Trankilmont | FISE Up February
FISE UP FEBRUARY
TRANKILMONT
Welcome to Pyrenees
In addition to the video of the month devoted to the Pyrenean crew "Trankilmont", let’s spend an ideal day in the Aure valley, between mtb and snow, between bike engineering and chaos at the bar, welcome to Pyrenees.
7:30 a.m. Outside. Sunrise.
The midnight blue changes to sky blue, revealing the mountain, eternal. We hope so. It's been going up and down for millennia, in clogs or more recently in seal skin. Irony of an animal that would prevent humans from looking back. It is the idea of this Pyrenean portrait, to show that we can do a lot by going at a easy pace. The people here are like that, multiple and busy on several fronts, working, digging up frozen potatoes, chopping wood, clearing snow from the windshield; so inevitably there are fewer start-ups than in Paris…And yet there is some great technology, dynamic industry. Starting with Milc.
8.30 a.m. Inside. Coffee machine.
Milc is a small production unit for professionals who create cool or useful cycles, prototypes of rolling machines, good ideas assembled by local talents, and moreover in a healthy egalitarian governance. Milc also acts as an incubator for the young entrepreneur Rémi Courderc who recently launched his bicycle frame brand. It's called Soum and it's everything you want when you're looking for beauty, simplicity, efficiency, all while remaining affordable. With its mini series of mtb hardtail, gravel and other travel bikes made of steel and passion, it participates in the revival of the French cycle. Not far from there, Joel Dunkl also works on everything that rolls.
10 a.m. Inside. Panda 4x4
Born in Austria, trained in Paris in a creative and free school, Joel settled in the Aure valley where the terrain clearly lends itself to everything he loves, starting with the mountain bike. Co-creator of good ideas such as a bike where the frame serves as an air reserve in the event of a puncture, or even a shaping tool that does two in one, the new Pyrenean is above all a motivated and motivating guy who wants to develop this valley of crazy potential. The associations of hard working shapers do indeed a huge job of maintaining the trails, some quite playful it must be said. We are not in the highways of the big resorts but rather in the wild single track with a freeride flavor, which is not to displease us here. This is also what led us to give a free pass to David Bergar in this episode dedicated to Trankilmont, the crew that brings together all the spirit of the valley; that and the love of the Panda 4x4 too, a little square box that climbs everywhere, especially when driven by a resourceful Austrian.
1 p.m. Outside. Plat d'adet chairlift
Change of scenery, we put on the jackets, destination the top of St Lary resort in the company of riders Quentin Bard (ski), Sylvain Labadens (snow) and David on camera. Here, when it snows, it's paradise for shredding and finding lines between the trees. The two friends know every corner of the Corniche, every worker too, which makes the lunch break always pleasant. But let’s not forget to get back on the boards. The call of the kick is fortunately stronger and it is a treat to hear them whistle and sing when approaching a back flip. What could be more beautiful than a friend who goes all the way in telemark ski ? And if the station, however large, is not enough, we look a little higher towards the peaks that Axel Fresquet is climbing. Up there the view is absolutely fabulous, enough to appreciate even more the little goat cheese from Ens village.
3 p.m. Outside. Forest of Ens.
Louis Diomède, Kevin Fourtine, here are some beautiful goats embarked on funny continuity error. It must be said that we don't really cheat because in the valley, skiing and riding are often the reverse of the same passion for the mountains, speed and sliding too. We don't cheat but we dig on the other hand, like the No Mazout team and other crews of shapers who will recognize themselves in this need to dig into the sides of the mountain to shape turns, jumps and other lines of pure pleasure. However, digging in the mountains is something, it wears out and it requires a lot of character. The result speaks for itself; the valley is full of spots. And if you need more, the Bielsa tunnel takes you directly to the sunny southern sides of Spain.
6 p.m. Interior. Hors Piste Bar.
Speaking of tapas, you know the story, after the ski or bike session, you have to celebrate, if possible in a Trankilmont outfit, with a pocket made of a recycled tie. From there to say that these fellows are not made to be bankers or insurers… For the moment the gentlemen of the bar share the memories of the evening. Outside the machines are piled up, without problem, here we do not touch the pleasure of others, we respect. And we toast, before why not going to melt some cheese or dance a little in the special place called La Soulane.
9 p.m. Interior. Fireplace.
The good fake day has just ended, it's time to look at the footage and connect it with a smile and a certain talent too. The Trankilmont logo appears on the timeline and introduces the voice of David Bergar ; he will tell us about his country, his friends and the spirit that unites them. “Welcome to the Pyrenees”, even with the Tyrolean accent it sounds local.
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Film by David Bergar (@objectif6pans) with the help of Joel Dunkl
Thanks to Milc for the opened doors and St Lary for the lift.
