Source: press release
Trails for all tastes designed for the Funky Day, the historic mountain bike meeting that returns to Montecreto on 18-19 June. From all-mountain pedaling to enduro in the Cimone woods, with a special gravity for all downhiller who prefer the ski lifts!
If Cimone is the home of fat wheels in central Italy, Montecreto is the green belly that best reflects the essence of MTB: from pedaling uphill to descending through the woods, these are the emotions that await all enthusiasts for the next one. June 18-19. The routes have been studied by Pippo Marani, historic UCI World Cup tracker, in collaboration with Boreal Mapping, creator of all the GPS routes of Monte Cimone. The trails that bikers can discover during Funky Day are explained in detail below, routes that will remain open to the public throughout the Montecreto Bike summer season. All GPS tracks complete with maps and elevation profiles can be downloaded at: www.borealmapping.com/funkyday2016
Trail on Saturday, of POGGIO PERDUTO (AM): varied and interesting itinerary: in the first part it runs along the forest track that crosses the so-called “Far West” (an area characterized by its particular morphological conformation) and that leads to the Serre Pass, amidst immense panoramas. From here a first descent with some technical sections (IMBA 3-4) leads to Cà Palazza (agritourism). A short ascent follows the slopes of Monte Calvanella up to Pian del Falco (refreshment point at the Calvanella refuge), soul gravity of the Cimone district. From Pian del Falco and Monte Ardicello we return to the Passo del Lupo area, where a long descent into the woods begins. Through the Lamaccione and the Poggio Perduto you reach Costamezzana on a single track. A fast forest track follows that leads to the Mulino delle Tegge, an admirable example of industrial archeology. Situated on the edge of an overhanging gorge, it is absolutely worth a visit! Finally, continue downhill and once you have gained the asphalt you return in just over 4 km to Montecreto. Length: 26.1km, height difference uphill: 1223 m, height difference downhill 1624 m; for those who wish it is possible to go uphill along the via dei Monti, from Montecreto to Monte Cervarola, bringing the length of the itinerary to 32.1km and the uphill altitude difference to 1624 m.
Sunday Trail, del BERCETO (AM - enduro): in the first part it runs along the forest track through the “Far West”, which leads to the Passo del Lupo area. After the Ninfa Lake it continues first on asphalt up to Fontana Bedini, then on a dirt road, going up among the mountain pastures to the Laghetto del Terzo, a splendid biotope of glacial origin lying under the summit of Monte Cimone, the highest elevation of the Northern Apennines with its 2165m. Here begins the descent of the Berceto, challenging in the first part (IMBA 4-3) on the meadows. Once you have reached the wood, the descent becomes smooth and very, very fun. After “La Bandita”, a track on an exceptionally panoramic ridge, continue in the direction of Cima delle Caselle and then Fugaccia (some IMBA 3-4 technical passages) between spectacular and vertiginous views of the Fellicarolo valley. Once in the village of Berceto, go up steeply at times until you cross the Fosso dei Mercanti, then gain the asphalt heading towards the valley. At the crossroads for Cà Palazza, turn left onto the road that climbs up to the farmhouse and then continue on a dirt road to Pian del Falco (refreshment point at the Calvanella Refuge), at the foot of Monte Calvanella. From Pian del Falco and Monte Ardicello you can reach Passo Serre among beautiful forests. From here, through the pastures of Monte Cervarola, you can start the epic Trail gravity “Pino Solitario” which is covered in its entirety amidst adrenaline rushes up to the Montecreto sports field. Length: 25.6 km, height difference in ascent 1058 m, height difference in descent 1658 m; for those who wish it is possible to go uphill along the via dei Monti, from Montecreto to Monte Cervarola, bringing the length of the itinerary to 33.5 km and the uphill altitude difference to 1658 m.
Rio Canalone (DH): length 4.45 km, elevation gain 94 m, height difference downhill 700 m. Ascent by chairlift or via via dei Monti (+8 km and + 600m of ascent). Gravity itinerary that develops on the edge of the Rio Canalone, on a natural ground that is at times decidedly technical. Tormented and tiring in the upper part, it gives great satisfaction to driving purists. Very smooth and very fast final section. An exceptional test track for bikes and riders!
Route 64, Monte Caprile (All Mountain): length 9.9 km, altitude gain 282 m, altitude difference 888 m. Ascent by chairlift or via via dei Monti (+8 km and + 600m of ascent). From the arrival of the chairlift it goes on a smooth forest track in the direction of Serra Golara. It then deviates on a beautiful track towards Monte Caprile, where a heady descent begins in the thick of the woods, arriving in the charming village of Magrignana. Sliding track with a few technical strokes. Natural bottom that tempts you to let go of the brakes (always with caution!), Thanks to the infinity of fantastic curves. The return on asphalt is relaxing, with only 4 km of chatting with friends.
Lonely pine (Enduro): length 5.3 km, height gain 100 m, altitude difference downhill 710 m. Ascent by chairlift or via via dei Monti (+8 km and + 600m of ascent). One of the most famous gravity itineraries of Monte Cimone, which alone deserves the journey to be savored. The spectacular setting alternates, in an admirable sequence, flowing and fast sections with others that are slower and more tormented. Fondo is strictly natural, with classic technical passages between roots and trees. Not to be missed.
The novelty of 2016 are the three completely new routes that will be revealed only on the occasion of the Funky Day: “New Trail Enduro Tour”, “E-bike Funky Race”, “New DH Il Gufo”, all by master Pippo Marani. The trails represent the heart of the activities that will animate the Montecreto summer, with a special focus on all-mountain and enduro bicycles in the dense forests of the area, electric mountain bikes for everyone on routes dedicated to e-bikes, gravity with the Cervarola ski lifts!
