FOR TRAIL BUILDING BULLETIN#6

Trail maintenance on the plateaus, water regulation, blowing leaves, and constant trail cleaning. Many tasks have kept the Finale Outdoor Region trail builders busy during these autumn months. In addition to the report on autumn maintenance, we chatted with Ivo Camilli this month. Don't miss his interview.

Happy reading!

A YEAR OF TRAIL BUILDING BULLETIN

Just over a year ago, we released the first issue of the Trail Building Bulletin for the Finale Outdoor Region. This tool was created to inform and raise awareness about trail-building activities, which are vital for tourism and preserving the Finalese territory.

Over these months, we provided details on trail maintenance work made possible by the proceeds generated from the FOR YOU CARD, highlighting the organizational structure that carefully manages trail maintenance. At the heart of this work process is a dedicated team composed of a supervisor, area managers, geologists, trail builders, and local associations. The synergistic collaboration of these individuals ensures a comprehensive and professional approach to trail care, guaranteeing an optimal experience for mountain biking enthusiasts while preserving the territory.

The Trail Building Bulletin is not just an informational tool; it also aims to spotlight the people behind the shovels, picks, and rakes. Through this instrument, we want to introduce you to the faces and stories of those who dedicate their energies daily to ensure our trails' quality and safety and raise awareness among local operators and the public about the importance of preserving and respecting the natural environment.

We hope that the Trail Building Bulletin can increasingly serve as a bridge between the outdoor community and those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain the trails in optimal conditions.

A DAY ON THE TRAILS WITH THE WORLD CLASS ACADEMY

Last November, we were contacted by the World Class Academy, a truly special American high school that spent four weeks in Finale with about twenty students. The school combines study, sports activities, travel, and cultural immersion, taking students to different countries worldwide.

Excited about our trails and with a mission to leave a place better than they found it, the students volunteered to join our trail builders for a few hours, not only to lend a hand but also to understand how trail building is managed in the Region. And so it was: armed with rakes and under the watchful eyes of Giorgio Paderno, Simone Lammardo, Luca Morandi, and Marco Richeri, the students headed to Caprazoppa and worked on the X-Men trail, cleaning, raking, stacking stones, and attentively listening to the explanations of the trail builders.

Luca Morandi, trail builder and area representative for le Manie trail area, said: "The afternoon organized by FOR with a group of young American bikers who volunteered to clean a trail, specifically X-Men, was certainly positive. Firstly, beyond the actual contribution on the ground, it provided an opportunity to show these young people all the work behind the continuous maintenance of an MTB trail in the Finalese, which is more challenging and complex than a bike park. I believe it is beneficial and educational for a biker to contribute, even a few hours a year, to fixing a trail to understand the work of a trail builder. Sometimes, we may make mistakes, but we always try passionately to make the trails fun, preferably safe, and above all, sustainable. In my opinion, many more similar days should be organized throughout the year during low season periods, involving groups of bikers, students, or the guides themselves, as is the case in Anglo-Saxon countries with a greater inclination for volunteering".

FOR YOU CARD: A 2023 FULL OF ACTIVITIES

2023 has been a turning point for the FOR YOU CARD project. Introduced in September 2021, in 2022, this fundraising tool conceived by the Finale Outdoor Region Consortium made establishing a structure for managing territory maintenance works possible. These essential tasks are no longer feasible to delegate to volunteers; without land maintenance, we could not sustain the current flows related to outdoor tourism. The structure consists of a supervisor, Fabrizio Valenti, ten Area Managers, a geologist, six trail builders working continuously with equal collaborators, and local associations operating in specific areas of the Region (Bardineto, Spotorno, Mallare). This significant step forward has enabled numerous maintenance interventions, both extraordinary and ordinary, and the planning of interventions based on priorities and available resources.

In 2023, further strides have been made: a proprietary FOR YOU CARD platform has been developed, making it more intuitive for operators to upload points and for users to monitor the progress of their missions and benefits. Additionally, a new communication campaign has been launched to make project partners immediately recognizable. Throughout the year, the card has spread widely across the Region: many operators are joining the project in Finale Ligure, as well as in Pietra Ligure, Val Maremola, Feglino, Spotorno, Bardineto, Osiglia, Mallare, and Vado Ligure. Operators who understand the project's importance for the future of our outdoor tourism are increasing, and the goal for 2024 is to ensure that the card is used in every transaction.

How? By asking the customer for the card and consistently uploading points, encouraging its use, and making the benefits gained through points more appealing. In this regard, the rewards catalogue is taking shape, and soon it will be possible to redeem T-shirts, stickers, socks, and local products. An additional incentive for our visitors to support the project.

We reached almost €95,000.00 in card proceeds in 2023 with everyone's commitment. The potential is still enormous, and we can do much more to improve the organizational structure and maintenance of trails and cliffs, which are essential for our tourism and, above all, to preserve and protect our wonderful yet fragile territory.

Thanks to everyone!

FALL 2023 MAINTENANCE

by Fabrizio Valenti

Maintenance on DH Men

During the autumn months, the type of work performed by Finale Outdoor Region's trail builders on the trails has been predominantly routine maintenance. Finally, the ground conditions allowed for better work compared to a few months ago, so efforts were focused on restoring sections particularly eroded by rain and passages and eliminating holes caused by braking, where possible. Through the placement of large stones, special attention was given to those sections where puddles frequently form or where water creates more erosion.

Another crucial aspect was arranging and creating new drainage channels to regulate water flow due to heavy precipitation. Water regulation is one of the most critical aspects of the work carried out in recent months and is an area where we are investing more as a working group. Combating erosion is fundamental for the sustainability of the trails, and this involves seeking lines with less steep slopes and constructing supports. These elements are not intended to make the trail faster but precisely to counteract braking-induced erosion.

Last but not least in importance, on the most frequently used trails, there is a continuous passage with blowers and rakes to prevent excessive accumulation of leaves and loose material.

During these months, work has also been carried out on the lower trails, which are usually more neglected from a maintenance perspective. Among these are DH Men and DH Women in the Manie area, and Pianarella and Dolmen in San Bernardino. In November, a significant intervention was carried out on X-Men in Caprazoppa and, subsequently, in the same area, on the Bondi trail.

Maintenance on Bondi Trail: BEFORE and AFTER

Trailkeeping was done in the Ivolandia area in Feglino as well, on Cà Bianca and Little Champery trails, and in the Madonna della Guardia area (Kill Bill 1 and 2, Cacciatore, and Madonna della Guardia).

In December, the trail builders moved to Toboga di Canova and Rollercoaster. The Monte Carmo area also underwent significant work. Work was done on the newer trail areas of Ranzi (Pietra Ligure) and Vado, with the trails Roaldo and Domiciliari, which, after the Marathon World Cup last June, experienced frequent use and the need for maintenance. A lot of time was dedicated to keeping the classic and iconic trails of Base Nato clean and in excellent condition, with frequent raking and blowing to remove leaves and branches throughout the fall. We intervened several times to remove fallen trees from the trails promptly.

November was the month that recorded the most working hours since the card project began, with a total of 38 trails maintained for a sum of 1,180 hours. Overall, in 2023, €180,000.00 was invested in trail building.

In October, trail builders worked for 774 hours on trails including Little Champery, Revenant, Bric Merizzo, Cà Bianca, Isallo Ecstasy, Crestino pt. 2, Cacciatore, Supergroppo, Madonna della Guardia, Cravarezza, Hiroshima Mon Amour, X-Men, H Veloce, Toboga di Canova, Roll Up, Hell Boy 1 and 2, Rollercoaster, H, 115, Base Nato, Madre Natura, Pino Morto, Oribago, Margot.

In November, trail building hours reached 1,180 on trails including X-Men, Dog Eat Dog, Cà Bianca, San Pantaleo, Madre Natura, Oribago, Margot, Little Champery, Salite di Livello, Roaldo, Schiappagomme, Revenant, Madonna della Guardia, Base Nato, Ingegnere, Titalana, 115, Crestino, Supergroppo, Isallo Ecstasy, Val Nava, Traliccio, Roll Up, Fast and Furious, Neanderthal, Rollercoaster, H, Passaggio a Nord Ovest, Rock’n’Rolla, H Veloce, Cravarezza, Oltrefinale, Foresto, Dolcenera, Kill Bill 1 and 2, Cacciatore, Blu Pervinca.

The year 2023 concludes with 1,089 hours in December. The trails involved in the works include Traliccio, Partigiano, Kill Bill 1 and 2, Dog Eat Dog, Cà Bianca, Cravarezza, Cacciatore, Ingegnere, Toboga di Canova, Crestino pt. 1 and 2, Domiciliari, DH Men, Bondi Trail, trails in the Ivolandia area, Madonna della Guardia, Base Nato, Madre Natura, H Veloce, Supergroppo, DH Donne, Rollercoaster, Isallo Ecstasy, Hiroshima Mon Amour, Pino Morto, Hell Boy 2, 115, H, Little Champery, and Dondella.

IVO CAMILLI: ZAINO IN SPALLA CI VEDIAMO NEI BOSCHI!

It's impossible not to love Ivo Camilli! He is one of the most active and well-known trail builders in the Finale Outdoor Region, and his excellent pizza and friendly nature only add to his charm. As a Feglino local, Ivo is dedicated and passionate about taking care of the woods and building trails but with his team, he works tirelessly to build amazing trails throughout the region.

Hello, Ivo; how did your great passion for trails come about?

Like all my passions, they began as a child; they were my games. As a little kid, I lived in the woods, built forts, and longed for a bike I never had. Anything related to wheels fascinated me, especially when combined with the forest. At that time, the carpenter in Feglino built a small cart for us children with a pole that we used to collect pinecones and wood. Once it was full, we would turn the pole, climb on top, and ride down. As an adult, I discovered that friends were participating in natural gravity races, and at 30 years old, I also started competing in this sport. The wheel and a bit of recklessness were always present...

