Mar 22, 2025Are you dreaming of your next vacation and trying to answer the age-old question of the best places to mountain bike in the world? Well, I have combed the internet, trail maps, and mountain bike popularity to come up with a list of the ultimate mountain biking bucket list The top pick on this list is the Island Country of New Zealand. Its climate, opposite seasons, and an incredible range of terrain and mountain bike trails make it one of the most desired destinations for mountain bikers across the world and some might even call this the true mountain bike capital of the world—sit down but I will dive into why these locations should be on your bucket list of places to mountain bike if you get the chance You may or may not be familiar with these places and I will offer more backstory as to why these areas of the world are so incredibly popular for mountain bikers and you might find some inspiration that makes planning your next dream mountain bike vacation a little bit easier Deven McCoy dropping in on Filthy Ape at Whistler Bike Park Whistler (Cwitima or Sḵwiḵw) and Squamish (Sk̲wx̲wúmesh) are undeniably home to the most recognizable riding in the world and it’s certainly not over-hyped in any way There is a reason mountain bikers relocate from all over the world to live and ride here Whistler Bike Park may be one of the most recognizable mountain bike parks in the world making this an obvious choice for this list But the riding goes beyond just the bike park boundaries and the surrounding area has some of the best riding I have ever experienced Just throw a dart at a map anywhere near Whistler to find incredible trails to push your limits and expand your mind The Whistler Bike Park and surrounding village make for an easy Four distinct zones accessible from the Whistler Village offer an incredible array of trails for riders to experience and Creekside lifts carry riders to the tops of each respective zone and a spiderweb of incredible trails will cater to every skill level Regarded for its impressively technical trails that produce some of the most talented mountain bikers in the sport Squamish holds a special place in the hearts of anyone who has ridden in the area But it’s not all technical and challenging terrain that Squamish has to offer; although it is famous for its huge rock slabs overlooking the harbor There are plenty of beginner-friendly trails to explore there are no lifts available to carry riders to the top of the extensive trail networks The iconic granite slabs of Squamish You either need to arrange a shuttle or be prepared to pedal to earn turns in this mountain biking mecca For those who enjoy seeing the sights and don’t mind long climbs with huge rewards Squamish will surely offer life-changing experiences for any mountain bike enthusiast Photo: Philip Platzer / Red Bull Content Pool ItalyFinale Ligure is ideally situated along the picturesque Italian Riviera and serves as one of the esteemed venues for the Enduro World Series and a mecca for mountain bikers to train in the offseason The vibrant coastal town has become a preeminent destination for mountain biking enthusiasts it is hardly surprising that cyclists worldwide pilgrimage to this locale for the incredible trails The region is renowned for possessing some of the finest mountain bike trails complemented by breathtaking scenery featuring the Mediterranean Sea as a stunning backdrop Just be careful you don’t overload on delectable focaccia bread and Pesto alla Genovese before heading out for a ride what is even more remarkable are the numerous hidden spots tucked away in the quieter regions around the town you can uncover these hidden gems for yourself but several local guides and shuttle services are ready to crack open the secrets of the hills above Finale Ligure and Loana Finale Ligure and the surrounding towns provide an exceptional variety of trails catering to all skill levels ranging from meticulously designed bike park-style runs and technical rock sections to long smooth single trails featuring rolling features and picturesque backdrops What distinguishes Finale Ligure is the extensive variety of trails available for enjoyment Few locations worldwide offer such a multitude of diverse trails for access winding forest descents and everything in between The local community has been dedicated to constructing trails in this region for over 30 years resulting in a vast mountain biking trail network that Finale Ligure proudly possesses Located far off the southern coast of Portugal is the small and beautiful island of Madeira This unassuming rock in the Atlantic Ocean is slowly becoming one of the most iconic destinations for mountain bikers Hosting the incredible six-day enduro stage race known as the Trans-Madeira Madeira Island is becoming globally recognized for its trails Madeira is recognized as a premier cycling destination; however the island’s exceptionally rideable trails did not emerge by chance Developing these trails has required the commitment of a dedicated team of passionate individuals to make this place one of the must-visit MTB destinations it’s easier to get there than you might think and an island ferry or plane will take you directly to this mountain biker's paradise The island of Madeira is covered in incredible trails with breathtaking sights and the towns are packed with vibrant culture and great food for after the ride The most prominent and recommended guide service is Freeride Madeira They offer guided tours for all skill levels and have been entirely responsible for building and maintaining the incredible trails on the island With over ten years of expertise of the area there is no better way to experience the beauty of the island than with them USAOften regarded as the best place for mountain biking in the world and a rich history in mountain biking culture Located just a stone's throw from the Colorado-Utah border Moab is known for it’s technical rock formations and the incredible journey that is known as ‘The Whole Enchilada’ The town of Moab is a charming hub that can serve as the base camp for day trips to the abundance of trails nearby or you can choose to camp in one of the many BLM campgrounds located right near the trails Moab has plenty of bike shops that offer shuttle services for those who don’t want to commit to a day of pedaling the many iconic trails can be accessed via the network of bike paths throughout the town Moab has a few distinct trail systems that offer a wide range of trail options for all skill levels The Klonzo trail system north of town has more beginner-friendly trails and camping with quick trail access The Amasa back area will have more challenging and exposed terrain that will push technical riding ability Vinny Armstrong riding at Bike Kingdom in Lenzerheide Photo: Sterling Lorence / Red Bull Content Pool is a mountain bike paradise with an abundance of trails most of which are accessed via the lifts located right on the edge of town in the resort village A distinguished location in the Swiss Alps Lenzerheide upholds its esteemed tradition of hosting elite-level UCI cross-country (XCO) and downhill (DH) racing events which will return to this picturesque location again in 2025 Its gorgeous trails and devoted MTB community make it a prominent destination for anyone planning their dream mountain bike vacation and the foothills to the north and south represent a vast paradise for mountain bikers who make the trip from around the globe to ride below the towering Swiss Alps Renowned as Switzerland's most famous bike park and known for its prestigious cross-country trails they have previously garnered attention during World Cups and World Championships and are accessible to all skill levels Utilizing the cable cars and gondolas available in the region you can access trails and numerous descents that will have you grinning ear-to-ear If you want to avoid becoming complacent and relying solely on lifts the Arosa region has many trails to explore under your own power Robin Goomes returns to DarkFest 2025 Photo: Tom. B Photography There is a reason that pro riders flock to South Africa for training camps and testing every winter It is an escape from the cold European and North American winters and there are hundreds of miles of trails located in and around Cape Town This part of the world is also renowned for its unique climate which facilitates the cultivation of award-winning wines at its many vineyards and farm-to-table dining options thanks to an abundance of farms With such exceptional resources readily available it is hardly surprising that Cape Town and the neighboring Stellenbosch are considered to offer some of the nation's finest dining and farm-to-table restaurants The Stellenbosch region comprises six designated mountain