Pass'portes du Soleil 2011 - Who is going?

[Happy Eater]

Going again this year - cant wait!
Interested to know if any one else is going? what days? where starting? and what on?


Happy Eater - Sunday - Chatel - Giant Reign

[BRE77M]

We am going again ,riding Saturday and starting in chatel as the brother in law has a place their
Not sure wheather to take bike or rent again as i want to combine this with a alpine tour in the car via the ring

[Omaruk]

Not doing the portes du soleil but DHing last week of July staying in Morzine by the Pleney. This is now the 7 th year love it! We will do an adapted PDS route well most of it works out about 50 miles Inc lifts, long day but fantastic

[Dibblington]

Been for the last 4 years and love the area but a mate moved to Whistler last year so free accomodation out in Canada this year! Woohoo!

Tend to find Passportes has a bit too much uphill for your average lazy DHer, we time it for a week or 2 after Passportes weekend, gives them a chance to repair the trails after elventy million XC riders in one weekend have dug braking bumps the size of staircases into the approach to every corner on the tracks.

[a11y_m]

Me! Registered to start from Morzine on the Friday. I'll be riding a green Lapierre Spicy and wearing a MET semi-fullfacer, will be with my wife who'll have a white 'Dale Prophet. Yell "Pistonheads" if you see us...

Probably staying at the campsite above Morzine for a few days either side but unsure as yet.

[theboymoon]

Not this year - tis massive fun tho

[hughjayteens]

Planning a trip to Les Arcs for 4 days in July. First time in the Alps and am very excited!

I have a 160mm travel bike (Maverick ML8) but am pondering hiring a proper DH rig out there - just unsure if it's worth it as I'll be unfamiliar with it and hadn't planned to do anything TOO extreme!

What bikes do people normally ride out there?

[Dibblington]

Allsorts, there ar XC riders, roadies, DH and freeriders. I go with a mixed bunch, mainly DH but a sponsored 4X rider, a few mid-travel bikes.

Ride what you feel comfortable on, you don't want to jump on a brand new bike and get used to it out there, you want to know your own bike.

[Digga]

hughjayteens said:

Planning a trip to Les Arcs for 4 days in July. First time in the Alps and am very excited!

I have a 160mm travel bike (Maverick ML8) but am pondering hiring a proper DH rig out there - just unsure if it's worth it as I'll be unfamiliar with it and hadn't planned to do anything TOO extreme!

What bikes do people normally ride out there?

Snap! Off to that area at the same time. Look out for an out-of-control Nicolai!

The guide at the place we're staying at tells us that any suspension bike should be fine, but to get some decent, 2-ply downhill tyres, to resist the rocks.

HTH

[Not Ideal]

I'm booked for the Friday from Champerey. Need to be back for a wedding on the Saturday so just the Thursday practice and Friday for me unfortunately.

Can't wait.

[Happy Eater]

hughjayteens said:

Planning a trip to Les Arcs for 4 days in July. First time in the Alps and am very excited!

I have a 160mm travel bike (Maverick ML8) but am pondering hiring a proper DH rig out there - just unsure if it's worth it as I'll be unfamiliar with it and hadn't planned to do anything TOO extreme!

What bikes do people normally ride out there?

A proper DH rig can be a pain - unless you just do the same repeat DH runs or 4x tracks all day.
The ML8 will be perfect, you wont be cursing it on the uphills - the lifts cant do it all for you!

Brakes are more important than anything - I use Hayes and have never had an issue, mates with Hopes boil up, same with Formula, Avid and Shimano seem ok. Take spare pads on each ride as some of the Downhills can last over 45mins.
Also run the best/widest downhill/freeride tyres you can.

Also stop sometimes, the scenery is breathtaking and it is all too easy to hammer down and miss it. Enjoy

[Happy Eater]

Not Ideal said:

I'm booked for the Friday from Champerey. Need to be back for a wedding on the Saturday so just the Thursday practice and Friday for me unfortunately.

Can't wait.

Unless its your wedding stay out there, you must be insane!
How are you getting back that quickly.

The friday is a new day - it would be good to know how many people do the event on that day.

[Jimbo.]

hughjayteens said:

Planning a trip to Les Arcs for 4 days in July. First time in the Alps and am very excited!

I have a 160mm travel bike (Maverick ML8) but am pondering hiring a proper DH rig out there - just unsure if it's worth it as I'll be unfamiliar with it and hadn't planned to do anything TOO extreme!

What bikes do people normally ride out there?

Don't bother hiring: it's f. expensive (IIRC €70-100 a day + various other charges), bike quality can vary and as said you won't know the bike.

Taking your own bike, make sure EVERYTHING is perfect, and nothing less. Wheels, brakes, SUSPENSION, the lot. You'll be riding harder, faster and further than you ever would in the UK, which takes its toll on the bike in a way that has to be seen to be believed.

The Alps fking rock. Enjoy! Went out there last year for a fortnight: PdS one week, Alpe d' Huez the other. Returning this July for a fortnight in the PdS. Can't wait!

Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 5th March 12:19

Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 5th March 12:24

[Not Ideal]

Happy Eater said:

Not Ideal said:

I'm booked for the Friday from Champerey. Need to be back for a wedding on the Saturday so just the Thursday practice and Friday for me unfortunately.

Can't wait.

Unless its your wedding stay out there, you must be insane!
How are you getting back that quickly.

The friday is a new day - it would be good to know how many people do the event on that day.

I know is not ideal at all but had already committed.

Flying out Weds eve. Thursday will just scoot around. Friday do the PdS and then take the first flight back Saturday morning or Friday night late.

Yeah hopefully will still be busy and have a good atmosphere etc on the Friday as is the first time they've run it then.

[Not Ideal]

Ummm...weather doesn't look great.

Flying out Wednesday evening - how's everyone else doing..??

[Sarkmeister]

I'm off to Morzine with a group of mates mid July.

I spent a week there last year doing the runs on a hardtail. Was great fun, but fairly difficult without a FS. I've since upgraded to a Lapierre Spicy, so I'm really looking forward to giving it a proper go this year.

Look out for a tall blonde fella on a white and gold Spicy, probably going much slower than everyone else....

[Not Ideal]

Yeah you'll enjoy the FS a lot more!

No-one can be going as slow as me!

[jenkotvr]

Not Ideal said:

Ummm...weather doesn't look great.

Flying out Wednesday evening - how's everyone else doing..??

8 of us are flying out Saturday staying in Morzine......can't wait!!

[wrightyrs]

Not down for this but will be in Chatel for a few days on a road trip so will be enjoying the mountains!

Love Chatel and the surrounding area.

[Happy Eater]

Roadtrip!
Driving down Friday back Monday.. 4 bikes and gear.
Staying in Chatel again.
Have a good one all.