Anyone doing the Mega Avalanche in L'Alpe d'Huez this year?
Discussion
pdV6 said:
Nutter
I do now have to serious start training - as soon as the light improves, and the weather goes back some sort of normality, I shall be out most nights, splitting between stints on the DH rig at Stil Woods, and XC loops around Ashton Court.
I may even start to try riding the DH bike on our XC rides - I have a longer seatpost and its got a triple chainset so I should get used to it.
No amount of training will prepare me for a mass descent with 1500 riders vying for a 100m wide snowy piste.
Awesome, I really wanted to but couldnt organise it.
Some mates did it last year, really, really enjoyed it.
Have you seen Earthed 3? On the extra sections theres a chapter all about riding the mega, very entertaining...
What bike are you taking?
Theres all sorts of schools of thought on whats best.
Good value aswell, isnt it only soemthing like 40 euros for 2 days, lift pass, food, t-shirt etc...? And an NPS is what, 50 quid for 10 runs on a 3 minute course?
Some mates did it last year, really, really enjoyed it.
Have you seen Earthed 3? On the extra sections theres a chapter all about riding the mega, very entertaining...
What bike are you taking?
Theres all sorts of schools of thought on whats best.
Good value aswell, isnt it only soemthing like 40 euros for 2 days, lift pass, food, t-shirt etc...? And an NPS is what, 50 quid for 10 runs on a 3 minute course?
snotrag said:
Awesome, I really wanted to but couldnt organise it.
Some mates did it last year, really, really enjoyed it.
Have you seen Earthed 3? On the extra sections theres a chapter all about riding the mega, very entertaining...
What bike are you taking?
Theres all sorts of schools of thought on whats best.
Good value aswell, isnt it only soemthing like 40 euros for 2 days, lift pass, food, t-shirt etc...? And an NPS is what, 50 quid for 10 runs on a 3 minute course?
Some mates did it last year, really, really enjoyed it.
Have you seen Earthed 3? On the extra sections theres a chapter all about riding the mega, very entertaining...
What bike are you taking?
Theres all sorts of schools of thought on whats best.
Good value aswell, isnt it only soemthing like 40 euros for 2 days, lift pass, food, t-shirt etc...? And an NPS is what, 50 quid for 10 runs on a 3 minute course?
I've not, but I may go and buy it tonight - is it worth getting?
I'm taking my Commencal Supreme 6 - a freeride bike but with Zocchi 66's on the front and a properly set up spring on the rear - really beefy and seeing as its got a triple chainset on it, absolutly ideal...
Agree with the value - €56 for a week long chairlift pass AND entry is stupidly good value - and it'll be ace weather too so a great holiday away with great friends
Edited by Neil_Bolton on Friday 19th January 13:00
Edited by Neil_Bolton on Friday 19th January 13:00
well this is it, final preparations are underway, and mechanicals being sorted.
We leave in an hour to qualify, ready for the race final tomorrow. Believe me when i tell you that you will have never experienced riding quite like this!
MASSIVE rock gardens - check, 30 minute long descent sections - check, etc...
To say i've been pooing my pants is an understatement - it really is insane riding!
Lets put it this way, i'm just trying to survive now...
We leave in an hour to qualify, ready for the race final tomorrow. Believe me when i tell you that you will have never experienced riding quite like this!
MASSIVE rock gardens - check, 30 minute long descent sections - check, etc...
To say i've been pooing my pants is an understatement - it really is insane riding!
Lets put it this way, i'm just trying to survive now...
pastrana72 said:
respect to you, i know a guy who did it last year, he did quite well considering he ended up loosing his chain,
i wonder how the Dirt MTB Mag team rider got on, on this hardtail this year.
We are considering have a crack at it, looks super scary.
Well, i can touch for how tough it is chainless, as i had my rear mech and chain ripped off right at the top of the glacier at the start. i wonder how the Dirt MTB Mag team rider got on, on this hardtail this year.
We are considering have a crack at it, looks super scary.
I'm not super what happened, but i only notice when i tried to pedal the rock faces - and had nothing.
I then had to do the whole race with no chain - 14.5 miles and 3000m of descents. To say it was bloody hard work would be an understatement - as many of you know, a chain, and the ability to put pedal strokes in on technical sections goes a long way. Needless to say, anything with a flat or an uphill could only be walked - crippling any chance of a competitive race result.
I'm not sure of my final result, but i was told i could be fairly confident of being the quickest in the world down there had there been a chainless class aka dragon downhill races!
In a way i am disappointed that i didnt get to 'race' but as everyone keeps telling me, at least i had the bo
ocks to carry on and finish whatever, and for that i think i should be proud. For the moment, however, i just feel like i've been in a car crash - that course over that distance is most scariest and hardest thing i've ever done!
The start however is tin funniest, most difficult and ridiculous thing ever - 400 people down a steep snowy slope? You will never understand the buzz until you do it! I have a video of my start which i'll post when i get back...
Anyway, gotta pack up and drive home now - back to normal safe life - boy am i looking forward to it!
Until next year!
I just got back from the race as well and can only agree with Neil's comments. The most difficult race I've ever been in by a factor of 10. The rocks gardens are immense, the descents endless and the snow was brilliant.
Smashed my shoulder and head into a rock in the first third of the course but was determined to complete it. Managed to come off about 2/3rds of the way down and hit the same shoulder but being stubborn decided to complete it anyway. Off to A&E in a bit to get it checked out.
If you're a mountain biker, this event has to be on your list of things to do.
Smashed my shoulder and head into a rock in the first third of the course but was determined to complete it. Managed to come off about 2/3rds of the way down and hit the same shoulder but being stubborn decided to complete it anyway. Off to A&E in a bit to get it checked out.
If you're a mountain biker, this event has to be on your list of things to do.
- 2 hours exactly 
- i snapped the sram chain on the very first run of the week Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff