Over the long weekend from 1st to 4th of May I had the pleasure to attend a course to become 1st level mountain bike instructor. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday,
SIMB (Italian school of mountain bike) has organised for some thirty participants few rides accompanied by instructors alternated with theoretical lessons given by experts from various sectors. With my friend and excursions companion Alessandro, we got every day to Folgaria concluding positively our training. In addition to a qualification which we hope could translate into concrete experiences as guides in the future, was an interesting opportunity of deepening and a pleasant meeting with people from all over Italy with whom we share a passion for this sport. Below is a brief description of this three days, and we'll soon propose few rides and paths on tracks that we run along and love among our mountains.
The course that engaged us in these three days began in Folgaria, at the hotel Stella d'Italia on Thursday May 1 where we meet for a brief presentation. After two words from the president we immediately hop on the saddle and, under a grey sky start to the new training camp near the golf course. Passing through the town I looked at the thermometer: 6 ° C!
Once at the camp we have done to the rapid preselection with a circuit lap facing bumps, gravel, woods, elbow curves and a wooden bridge with a slope quite a workout: the ground made by the night's heavy rain has become the most challenging and the fat wheels doubled their size at the end of the ring, covered with a big layer of mud. The three groups (black, blue and red) divided according to ability and technical practices, have then directed theirselve, each accompanied by one of the three SIMB guides present, to test different fields. I and Alessandro, in the same group, the blue one, followed Stefano Manica towards Serrada and on a ski slope began tests of skill, with climbs and descents to high slope. While instructor explained the best technique to use, a deer disturbed by our presence has crossed the runway going to take refuge in the surrounding woods.After conducting several tests and technical we moved to a hut where, in a row
following Stefano, we faced various obstacles such as stairs, rocks, roots and very narrow curves. The next step was an evaluation of athletics preparation carrying out an ascent path of Megabike (130km race and 4000m altitude to be held in August). With this test the morning ended and we returned to the hotel for lunch and an theoretical afternoon studing mechanics and topography. The cold has not spared us but fortunately the threatening clouds have not downloaded on our head the water they were loading.
The next morning, while Alexander was busy with work (has recovered the lost lesson on Sunday morning), I climbed again to Folgaria for a new day. This time our instructor was Marco Bianchini. He told us his experience as instructor and organizer of courses for children. Cycling towards the refuge Paradise I heard his stories and his adventures with the boys, always funny and innocent. Still tests of skill, conduction and technical and then we make a fun descent towards Folgaria and our lunch. Other theoretical afternoon addressing issues such physiology, nutrition and marketing.
The last day we faced the final practical and theoretical tests. In the morning the last interesting exit with Silvio Mevio to address fun and technical paths in the woods with uphill still departures, difficult curves and bumps in succession. Fun and informative. Around noon we moved to the field test where we discussed
the final test in front the eyes of all instructors. It has been satisfying to see the progress made in just three days of lessons (also thanks to the absence of mud given from two beautiful sunny days). In the afternoon we concluded the cycle of theoretical lessons dedicating a couple of hours learning the proper athletics preparation. At the end we were given a test to be completed (in fact the questions were fairly straightforward and collaboration gave a hand).
The conclusion for these three days is certainly positive and the experience was interesting, thanks to pleasant knowledge and friendships linked. Soon we hope to build on this experience and be able to propose our routes to some interested people in our Trentino Alps. Also, if I have time i want to try to prepare a special section of this site where explain in detail the theory and practice of mountain bike. For now you can entrust to the
SIMB site where you can find information, itineraries and suggestions of all kinds and for every "leg".
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