The challenge was born impossible from the start: the sample andinfluencer. In social media, the latter far outweighs the former: beyond 138 thousand followers against 13 thousand 400. The first Francesco Colombotwice Italian champion and European Jr champion (2013) in the specialty downhill. The second Mirko Marasco, electrician, former U23 amateur with Swiss team Mendrisio and known on social networks as Rider Addict and The_Sindaco. Goal: to reach the top Quiz 1 it is at 2,700 meters above sea level according to its instruction Pile, Valle d’Aosta. The prize: enjoying an unforgettable view of the four thousand Valle d’Aosta mountains, to name a few: Mont Blanc, Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa and Matterhorn.
shadow carousel
Pila, vast mountain
Colombo rides an e-MTB, Marasco with his super light yet classic MTB. The base camp Commensal bike park di Pila located at 1,810 meters above sea level: a truck with a pump where children can move around, the bicycle rental is connected to the Espace Pila Tourism Consortiuma few meters from the restaurant Yeti where to refresh (well) at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The heart: h Chamol elevator rely on to climb the alpine lake of the same name and place bicycles comfortably. The two riders, assisted by Mark And Christian, they are ready to go. Colombo, who grew up athletically in Pila and has been watching its tracks since the age of ten (despite being born in Varazze, I love the mountains and here in Pila I won my first race at 13, he says). Skeptical Marasco who, with a few kilos more than his teenage years, fears that he will have to sweat a lot. And he is not wrong. The height difference to be overcome by 700 meters spread over just 5.5 km. The first 400 meters are very toasty. Well, I almost stopped, this is my version of the sly and likable The Mayor. Significant slopes, but I was prepared and took out the rope that everyone was attached to, the Colombo version, from the backpack. The final goal was reached after more than an hour between pedaling and strategic pit-stops to get the videos for posting social, a common element between Colombo and Marasco, the first communication graduate and author of the contents for the profiles of this location where in winter you can ski, in summer you bike, run, prepare ultratrails. Among the most important in the international calendar are the Tor des Gants (the hardest semi-autonomous trail in the world, 330 km between the trails of Alte vie, start and finish in Courmayeur) and theUTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, 170 km with 10 thousand meters of elevation gain). Since the 90s, Pila has focused on cycling, looking at MTB, then in its infancy and a new (and unique) alternative to the road bike, driving force for the summer tourist season. The Pila Bike Park is one of the most beautiful in the world, says Colombo, as he offers to take pictures with the kids who ask for his autograph. A lot of effort, but also a lot of fun, says Marasco, who instead has to click in front of the door dedicated to Corrado Herin (the only Italian to date to have won the Downhill World Cupshe was 1997), the same one from which the best downhill athletes in the world start for a stage of IXS European Cup is scheduled for September 11 this year.
The routes
Pila tracks are designed for downhill, freeride, enduro and cross country specialties. The Bike court consisting of four permanent downhill and freestyle tracks plus 3 downhill variations with varying degrees of difficulty. The downhill World Cup course is two and a half kilometers long and has a high technical pace, Colombo says. For those who love downhill, its route Desarpa (the name comes from the movement of cattle to the valley) that allows you to descend to Aosta, about 15 km with a difference in height of 2,100 meters. Born two years ago, the path Flow path Designed to allow less experienced cyclists to familiarize themselves with the MTB (also in the electric version) and develop that confidence in riding, that casual use of the bike that will later allow you to test your strength on more difficult trails, especially in enduro.
New plants
Pila is looking to the future and renovation projects are already on the cards to replace two ski lifts (Liaison and Cuius 1) with a new cable car. Its construction Star of the Couisa shaped building Edelweiss with each petal facing a specific direction with panoramas ranging from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn.
Training with ultra runners
Not just tracks for cyclists. In Pila you can walk and run with offers for families and experienced hikers. The simple path of marmots (they are really there and communicate with each other warning that strangers are about to arrive) leads to the alpine lake of Chamol (in the summer there are also those who put an umbrella on the beach of the lake in bad taste) from which a sometimes rather steep path starts up to the refuge Arbolle (2,527 meters). There, coffee is drunk, raspberry grappa is tasted, ideas are gathered for the next adventures. Tatiana Bertera and her husband Rocco are preparing for Tor des Gants, the grueling ultratrail race that brings over fifteen hundred athletes to the Aosta Valley. We left at seven. Today we have an average training program of 28 km with about two thousand meters of altitude. We got up at Becca di Nonasays Tatiana. It is a peak on which the statue of a Virgin Mary was placed at 3,141 meters high and an unmistakable landmark. Every year, the Aosta-Becca di Nona: runners start from the center of the capital and reach the top covering 2,500 meters of altitude in less than two hours. Tatina and Rocco begin to warm up to start heading in his direction again Company lake to have lunch at Restaurant Anonyme de Consummation created in a completely renovated barn and serving medallions of shank, fillet, trout Lillaz and polenta con brossa (a type of cream obtained by adding vinegar and lemon to milk), Gressoney toma and fontina dop di Latteria.
From Aosta by cable car in 18 minutes
Pila can be reached mainly in two ways. By car, going up from Aosta for 18 km or by cable car in 18 minutes. The latter is taken near the Aosta train station. You can then rent bikes and equipment at the brand new hub The space equipped with beer bar and outdoor restaurant. A magical place for passing cyclists and people from Aosta. Outside the city they alternate apple trees and vines. The quality of the rosé, white and red wines is excellent and evolving, despite the fact that only 200 hectares of land are planted with vines in the entire Aosta Valley. The Wine Refugemade by the architect Domenico Mazza of Courmayeur (modern design, wood and large windows), offers a wide variety of wines for an overview of local production. Not too far from it Castle D’Aymavillesrecently renovated and open to the public, it dominates the valley with its four towers, recalling the glorious past of this beloved valley Romans which have left important traces, aqueducts and the Arch of Augustus, an eloquent sign of the power of Rome which in 25 BC. she had defeated her people once and for all Bleeding and founded the new colony.
Summer events
Many events take place in Pila in August. Here are the highlights:
Every Wednesday Mountain pastures and their history travel back in time to discover the culture of the Alps. Information: 3922720787
Every Thursday his drivers Hiking habitat accompany it Lake Chamol and in the shelter Arbolle. Information: 3358118731
Sunday, August 14. Numerous i workshops for children (for them a real adventure park is available) with free MTB and downhill camps. Information: 016 5521148 Monday August 15, 1st edition of the craft fair
August 9, 2022 (change August 9, 2022 | 13:19)
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