Davide Frana
‘La Ruta Maya’ (2005)
Carabiniere Frana travels solo, with his mountain bike, along the historic Ruta Maya, swinging among frightening peaks and very risky cliffs, among Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and Salvador. Even though he does not represent the Carabinieri Service during this unusual and dangerous venture (made in unfavourable climatic conditions), there is no doubt that Davide Frana contributes in exalting the prestige of the Institution. An important local press body favourably comments on the extraordinary performance.
‘From Lima to Quito’ (2006)
Another adventure in South America is the one between Peru and Ecuador, 4,500 kilometres long, made following the traces of pre-Columbian civilizations.
«The reasons to accomplish those journeys are various, he explains. First of all an adventurous attitude, the will to challenge my limits, but also to get to know close up the history and culture of Andean populations. But to carry out such an extreme venture can be the proof that also non professional athletes can face very difficult situations».
The one Davide Frana performs is unquestionably a venture. From Lima (in Peru) to Quito (in Ecuador), through clearly inhospitable roads, through Cuzco and Machu Pichu, finally does he cover 4,500 kilometres in about two months.
The itinerary envisages the departure from Lima southwards through the “Carretera Panamericana” to Chile’s borders. From this point eastwards towards Lake Titicaca on the Cordillera of the Andes and northwards through Cuzco, Machu Pichu and eventually Quito, the final destination.
Training is essential in order to face such challenges, both from a physical and psychological point of view. To improve his skills, Frana relies on Vittorio Garaventa, nationwide renowned triathlete, who takes care above all of those aspects dealing with strain resistance, even in difficult climatic conditions and when dealing with problems caused by the height. But what is really fundamental in such a journey is above all the psychological attitude, since in two months unforeseen events are always likely to happen and motivation can sometimes make the difference.
‘CHACO TRAIL’(2007)
Davide covers 2,000 km in 18 days from Bolivia to Paraguay. Crossing the Chaco, “the Paraguayan desert”, about 400Km long, alone with his hammock, Davide can just enjoy the hospitality of the natives, since the only settlements in the area consist of some Mennonite farms.
Besides this last, the main difficulty of the journey is the height.
‘SALAR de UYUNI - Bolivia’ (2008)
A fantastic experience, with a total of 1,650 km covered in 6 days, 350 of which by bike.
They try the impossible task of catching the sensations they felt through images and videos.
«There were some logistic problems, but it’s quite normal… at the airport they didn’t allow us to bring our trestles, the bike box…our luggage…but we managed it all the same. At LA PAZ Andrea, a friend of mine who works for the Embassy, came and took us to the hotel, informing us straightaway about the warmest places to avoid. The rarefied oxygen and time zone induced us to go and have immediately a rest. The morning after we made a tour to town and then we were soon negotiating to hire a pick-up truck and a local guide. According to the hirer’s advice we decided to change our itinerary… the following day (06-12), after staying overnight, we left LA PAZ for COLCHANI, about 600Km away… on 06-13 we began crossing the SALAR DE UYUNI by bike up to the lake (INCAHUASI 3,660 m/msl). We stayed overnight (06-14) and then left for TUNAPA to cross over a volcano laying 5,321 m/msl, through SALINAS DE GARCI-MENDOSA, then to the small pueblo LUCA (a village) where to spend the night. The day after (06-15) we had planned to cross the SALAR DE COIPASA, but we found water at a certain level. We were obliged to follow the coast of the lake towards Chile’s borders and cross afterwards its last strip of salt towards COIPASA. From that point the journey continued at night on an off-road vehicle for 300Km through the pampa up to the National Park of the SAJAMA (06-15). Then we came back to LA PAZ on Tuesday 06-17».