Body armour for Chamonix alps trip
Discussion
Morning (ish) all,
Im heading over to the alps for some ski lift type mtb action and was just wondering if those who have experience of these trails would recommend getting armour?? In which case anybody got any recommendations? Im used to riding sort of technically (Afan valley) trails and dont want to look like a prize idiot turning up like robocop .. although i would like to still walk after the holiday .. maybe ive answerd my own question there!
Ta
Phil
Im heading over to the alps for some ski lift type mtb action and was just wondering if those who have experience of these trails would recommend getting armour?? In which case anybody got any recommendations? Im used to riding sort of technically (Afan valley) trails and dont want to look like a prize idiot turning up like robocop .. although i would like to still walk after the holiday .. maybe ive answerd my own question there!
Ta
Phil
You say ski lift... can I assume DH only then?
What bike are you taking? All mountain type bike? Or full on DH bike?
For the Alps (and any DH) I always wear a full face helmet and Dainese. Go for separate lowers and upper body armour as this gives more options.
Full face for definite though.
What bike are you taking? All mountain type bike? Or full on DH bike?
For the Alps (and any DH) I always wear a full face helmet and Dainese. Go for separate lowers and upper body armour as this gives more options.
Full face for definite though.
I think Chamonix is mostly XC, I believe they have one out and out DH course. It's meant to be just mile and mile of outstanding single track, but it's downhill as in you skilift up and descend.
You can probably guess I haven't been to Chamonix, but went to Morzine last year, was riding DH each day but hit a few "XC" courses between Morzine and Les Gets (and back again) and they were hairy enough!
If you're an Afan veteran (Guess it'll be more White's Black run flat out, rather than meandering around Penhydd) you should be able to get away with your normal kit (Helmet, Knee/shin pads, gloves?)
Personally though, I'd consider renting some armour out there, £30-£40 a week (in Morzine anyway) if you're not climbing you might as well. It'll give you the confidence to really smash the descents and if you do have an off chances are you'll be back in the saddle the next day rather than spending the rest of the week in the Chalet with your arm in a sling like one of the guys in our Chalet last year.
You can probably guess I haven't been to Chamonix, but went to Morzine last year, was riding DH each day but hit a few "XC" courses between Morzine and Les Gets (and back again) and they were hairy enough!
If you're an Afan veteran (Guess it'll be more White's Black run flat out, rather than meandering around Penhydd) you should be able to get away with your normal kit (Helmet, Knee/shin pads, gloves?)
Personally though, I'd consider renting some armour out there, £30-£40 a week (in Morzine anyway) if you're not climbing you might as well. It'll give you the confidence to really smash the descents and if you do have an off chances are you'll be back in the saddle the next day rather than spending the rest of the week in the Chalet with your arm in a sling like one of the guys in our Chalet last year.
It's worth saying that if you bin it properly, the armour isn't going to save you from serious injury, but on a day by day basis, it will help you with the silly little knocks, cuts and grazes that might have you off the bike for a few days.
Wrapping yourself round a tree or rock at 30mph is going to see you off the bike no matter what armour you're wearing
Wrapping yourself round a tree or rock at 30mph is going to see you off the bike no matter what armour you're wearing
^^ very good point.
The first time I went to Morzine with a group of mates, I was the only one that took body armour. After a few days one of the other guys bought himself some elbow/forearm and knee/shin armour. That same day he came off and broke a finger, putting him out of action for the rest of the week...
The first time I went to Morzine with a group of mates, I was the only one that took body armour. After a few days one of the other guys bought himself some elbow/forearm and knee/shin armour. That same day he came off and broke a finger, putting him out of action for the rest of the week...
There's all sorts of riding here in Chamonix. Once the lifts open you have a choice of fast flowing single track, loads of technical trails with gnarly tree routes, and some tracks with pretty large descents.
There's only a few 'official' DH tracks (and the one off the backside of Le Tour is quite frankly bonkers!) but there are also miles of trails in which very little peddling is required whatsoever.
If I was going for a day out using the lifts in the valley then full face Giro plus dainese impact under shorts as a minimum. For big days then its a six-six-one upper and dainese shin guards.
as already mentioned trees hurt. If you stack it at pace it will hurt no matter what! Most of the trails here are natural or have minimal upkeep (a whole other conversation) so they are a bit ragged and wild. You need to keep your wits about you.
As to what's best - all the big brands are good, get whatever fits your body shape best.
Its brilliant riding here, there is also some stunning XC that can take you all the way to Martigny in Switzerland or round to Megeve and Les Contamines.
you'll have a ball.
If you like drop me a PM when you are over, go for a ride
There's only a few 'official' DH tracks (and the one off the backside of Le Tour is quite frankly bonkers!) but there are also miles of trails in which very little peddling is required whatsoever.
If I was going for a day out using the lifts in the valley then full face Giro plus dainese impact under shorts as a minimum. For big days then its a six-six-one upper and dainese shin guards.
as already mentioned trees hurt. If you stack it at pace it will hurt no matter what! Most of the trails here are natural or have minimal upkeep (a whole other conversation) so they are a bit ragged and wild. You need to keep your wits about you.
As to what's best - all the big brands are good, get whatever fits your body shape best.
Its brilliant riding here, there is also some stunning XC that can take you all the way to Martigny in Switzerland or round to Megeve and Les Contamines.
you'll have a ball.
If you like drop me a PM when you are over, go for a ride
we are going with http://bike-alp.com/
so it looks xc stylee but with some amazing descending .. i shall be going with knee/elbow and helmet (non full face) hopefully it will be AMAZING
so it looks xc stylee but with some amazing descending .. i shall be going with knee/elbow and helmet (non full face) hopefully it will be AMAZING
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