76 Miles of Remote Trails in Tuscany, Not a Bad Way to Spend Three Days

For three days, Steffi Marth and Max Schumann explored remote trails in Tuscany. It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe the region; a poem or a film would be much better suited to cover the diversity and beauty of this Italian province. The ABUS film Made to Discover tells a 123km (76mi) bike adventure in three stages following Steffi and Max through the Apennines and the Apuan Alps up to a 1990-meter (6529ft)peak. It continues through the unspoiled and unexpectedly mountainous Tuscan countryside all the way to the Mediterranean coast. Along the way, the pair stay in rustic rifugios shelters and ride wild, lonely trails. The new ABUS MODROP all mountain helmet is a safe companion on their adventures best shown in imagery and the two protagonists express their thoughts from the adventure in the video above.

Further information about the ABUS MODROP helmet : www.abus.com/mtb

Steffi, you discovered Tuscany by bike. What was the most memorable moment?

Difficult to say, there were so many beautiful moments. Probably it was all those small little alleys in the historic villages, the sunsets, the people on the terraces and all our little coffee breaks with ice cream - typical Italian. Such a peaceful feeling. 

What makes Tuscany so special for MTB riders? 

Our tour was very exotic. It was not a normal bike trail - it was a tour recommended to us by our guide. We were on the trail for three days and didn't meet any other mountain bike riders. Especially all the different views the region has to offer were mega cool. 

What was the highlight of your tour? 

For me it was the last evening in a small mountain refuge: Il Rifugio Nello Conti. We arrived very late and two Italians cooked especially for us. The day was very exhausting, you first have to go through marble stone slopes up to the top and then about 300 meters down to the hut. It's a special place that you can only reach with a lot of effort.  

Your favorite color in the Italian nature?  

This color combination of on the one hand the Mediterranean sand color, white sand and the beautiful green. ABUS has exactly these two colors also in its portfolio for the MODROP helmet. 

You were on the road for three days with the new MODROP. What are your first impressions?

The MODROP is my perfect companion for any adventure on my bike: It is totally comfortable, well ventilated, ultra light and of course very important – it looks mega!

Italy is known for its gastronomy. Which recipes have you discovered for yourself and would you like to cook yourself? 

Actually, I'm not a pasta fan, but in Italy I love to eat pasta because it tastes extremely good there. The Italians are simply the professionals and all pasta are so insanely delicious. You can say that Italy offers the perfect food to recharge your batteries. Lucky me, I'm also a big pizza fan and coffee anyway. 

Interview Max Schumann 

Max, you know Tuscany very well. What makes it so special for MTB riders, as opposed to other regions? 

This region offers such a variety of landscapes like no other. Some of them we don't even associate with Tuscany at first. We often think directly of Florence or Pisa, as well as the rural surroundings and the sea, but not necessarily the mountains. The history and culture of this region are unique. Unforgettable for me, for example, is the descent to Massa to the sea. 

Do we need special training to ride the same tracks as you and Steffi? 

It's definitely a route for ambitious riders with experience. But Tuscany offers great touring opportunities for all mountain bikers. 

Max, after having closely followed the development process of the MODROP, how did you feel after finally being able to ride with the helmet?

It is exciting to accompany the entire development of a product. And I was really pleased that the helmet fit so well in the end. The MODROP is inconspicuous and reliable. And therefore the ideal companion for large and small bike adventures.

Last question: what was your favorite place or trail on the tour? Will you share this tip with the community? 

Ah. Il Rifugio Nello Conti, in the Alpi Apua (1,400m (4593ft) above sea level). So beautiful! Simple food, but very tasty. We spent our last night there before continuing to Massa, to the sea. 

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Photo credit: ABUS