Molini di Triora

Stivali !

A great weekend of riding was had in this fantastic area of Liguria.

On Friday we investigated Goina on the MTB's. Our 29er's were well suited to cross country terrain chosen. A steady climb on narrow tarmac road took us upto Triora, clinging to the edge of the valley with great view of the snowy mountains (monte saccarello and monte di pietravecchia) to the north and the valle argentina south, a nice gravel track led us to Goina where we had a fantastic view down the Argentina valley. That was a great descent.

On Saturday we went out on the road bikes down the Argentina valley from Molini into a strong breeze up the valley from the sea. The snaking road led us through Badalucco (where they make the fantastic ROI olive oil), if you are riding this way take the old road which bears to the right just after Agaggio. It rejoins the strada provinciale at Desteglio. You pass under the autostrada high above with its 15 arches replicating the roman bridge of 15 arches which you pass on your left a short while after.Passing through Taggia, we then turned right along the coast to San Remo, via a trip up the Poggio. It's an easy climb (but not after 300km of racing I'm sure). The descent is fantastic. Having to keep your concentration away from the fantastic views and on the tight twisting road with high stone walls to one side & open drops to the other.

 

The coast road is great, the scenery really helps to keep the tempo high. But at Vallecrosia we turned inland up valle nervia, through

  Dolceacqua, and up to Pigna, a thermal village. At this point the climbing really started with Pigna at 250m & the colla di longan at 1130m a 15% climb.

This early in the year it was a steady ride in a low gear, just taking in the views as more and more valleys appeared on the horizon as we rose out of ours. A tough climb but good surface and really quiet, except for a couple of cars practising for the San Remo vintage rally the following weekend.

The descent from the top was fast, but taken with caution. This side is mainly in the shade during the winter months a so is badly eroded in places due to frost action.
Our hosts for the weekend were Mark & Julie of Molini Freeride. Their B & B was a great base for our riding and recommended, we'll be back.

Speroni !