Planning a MTB trip to Morzine...anyone been?
Discussion
Been a few times, its great fun.
We drove down the first year and I said I'd never do it again it's a 14 hour drive or a 1hr flight (from Gatwick) for about £100 on a nice BA plane. The roads as really nice once you get of the motorways, but that's about 12-13hours in.
I'd go with a package company first time out - it's got a lot better in recent years but a guide (or friend as they're know for legal reasons) will get you to the best trails / over the Swiss Border to Chatel etc.
We used a few - but Trail Alpine were the best, lovely accommodation and food, plus it's a little out of town so quieter, if you like a bit of the old Après Trail though you might want a more central location.
Break out the big stuff, you can ride anything there really, there's a trail for everyone, but you won’t get the chance to ride such fast and technical trails in the UK with chair access so if you can lay your hands on a big DH bike use that.
Specialist insurance is a must! Most companies will cover 'cycling' or 'mountain biking' under its usual activities, but if you check the small print the list of exclusions rules it out. I use Dog Tag insurance, you need the highest danger level cover for DH.
Rains a lot there, usually at least once a day so take the right kit and some mud tyres.
Make sure your bike is tiptop you'll get more hours in the saddle in a day than you will in a month at home, get everything serviced.
If it's wet (it will be) and you brake a lot, especially if you drag brake (very very steep in places) you'll eat through brake pads and they're super expensive over there. Buy a bucket load from Superstar / Disco before you go and keep a few in you camelbak.
We drove down the first year and I said I'd never do it again it's a 14 hour drive or a 1hr flight (from Gatwick) for about £100 on a nice BA plane. The roads as really nice once you get of the motorways, but that's about 12-13hours in.
I'd go with a package company first time out - it's got a lot better in recent years but a guide (or friend as they're know for legal reasons) will get you to the best trails / over the Swiss Border to Chatel etc.
We used a few - but Trail Alpine were the best, lovely accommodation and food, plus it's a little out of town so quieter, if you like a bit of the old Après Trail though you might want a more central location.
Break out the big stuff, you can ride anything there really, there's a trail for everyone, but you won’t get the chance to ride such fast and technical trails in the UK with chair access so if you can lay your hands on a big DH bike use that.
Specialist insurance is a must! Most companies will cover 'cycling' or 'mountain biking' under its usual activities, but if you check the small print the list of exclusions rules it out. I use Dog Tag insurance, you need the highest danger level cover for DH.
Rains a lot there, usually at least once a day so take the right kit and some mud tyres.
Make sure your bike is tiptop you'll get more hours in the saddle in a day than you will in a month at home, get everything serviced.
If it's wet (it will be) and you brake a lot, especially if you drag brake (very very steep in places) you'll eat through brake pads and they're super expensive over there. Buy a bucket load from Superstar / Disco before you go and keep a few in you camelbak.
Edited by P-Jay on Tuesday 22 March 09:56
P-Jay said:
Been a few times, its great fun.
We drove down the first year and I said I'd never do it again it's a 14 hour drive or a 1hr flight (from Gatwick) for about £100 on a nice BA plane. The roads as really nice once you get of the motorways, but that's about 12-13hours in.
I'd go with a package company first time out - it's got a lot better in recent years but a guide (or friend as they're know for legal reasons) will get you to the best trails / over the Swiss Border to Chatel etc.
We used a few - but Trail Alpine were the best, lovely accommodation and food, plus it's a little out of town so quieter, if you like a bit of the old Après Trail though you might want a more central location.
Break out the big stuff, you can ride anything there really, there's a trail for everyone, but you won’t get the chance to ride such fast and technical trails in the UK with chair access so if you can lay your hands on a big DH bike use that.
Specialist insurance is a must! Most companies will cover 'cycling' or 'mountain biking' under its usual activities, but if you check the small print the list of exclusions rules it out. I use Dog Tag insurance, you need the highest danger level cover for DH.
Rains a lot there, usually at least once a day so take the right kit and some mud tyres.
Make sure your bike is tiptop you'll get more hours in the saddle in a day than you will in a month at home, get everything serviced.
