Mountain biking in Europe [Advice Needed]
Discussion
Booked 3 week road trip with an old school mate this year in Europe.
We are both keen cyclists, and aim to spend at least a week if not more in the Alps. I really don't want to take my bikes as it will be a lot of hassle, If anyone can recommend any good intermediate trails (mostly red with the odd bit of black equivalent routes) and a good place to rent bikes id really appreciate it. The Route which we have roughly planned will take us through, the Swiss, Austrian, Italian and German Alp regions.
Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated
We are both keen cyclists, and aim to spend at least a week if not more in the Alps. I really don't want to take my bikes as it will be a lot of hassle, If anyone can recommend any good intermediate trails (mostly red with the odd bit of black equivalent routes) and a good place to rent bikes id really appreciate it. The Route which we have roughly planned will take us through, the Swiss, Austrian, Italian and German Alp regions.
Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated
The French Alps are more geared towards biking, although it is slowly spreading to other Alpine countries.
All bike friendly resorts will have some form of bike hire and will usually have maps and waymarked routes.
I know Verbier in Switzerland is popular and Sauze d'Oulx in Italy, but it sounds like you are going to be spending more time in the Northern Alps.
All bike friendly resorts will have some form of bike hire and will usually have maps and waymarked routes.
I know Verbier in Switzerland is popular and Sauze d'Oulx in Italy, but it sounds like you are going to be spending more time in the Northern Alps.
)P-Jay said:
Lifts tend to open entirely in late June (in France anyway) - you might find the odd one open before that.
It's pretty epic riding, endless descents if that's your thing. Frankly when I go I start to resent the pedal up to he lift station from wherever I've plotted up for lunch!
It's pretty epic riding, endless descents if that's your thing. Frankly when I go I start to resent the pedal up to he lift station from wherever I've plotted up for lunch!
Yes. You also need to be prepared for your normal/local trails to look very flat and uninspiring when you return home.A few points:
- get insurance
- and take your E11 card
- consider full face helmets and some soft knee & elbow pads
Digga said:
P-Jay said:
Lifts tend to open entirely in late June (in France anyway) - you might find the odd one open before that.
It's pretty epic riding, endless descents if that's your thing. Frankly when I go I start to resent the pedal up to he lift station from wherever I've plotted up for lunch!
It's pretty epic riding, endless descents if that's your thing. Frankly when I go I start to resent the pedal up to he lift station from wherever I've plotted up for lunch!
Yes. You also need to be prepared for your normal/local trails to look very flat and uninspiring when you return home.A few points:
- get insurance
- and take your E11 card
- consider full face helmets and some soft knee & elbow pads
Digga said:
hehe: Yes. You also need to be prepared for your normal/local trails to look very flat and uninspiring when you return home.
A few points:
Haha, Champery did this to me! A few points:
- get insurance
- and take your E11 card
- consider full face helmets and some soft knee & elbow pads
Les Gets/Morzine area is definatley worth a visit. The Portes Du'Soleil lift passes cover a huge area extending into Switzerland so you can make the most of them.
Les Deux Alpes is also worth a visit and whilst your out that way you may as well head over to Alpe D'huez (Megavalanche!)
Italy could also be worth a visit (Pila)
Oh, and insurance wise, i've always found Dogtag to be one of the best!
bobbo89 said:
Haha, Champery did this to me!
Les Gets/Morzine area is definatley worth a visit. The Portes Du'Soleil lift passes cover a huge area extending into Switzerland so you can make the most of them.
Les Deux Alpes is also worth a visit and whilst your out that way you may as well head over to Alpe D'huez (Megavalanche!)
Italy could also be worth a visit (Pila)
Oh, and insurance wise, i've always found Dogtag to be one of the best!
Dogtag are good, didn't give me any (well almost any) hassle when I had to make a claim a few years ago. Les Gets/Morzine area is definatley worth a visit. The Portes Du'Soleil lift passes cover a huge area extending into Switzerland so you can make the most of them.
Les Deux Alpes is also worth a visit and whilst your out that way you may as well head over to Alpe D'huez (Megavalanche!)
Italy could also be worth a visit (Pila)
Oh, and insurance wise, i've always found Dogtag to be one of the best!
P-Jay said:
Dogtag are good, didn't give me any (well almost any) hassle when I had to make a claim a few years ago.
That's the acid test for sure. Which is why I chose Sportscover Direct; a mate had a claim with them in Whistler and they came up trumps (could have been a very expensive adventure otherwise).Neil G60 said:
As above, Morzine/Les Gets are totally worth a visit. Although be prepared to recalibrate how you ride downhill - learn not to trail brake and rent a DH bike. It's immense though, completely out of this world
Over use of the brakes is what ruins the more popular tracks out there, to hit corners smooth you end up riding right at the top of the berms! Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff