PayDirt provides the seed funding for creating a new public access trail network in the Garfagnana
Who would have thought that the year of the global pandemic, when the whole of Italy went into lockdown for months, and brought everything to a standstill, would actually turn out to be one of our most exciting years! Since 2019 we have been working on a new vision for the area we operate and live in, and we are unbelievably proud that Santa Cruz supports RIDGELINE in our ambition to create a new public access trail network across the Garfagnana.
The timing could not have been any better. Just when we had started to share our vision and project proposal for the development of the area with the local authorities, Santa Cruz launched their PayDirt initiative in late 2019 inviting organizations and people to share their projects with them. We knew that this was our opportunity to bring our vision to life.
Why a new project?
We founded RIDGELINE back in 2015 with the aim to create a totally new playground for MTB Enduro holidays in an undiscovered part of Europe. After spending years studying military and ancient maps, we found our white spot on the map, called the Garfagnana. This unique and untouched area sits in between two completely diverse mountain ranges, the Tuscan Apennines and the Apuan Alps. Their stunning landscapes and ancient tracks that haven’t been looked after for decades, sparked our excitement.
We spent and dedicated about two years to trail building, creating new tracks, further developing and connecting the existing abandoned hiking and shepherd routes. Today, mountain bikers from around the world come every year to ride with the RIDGELINE Team and to enjoy our MTB nirvana that extends over an area of about 250km including epic alpine backcountry adventure routes and about 100km of newly built tracks and cleared ancient paths.
It has been an unbelievable journey for us and our team, with one of our absolute highlights in 2019, when we formalized a collaboration with Santa Cruz Bicycles and Focus Italia, leading to unforgettable projects like hosting the launch of the Santa Cruz Heckler here with us earlier this year.
The years of working in this industry have also taught us many lessons. And although we would consider our passion project RIDGELINE a success, we are well aware that we are always facing some risks. We have seen in other areas and with peers that once you and your area become known, it remains challenging to protect your trail network and operations from others coming in, making use of the infrastructure and knowledge that has been created over many years, and jeopardising the achievements and implemented best practices in line with local official bodies.
With the years of dedication we have put into creating a harmonious working environment with everyone from local farmers and landowners to governmental bodies, it is fundamentally important to us that this valuable cooperation is respected and protected for years to come. That’s why we have been thinking for quite some time how best to protect what we have created and value, and what role we can play to ensure that mountain biking continues to be a force for good in the Garfagnana.
We have always known, that the RIDGELINE trail network only just scratches the surface of this undiscovered mecca we live in. To be able to manage our trails and business sustainably, we have been keeping our trails to a limited extent. But at the same time, we have the itch in our fingers to extend the trail network, as we believe our playground here offers one of the world’s best riding locations. Our ambition has always been to share our passion for the Garfagnana and to get more riders and outdoor enthusiasts out here to experience this unique and untouched place in the heart of Europe.
In addition to us wanting to continue to develop the area, but being mindful about our limited resources, there has been recently an influx of forerunners in the political landscape of the Garfagnana. In the past months we have been working on bringing them together, involving the local national parks management, and connecting with other important bodies such as IMBA, to create and lead a new movement and to further develop the area for national and international bike tourism. Building on the success of RIDGELINE and the interest we have been creating for this area in the last few years with the international MTB scene, the new exciting partnership with Santa Cruz, and the support by the governments and key stakeholders, we believe that this is the right time for us to write a new chapter of collaboration for the Garfagnana and for mountain biking in Europe.
What is PayDirt’s role in this?
Santa Cruz are providing the seed funding for our project and have committed to sponsor a team of dedicated trail builders through their PayDirt fund. With the help of this team, we will extend the trail network as well as develop the area to cater also for E-Bikes, XC and Gravel Bikes in the coming years. All trails will be rated and signposted by this team, will be shared online, and will be accessible for everyone. This support by PayDirt has enabled us to reach a first milestone of our project and ambition, it provides an unbelievable amount of motivation and already has had direct positive impacts on local people.
We are very excited about this momentum we have created for the area and the work ahead of us. Especially in a challenging year like this one, we look forward to the many positive impacts that we can create through this collaboration. It helps us to continue with our ambition to develop the mountain biking tourism in the Garfagnana in a sustainable way and in a manner that supports directly the local communities and MTB scene.
Rich and Sandra
What is PayDirt?
Founded by Santa Cruz Bicycles in 2019, PayDirt funds recreational mountain bike trail opportunities worldwide. With an initial three-year, $1 million pledge, PayDirt aims to create and strengthen opportunities for greater trail access and development through localized trail construction projects, economic development planning, events and related programs.
To see a list of current PayDirt projects or to apply for a future grant, please visit www.santacruzbicycles.com/paydirt.
