You might think that with everything that's going on in the world right now, the task of trying to find the finance we need for our build project would be pretty daunting. Devalution of the stock markets, pensions & investments, the extended lockdowns, the predicted global recession . . . . it can all seem a bit overwhelming.
It certainly hasn't made what was already going to be "a fairly difficult job" any easier, no doubt about that, but despite everything, I'm still confident that we will be successful in the long run - because we live in an area where people refuse to lay down and give up.
Back in 2007 the world went into a financial meltdown. The subprime mortgage market in the States, the excessive risk-taking of investment banks world-wide and culminating with huge bailouts of global financial institutions in an attempt to try and prevent the collapse of the world financial system . . . times were grim. Spain did particularly badly between 2008 and 2012 and it's banks were eventually granted a "Euro Bailout" on the condition that they mend their ways by way of strict and tighter regulations.
As a result of the 2008-12 "Spanish Crisis" and for a long time afterwards, pretty much every area of Spain suffered badly. Up here in the Pyrenees mountains whole villages became unpopulated as Spanish people migrated towards the bigger towns and cities looking for work and the foreign workers returned either to their own countries or to other European countries with better prospects. Within a few km's of where we live there are still several abandonded or semi abandonded villages and farm houses. I pass through them all the time when I'm out riding.
The small town of Ainsa (our local town), with its population of around 2000 poeple, sits 45km south of the French border in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees and had always relied almost exclusively on seasonal Tourism for it's income. Back in 2007/8 some local business & hotel owners, along with the local council and including my friend Angel from the bike shop, got together to discuss the situation. The writing was on the wall, the youngsters were leaving the area in search of work elsewhere and a recession of epic proportions was fast approaching.
The attendees at the meeting included a small group of friends who had all grown up together in Ainsa and who loved to ride their mountain bikes on the network of footpaths and fire roads that criss-crossed the countryside. Between them they came up with an idea that might save Ainsa from the ecconomic ruin that was fast approaching. This is how "Zona Zero" was born.
Ten years later and Ainsa was sitting in the middle of 1000km of amazing mountain bike trails. People were visiting from all over the world. The Enduro World Series had hosted Stages of their World Championship Competion here, twice - 2015 and 2018. Hotels had grown, restaurants and bars were flourishing. People made serious money.Ainsa was well and truly on the map.
https://zonazeropirineos.com/en/
Now in 2020 times are looking tough again, not just locally, but globally. The next few years are going to be challenging, to say the least.
What the local community have on their side though is an amazing network of world class trails - with new trails being added all the time. Beautiful countryside, stunning mountains, intriguing abandonded villages, churches, castles and ruins, flowing rivers - perfect for swimming in during the summer, and an abundance of very good and very reasonable eating and drinking establishments.
On top of that, what we have personally is a beautiful solid property in a tranquil village that benefits from it's own micro-climate. We have views of the mountains, fresh air, peace & quiet and friendly local people.
As Ainsa and the "Zona Zero" organisation has seen over the last 12 years, despite everything, people do have money to spend and people do want to ride here. If you offer good service at a reasonable price you will not go wrong. We intend to offer great service at a reasonable price - therefore we can not go wrong!
Onwards and upwards!
