On 5 August, Max Marisoli tackled an exciting new mountain bike tour through the trails of the Oltrepò Pavese. With his usual spirit of adventure and a touch of madness, Max tells us about the stages of a route that was as demanding as it was rewarding, tackled without precise plans but with the desire to explore.
The day began in Brallo, where Max parked in the square, greeted his friends and set off on his adventure. Without the help of GPS devices or apps, trusting his knowledge of the area, he started pedalling in the direction of Bralello, immediately taking Trail 101, a shortcut that avoided asphalt.
The route took him through a small old village, with few houses but a welcoming atmosphere, typical of villages that come alive again in summer. Among the narrow alleys and open doors, Max was greeted by the locals, making the start of his tour even warmer.
Once past the village, Max left the main path and headed along an old dirt road to the left, following the Lesima balloon as a landmark. The destination was the Stalla del Prete, which could be reached by crossing Trail 131, a path through a beautiful forest. Despite the looming summer storm, Max continued without hesitation. The trail was rocky and challenging, but perfect for mountain biking.
The descent brought him to Corbesassi, where, sitting on a bench near the cemetery, he consulted his Garmin and the Komoot app to assess his next steps. Although this second piece was an unfamiliar area for him, the surrounding scenery was worth every kilometre covered. Max‘s goal was always the Lesima balloon, but as usual, he decided to make the route more interesting by following his instinct rather than the signposts.
After passing Corbesassi, Max ignored path 132 to continue towards Ponti, a small group of houses nestled in the valleys below the Lesima. Here, the Garmin signalled the start of an unnumbered trail and, attracted by the beauty of the place, Max decided to follow it. The trail ran through a forest flanked by a stream with two small waterfalls, a sight that prompted him not to stop despite the light rain. The trail was covered in leaves, but with the help of technology, Max continued his ascent.
Arriving on a natural balcony overlooking the Avagnone valley, Max stopped to contemplate the view. The silence was broken only by the lightly falling raindrops, and that moment of calm gave him the energy to continue.
With the sun peeping through the clouds, Max found the trail that led him towards the Piani del Lesima. The Lesima balloon, initially small in the distance, now grew larger as he rode on. The mule track he tackled was steep and covered with stones, so much so that he had to push the bike by hand for a kilometre. But the view from above repaid any effort. Sitting on a large boulder, Max took a well-deserved break to admire the view of the valley below.
Determined to avoid path 130, Max opted for a wilder route, passing among grazing cows and following the signpost to Prodongo/Lesima. With animal bells as a soundtrack, he got closer and closer to the summit of Lesima. After a few detours and a few route errors, he finally arrived at the balloon, with the cross marking the top of the mountain. Reaching the summit was a magical moment, the crowning achievement of a tour that began almost as a game but with the determination to tackle it in his own way, in an adventurous and unconventional way.
For the return trip, Max once again chose a route away from the asphalt, descending along Trail 101, which runs along the SP88. The trail was perfect for mountain biking and hiking, with rocky but still practicable terrain. Along the way, he met a couple of hikers, exchanging a few words about his adventure. The route took him back to Brallo, crossing the Hannibal path and passing through Bocco, a small village in celebration.
Finally, arriving at the Brallo fountain, Max met up with his friends, ending the tour just in time for a final farewell.
Once again, Max Marisoli demonstrated how the Oltrepò Pavese can offer unique adventures, made up of wild trails and breathtaking views. A tour born without great plans, but conducted with a passion for exploration and the desire to challenge both the weather and the most inaccessible trails. Max experienced another day of pure adrenaline, ready to be recounted as one of his many mountain bike adventures. Until next time!