Then, after years, I saw friends like Sergio and Fabrizio starting to go into the woods on bikes, just as I had dreamed. It was the early days of mountain biking in Finale. So, I started clearing the woods and old trails and introducing these places to friends. Even Fulvio Balbi began working on the trails in those years and has always inspired me greatly. From that moment, a dream began to take shape, which is now a reality: even though I have never gone mountain biking, finding a trail, fixing it, and seeing so many people enjoying the places where I grew up and being happy because of it, is the most beautiful thing in the world for me.

For example, when I found the hole in the rock of Cromagnon, it was full of brambles and thorns, as if I had entered the Amazon River. Once I opened the hole, I discovered a territory I didn't know, so I dedicated myself to clearing it, and today, it is a very famous trail. And that's what I do every day, on every trail. For me, it's always like the first time.

Ivo and Cromagnon during an EWS race

Your Trails are maintained but very natural. Can we say it's your signature?

Absolutely. We repair what has fallen or been damaged, but we try to maintain the originality of the trail as much as possible. Sometimes, there's a need for some intervention in water management, but nothing artificial. I like the forest to remain as natural as possible.

You are a man of the forest, but you are also a great communicator. Some fans even want to take a photo with you or the statue of Mario Nebiolo!

Yes, it's true. For me, it's the first thing. What I do needs to be known and explained to people. When I'm working in the woods, many people come to me, and I love explaining the history of these places. The trails pass through areas that represent the history of Liguria, of shepherds, of prehistoric and medieval man. We ride bikes where people were born, grew up, worked, and even died. These are places of hard work. I spend a lot of time with the guys on my team - Marco, Cristian, Federico - taking care of what is around the trail. As Marco says, we bring order to the forest. Unfortunately, many woods are no longer what they used to be; now they are abandoned. Seeing that strip of clean land makes me, or rather, makes us feel good. Of course, we also receive criticism, but it's normal; you can't please everyone. However, many people thank us for our work, even among hikers.

Ivo with his friend and artist Mario Nebiolo, who dedicated a statue to Ivo made of the typical Finale'stone.

Now, the Finale Outdoor region has a proper trail-keeping crew. What has changed from the past?

Now we are a team that works together; I have fantastic collaborators. Until two years ago, the work was done, and you could see it, but it was addressing critical issues in an emergency, fixing things here and there as best as we could. Now we dedicate ourselves constantly to the trails, focusing on areas where the managers have identified issues before moving to another zone. We take care of the trails daily. The organization made possible by the Consortium, with area manager Fabrizio Valenti as a coordinator and the teams of guys working, is undoubtedly a big step forward. I believe that, especially in this last period, excellent work has been done, and people have greatly appreciated it.

At Christmas, there was a full house. Did the trails hold up well?

Yes, we made various interventions in dirt movement and mowing at the correct times. The trails held up well. We worked a lot in preparation for the holidays. We might exchange ten words during a day on the trails with the guys. Maybe we briefly discuss an intervention, but then we work. I would say that the only issue when there are so many people is the arrivals in the villages; we need to ensure respect for inhabited centres.

Which trail are you most attached to?

All the trails are beautiful for me, but the first one I ever worked on was "Passaggio a Nord-Ovest," which I always liked and am very attached to. Then there is "Cromagnon," which is now very well known, and everyone stops to take pictures. But also "Oribago," "Margot," "Pernice Rossa," and "Ötzi," which I love very much. Here, shortly, we will work to facilitate access with e-bikes. Anyway, I love all the trails in my area that are clean and well-maintained, and I try to keep them as I discovered them, but also those in areas that I am getting to know now, like Vado, Spotorno, Caprazoppa. I would also like to work in San Bernardino. I used to go there for mushrooms with my mom when I was a kid; it's a magical place.

Do you think e-bikes can give some trails and places a second life?

Yes, think about "Scogliera": almost no one was doing it anymore. Then we cleaned it up for the E-EWS, and now e-bikes go up. People ask me, and they are curious to try. On a bike, you don't see certain things in the places when you're going downhill; you think about going and can't look around. On an e-bike, you do more climbing, there's more time, you enjoy the true essence of this sport. With an e-bike, sometimes you're tired, stop... and look. It's another way of biking.

What is the greatest satisfaction that being a trail builder has given you and continues to give you?

Having fixed the whole area with the guys who are part of the team. Now we try to have a 360° vision; we know the critical points and where there is more erosion. For example, we will monitor the lower trails most used in winter these days. We discuss and work together with the guys. Together, we see things we mightn't have noticed or didn't know how to face alone. I believe we are working well, and even though there are always many things to do and discover in our territory, I think we are on the right track to preserve it.

To say goodbye, we can only recite your famous slogan: "Zaino in spalla ci vediamo nei boschi" (Backpack on, see you in the woods)...

It's not my invention but my son's! One day, when we were walking on Bric del Frate, it came to Claudio's mind. From that day on, I can say it has become my signature!