biking zones offering a total of 863 kilometers (536 miles) of trails located within a 10-kilometer radius of the town Visitors will need to obtain passes to each individual zone in order to ride because they are privately owned This area is a central hub for cycling in South Africa rivaling some of the most renowned biking towns worldwide Stellenbosch remains a hidden gem with an abundance of trails and great weather conditions throughout the year numerous other MTB routes in Stellenbosch are waiting to be explored The Pinzgau region of Austria is a top vacation destination for thousands of people and for hundreds of reasons outside of mountain biking you’ll recognize this iconic locale as one of the UCI MTB World Cup stops and a mecca for mountain biking with its legendary bike parks and prominent mountains and Hinterglemm offer nine state-of-the-art cable cars that whisk riders to the top of seven different mountains Bike Park Leogang is the heart of Austria's largest bike region and it’s also among the most celebrated parks in all of Europe the Epic Bikepark Leogang has been a must-visit for mountain bikers of all ages and skill levels this legendary bike park will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with the addition of new trails Höll calls this park home and even has a track with her name on it and it’s no surprise that Bike Park Leogang is dedicated to supporting women in the sport with plenty of women's camps and themed events explicitly designed by women and world-class mountain biking that can be accessed via cable cars or under your own power all set in the breathtaking Kitzbühel Alps USAHome to some of the most recognizable trails in the United States and a community deeply rooted in mountain biking is a bucket list destination for many mountain bikers There are a few areas around Bellingham that you’ll want to visit when planning your next vacation here you’ll uncover even more gems than can be found on trail maps Galbraith Mountain (North Lookout or Galby) offers a vast network of incredible trails that offer quintessential PNW riding for all skill levels Managed by the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition Galbraith has over 190 mountain bike trails including the legendary Transition Bikes Blue Steel jump line But it’s not just pro-line trails here on Galby and Transition also recently opened up Blue Ribbon a beginner-friendly flow trail that is a blast for all skill levels You could spend weeks riding Galbraith and still only scratch the surface of the many world-class trails here Chuckanut Forest and Blanchard Mountian are just a few minutes south of town and offer even more variety with plenty of hidden lines that are easy to pedal laps on all day long This area also offers fantastic views of the bay and Islands Bellingham has plenty of great places to eat and relax when not pedaling around the mountains And with its close proximity to Whistler and Squamish it would be easy to make a pretty incredible road trip happen during the spring and summer months to check off a few bucket list riding spots The lush lines the Portes du Soleil MTB area Imagine exploring over 650km (403mi) of breathtaking MTB trails with 24 bike-friendly lifts ready to whisk you away; thats what you’ll find in Morzine This area of the French Alps offers the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable European mountain bike holiday The incredible variety of accessible terrain truly sets Morzine apart for mountain biking adventures Whether you’re looking for thrilling World Championship downhill tracks there’s something for everyone to enjoy along with the broader Portes du Soleil region is globally recognized for its mountain biking lift infrastructure featuring 25 interconnected lifts and 12 resorts across two countries making it the world's largest bike park This extensive network facilitates access to over 650 kilometers (400+ miles) of remarkable mountain bike trails allowing riders to ascend with minimal pedal effort The trails are designed to accommodate all skill levels and riding disciplines family-friendly green trails to World Cup downhill courses and extensive free-ride parks Regardless of one's riding preferences Les Portes du Soleil offers an extensive array of options that make this a mountain biker's paradise Morzine offers an exciting food and nightlife scene filled with delightful restaurants and fun clubs to explore after an exhilarating day of riding You’ll also find a variety of international dishes and plenty of vegan choices to satisfy everyone’s palate you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and lively entertainment at the local bars and clubs Morzine shines with its vibrant après scene making it the perfect spot to unwind and connect with fellow riders If you’re in the mood for something more tranquil you’ll discover charming cafes and restaurants where you can relax in a cozy These small islands in the southern hemisphere are a staple for mountain biking these days it's a popular winter escape for those who live in the Northern Hemisphere The rich culture and incredible bio-regions of the area are enough to blow you away before you even start pedaling located on the South Island of New Zealand (Te Waipounamu) right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu (Whakatipu Waimāori) and one of the best dirt jump parks in the world Ben Lomond Trails (formerly known as Queenstown Bike Park) offers year-round riding on its incredible web of trails for those moved by pedal power you can catch the Skyline Gondola to the top for over 1,400’ (450m) of descending Harriet Harper tunnels through the New Zealand bush Queenstown boasts two other lift-accessible bike parks that give riders plenty of options for riding while on vacation Coronet Peak and Cardrona both run lifts in the summer months and Coronet Peak is home to some really incredible riding which shouldn’t be surprising since it hosted the 2025 NZ National Downhill Race You’ve likely seen plenty of incredible footage from both Ben Lomond and Coronet and I don’t need to go on about why this place is a must-visit for mountain bikers Rotorua is on the Northern Island of New Zealand (Te Ika-a-Māui) and is a name most mountain bikers will already be familiar with Whakarewarewa Forest and Skyline Gravity Park stand proudly as some of the best trail systems and gravity parks in the world - it’s no shock that Rotorua has been referred to as ‘mountain bike heaven’ With over 160km (100 miles) of world-class mountain bike trails Rotorua is most likely already on most mountain bikers' bucket lists and Rainbow Mountain are all must-ride areas This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Hattie Harnden had never thrived in Finale Ligure before But she proved that any struggles in the past were simply circumstantial She smashed the field during the Round 1 of the Enduro World Cup on Saturday winning two of four stages for the overall win After just missing out on a World Cup win in 2023 “I’ve never really thrived in Finale,” Harnden said “There has always been a bit of friction and it’s never really quite clicked So it feels good to finally get over that hurdle.” Harnden said she was a bit nervous entering the race she has also spent the last four weeks recovering from a foot injury suffering during a muddy downhill race Though she was confident that she could start the race how the foot held up during a long day in Finale remained to be seen Hattie Harnden smashed her first World Cup race of 2024 Back on top of the podium after missing a World Cup win in 2023 But Harnden thrived on the most taxing stage of the race Stage 3 was the longest at more than seven kilometers and featured a mean climb three-quarters of the way through winning the stage by more than 20 seconds on her way to winning the overall by 8.63 seconds over second-place Isabeau Courdurier “I think the stage played to my strengths,” Harnden said “I know I’ve been training really hard and I know I have really good fitness at the moment so I definitely wasn’t worried about that stage And I knew I could claw a bit of time back.” Hattie had no problem with the heat and physicality of Finale Harnden was able to ride safely and keep her rivals at bay on the fourth and final stage (The originally scheduled Stage 4 was canceled for the elite riders due to a crash among the Women’s U21 riders so the day ended by racing Stage 5 after Stage 3.) She had zero issues on her Slash throughout the day “I physically did a really good race and tactically did quite a good race I think I would say I attacked where I knew it played to my strengths and tried to make the biggest dent,” Harnden said but I just didn’t do anything stupid Harnden raced just her third World Cup on the new Trek Slash, released last