If it's wet (it will be) and you brake a lot, especially if you drag brake (very very steep in places) you'll eat through brake pads and they're super expensive over there. Buy a bucket load from Superstar / Disco before you go and keep a few in you camelbak.
Thanks P-Jay!We drove down the first year and I said I'd never do it again it's a 14 hour drive or a 1hr flight (from Gatwick) for about £100 on a nice BA plane. The roads as really nice once you get of the motorways, but that's about 12-13hours in.
I'd go with a package company first time out - it's got a lot better in recent years but a guide (or friend as they're know for legal reasons) will get you to the best trails / over the Swiss Border to Chatel etc.
We used a few - but Trail Alpine were the best, lovely accommodation and food, plus it's a little out of town so quieter, if you like a bit of the old Après Trail though you might want a more central location.
Break out the big stuff, you can ride anything there really, there's a trail for everyone, but you won’t get the chance to ride such fast and technical trails in the UK with chair access so if you can lay your hands on a big DH bike use that.
Specialist insurance is a must! Most companies will cover 'cycling' or 'mountain biking' under its usual activities, but if you check the small print the list of exclusions rules it out. I use Dog Tag insurance, you need the highest danger level cover for DH.
Rains a lot there, usually at least once a day so take the right kit and some mud tyres.
Make sure your bike is tiptop you'll get more hours in the saddle in a day than you will in a month at home, get everything serviced.
If it's wet (it will be) and you brake a lot, especially if you drag brake (very very steep in places) you'll eat through brake pads and they're super expensive over there. Buy a bucket load from Superstar / Disco before you go and keep a few in you camelbak.
Edited by P-Jay on Tuesday 22 March 09:56
Did you get a flight with your bikes in transit or hire once you got there?
came back from a skiing holiday there a few weeks ago. took eurotunnel and drove.
on the way over we stopped at the holiday inn at dijon, on the way back we drove it in one go - morzine to calais, eurotunnel and home. very easy journey - about 8 hours, but it felt like 4. traffic was so light and roads clear.
morzine is a fantastic place for winter and summer activities. enjoy... i'm very jealous!
on the way over we stopped at the holiday inn at dijon, on the way back we drove it in one go - morzine to calais, eurotunnel and home. very easy journey - about 8 hours, but it felt like 4. traffic was so light and roads clear.
morzine is a fantastic place for winter and summer activities. enjoy... i'm very jealous!
Depends on what and how you ride whether its worth flying or driving.
If your into a bit of hard core X/C then you can just about squeeze it all on the plane.
If your taking a big bike with enough pads for front line combat and more tyres than are around the Nurburgring, I would say drive.
If your into a bit of hard core X/C then you can just about squeeze it all on the plane.
If your taking a big bike with enough pads for front line combat and more tyres than are around the Nurburgring, I would say drive.
Went there last year for a week, must have been lucky as hot and dry the whole week!
Think the ski lift pass was about £24 per day, was mental spending all day downhilling. Mistake i made was taking a hardtail, i'm obviously a bit soft, was knackered after each day. Deffo taking a fs this year.
Cant add much more apart from the restaraunt L'Etale at the bottom of the ski lift is lovely. You can get a Hot stone and unlimited meat (chicken, pork etc) and you cook it yourself on the stone. Just what you need after a hard days downhilling!
Also be careful if you stray from the main runs - it can get pretty mad with 30ft drops at the side of the track etc.
Brilliant place.
Think the ski lift pass was about £24 per day, was mental spending all day downhilling. Mistake i made was taking a hardtail, i'm obviously a bit soft, was knackered after each day. Deffo taking a fs this year.
Cant add much more apart from the restaraunt L'Etale at the bottom of the ski lift is lovely. You can get a Hot stone and unlimited meat (chicken, pork etc) and you cook it yourself on the stone. Just what you need after a hard days downhilling!
Also be careful if you stray from the main runs - it can get pretty mad with 30ft drops at the side of the track etc.
Brilliant place.
R.P.M said:
Depends on what and how you ride whether its worth flying or driving.
If your into a bit of hard core X/C then you can just about squeeze it all on the plane.
If your taking a big bike with enough pads for front line combat and more tyres than are around the Nurburgring, I would say drive.
