I remember seeing a video of a place run by some brits, possibly brothers on either mtbcut or dirtmag this spring. Does anybody remember what I'm talking about/have any info. My friend and I want to do some riding during the winter and we feel like getting out of the states. Any suggestions for other lift access places that are open during the winter would be great but we're specifically looking for this place in spain. Thanks.
Downhilling in Spain
- Thread starter fortenndu
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There was article in DIRT mag a few issues back. The trails looked fantastic. It was all shuttle serviced, no lifts. I'll have a look in my stash tonight and see if I can find the companies name.
Switchbacks DH is one company i know of - can't remember where they are, but they did get a good write up in Dirt.
http://www.switch-backsdh.com/
Located in Benalmadena just outside Malaga for sweet DH and mediterrainean lifestyle
They also got a place in Bubion in the Sierra Nevada ridge. Both places are excelent, or should I say f-n awsome!
Located in Benalmadena just outside Malaga for sweet DH and mediterrainean lifestyle
They also got a place in Bubion in the Sierra Nevada ridge. Both places are excelent, or should I say f-n awsome!
http://www.lafenasosa.com/
Seems their website is down right now, but Jean-Phillipe is pretty much the nicest guy in the world, and his bike park is awesome. This is the park where the 2010 Boxxer launch camp was held.
Seems their website is down right now, but Jean-Phillipe is pretty much the nicest guy in the world, and his bike park is awesome. This is the park where the 2010 Boxxer launch camp was held.
Hey,
I'm from Spain. All the ski resorts have just closed last Monday, so there are no chairlift bikeparks available untill next season.
However, as mentioned above, there are a couple of places you can go in the winter. La Fenasosa in Alicante would probably be my bet. That's where they did the 2010 Boxxer presentation.
Otherwise, you have Switchbacks DH, more to the south of Spain.
Both links to their websites have been posted above.
I'm from Spain. All the ski resorts have just closed last Monday, so there are no chairlift bikeparks available untill next season.
However, as mentioned above, there are a couple of places you can go in the winter. La Fenasosa in Alicante would probably be my bet. That's where they did the 2010 Boxxer presentation.
Otherwise, you have Switchbacks DH, more to the south of Spain.
Both links to their websites have been posted above.
The Pyrenees will be snow-covered, that much I can tell you; there are actually a few ski resorts in the Spanish Pyrenees close to the France border. There is some freeride in the regions near Zaragoza but not really lift-accessed DH, I cannot speak for Cataluña or anywhere west/south though.
What about LaPoma park near Barcelona? RM member Cesar R. rode ther with Barel testing new bike.
http://www.vimeo.com/3556199
I think it's an awsome track! Can you ride this in winter?
http://www.vimeo.com/3556199
I think it's an awsome track! Can you ride this in winter?
Switchbacks dh is run by a good mate of mine.
Go and check him out seriously. His name is James McKnight and was featured in Dirt as well as numerous videoswih that company.
Tell him I sent you.
Go and check him out seriously. His name is James McKnight and was featured in Dirt as well as numerous videoswih that company.
Tell him I sent you.
DHSpain and SwitchBacksDH offers are intersting, but I am looking for some info about trails so I could organize suc trip on my own.
So, it has to be south of Spain for sure. Will tracks be rideable in January?
What about Canary Islands? It's still Spain
Tenerife? Vulcano? Gran Canaria?
So, it has to be south of Spain for sure. Will tracks be rideable in January?
What about Canary Islands? It's still Spain
Tenerife? Vulcano? Gran Canaria?
Switchbacks were very very good. Myself and a friend went last February for ten days I think. We rode for 4 Days near Malaga on some brilliant tracks, a day near Granada (on what was being called Minnaars track, broke my foot here) and then 4 or 5 days in Bubion.http://www.switch-backsdh.com/
Located in Benalmadena just outside Malaga for sweet DH and mediterrainean lifestyle
They also got a place in Bubion in the Sierra Nevada ridge. Both places are excelent, or should I say f-n awsome!
Malaga was great, weather was a bit miserable when we were there but this just meant the tracks were extra grippy and the dust stayed down! Trails varied quite a bit from flat out jumpy bermy affairs to technical rocky trails to rooty forested loose stuff....everything was loose! Food was great and the guides were very cool and knew the place and trails inside out.
Minnaars track was brilliant, fast flowy and such a quick uplift. Did loads of runs, it has great criss crossing sections that join together for some superb trails, short and fun. Broke my foot here so the first day in Bubion (Minnaars track was ridden on the transit day between Malaga and Bubion) was no riding for me, second day, loads of pain killers, strap and tape and out we go.
Bubion was very different, bit more pedalling between trails but the the trails were amazing, very very natural, some where tech and others were just flat out pumpy fun, all were quite long, 7-25 mins. Bubion is a beautiful village in the mountains, very picturesque and great food. I'm amazed that this area hasn't featured in the larger MTB movies, the surroundings, long flat out and drifty trails and landscape would film so well!
The only thing I'd warn people about Switchbacks is that if your the type of person who likes to get up at the crack of dawn and get straight out on the bike and do 50million runs in the day, forget about it. The switchback boys have been bitten by that Mediterranean bug and work at a brilliantly relaxed pace. Best thing to do was to relax in the evenings, have some beers, get up around 9 in the morning, have some coffee, a nice breakfast and then the lads will whisk you away around 10ish for some savage riding. Some of the people that were there when I was there weren't very happy with this as they wanted to rush here and rush there, for me, I do that 6 days a week when I'm back home, it was great to be able to un wind over there. Its a biking HOLIDAY after all!
Designer Jon and Jonesy went out to Switchbacks a while back, I'll have a look around and see if I can find the back issue of Dirt that the story was in and maybe upload it to the webber.
This was the film we made
http://video.mpora.com/watch/mptv_U8uC/
This was the film we made
http://video.mpora.com/watch/mptv_U8uC/
That was interesting ;P
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