September With even more time to get to know the bike she’s riding more comfortably than ever “We had everything super dialed,” Harnden said We were just happy with our starting place and with all the settings and everything Harnden won’t have much time to bask in her win Round 2 of the Enduro World Cup will take place in Bielsko-Biala The course is brand new to the World Cup circuit Emily Carrick-Anderson didn't have the race she wanted but she'll quickly have another shot in Poland “I’m super excited that we’re all going to a new venue,” Harnden said “It’s really interesting when it’s a new venue for everyone I think it can mix up the results a little bit And it’s always quite cool to start from scratch and have something new in front of you I feel like that’s what enduro was always about: Going to new places and exploring.” Harnden’s new teammate, Emily Carrick-Anderson, didn’t have the Trek Future Racing debut she hoped for. She was forced to pull out of the race after Stage 3 due to the heat But she and Harnden will have plenty more chances to show out this season starting next week in a stunning new location The two young Americans lit up Soldier Hollow Instagram or YouTube Shorts – and use #whatsyourtour to show us what the Tour de France means to you… explore the countryside or just cruise down the road in a zen-like state Follow the Tour with general updates and become the best version of Peter Sagan you can be How to successfully explain that you need a new bike Factual reports on all the latest health trends and nutritional methods We’ll help you get the most out of your training sessions Veer off the main road and explore nature first-hand Learn to navigate the jungle that is city cycling For a sense of adventure that knows no bounds Guide your relatives toward the one thing that actually matters WeLoveCycling.com is an online magazine that brings you original stories fresh videos and special reports from the wide world of cycling If something made you decide to move hundreds of miles from your home and settle down you most likely must have fallen in love with that place That is what happened to Dominika Durcakova from the Czech Republic I left my country for Finale Ligure where I can cycle all year long it was love at first sight,” explains Dominika what helped her to stick to the place located on the Italian Riviera approximately an hour’s drive west from Genova the place is known for its incredible network of enduro trails After visiting Finale more than thirty times she slowly learned to know the trails by heart enabling her to start guiding her friends and later even public customers providing a pleasant summer atmosphere even for winter rides January or February temperatures are around 15°C so shorts and a jersey are enough for riding as long as you wear a sweatshirt in your backpack even though the wind can spoil the feeling of comfort Bikers are popular among locals as they are the main source of tourism revenue outside of the summer season When local drivers catch up with two cyclists riding side by side on the road they don’t honk angrily but drive around them and even wave hello there are up to a hundred bike trails in Finale Ligure Several groups operate in the area to look after them and keep them in good condition The existing network is constantly being expanded difficult trails for more experienced riders predominated the current trend is to build more trails for less advanced bikers “It’s still not suitable for beginners but those who ride the red trails in the bike park can ride in Finale Ligure,” says Dominika trails for e-bike users have been introduced lately in Pietra Ligure offering many uphill trails that will satisfy both family and sporty riders Almost all trails in Finale are easily accessible by paved roads but those who want to experience more local trails are encouraged to rent bike shuttles Vans with special trailers for bike transport can carry groups of 5-10 people up the mountains get in the car and let the driver bring you to the top of the hill Spacious vans offering a single lift might even accommodate up to 20 people there are off-road cars enabling you to reach inaccessible for backcountry riding riding in Finale is a challenging experience you might descend between 3,000 and 3,500 vertical metres An untrained rider may struggle to hold the handlebars the next day you’ll descend as little as 200 metres but there are also up to 11 kilometres long trails with 800 metres of elevation the shuttle is already waiting to take you back up the next mountain you can ride between 6 and 12 different trails a day If you want to take a break from downhill riding you can take a ride up the hill and spend the day cross-country riding with slow descending to the sea you can pick up trail maps from shuttle services to get a good overview of the difficulty levels and trail locations A free and interactive alternative is the Trailforks app you can ride them and find your location effortlessly Coloured markers indicate the difficulty level according to the Diamond Rating How about the equipment? An enduro bike with at least 140 mm of travel front and rear is a must. “I recommend tubeless tyres to everyone to avoid punctures that could be annoyingly frequent if you choose wheels with tubes Pads and an integral helmet are essential to protect you from injury.” Finale itself is divided into the old town of Finalborgo and the town proper of Finale Ligure ice cream shops and cafes that invite you to relax after an exhausting day of biking Dominika recommends spending afternoons at a lovely promenade where bikers can have a beer or two after the ride Cars are only allowed to enter the old town for transportation purposes and you can explore all the little stores in peace The medieval character gives the old town a specific flair “If winter bothers you where you live I believe that Finale Ligure will make you happy!” Dominika promises You can reach Dominika on Instagram. 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Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience Like other mountain bike destinations at the peak of nearly everyone’s shredlist, Finale Ligure, Italy begs little introduction With close to 90 distinct mountain bike trails the tracks will leave you with memories for a lifetime and swollen forearms for at least a few days. The lion’s share of singletrack in Finale depart from 1,000m (3,280ft) Apennine mountain tops and dump out somewhere alongside the inviting Mediterranean Sea With multiple shuttle services to choose from and a number of guides and skills clinics available visitors can easily enjoy a fortnight stay there are enough 10-passenger vans creeping around the hallway-wide mountain streets to turn the hillsides into a mountain bike version of Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel the trails in Finale are direction-specific and gravity-oriented While each track is accessible via a paved or gravel pedal shuttle services will more than double the amount of trail mere mortals are able to ride the last time I shuttled for an entire day we put in nine long after struggling to complete four laps by pedaling the climbs the previous day If you are concerned about getting in a solid workout while shuttling you will likely be happy with the number of short climbs and sharp sprints built into the tracks A healthy dose of rocks and drops throughout the forest will work most people hard enough to warrant at least one whole pizza at the end of the day The petrol spent while shuttling is not ideal but guides will sardine as many people as possible in each vehicle to minimize waste My favorite part of the shuttle van ride is spending the day with people from all around the world I have shuttled in Finale on multiple occasions and the diversity of people I get to meet and the unique skills and tricks I learn from them are always as valuable as the day among the trees From tracking one another’s lines to following someone into a spooky rock-face that you might otherwise walk Often when I go solo to Finale my shuttle crew is all high fives and belly laughs by lunchtime You may even make a new friend who you want to ride with in the future and schedule your next dirt-vacation in their backyard Below I will outline a few possible ways to slice the Finale pie The tales of trails in Finale where your tires only touch uneven rocks are true My favorite flow ride starts with a single shuttle (Italians use the term “uplift”) to an abandoned NATO base The old concrete structures are adorned with beautiful art and with the whirling of the adjacent wind farm in your ears this trailhead is a unique and memorable place there is a handful of berm-packed tracks to pump All of these tracks end on the same road where you can hang a