When you're looking for the outdoor, wilder side of Stresa, you needn't look any further than Andrea Ferri, of Bicico, in Stresa, who is hands-down the local expert on all outdoor activites here. Andrea's knowledge and enthusiasm are so obvious in everything that he does, and I believe that he knows every trail, every hill, every rock and cave in this entire region, and he's ready at any moment to take you to explore them with him.

As part of our continuing series of interviews with interesting Stresiani, I recently asked Andrea three questions, also giving him a chance to practice his English, which you can see is excellent.

My name is Andrea, and I have started this hobby/work about sixteen years ago. In the winter time I was studying for biomedical engineering in the University of Pavia, and in the summer season I was working at the bike rental centre in Stresa. About three years after my starting season I fell with my bike in a ravine and battered my body and my head... 5 days in COMA, but luckily I wear ALWAYS my helmet and I wasn't alone in the path, a friend ran to search for help. Now 4 years later I'm back at the rental centre... and it's amazing because my hobby is my job... I love my job!

This sports association is filled with expert people who know, love, and explore all the different sport/fun/outdoor activities you can do in our area... we can manage activities in the water, from sailing boat to canyoning, or in the mountain... from mountain biking, free climbing, bouldering, trekking, hiking, training parcourse, and orienteering and nordic walking too!    ....    (continued)

1. Talk to the cyclists out there. Tell them why they should come to Stresa, and
2. But you are not only a cyclist... What other outdoor activities can you recommend to visitors to the Stresa area?

ANDREA: our area is "expressly made" for outdoor activities... if you know the race named Giro d'Italia surely you know Mt. Mottarone and Cascate del Toce... and if you like mountain bike? We have paths that will perfectly fit you whether you are a young guy who has just removed the stabilizator, all the way to downhill racers! Around Mottarone we have the possibilities to do climbing, downhill, backcountry, endurance training... IN SUMMATION... what do you like to do, you can do it!

The lower part of this mountain is a side of the lake, about 200 meters above sea level, and the peak is 1491 meters high... if the summers are too hot... use the cablecar to arrive at 800 meters in 10 mins with no sweat... and start to climb by the offroad path, then descend to Stresa and go straight to swim into the lake!

Without traveling so far by bike you can also swim in Lago Mergozzo! That's right, only about 20 minutes from Stresa and you can swim in the lake featured in the Guinness Book of World Records, because it is the most clean lake in Europe, where are prohibited motorboats or any other way for poisoning the water!


3. In this area filled with natural beauty, do you have one particular location that you think is more special than the others?

ANDREA: Are you asking about the Valgrande area? The biggest wildlife area in Europe? You can visit all our valleys, from Valstrona, knowed for the wood productions... about the 70 percent of baseball wood stick are made here... and pinocchio too! Or Valle Vigezzo, named la valle dei pittori, rich with a lot of different sundials... Or Valle Antrona, with some amazing natural little mountain lakes! Or Valle Anzasca... Or Macugnaga with its best point of view of Monte Rosa! And then there are some other valleys ready to be visited... have you time enough?


Grazie Andrea! I think he makes it clear that there is so much more to Stresa and this area than the islands and strolls along the lake. When you're ready to really explore Stresa, on bike, foot, or by boat, give Andrea a call at Bicico -- He'll take care of everything and he's guaranteed to give you an experience that you won't forget.


Reach Andrea at: www.stresaoutdoor.it