Everybody’s talking about fat bikes. No wonder Sergio and his mates can’t wait to finally cruise down ski descents on big fat tires. But the bikes have yet to arrive. As the mountains are getting covered by snow more and more each day, they are getting nervous. Finally, they decide to have try on their “old” bikes. Here’s a photo story that proves that there were times that 3,7″ tires were not necessary – and that it is worth getting out on any bike in the winter:
No Fatbikes – We don’t care! These two days will help to try out our riding abilities on snow and to evaluate the best routes we could face later on.
Monte Prata, in the area of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, offers wonderful landscapes overlooking Monte Vettore and Castelluccio’s Plains.We reach the top of the mountain quite easily and with a final stretch of road, carrying the bike, we are in the ski resorts area.The tracks are crowded with lots of skiers and, therefore, we ride the slopes with the escort of the Ski Rescue Team,Surely, with studded tires and “Fat Bikes” it would have been funnier……but, as a first attempt on a completely snowy route, we can consider it a positive experience!For the sake of fairness, the following day we continued the test on the ski tracks of Frontignano di Ussita, the ski resort next to the one in Monte Prata-Castelsantangelo sul Nera.Here we ventured the off-piste, free-riding through the steep wooded slopes, enjoying the thrill of the downslope in the fresh snow, with fully satisfying results.Our bicycles and our riders have passed the test. Now we are waiting for snow again and more bicycles, maybe “Fat”!
Words and Photos: Sergio Barboni
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