right and climb back to the top The paved climb takes roughly 30-40 minutes to pedal After you have had your fill of Finale’s flowiest offerings at the NATO base, there are several ways back to town. I like to ride the asphalt west, back to the first point the van drops riders off on the way to the NATO base, which is called Melogno. From here you can ride a long flowy ridge trail called Roller Coaster down to a series of rockier tracks that finish in the town of Calice This option offers a little better trail-to-asphalt ratio While there are several other ways to put a flow ride together in Finale If you want to try some different iterations you can ask your shuttle guide for a flow tour and they will likely be happy to share their version If you came to Finale for the rougher and steeper tracks you have seen in videos of EWS stages To hit two of the steepest tracks you will likely have to pedal as most shuttles don’t roll that direction This was stage 2 of the final EWS round in Finale for 2018 The trail kicks off with its most difficult section an off-camber rock slab with 5+ lines to choose from and you can take any of the lines you feel comfortable with From here the tracks ribbon across a spine eventually disappearing into a heap of switchbacks in the forest The second track of this steep and deep day out is DH Uomini (DH Men in English) I personally have named this one the Cheese Grater to signify what will happen to exposed flesh if you hit the deck You may have seen this track in one of the countless photo and video shoots of Finale overlooking the sea the entire length of its descent If you want to have a look across the water you will need to stop toward the top as the track demands full attention and becomes steep enough toward the end that stopping can be quite challenging This list of technical descents could go on for quite some time and these suggestions are simply a good place to start Trail builders in Finale don’t mess around when it comes to creating legitimately challenging descents turn west/left on the pavement and climb until you see the first set of trail signs at a gravel road on your left You will want to download a GPS track for this ride or roll with someone who knows the route as the pedal across the ridge is dotted with intersections and unmarked trailheads Ending up on the north side of the mountains could mean spending a cold night in the woods The first trail on this 3 sandwich tour is called Karma There is a brief hike-a-bike from the fire-road to the tippy top and from there you can sign the visitors’ log and take some arms-length photos The tread is rocky in a way that demands some slower and more focused shredding than most tracks in the Finale network as the descent alone takes most folks 40-70 minutes to complete You read that right — it’s roughly an hour of gripping and grinning you will start a 1.5-2hr medium-grade gravel road climb between the oak and chestnut trees to rest your forearms The next trail you are rolling toward is called Bric Tampa This track is somewhat rockier than Karma and ends in a creekbed that can be quite tricky to navigate The end of Bric Tampa is a fun place to challenge yourself not to dab as some of the rocks are far slicker than others It is a rare intersection in Italy that doesn’t have clear indications of the nearby towns so getting back to the village should be easy enough These are my favorite two trails in Italy to date with their Tetris of line options and boulder problems to keep me present Riding these tracks is demanding enough that the experience feels like meditation and a chess match in tandem All of the good things you have heard about the riding and the hospitality in Finale Ligure are true I can’t speak to the bad things you may have heard If you are bringing your own bike to Finale you may want to consider mounting the heaviest pair of tires you have as the rocks will not forgive you for bringing race treads and an extra pair of brake pads will do wonders to keep you on your bike throughout your Italian holiday If you need parts or service while riding Finale there are about ten bike shops in town and one of them will be able to get you sorted Don’t forget to take a pizza-break while you are there and fuel up on local cuisine Enter your email for the top stories in mountain biking plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week 2024After a tight day of racing in Finale Ligure the results are live for the first round of the Enduro World Cup One thing to note when reading the results is that the junior men raced all 5 stages but stage 4 was canceled after a rider went down See the full results from the elite women's category here. See the full elite men's results with stage breakdowns here. See the full junior women's results along with stage times here. See the full junior men's results here Stay tuned on BIKE's homepage for more racing coverage 2024Jack Moir’s recent bad luck at the Enduro World Cup has persisted Moir's team announced that the Australian would be sitting out of the first round of the EDR in Finale Ligure due to a hand injury he revealed that he had crashed earlier this week and it has affected his grip strength even the smallest of nagging injuries can hinder a rider is one of the fastest enduro riders in the world He struggled with injury and illness in the early rounds but went on to finish the year strong and ended up 10th in the overall standings We at BIKE wish Jack a speedy recovery and hope to see him between the tape in Poland next weekend Don't miss another headline from Bike Mag! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of bike riding the Enduro World Cup will return in the Finale Outdoor Region on the Mediterranean Coast of Italy the many-time host of the Word Enduro rounds UCI MTB World Series Learn how to follow the action in BIKE’s helpful guide below Though there is no racing action on Thursday riders must be present to register on Thursday afternoon Enduro is a sport with a unique practice schedule Riders are allowed only one day of practice racers like Jack Moir have been doing track walks to learn the course before they are allowed to get tires on it Practice takes place the day before the race and is fully human-powered and riders are meant to only get limited training on the course to preserve their energy most racers record practice with a GoPro and rewatch it to better learn the course riders must balance the goal of dialing in each section with getting time on every stage Enduro World Cups have been two-day events The Enduro World Cup will be raced completely on Saturday Racers will The race will begin at 9:00 AM and go until 6:30 PM There are many rules that make enduro distinct from downhill Racers are in charge of getting to stages on schedule If riders do not complete the transfer climbs in time racers must complete the race with one frame If a racer has a catastrophic mechanical and is forced to change one of those many riders run aluminum wheels and will go to great lengths to keep them together if one fails One of the funniest instances of this was when Jack Moir went full caveman on his rim hitting it with a rock to make it straight enough to seat his tire without the time penalty self-supported spirit of enduro is what makes the sport unique Electric enduro is a genre that the UCI has been trying to push in recent years The move to put E EDR on Sunday to showcase it is an interesting one so perhaps the organizers are making an effort to get fans engaged with both races It will be interesting to see if any racers consider doing both events as e-bike racing is certainly not effortless 2024As a (relatively) young style of mountain bike racing Enduro has undergone a lot of change very quickly And that change has continued apace in recent years with the highest level of racing the EDR shares weekends with the Electric-EDR as well as occasionally (including this weekend) triple-heading a venue along with the DH discipline Late starters will receive a fixed penalty: “The day turned very quickly into a race to just make your stage start times This race made me feel unfit but I train my arse off for this I think the race course and strategy just missed the mark and they got it wrong.” also felt strongly that the transfers were too tight I reached out to her to ask about her feelings about the liaison time limits: “It's hard to compare this year's transfer times to previous years because we haven't done the exact transfers,” she replied “But I [have been] racing EWS/EDR since the end of 2016 and I can say that this time we had to go the fastest pace ever who had one of his best results in years at Finale with a seventh-place finish had a more positive take on the liaisons when I reached out to him Although he acknowledged that the liaisons felt tighter than years past he also pointed out that they’re necessary to ensure longer races “I think the course length was at the limit of time they need to get all riders around within daylight,” Greg noted maybe the race would have had to be shorter We want longer races so maybe this is how the organizers tried to provide that.” Callaghan felt that the organizers did a good job considering the obvious limitations Riders who felt that the liaisons were too short cited rider safety Korem said on Instagram that she dropped out because she felt unsafe on the bike during her race run from pushing so hard on the climb Baraona took her criticism a step further and joked that it felt like they were trying to kill her and what is the process to make sure that they’re reasonable When I reached out to the Finale race director Francesco Gozio for more information he explained that the process of determining those times is actually very regulated.  