DARCO CAZIN
Few places in the Alps offer as much variety for cyclists as the Engadin.
Mountain, gravel and road bikes are no longer just sports equipment in the Engadin—they are increasingly part of everyday mobility, says bike pioneer Darco Cazin. And their popularity is set to grow.
Darco Cazin (49) tilts his head back, revealing a broad scar under his chin. „I got it in first grade. I‘d just got my BMX and promptly took my first tumble.“ No sooner had the wound been stitched than he was back on his bike. Today, Darco is one of the best-known developers of mountain biking offerings in the Alpine region. He came to the field not as an athlete, but for tourism-related reasons: in 1999, his mother took over a small hotel in Müstair. „Tourism in the valley was very limited, and we were looking for ways to attract groups to the region and to our hotel.“ At the time, mountain bikes were little more than standard bikes with knobbly tyres and multiple gears, though some already had decent suspension. The early offers proved popular, and Darco soon became a busy bike guide.
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Summer
They founded Allegra Tourismus
t did not take long for him and his father to realise the potential this new sport held for the Alpine region. They founded Allegra Tourismus and began developing mountain bike offerings, later also building and maintaining trails. Before long, they had made a name for themselves, their projects taking them far beyond the Alps—to Japan and beyond. His father Fadri has since retired, while Darco, still involved in several projects, is first and foremost a stay-at-home dad to his three children. Allegra has grown into an international company shaped and led by people from the Engadin.
According to Darco, mountain biking owes its success above all to a growing desire to spend time outdoors and the broader boom in cycling. „It‘s become hugely popular in cities, and more and more people are enjoying it in their leisure time.“ Moreover, against the backdrop of climate change, the summer season in the Alps is becoming increasingly important. „Mountain, gravel and road biking are riding a wave of popularity. Destinations need to adapt to meet demand.“
The Engadin‘s reputation today as a versatile mountain biking region is due in no small part to Darco Cazin‘s work over many years. From 2008 onwards, he worked with the then tourism organisation to develop the first mountain biking masterplan and, with his team, built a large share of the trails. Today, the region faces the challenge of providing adequate infrastructure for a growing number of riders and their bikes. Together with the Canton of Graubünden, Darco is now implementing a broader cycling concept that reaches far beyond mountain biking: „Bikes of all kinds are becoming ever more present in the valley. More and more guests use them to get around, and locals, too, have embraced the bike for everyday mobility.“
Alongside improvements to the network of routes between and within the villages, services around cycling also need to be continuously enhanced, in coordination with numerous partners. These include charging stations for e-bikes, storage and garage facilities, as well as rental and repair services and transport options on the region‘s trains and buses. Darco Cazin is unlikely to run out of work any time soon. Whenever he finds time, he hops on his bike after work or at weekends. „I‘ve been riding an e-bike for years. It allows me to go further in less time and enjoy the region more.“ He expects gravel bikes to take off in a big way. „Mountain biking requires more equipment and is still largely male-dominated. Gravel is a good alternative for women and couples who may shy away from the more expensive gear but still want to explore together.“ His own children, however, rarely join him on his rides: „I‘m not the kind of dad who imposes his favourite sport on his children. My son comes along now and then, but in our house, ballet, horse riding and gaming are more important than biking.
