Passportes Du Soleil 2013
Discussion
Are any PH'ers off on this in a couple of weeks time?
I went last year and must admit we were extremely lucky with the weather. We did it on the Friday, then repeated the loop again on the Saturday. Both days were perfect blue skies and sunshine.
However when we drove home on the Sunday the heavens opened up and it rained HARD. We were glad not to be riding that day... but it got us thinking... we were woefully under prepared for that sort of weather. Any tips or ideas for what sort of clothing can cope with alpine rain? At the moment I have a pair of Milletts over trousers that I used to use for playing golf and a £15 waterproof top from Halfords. Problem with the top is that whilst it keeps the rain out, it keeps the sweat in, and when I take it off I am soaked from the inside!!!
I went last year and must admit we were extremely lucky with the weather. We did it on the Friday, then repeated the loop again on the Saturday. Both days were perfect blue skies and sunshine.
However when we drove home on the Sunday the heavens opened up and it rained HARD. We were glad not to be riding that day... but it got us thinking... we were woefully under prepared for that sort of weather. Any tips or ideas for what sort of clothing can cope with alpine rain? At the moment I have a pair of Milletts over trousers that I used to use for playing golf and a £15 waterproof top from Halfords. Problem with the top is that whilst it keeps the rain out, it keeps the sweat in, and when I take it off I am soaked from the inside!!!
Rob_T said:
Are any PH'ers off on this in a couple of weeks time?
I went last year and must admit we were extremely lucky with the weather. We did it on the Friday, then repeated the loop again on the Saturday. Both days were perfect blue skies and sunshine.
However when we drove home on the Sunday the heavens opened up and it rained HARD. We were glad not to be riding that day... but it got us thinking... we were woefully under prepared for that sort of weather. Any tips or ideas for what sort of clothing can cope with alpine rain? At the moment I have a pair of Milletts over trousers that I used to use for playing golf and a £15 waterproof top from Halfords. Problem with the top is that whilst it keeps the rain out, it keeps the sweat in, and when I take it off I am soaked from the inside!!!
Reports from friends in Les Gets are of mud. Lots of mud. Suspect the newly reworked trails will take an utter battering and be reduced to Kms of braking bumps I went last year and must admit we were extremely lucky with the weather. We did it on the Friday, then repeated the loop again on the Saturday. Both days were perfect blue skies and sunshine.
However when we drove home on the Sunday the heavens opened up and it rained HARD. We were glad not to be riding that day... but it got us thinking... we were woefully under prepared for that sort of weather. Any tips or ideas for what sort of clothing can cope with alpine rain? At the moment I have a pair of Milletts over trousers that I used to use for playing golf and a £15 waterproof top from Halfords. Problem with the top is that whilst it keeps the rain out, it keeps the sweat in, and when I take it off I am soaked from the inside!!!
re. rain. Forget staying dry. As you say, you get soaked from the inside (and dehydrate in the process!). Quick-drying stuff that makes a vague attempt at keeping you warm, even when you're drenched. Sorted.
I was there last year, did the event on the Friday, had a day off and rode the Sunday.
Not really a fan of the event, had fun but wouldn't do it again, IMHO there's a lot of miles thrown in for the sake of visiting a few obscure villages and not much decent trail outside the Morzine / Chatel / les Gets / Avoriaz area. The combination of relentless climbs, 30c+ heat and long bike / body breaking fireroad descents ruined me.
MY GOD though, Sunday was biblical, worst weather I've ever seen in the Alps, I heard not many riders who set off Sunday finished and I can well believe it, we rode Skyline a few times because it was hardpack, slid down Chatel Bike Park a few times and called it a day.
I'll be there in August, hopefully it'll be drier by then!
Not really a fan of the event, had fun but wouldn't do it again, IMHO there's a lot of miles thrown in for the sake of visiting a few obscure villages and not much decent trail outside the Morzine / Chatel / les Gets / Avoriaz area. The combination of relentless climbs, 30c+ heat and long bike / body breaking fireroad descents ruined me.
MY GOD though, Sunday was biblical, worst weather I've ever seen in the Alps, I heard not many riders who set off Sunday finished and I can well believe it, we rode Skyline a few times because it was hardpack, slid down Chatel Bike Park a few times and called it a day.
I'll be there in August, hopefully it'll be drier by then!
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