Gozio told me that The UCI Mountain Bike World Series shares an organizer guide with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) that works to apply local knowledge to design the course and importantly Liaison times are calculated by the LOC using the following steps - Step 1: Calculate the time depending on the indications given (average speed on liaison for a rider: 7 km/h) - Step 2: Adapt depending on local knowledge (pushing sections point of specific liaison during the race) - Step 3: Test times on the ground and let one (or more) strong EDR-Open rider ride the whole race [course] reporting specific times on both liaison and stages Then compare [this] to the numbers of steps 1 and 2 - Step 4: Add time to accommodate possible mechanicals local dynamics to respect (walking some sections All of the above criteria must be consistent with the level of the event: for example Finale was not just a World Cup event but the open race is also a qualifier for the World Cup It’s worth noting that all categories are held to the same time limits That means that everyone from junior racers to the fastest elites must make the same time cutoffs to transfer between stages Gozio says that organizers hear athletes’ concerns and will continue to listen to feedback from riders Learn more about Francesco in Yeti's short film 'Race Director" below It does seem like there’s been some confusion among riders about the process for setting those times including a course pre-ride on a non-motorized bike to help set timing expectations for organizers that’s already an essential part of the process and race organizers deal with the course in Bielsko-Biala There are plenty of questions swirling as Enduro continues to mature Can these disciplines continue to be viable without some sort of live-broadcast strategy Should e-bike racing get the same time and resources of its older sibling And what truly sets Enduro racing apart from a weekend of DH We don’t pretend to have the answers but we’re excited for a packed season of racing 2024The Enduro World Cup will return this weekend in the Italian resort town of Finale Ligure and the athletes have started to filter in Watch the UCI's Josh Carlson interview some of the racers below and Hattie Harnden among others ahead of the first round of the EDR as organizers have struggled to package it for viewers The bike industry's recent struggles have not helped matters causing some brands to pull out of fielding enduro teams.  The UCI making an effort to profile the athletes and build stories around them is a good way to bring fans in and build much-needed excitement for professional enduro racing The idyllic Mediterranean town of Finale Ligure has hosted many rounds of the World Enduro over the years the series has gone to Finale at the end of the season rather than the beginning Ella Connoly even joked that she had to remind herself not to go too hard on the Gelato with the race season ahead of her The return of the EDR is an exciting signal of the upcoming summer of racing for fans To learn more about how to follow the action from the Finale World Cup Flower Riviera Palms Riviera Genoa and surroundings Portofino and the Tigullio The Cinque Terre Gulf of Poets the event dedicated to Ligurian products will take place in Finale Ligure Exhibitors, side events, themed areas, and a beautiful medieval village: that of Finalborgo The Ligurian Food and Agriculture Fair awaits you from Monday and tourists the chance to enjoy a weekend just steps from the sea Open from 3 PM to 8 PM on Friday and from 10 AM to 8 PM on Saturday and Sunday The event represents a unique opportunity to discover the best agro-food productions of this Ligurian land A wide area of exhibition spaces where Ligurian companies can present their products characterised by high levels of quality and uniqueness. The venue for the Ligurian Food and Agriculture Fair is the prestigious Monumental Complex of Santa Caterina, along with several squares in the historic centre of Finalborgo awarded the title of ‘Most Beautiful Village in Italy‘ in 2008 wine with protected designation of origin from Liguria And then there are typical sweets like genovese pandolce along with cooking classes and floral arrangement courses There will also be courses on preparing pesto and other Ligurian sauces as well as demonstrations on producing a variety of traditional Ligurian products The Vision Plaza area will focus on innovation and sustainability in the agro-food sector Casa Liguria will feature the participation of Assaggia La Liguria the Consortium for the Protection of Basilico Genovese DOP the Consortium for the Protection of Olio DOP Riviera Ligure saloneagroalimentareligure.org Trofeo Laigueglia: The Classic Talent-Discovering Cycling Race Stai già fantasticando su un viaggio in Liguria?Trasforma la tua fantasia in realtà e pianifica la tua prossima vacanza Are you already fantasising about a trip to Liguria?Turn your dream into reality and plan your next holiday Are you already fantasising about a trip to Liguria Turn your dream into reality and plan your next holiday Stai già fantasticando su un viaggio in Liguria Trasforma la tua fantasia in realtà e pianifica la tua prossima vacanza Dichiarazione di accessibilità Accessibility statement Amministrazione trasparente fino al 28.02.2025 Transparent administration until 28.02.2025 Amministrazione trasparente dal 01.03.2025 Transparent administration from 01.03.2025 PagoPA Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The first enduro World Cup (EDR) of 2024 kicked off in a classic venue: Finale Ligure the venue frequently served as the last venue of the year organizers decided not to wait and served the seaside venue up first Elly Hoskin proved to be the fastest Canadian on the day earning a big podium in the under-21 women’s race Several other top 10s signal the start of another great season of enduro for Canadian riders  finishing second overall behind fellow B.C Hoskin and her Devinci started off on the same spot on the podium While she couldn’t quite beat a dominant Lily Planquart (Lapierre Zipp) That included second place on two of the four race stages By the end of the day the Canadian under-21 women would finish seventh ninth and 11th behind Planquard and Hoskin Lily Boucher (Rocky Mountain Gravity Racing) in ninth Wei Tien Ho (Commencal 7Mesh) was just 12 seconds away from earning a second Canadian podium in Finale Ligure The dual sport athlete finished fourth at the first World Cup of the year after a big winter skiing on the Freeride World Tour That included a win on the fourth and fifth and final U21 men’s stage Bailey Christie (Theory Racing) took the U21 men’s win The u21 men were the only category that would race all five stages after a mid-day cancellation of one stage by organizers Andréane Lanthier-Nadeau was the lone Canadian in the elite women’s field ALN starts the season at the helm of the new Commencal 7Mesh trio along with Wei Tien Ho and Elliot Jamieson never finishing outside of the top 10 on her way to ninth overall Harriet Harnden (Trek Factory Racing) and Isabeau Courdurier (Lapierre Zipp) traded stage wins all day the defending champion who announced Friday she would be stepping back from full time racing in 2025 15-minute stage delivers Harnden to the first World Cup win of 2024 defending EDR champion Richie Rude (Yeti Fox) picked up right where he left off at the end of the 2023 season rider crushed his way to a solid win over Charle Murray (Specialized) and Martin Maes (Orbea Fox) Jesse Melamed (Canyon Cllctv) led the Canadian effort with a sixth overall With a third place finish on the epic Supergroppo stage its a solid start for the 2022 Enduro World Series overall winner Melamed’s new Canyon Cllctv teammate was the next Canuck across the line in 12th Kasper Woolley (YT Mob) finished 