralist I read your thread, looks like you did something similar to what I'm trying to do!
thegeneralist
And they’re also covered in a thick layer of leaves in October,
Lol... very true, have done that "where the hell is the trail" day. Still fun.