There is no mountain bike without trails. It may seem banal but it is a great truth. Just as it is a great truth that the trails for exclusive use of mountain bikes are nothing more than a simple adaptation of pre-existing tracks.
In fact, behind every self-respecting trail network there is a lot of work, from the analysis of the territory to the actual construction, often and willingly starting from what is, to all intents and purposes, a tabula rasa.
A great job that is done by those who are now recognized as true specialists in the sector, the Trail Builders.
The word to Markus and Michaelangel from the Bike Park Plan de Corones.
-When did you start working on trails?
Michaelangel: I started working on trails in 2014, when the Furcia Trail was inaugurated.
Mark: I have been working since 2010, I have always worked in the forest for cutting wood. But you can say that I have been working on mountain bike trails for 14 years.
-Do you follow a particular path?
MA: Since 2014 I have been dedicating myself to the trails that descend on the San Vigilio di Marebbe side, therefore Furcia, Crazy Bunny Line, CC Top Line, and Piz de Plaies.
M: I generally deal with the northern part of Kronplatz, the Herrnsteig trail with all its variants (Franz, Hans, Christian, Andreas, Alex, Uschi, Korer, Richard-Anton, etc.). In any case, everything that comes down from the northern side and is part of the Herrnsteig Trail.
-What is the biggest challenge in working on trails?
MA: The biggest challenge is to collaborate with nature, to find a way, because we can build what we want, but if it doesn't suit nature, in the end it doesn't last long.
M: For me the biggest challenge in working on trails is to do a good job right from the start, especially regarding water management. Trails have to withstand a lot of rain. When it rains hard, the trail has to withstand it. If that happens, it means it is built well. The second part, logically, has to be fun to ride on the trail, to have a certain Flow. It is also important not to have too much erosion. The goal is to build a trail that stays in good condition as long as possible even when there are a lot of people on it.
-What is the greatest satisfaction?
MA: The greatest satisfaction is when you build a piece of trail, or then remake it on a bike.
M: For me the greatest satisfaction is when I see people who come back to ride with us again, so I know that we have worked well and that we have made the trails in the right way. And then also when people stop on the Trails and tell us that they love riding here at Plan de Corones.
-What is your dream path?
MA: The path of my dreams… I don't know if there is a path of my dreams. Depending on where I am, where I am, I would draw a path, but it always depends a little on the place, on the environment that surrounds us.
M: I've been around a bit and my favorite trails are in Whistler, Over the Top and Crank It Up, then Hangover in Sedona. In Italy my favorite trail is the Ossario Trail in Val di Fassa.
-Do you take inspiration from anything in particular?
MA: I honestly can't say if anything inspires me. I enjoy building something that I can ride on my bike, where I can have fun and make others have fun too.
M: I always try to travel a bit to see other places, and if I see things I like I try to bring them here to Plan de Corones. Otherwise I always like the Trails that are obviously well done, that enhance the typical characteristics of the places they are in. How they relocated the stones and worked the land.
This is the experience of two Trail Builders of the Bike Park Plan de Corones, fully open with its 18 trails until November 10th.
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