16th and Lief Rodgers 17th Elliot Jamieson (Commencal 7Mesh) in 23rd and Rhys Verner (Forbidden Synthesis) in 24th weren’t too far behind only France (seven in top 25) put more riders on the top section of the elite men’s results Emmett Hancock (Rocky Mountain Gravity) 33rd Remi Gauvin (Rocky Mountain Gravity) 38th and Rider’s now have a few days to try recover and relocate to Poland Enduro World Cup Racing continues with the first EDR / downhill combined round at the all new Bielsko-Biala venue Get the digital edition of Canadian Cycling Magazine Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" here are all the unmissable occasions in 2024 Liguria will amaze you even at Christmas: during the festive season in its villages, you’ll find a thousand nativity scenes (here’s a handy Pocket Guide to the Nativity Scenes of Liguria) And let’s not forget the unmissable charm of the winter sea Don’t miss the Festival of Lights in Piazza de Ferrari in Genoa on Sunday and Christmas songs to the heart of the city there’s also a unique series of concerts to make your Christmas musical Here are the most important events lighting up the festive season from west to east Liguria: Do you love the feeling of thrill and the sea riders finished up practice for the EDR in Beilsko Biala Poland See the raw footage from the practice below many were excited to race on a course that was faster and more open than Finale the riders were carrying good speed on the tracks To get a full preview of each stage, Charlie Murray has a POV from each stage on his YouTube channel. It was good to see Jack Menzies and Jesse Melamed on the course. On Tuesday, the pair announced that their bikes had been stolen in Vienna on the drive to Poland Thankfully their sponsors were able to track down bikes for them to use in the race in just a couple of days There is a slight chance of of rain in the forecast in Bielsko-Biala which could turn the dusty conditions slick on race day Tune in to BIKE’s homepage for more coverage of the World Cup in Poland With its wonderful landscape and its climate mild all year round, Finale Ligure it is the perfect destination for those who love holidays in the open air In spring what's better than a comfortable one rural camper stop to breathe the scent of countryside Even before taking the motorway junction that leads to Finale Ligure anyone who encounters our vehicle can easily guess the crew's destination: the full-suspension chassis firmly on the rear bike rack blatantly betray our crew's intentions Even the choice of landing place reiterates the program for the weekend motor vehicles are banned and guests stay exclusively in a tent Often with the bike parked a few steps from the sleeping bag The sun's rays filtering through the fabric of the igloo wake us up early in the morning Fresh homemade bread and jams produced on the campsite together with a cup of coffee prepared with the moka on the gas stove represent the ideal breakfast for those of us who are eager to spend the day in the saddle La network of trails designed for mountain biking it is dense and varied: it is not easy to orient yourself in choosing the over one hundred and fifty routes that intertwine to form a real playground for enthusiasts It is no coincidence that two important international events are held here: a stage of the Enduro World Series a competition in which athletes and amateurs challenge each other to complete the dedicated ring as many times as possible within twenty-four hours The route prepared for this last race is the first path we tackle paying homage to an event that has now become iconic in the world of mountain biking the route that really remains in our hearts is the Roller Coaster There is no shortage of shuttle services to get to the start but we decide to reach it by pedaling to enjoy the satisfaction of the descent even more good athletic preparation and a certain dexterity in maneuvering your full-suspension vehicle are required - as well as the necessary protections - to tackle this route characterized by drops the seven hundred meters of negative altitude difference spread over six and a half kilometers are a source of unforgettable adrenaline and fun The limestone walls overlooking the sea offer three thousand routes capable of satisfying the tastes and needs of all levels: it is not for nothing that Finale Ligure is one of the most popular destinations in the world for climbing enthusiasts It offers an unmissable experience for mountain lovers seeking thrills there Via ferrata of Artists Six hundred and forty-three steps and a forty-meter suspension bridge allow you to reach the top of the Bric Agnellino (1.290 m) from which you can gaze from the Ligurian Sea to the Alps: incredible to think that the starting point is just thirty minutes from the beaches There is a wide range of opportunities for those who want to try their hand at simple excursions such as the panoramic Path of the Pilgrim which reaches nearby Noli It is also possible to combine outdoor activities with interesting cultural insights by participating in the archaeotrekking organized by environmental hiking guides who accompany participants to discover caves When the now tired legs ask to get off the seat the best is yet to come: Finale Ligure drops the poker of aces with the four villages that make up the widespread common with an aperitif based on locally produced chinotto dominates the inlet which once offered shelter to pirates and barbarians: it is no coincidence that the inhabitants are still called Saracens Beyond the maritime soul of the town that develops around the sanctuary of Santa Maria di Pia the village of Finalpia hides a profoundly rural soul from the Calvino area you go up until you reach the ancient nucleus made up of a cluster of casazze characteristic houses built in squared stone whose seafront is dotted with shops and small trendy venues where you can taste traditional dishes or simply stop for a drink We conclude with a visit to Finalborgo: protected by mighty walls the capital of the marquisate of the Del Carretto family was a strategic base for the Spanish dominions in northern Italy the Spanish fortress that still dominates the town today The octagonal bell tower also characterizes the city profile church of San Biagio installed on a pre-existing defensive tower Walking through the streets of the town you are surprised by the alternation of artisan workshops and sports shops specializing in outdoor activities; sitting at the tables of refined bars in the center it is easy to meet colorful bikers enjoying the traditional chifferi and gobeletti sitting next to their faithful mountain bike How can you resist the temptation to imitate them Do you like cycling in Liguria? Evaluate the our itinerary in Sanremo with the discounted parking areas throughout the Ligurian coast You can read all the PleinAir itineraries on Liguria in the digital magazine on your PC, tablet or smartphone. With a year of subscription to PLEINAIR (11 paper issues) you have the available special inserts, digital magazine e the digital archive since 2015 (with attachments) With your PleinAir subscription you receive the next issues comfortably at home and savings ________________________________________________________ weekends and travel diaries on the digital magazine from smartphone For the registered with the PLEINAIRCLUB Access to the digital magazine is included With thesubscription to PleinAir (11 print issues) receive the magazine and special inserts comfortably at home and save Search other results... Search More results... When the Enduro World Cup starts this weekend in Finale Ligure it could be the start of the best season yet for Canadian riders Not only are there two returning champions – one reigning and one looking to reclaim the throne – but a fleet of Canucks are on the verge of massive success after break-out 2023 seasons Here’s our favourites to keep an eye on when racing starts on Saturday Jesse Melamed (Canyon Cllctv) remains the top Canadian enduro racer even if more and more of his countrymen are climbing the ranks to join him on the podium After winning what turned out to be the final Enduro World Series title in 2022 and switching teams to join Canyon Cllctv The Whistler-raised racer ended his 2023 season with a big win in Chatel He’ll be joined by new Canyon teammate Jack Menzies this year Rhys Verner (Forbidden Synthesis) also had a massive year in 2023, earning his first elite Enduro World Cup win in Leogang. That pushed him up the overall rankings Kasper Woolley (YT Mob) fought back from injury Elliot Jamieson rode to 18th overall for the season as a privateer With the support of the Commencal 7Mesh team this year he’ll be free to move up the results board Remi Gauvin and Emmett Hancock have an expanded Rocky Mountain Gravity team and a brand new race bike for this year That long list of established elites will be joined by several graduating u-21 riders intent on proving themself against the top pros The Can-con list in the women’s field is shorter, but still very strong. Quebec-born, B.C.