UPDATE:
So after another day of Dh practice, which included many more riders getting in the way, many more kick ass amazing meals at our hotel and more miles walked then I would care to remember, we got all gussied up and headed over to the gondola on the other side of the village for a Media Dinner.
With our VIP invite in hand, we rolled into the gondola and up we went to the opposite side of the valley in absolute darkness. As soona s we came over the first little hill and out of the treeline, you could see then entire valley below, sparkling in the clear Italian air. It was pretty stunning. No pictures, as Josh and I just wanted to have some fun at this point.
Here is one of the slalom course i took on our way to get dressed for dinner though.
So we get out of the gondola up top, wander over to the upper lodge, all the while admiring the view below, and are ushered into a rather large, rather jammed reception area. A traditional Italian Alps style folk band is playing, hors d'oeuvres are being eaten and champagne is flowing. Hell yes, this night is off to a good start!
We ran into Andy Lee from Norba and one of the young Velonews editors from Boulder (who had never ridden a full suspension bike in his life???!!?) as well as Tony Butler (Super 8 Movie, crazy Aussie Muppet) and wandered in to take our seats.
Who do we meet on the way into the dining hall? None other then Mr Extreme himself, Hans Rey. Hand decided to pull up a chair with us and the evening was officially on. We were regaled all evening by Hans stories of his riding in insane places around the world, and Tony's equally ridiculous stories of drunken shenanigans. We had a hell of a 4 course meal, followed by lots and lots of grappa. You see, Josh doesn't drink, this means I get 2 of everything.
After one hell of an evening, free hats, and more Hans stories we wander out, only to be handed about another 80Euro in booze (2 bottles of grappa, bottle of fine Italian Wine). Goddamn - they love the press in Livigno! Grazzi!
So after another day of Dh practice, which included many more riders getting in the way, many more kick ass amazing meals at our hotel and more miles walked then I would care to remember, we got all gussied up and headed over to the gondola on the other side of the village for a Media Dinner.
With our VIP invite in hand, we rolled into the gondola and up we went to the opposite side of the valley in absolute darkness. As soona s we came over the first little hill and out of the treeline, you could see then entire valley below, sparkling in the clear Italian air. It was pretty stunning. No pictures, as Josh and I just wanted to have some fun at this point.
Here is one of the slalom course i took on our way to get dressed for dinner though.
So we get out of the gondola up top, wander over to the upper lodge, all the while admiring the view below, and are ushered into a rather large, rather jammed reception area. A traditional Italian Alps style folk band is playing, hors d'oeuvres are being eaten and champagne is flowing. Hell yes, this night is off to a good start!
We ran into Andy Lee from Norba and one of the young Velonews editors from Boulder (who had never ridden a full suspension bike in his life???!!?) as well as Tony Butler (Super 8 Movie, crazy Aussie Muppet) and wandered in to take our seats.
Who do we meet on the way into the dining hall? None other then Mr Extreme himself, Hans Rey. Hand decided to pull up a chair with us and the evening was officially on. We were regaled all evening by Hans stories of his riding in insane places around the world, and Tony's equally ridiculous stories of drunken shenanigans. We had a hell of a 4 course meal, followed by lots and lots of grappa. You see, Josh doesn't drink, this means I get 2 of everything.
After one hell of an evening, free hats, and more Hans stories we wander out, only to be handed about another 80Euro in booze (2 bottles of grappa, bottle of fine Italian Wine). Goddamn - they love the press in Livigno! Grazzi!
