Discussion
I quite fancy having a go at this.
I've got a big travel enduro bike, full face lid, armour etc.
I'm not too bad on a bike - happy enough over rough stuff, decent sized drops and jumps.
Would I manage it or is it likely to be well beyond my level. Does it require a rabid level of fitness (i'm assuming a decent level is required but as it's mostly all DH I assume technical skills are more important)
Anyone done it?
I've got a big travel enduro bike, full face lid, armour etc.
I'm not too bad on a bike - happy enough over rough stuff, decent sized drops and jumps.
Would I manage it or is it likely to be well beyond my level. Does it require a rabid level of fitness (i'm assuming a decent level is required but as it's mostly all DH I assume technical skills are more important)
Anyone done it?
I actually very nearly signed up for it this year. Having seen the pictures from the event, i'm really rather glad i didn't! (Massive wash out / mud fest)
You'd be fine riding the course, as it isn't THAT bad, typical alps downhill really, but the mass start on Snow is obviously a lottery, and broken limbs are common in the melee. Also, to do well, you need decent fitness, which would scupper me at the moment, and be able to rip the ups after the techny downs and vise-versa!
You'd be fine riding the course, as it isn't THAT bad, typical alps downhill really, but the mass start on Snow is obviously a lottery, and broken limbs are common in the melee. Also, to do well, you need decent fitness, which would scupper me at the moment, and be able to rip the ups after the techny downs and vise-versa!
It looks brilliant, I'm hoping to enter in a couple of years!
I'm at a similar level to you, feel fairly confident on drops and technical stuff (done a few enduro races over here), but I don't really think any of the riding I've done will prepare me for the glacier. Looking at the video's I'll probably spend more time on the floor!
It looks like hard work once you get to some of the flat and pedally bits, but I'm sure you'll manage if you already have some fairly decent bike fitness.
Have you seen the photo's from this year? Some of it looks like a mudfest!
I'm at a similar level to you, feel fairly confident on drops and technical stuff (done a few enduro races over here), but I don't really think any of the riding I've done will prepare me for the glacier. Looking at the video's I'll probably spend more time on the floor!
It looks like hard work once you get to some of the flat and pedally bits, but I'm sure you'll manage if you already have some fairly decent bike fitness.
Have you seen the photo's from this year? Some of it looks like a mudfest!
I've watched a bunch of video's from it - but that rarely gives you a good indication for anything.
The amount of times I looked at some Go-Pro footage and then arrived at the trail and thought 'f
k me - that's a lot steeper/faster/bigger/gnarlier than it looks on the video'
It's something I fancy doing for my 40th - so it's a couple of years away yet. My fitness would be the limiting factor I think.
The amount of times I looked at some Go-Pro footage and then arrived at the trail and thought 'f
k me - that's a lot steeper/faster/bigger/gnarlier than it looks on the video'It's something I fancy doing for my 40th - so it's a couple of years away yet. My fitness would be the limiting factor I think.
My best mate's dad has just got back from doing this year's, at the ripe old age of 52.
Said it was one of the best things he's ever done despite, as a poster above has said, it was a ruined slightly by the weather. It takes it's toll on your body and bike over the course of the week but he's can't wait to go back next year (hopefully with me right behind him)!
Said it was one of the best things he's ever done despite, as a poster above has said, it was a ruined slightly by the weather. It takes it's toll on your body and bike over the course of the week but he's can't wait to go back next year (hopefully with me right behind him)!
I'm looking at doing it next year.
this is the best video i've see to give true representation if it
http://vimeo.com/100754000
this is the best video i've see to give true representation if it
http://vimeo.com/100754000
The course isn't that technical. Nothing that can't be rolled, no compulsory jumps - although the fast lines mean wheels off the ground.
The snow is a massive lottery. You just can't practice anything like it in the UK and unless you are on the front row, then you won't be riding much of it.
To be honest, I enjoyed the qualifier more than the race itself. The qualifier was a massive buzz, ace track and enough places to pass.
Mega course was narrower with nowhere to pass for much of the middle section. It was frustrating as you end up walking down in a queue.
Fitness is as important as technical skills.
Qualifier was the biggest buzz I've ever had on a bike. Main race was a big anti-climax.
The snow is a massive lottery. You just can't practice anything like it in the UK and unless you are on the front row, then you won't be riding much of it.
To be honest, I enjoyed the qualifier more than the race itself. The qualifier was a massive buzz, ace track and enough places to pass.
Mega course was narrower with nowhere to pass for much of the middle section. It was frustrating as you end up walking down in a queue.
Fitness is as important as technical skills.
Qualifier was the biggest buzz I've ever had on a bike. Main race was a big anti-climax.
Whilst your there, there's some good natural trails in Oisans region (mostly GR paths), and 2 Alpes bike park along the road offers much more than AdH (aside from the Mega). There's some quite good road riding too 
Could I just big up the place in Vaujany where we stay, ridiculous value and right by the lift.
http://www.peak-adventures.net/our-accommodation/c...
Could I just big up the place in Vaujany where we stay, ridiculous value and right by the lift.
http://www.peak-adventures.net/our-accommodation/c...
Just go and do it, better to go and experience it, then go back another time knowing what to expect.
You can watch the videos, do what you think may be beneficial, and the reality is very different.
The quali & main race track arn't massively hard to ride, there are a couple of sections that might be daunting to riders of certain standards, but for the most part you can ride 99% of it, unless you're a massive squid.
The challenge comes from riding it fast, and then racing it. Then add 200 other people racing you at the same time, and it gets even more interesting.
Nothing will prepare you for the snow either. The experience of lining up at the top of a black ski run, with what looks like the point of no return on a roller coaster is a proper arse clenching moment, then add the 400 others into the mix, it's pretty epic.
This year was a bit of a challenge, the worst conditions I've ever experienced, however lining up on the second row in the main race with all the pro's was pretty cool.
I would also mention, no matter how fit you are, you will never be fit enough. Start beasting yourself now.
You can watch the videos, do what you think may be beneficial, and the reality is very different.
The quali & main race track arn't massively hard to ride, there are a couple of sections that might be daunting to riders of certain standards, but for the most part you can ride 99% of it, unless you're a massive squid.
The challenge comes from riding it fast, and then racing it. Then add 200 other people racing you at the same time, and it gets even more interesting.
Nothing will prepare you for the snow either. The experience of lining up at the top of a black ski run, with what looks like the point of no return on a roller coaster is a proper arse clenching moment, then add the 400 others into the mix, it's pretty epic.
This year was a bit of a challenge, the worst conditions I've ever experienced, however lining up on the second row in the main race with all the pro's was pretty cool.
I would also mention, no matter how fit you are, you will never be fit enough. Start beasting yourself now.
Edited by -C- on Wednesday 16th July 10:57
I found single speeding and riding standing up, good training for the battering the legs get from riding out of the saddle much more than you normally would.
Be prepared to accept bike damage, not a race for your shiny pride and joy.
Short neat cable runs on the bike to avoid snagging on others bikes, not too wide a bar.
Above all a reliable bike, insurance that covers extreme sports and money in the bank to cover the excess should things go the way of the pear.
Oh and tons of clothes, the weather varies a lot.
Be prepared to accept bike damage, not a race for your shiny pride and joy.
Short neat cable runs on the bike to avoid snagging on others bikes, not too wide a bar.
Above all a reliable bike, insurance that covers extreme sports and money in the bank to cover the excess should things go the way of the pear.
Oh and tons of clothes, the weather varies a lot.
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