-living Andréane Lanthier-Nadeau is looking to return to the podium after a couple years of coming very close. ALN is leading the new Commencal 7Mesh trio and after a downhill win at the NW Cup season opener appears to be getting on quite well with the new race bikes quite well already She’ll face the returning French 1-2 of Isabeau Courdurier (Lapierre Zipp) and Morgane Charre (Pivot Factory Racing) as well as Trek Factory Racing’s Harriet Harden in the increasingly deep women’s field Vancouver Island’s Emmy Lan rolls into the 2024 season looking for an incredible third-straight enduro title After winning the EWS in 2022 and inaugural EDR season in 2023 Lan is back with Forbidden Synthesis (both are based in the Comox Valley) to aim for the trifecta of titles finished second overall behind her fellow Canadian They’ll look to repeat that 1-2 overall though surely Hoskin will be looking to add a few wins of her own along the way Lily Boucher and Giza Rodgers will look to add even more Canadian results in the under-21 women’s racing Three Canadians will take on the under-21 men’s field in Finale Ligure it will be up to Wei Tien Ho (Commencal 7Mesh) Noah Rubuliak and Ryder Knoll to beat out the very European 50-rider field this Saturday with just 43 entries between the pro men and pro women this appears to remain an event that isn’t catching on the way the UCI would like it to The first Enduro World Cup of 2024 takes place Saturday a highlights package is scheduled to land on Monday The 40-minute film will be released on December 21st Link: Petzl, La Sportiva 2023The bike industry has seen a great deal of growth in the past few years Thanks to the COVID pandemic and all the wackiness that came with it While some companies took the growth for granted They knew that for the sport’s growth to be sustainable they needed to invest in other sides of the sport While some brands invested in the ever-important trail advocacy outlining the work of the crew behind the iconic Finale Ligure Enduro World Series below race organizers Francesco Gozio and Enrico Guala assist the new director Riccardo Negro in designing a new curse for the Enduro World Cup and the E-Enduro World Cup at Finale Ligure.  But the hills behind it is home to one of the coolest bike race out there the crew is kitted out with Yeti 160E electric enduro bikes to scout a new course.  This job is important for multiple reasons they need to do the best they can to preserve fairness If locals know the course beforehand they have an advantage Race directors keep the course info close to the chest so as not to allow locals an unfair advantage Another aspect of racing they set out to make fair is the differences in e-bike motors E-bike racing is not exactly Formula 1 yet so there can be discrepancies in equipment some motors apply power for slightly longer after you stop pedaling than others Riccardo emphasized making a course with line choice and strategy and it is a good thing that Yeti is investing behind the scenes in it Don't miss another headline from Bike Mag! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of bike riding 2024The first round of the Enduro World Cup will take place this weekend and feature the fastest riders in the world Enduro is a game of tech and bike setup is a very important part of racing Watch some of the fastest riders talk through their setups in a bike check compilation from the UCI below and other speedy pros run over their setups for the viewer There is some new tech officially debuting at this year's  Enduro World Cup. Though Jesse Melamed was almost certainly hiding prototype Sram Maven brakes last year when he was quiet about what brakes he was running he is now able to prominently display the iconic red calipers Fox Athletes like Baraona and Rude will be racing on the newly released Grip X2 dampers in their forks.    Though bike checks tend to serve as a way to display their sponsor’s equipment the bike checks can have some helpful information Diving into the tech and setup that the pros use can be a very fun way for amateur riders to make setup changes that they pretend will make them faster Stay tuned on BIKE’s homepage for more coverage of the EDR 2024's first leg of the UCI Enduro World Cup at the famous venue of Finale Ligure hosted five stages over 57km of trails and 2,570m of descending The podiums welcomed a number of the usual suspects but a self-doubting Hattie Harnden took the women's win and Ritchie Rude dominated the men's category Although the fourth stage of the event was cancelled due to an incident on the Rocche Gianche course racing was close in both the men's and women's categories with Ritchie Rude putting in a strong performance on almost all stages he conceded the win on the third stage which ate into some of his lead “Getting that first stage win really put that confidence in me to know I could do well on these tracks.” - Ritchie Rude It was a similar story for the women with the winner Hattie Harnden taking a stage win over stage 2 and being 20 seconds quicker than anyone else over stage 3 she took things easy and retained her overall lead Last year's champ Isabeau Courdurier was hot on Hattie's heels landing in second after dropping back during stage 3 and Cannondale's Ella Conolly took third held at the same location and taking riders over nine stages split over two loops with 84km of trail and 3600m of descending Ryan Gilchrist took the win for Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team Manuel Soares Jose Borge for Canyon Collective came second and Fancescu Camoin brought back third in a successful weekend for the Specialized Enduro Team Florencia Espineira Herroros took the women's win for the Orbea Fox Enduro Team with Brit, with Tracey Moseley taking second and Laura Charles coming third Since beginning his mountain biking career while working as a resort photographer in Greece in 2014 Liam became a freelance contributor at off.road.cc in 2019 he’s climbed the journalism job ladder from staff writer to deputy technical editor heart rate-raising efforts on slim-tyred cross-country bikes hell-for-leather e-MTB blasts or even casual gravel jaunts there’s not a corner of off-road cycling where Liam fears to tread With more than 40 bike reviews under his belt and hundreds more on MTB Liam’s expertise continues to be cemented and respected by the industry Privacy policy and terms and conditions of use off-road.cc is dedicated to bringing you the best coverage of all off-road riding Be one of the first to try our new activity feed and Tuscany—all the requisite stops on the Italian cultural tour—I’m ready to trade espresso for a Gatorade and art for adventure Hiking the five villages of Cinque Terre crosses my mind On a tip from a telemark skier I met in the Italian Alps I pedal 40 miles from Genoa into one of the hippest multisport destinations east of Chamonix: Liguria’s Finale Ligure a string of four villages on the mountainous Mediterranean coast midway between Genoa and Nice This is where Italians ditch their handcrafted heels for sportier shoes It’s the Italian Riviera with attitude Full-day guided excursions are $184 to $205 per person you’ll find a mechanic for on-the-go tune-ups Local bikers who gather here are more than willing to help with derailleur problems or point riders in the right direction IMBA provides free maps of the trails around Finale Guides are available for $16 per person per full day with a group of six or more DEEP BLUE: Carbo unloading off the shore of FinalpiaWindsurfing Windsurfers may be a dying breed in the United States but the sport is alive and kicking on the Italian Riviera sailboard enthusiasts enjoy the three-mile stretch of beach between Varigotti and the village of Noli that curves into the cornflower-blue Mediterranean the steady 13-mile-per-hour breezes provide ideal conditions for beginners and experts alike (one of Italy’s best competitive windsurfers and sea temperatures rarely drop below 60 degrees The pace picks up in October with the arrival of Tramontana a heavy wind from the north that can produce gusts up to 30 miles per hour the sea remains subdued and boards slice the waves like hot knives through butter—perfect conditions for doing tricks The Varigotti Windsurfing School (011-39-019-69-87-60 offers seven-hour group lessons for about $125 and private lessons for $26 an hour Beginners can rent a board and sail for $9 to $12 an hour ACCESS + RESOURCES GETTING THERE: From the States Most domestic and international