Megavalanche 2010...
Discussion
excellent, cheers for the advice. I shall speak with my compatriot and see what his thoughts are on booking what you have suggested - I reckon that just the Mega and a week's worth of lift pass will probably do us!
As we're first timers, I don't think we're too bothered about starting (or finishing!) positions, though I'm sure we will be in years to come... if anything, it'd probably be good for us to see a few people throw themselves down it first before we do it ourselves! Or is that not the thing to do?
In terms of the setup there, I am guessing that a lot of it is tailored to riders, in that there are bike/spares shops there, and the places you stay give you somewhere to keep your bikes - or do you have to be careful with those sorts of things?
As we're first timers, I don't think we're too bothered about starting (or finishing!) positions, though I'm sure we will be in years to come... if anything, it'd probably be good for us to see a few people throw themselves down it first before we do it ourselves! Or is that not the thing to do?
In terms of the setup there, I am guessing that a lot of it is tailored to riders, in that there are bike/spares shops there, and the places you stay give you somewhere to keep your bikes - or do you have to be careful with those sorts of things?
vz-r_dave said:
Floor Tom said:
I'm not doing it this year as I will be in Whistler at the time. A tip on getting a decent grip position in the qualifier is to lie on your entry form and say you have got good results (wins in Expert/Elite) in the uk. This should bump you up quite a bit. I dod not do this last year and was on the back row. All my mates did and none of them were further back than the second row, though they are actually pretty good Expert or top Senior level riders anyway. If you aren't so good then the front may be a dodgy place to be with faster guys trying to pass you.
Yes I noticed this last year, so many panzies with clip's and XC bikes starting up at the front. Once you reach the switch backs your f
ked. They get off their bikes and run down and expect you to stay behind them the jokers.[goes off to garage to remove clip pedals and panzy XC wheels from bike]
What is this uphill nonsense ye speak of?! You're telling me that I might actually have to pedal at some stage!? 
I'm currently riding a Spesh Stumpy FSR XC with about 4" of travel at each end. I've got some meaty wheels for it, so would obviously use those, though I think my brakes could do with an upgrade for the pounding they will no doubt take.
Is this the sort of steed which would fare well on the Mega', or is something more substantial required do you think?
I'm currently riding a Spesh Stumpy FSR XC with about 4" of travel at each end. I've got some meaty wheels for it, so would obviously use those, though I think my brakes could do with an upgrade for the pounding they will no doubt take.
Is this the sort of steed which would fare well on the Mega', or is something more substantial required do you think?
shalmaneser said:
ccr32 said:
What is this uphill nonsense ye speak of?! You're telling me that I might actually have to pedal at some stage!?
I'm currently riding a Spesh Stumpy FSR XC with about 4" of travel at each end. I've got some meaty wheels for it, so would obviously use those, though I think my brakes could do with an upgrade for the pounding they will no doubt take.
Is this the sort of steed which would fare well on the Mega', or is something more substantial required do you think?
Brave man!I'm currently riding a Spesh Stumpy FSR XC with about 4" of travel at each end. I've got some meaty wheels for it, so would obviously use those, though I think my brakes could do with an upgrade for the pounding they will no doubt take.
Is this the sort of steed which would fare well on the Mega', or is something more substantial required do you think?
6" is ideal I reckon, you need the slack geo more than the travel though really, how much riding have you done in France?
Really want one of these frames, with air and a triple and bash I reckon it would be perfect.
Though my attempts to get over for the Mega' in 2010 failed miserably, I am determined to make it there this year with Sebo (cheers for resurrecting the thread), and so we will be entering when registration opens next week.
I've still got the Stumpy, and am considering braving it and just taking that. That said, with a good 6 months before the off, no doubt I will have talked myself into getting something a bit tastier by then
Would a Lapierre Zesty be up to the job??
I think I would be brave/stupid enough to take my Stumpy and see how I got on with that, but I like the idea of having a bit more cushioning rather than the 90/80mm setup that I currently have..!
I like the idea of a Spicy, though as it will be my one and only bike, it may end up being a bit on the meaty side for what I would ride the rest of the year. Will do a bit more research and see what deals I can find...
Another slightly left-field option that I may have is my old Marin Team DH bike which (comically) my dad now uses as his on-the-road runaround "because it's nice and comfy" (as you would expect with 6" of travel!) - throw a few select components at that and I think it would do the job well, if a little on the weighty side.
How much climbing is there in total on the mega? And also, apologies for the noob question, but why would one consider a different bike for the qualifier compared to the main event?
I like the idea of a Spicy, though as it will be my one and only bike, it may end up being a bit on the meaty side for what I would ride the rest of the year. Will do a bit more research and see what deals I can find...
Another slightly left-field option that I may have is my old Marin Team DH bike which (comically) my dad now uses as his on-the-road runaround "because it's nice and comfy" (as you would expect with 6" of travel!) - throw a few select components at that and I think it would do the job well, if a little on the weighty side.
How much climbing is there in total on the mega? And also, apologies for the noob question, but why would one consider a different bike for the qualifier compared to the main event?
Ok... Thanks for the advice..!
Generally speaking then, for more fun (until it comes to the climbs on the Mega), you'd want something a bit bigger and bouncier... That said, I think Sebo and I will only be there Thursday to Sunday, so the Mega is our main focus anyway.
Watching some of the on-board videos from previous years, I can see how luck plays a substantial part too..!
Generally speaking then, for more fun (until it comes to the climbs on the Mega), you'd want something a bit bigger and bouncier... That said, I think Sebo and I will only be there Thursday to Sunday, so the Mega is our main focus anyway.
Watching some of the on-board videos from previous years, I can see how luck plays a substantial part too..!
Registration now open...
www.avalanchecup.com
http://www.activeglobal.com/gl/off-road-cycling/al...
I'm a little confused by the options though... seeing as I'll just be going for Thurs-Sunday, I believe I'll get a "Pack Bronze: Megavalanche Alpe d'Huez, Pass 4 days", however, anyone care to explain what the "MEGA AMATEURS" and "MEGA AFFINITY" races are? Are they included/part of the Megavalanche?
Also, looking here (for the full schedule of events), there seems to be little mention of those who qualify beyond 200th place... ??
www.avalanchecup.com
http://www.activeglobal.com/gl/off-road-cycling/al...
I'm a little confused by the options though... seeing as I'll just be going for Thurs-Sunday, I believe I'll get a "Pack Bronze: Megavalanche Alpe d'Huez, Pass 4 days", however, anyone care to explain what the "MEGA AMATEURS" and "MEGA AFFINITY" races are? Are they included/part of the Megavalanche?
Also, looking here (for the full schedule of events), there seems to be little mention of those who qualify beyond 200th place... ??
Thanks Neil.
So there's a chance that between myself and my mate that is going, one could qualify for the race on the Saturday, and the other for the race on the Sunday?
Also, if you qualify to race on the Saturday, can you race again on the Sunday or is that then it? (and vice versa Sunday/Saturday I guess)
Cheers.
So there's a chance that between myself and my mate that is going, one could qualify for the race on the Saturday, and the other for the race on the Sunday?
Also, if you qualify to race on the Saturday, can you race again on the Sunday or is that then it? (and vice versa Sunday/Saturday I guess)
Cheers.
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