M D E B I K E S

The latest adventures of Marco "Deju" De Giuseppe

Down whit the bike from Punta Gnifetti 4554m (Capanna Margherita), Monte Rosa. August 13, 2009.

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There are people that push the limit a passion for the sport and seek contact with nature choosing the extreme means they love to make adventures to the extent possible. Deju is first of all a friend with whom we shared many experiences and projects. It 'still fresh memories of the wonderful adventure of 2008 on Gran Paradiso starring him and our Igor Cinato. But Deju is in continuous search for new goals and just off the Gran Paradiso we already spoke of the Monte Rosa: "quiet Federico, we can do, is a simple walk ... ....". The abundance and early snowfall last winter he had been restrained and forced to postpone everything to the following summer. But he has never stopped and continued to train constantly ringing several winter ascents on the highest peaks that surround our beautiful region (many with descent by snowboard). Still exits cycling where possible: for a classic workout of Deju is the ascent of Mount Musinè (not far from home MDE Cycle) back and descent from several of the most beautiful and technical traces. The climb to Musinè is not long but has a slope that faced with significant unavoidable put a strain on even the most trained: Deju can do that two or more times in a row ... ... In one of the latest riding day we have done could see clearly what level of physical training had arrived and he said now ready to bring his Damper on top of Monte Rosa. Meanwhile, the summer flowed. This year in late July I had a commitment that I could not miss (I'm married to Manuela 25-July-2009) and then I would leave for a short vacation in Canada. The last days before departure Deju talking I realized that it was a question of days, to balance all the variables (climate, commitment of the photographer, logistics) and then would attack the summit. ...I never imagined that I would pass on the Monte Rosa August 13 return from Canada. The window of studying the profile of the glaciers and walls of the Monte Rosa group.

Could clearly distinguish the outline of the Capanna Margherita, the highest European mountain hut 4554 (the world's highest observatory fixed). I could not imagine that in those moments Deju was finalizing his new venture.

Federeico Biora (MDE Bikes Factory Manager)

In his words all the emotions that only a big mountain is able to make us feel ...

Live every day frantically away from your dreams, your ideals, imprisoned in a life that you feel distant, alien. One year, thousands of memories, emotions. Sweat, toil, training, single mission in mind, a goal that for some reason you set. They say that you choose the mountain but it is she who chooses you. Its appeal is as sweet and irresistible it may be in the world, impossible to resist. I love the mountains for the emotions that only she can give, energy and peace that we shall, for his silence, for your silence. Hear your heart beat in the total silence of the morning on a glacier makes you live again, free from everything, pure energy shot directly into a vein. I have never experienced the climb a mountain like a challenge, they certainly go out a loser. Over the years she has taught me to know my limits and gradually took me on my journey trying to make me overcome proposing new stimuli, new targets. Climb to the Regina Margherita hut it is not that hard except mountaineering crevasses on the route under the Pyramid Vincent. But behind a bike take a little more complicated things. The approach to the Gnifetti refuge provides crossing snowfields where they sank with every step, alternating with rubble stone where the transport of the bike was a true way of the cross.

All this has added to overcome some of rock vertical leaps equipped as a “via ferrata”, a massacre by the arms and shoulders.

The reception at the refuge, however, has repaid all the hardships. People of every race and nation are ready to incite and even with a simple smile encouraged to continue. Everything magically takes shape, you do not feel a stranger, you're surrounded by people like you are living out their relationship to the world as your philosophy of thought, and you understand why you include them all to get ready to play your goal. Companions of this adventure our friend and legendary photographer Damiano Levati and the mythical Silvio Tonda (ValSangonemtb) who accompanied me, and especially encouraged during the journey. Natasha could not miss my inseparable companion, always present in my every adventure. The afternoon passed quietly in relax until the time of Damiano bye us to spend the night in tents. Natasha, Silvio and I eat something and get to bed dreaming of our destination tomorrow.

The alarm is unfortunately dictated by the move of the many climbers already at 3 am beginning to prepare to reach the summit. At about 4 we get up. Natasha unfortunately will not be because of our altitude sickness, and I Silvio Let's start at 5 without even having had breakfast, Damiano will join us later with skis on.

We start a good pace, leaving behind many climbers in disbelief to see such determination in bringing a bike right up there. In less than two hours we reach the plateau of the hill of Lys after skirting the slopes of the Pyramid Vincent. The view is wonderful, Lyskamm, Matterhorn, Mont Blanc in Switzerland up to the peaks of the Dom, and there at last the goal, Gnifetti tip.

Not resist and got into riding mountain bikes. Free pedal boats to over 4000 meters of altitude surrounded by an expanse of snow and ice. And 'the highest trail in Europe, the track seems a singletrack and peruse a bike is a unique experience. To reach the goal it takes another hour and a half, the most difficult because of the altitude and exhaustion, but step by step comes on top. I cried, not ashamed to say it. I relived a year because of training, sweat, misunderstandings with the world and with myself, a long year of waiting for that moment. The thrill of being there at that time to experience something new, strong, immense me like an electric shock through making me cry tears of life.

Photograph taken with Silvo that has brought the our team flag to the top and then ready for the long-awaited moment. I turn the bike. I take breath and looked down. I let the brakes and depart. I dreamed about this moment for a whole year and there are now riding a bike that draws a new line on the side of this mountain. Time seems to stand still. People stopped to watch them but I can not see them, my gaze is fixed on my line. Scream of joy, freedom in plotting the slope of Signalkuppe my signature with the wheels of the bike. The slope is very strong at times and the descent is largely on the frozen snow alternating with a thin layer of fresh snow. The bike slipped on the steep slopes and fast all the tension built up is transformed into pure energy.

The constant danger of crevasses me back to reality, I must carefully scrutinize the terrain in order to avoid a crevasse that would prove fatal since most likely completely unrelated to travel, and no one could stop my fall. Mantova hut we finally reached the place a hundred meters below Gnifetti, the soft snow now forces me to drive and control the bike with great strength and attention. I leave the bike, I kneel, cry with whatever breath I have left. Happy cry, again. My dream came true. I await the arrival of the refuge Silvio and Natasha and with them I take the path of return to our starting point. We will cross again to the snow, the rubble and the fixed ropes the first leg. I remain silent, happy.

Thank you Natasha, life companion, the only person in the world able to understand me, support me and inspires you to give the best of me, because Damian is the only one who can lay down a photograph all the energy and emotion that I am living, Silvio for coming with me and helped in the logistics business that reaps far Igor knew to be there with me to live that moment.

I thank Frederico for giving me the opportunity to use his bikes, the Damper I-Link that has enabled me to broaden my horizons by making possible what was previously impossible.

For those wishing to contact me soon will be available online the site www.deju.it

Marco “Deju” De Giuseppe