airlines don’t require a fee to transport your bike unless it’s your third checked bag and exit at Finale Ligure (check out www.airport.genova.it/collegamenti/autonoleggio.htm for local car-rental companies) take the direct line to Ventimiglia and get off at the Finale Ligure stop (not all trains allow bikes; check schedules at the station) take state road 1 (Via Aurelia) and pedal 40 miles from Genoa to Finale Ligure; if there’s heavy traffic this route will usually get you to Finale in less time than traveling by car www.florenzhotel.com) a 40-room renovated 18th-century convent just outside of Finalborgo has a restaurant specializing in Ligurian food are well versed in the area’s history ** CASTELLO VUILLERMIN (011-39-019-69-05-15 www.hostelfinaleligure.com) lets you live a fairy tale on the cheap Choose between dorm-style bunks and four-bed family rooms ($11 to $12 per person per night) ** The SAN MARTINO (011-39-019-69-82-50) and LA FORESTA (O11-39-019-69-81-03) campgrounds have campsites that go for $9 to $11 per night the campgrounds are located on bus routes (buses run twice a day from the Finale Ligure train station) and tech with access to unlimited digital content from Outside Network's iconic brands All photos courtesy of Super Enduro, and Nicola Damonte Photography Pietra Ligure is a seaside destination city on the Mediterranean, with a rich history dating back beyond the year 641. And luckily for mountain bikers the town has purpose-built trails that stretch from the sea up to the Val Maremola hillsides 1,000 meters above In the shred-guide below I will share a taste of Pietra’s singletrack story I’ll talk about the epic conditions we found at a recent enduro race in Pietra Ligure When compared to its world-famous neighbor over the hill in Finale Ligure many of the trails in Pietra are longer and equally physical you have a number of amazing tracks to choose from that will either take you all the way to the sea or to a fire road where you can pedal back to the top for shorter loops The Ancillotti team dialing in suspension settings for the new tracks Two of the longest tracks in the area, Karma and Bric Tampa, are well detailed in our earlier article about Finale Alongside those grand descents are the likes of Hiroshima Mon Amour and Curve de Livelo Both of these newer trails were included in this year’s Super Enduro and both are worth a ride when you are in the area They start from the main climbing/shuttle road called Colle de Giustenice and roll along nicely between the beech and oak trunks. The tracks are fairly similar and tight twisty snakes through the trees toward the end They both last roughly 10 minutes at race pace and fall into a favored category of endurance descending Other medium difficulty tracks include Tittalana many are rockier than the two mentioned above these tracks might provide all of the technical descending challenges you are after If you want to find the ledge of your skills and guts hit up the folks at Hot Bikes for a tour of the region’s most difficult descents This corner was one to session during practice the quickest route was to start high and outside Stages 1 and 2 were not quite twisty enough to require a nose press but the dirt was so good that a lot of riders decided to play around in front of the camera Not that anyone stopped to look around during their single practice run we can all come back and enjoy the view on a warmer day The Superenduro Pietra Ligure is what initially brought our attention to the trails here Much of the older city is closed to automobiles making it a great place to stroll around on your bike or feet Italy’s Super Enduro is one of the most well-attended gravity events in the world and the 2019 opening event held in Pietra Ligure was no exception The kickoff race for the series’ 11th year in action hosted 405 riders from 16 nations around the globe Track practice was appropriately limited to the Saturday prior to the event and racers had a blast testing out the long and tricky ribbons on offer It rained the evening before practice after almost two months of dusty trails Italian national enduro champ Alex Lupato testing the stone grip on practice day Chilly race day rains had most racers taking shelter until their turn on the start platform with spring deciding to remind us all that it was not yet summer by dumping a few inches of snow atop the ridge throughout the morning Riders shuttled to the saddle between Finale and Pietra Ligure and climbed west among the frozen flakes The ride from the shuttle dropoff point to the top of stage 1 could be pedaled in 40 minutes or less on a warm day but racers had 1.5 hrs to make the transition in the snow Many spent part of that time huddled in a fortress above the dropoff point The long and slow transition quickly showed who came prepared and who needed to descend directly to their cars After the first few categories had slid into their places at the bottom of stage one all of the riders were called back to the race paddock for a change of plans The original call was to get everyone back to town and riders who wanted to continue could race the final two stages which started well below the snow line four racers had already been taken to the hospital with hypothermia and medical staff decided to call the first-ever race cancellation in the 11-year-long Super Enduro legacy A good number of pro riders who had traveled to the event with EWS qualifying hopes were quite perturbed by the decision but the team in charge made the right call for the health and safety of everyone involved Super Enduro founder Enrico Guala sharing all of the info Look for our interview with Guala on the history of the European born race genre in the coming weeks a city located along the border like Monaco as I chartered my way down the coast of northern Italy but I had three days to kill along the way The plan: Find a beach town where I would camp for a couple of nights Perhaps one of the most breathtaking stretches of coastline is the northern coast of Italy along the Ligurian Sea Picturesque towns on stony hillsides tumble down to the turquoise-and-cobalt Mediterranean Sea A gently winding highway curves around the coast moving at a slow and leisurely Italian-style pace allowing travelers to take in the sights with a few stops along the way Following are several stops away from the tourist-trodden Cinque Terre including suggestions by Matteo Della Grazia co-owner and founder of Discover Your Italy as I parked the Fiat along the beach drive Finale Ligure sits on a Mediterranean beach with the Rock of Caprazoppa — a limestone mountain — looming overhead lined with outdoor restaurants with expansive menus of wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas There are several historic sites to catch in Finale Ligure a castle said to be built in 1181 as the former seat of the Del Carretto Marquesses which is a 17th-century Spanish fort above the walled town But the main purpose for a stop in Finale Ligure should be to relax at a beach bar GenoaThe first stop after Finale Ligure should be Genoa which for centuries has been one of the most powerful maritime cities in the Mediterranean and is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus a stop at the local Opera House Teatro Carlo Felice is a must The best way to know Camogli is by exploring the many hiking trails that you’ll often find yourself to be the only one on the trails here known for its excellent homemade Ligurian dishes drive farther south to Santa Margherita Ligure The commune (municipality) is known for its amazing Villa Durazzo mansion and adjoining park The 17th-century building is adorned with statues Guided tours are available of the villa-turned-museum continue to Portofino to take in the glamorous yacht culture which is managed by the Italian National Trust the stretch of coast is best visited by private boat in order to easily hop from one beach town or village to the next the road reaches the southeast coast of Liguria A stop in Cinque Terre is certainly a must for first-timers but in-the-know Italy travelers are aware that the five villages have been overrun by tourism This coastal city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site (a title shared with Cinque Terre) and can be visited in a day whether by boat around the city’s three famous islands or by hiking its stunning trails through the hills as well as the many caves in Portovenere on Palmaria Island The total travel time between Sanremo and Rome is less than eight hours — if you drive straight through But Italy is less known for its efficiency and more for its relaxed beauty and with plenty of time for a coastal stroll Copyright © 2025 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. 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