Hardcore XC i reckon is the limit on Yeti 575...If your into a bit of hard core X/C then you can just about squeeze it all on the plane.
If your taking a big bike with enough pads for front line combat and more tyres than are around the Nurburgring, I would say drive.
I think we will end up driving as there will be 11 of us
jenkotvr said:
Thanks P-Jay!
Did you get a flight with your bikes in transit or hire once you got there?
Flew with the bikes. Got my big Cove Shocker in a CRC branded Bike Bag (also hid a set of mud tyres, a spare rim and my presure suit in there) and just about got under the BA 32kgs limit for bikes.Did you get a flight with your bikes in transit or hire once you got there?
BA used to allow sports equipment for free, now it's a reasonable set price. £25 I think.
You'll be fine on the main or 'motorway' as they're known DH tracks like Chavez , pleney & Mont Cherry (well they're called somthing like that) on your 575 (but mind yourself on Mont Cherry, it gets seriously steep and fast near the bottom.
A good guide will lead you to endless lift assisted single track though which is pretty amazing.
I would say I'm jelous, but I'm off to Whistler in August
Have been for the last three years on the trot and going again this summer. We usually drive down, it's a long old haul mind so you'll need a couple of drivers.
In terms of riding just make sure you explore. People are friendly - if you see a group of local or experienced looking folk ask them to point you in the direction of the more interesting non-waymarked trails. There are loads all over the shop, especially off the Pleney run at Morzine. Also make sure that you use your lift pass and get over to Morgins. The trails there are brilliant.
Oh and P-Jay, enjoy Whistler! I did a season there a few years back and as good as France is, Whistler in Summer has a certain kind of magic. Must get back someday
In terms of riding just make sure you explore. People are friendly - if you see a group of local or experienced looking folk ask them to point you in the direction of the more interesting non-waymarked trails. There are loads all over the shop, especially off the Pleney run at Morzine. Also make sure that you use your lift pass and get over to Morgins. The trails there are brilliant.
Oh and P-Jay, enjoy Whistler! I did a season there a few years back and as good as France is, Whistler in Summer has a certain kind of magic. Must get back someday
Edited by csampo on Tuesday 22 March 14:58
csampo said:
Oh and P-Jay, enjoy Whistler! I did a season there a few years back and as good as France is, Whistler in Summer has a certain kind of magic. Must get back someday
Glad you said that, we've been to Morzine a few times and after a while the little annoying things like the weather, braking bumps and lack of signposting left us a little jaded, to be fair I think we just got spoilt. We were talking about Avoriaz or maybe Chamonix buy then I had a big off and couldn't ride for a year and fancied a training goal - whistler seemed a good one. TBH £1500 for a boys holiday for a bloke with a partner and child at home would normally be out of the question, but I can get away with it because of all the effort I've had to put in to get back on the bike, 3 operations, 100+hours of Physio and far too many cheques written to Spire Healthcare.
Anyway I'm hoping it's as brilliant as everyone says because I won't be allowed to go again until our Son as finished Uni - He's 5 at the moment
14 hour drive? Blimey, some of us go at 80 old man 
I thought it was a nice drive to be honest, make a road trip of it...although fuel prices in France are going slightly silly, so flying would be cheaper (probably). I've been with the bike both on the plane and the car.
Getting the plane was quicker, but a right hassle and even though my bike was packed well, I couldn't stop worrying about it. Of course, having the bike with you in or on the car/van stops this 'mother' type worrying
Only things I will say is wear good armour, get a big camelback, have good travel insurance and you'll have a bloody great time!
I thought it was a nice drive to be honest, make a road trip of it...although fuel prices in France are going slightly silly, so flying would be cheaper (probably). I've been with the bike both on the plane and the car. Getting the plane was quicker, but a right hassle and even though my bike was packed well, I couldn't stop worrying about it. Of course, having the bike with you in or on the car/van stops this 'mother' type worrying
Only things I will say is wear good armour, get a big camelback, have good travel insurance and you'll have a bloody great time!
Stedman said:
14 hour drive? Blimey, some of us go at 80 old man I thought it was a nice drive to be honest, make a road trip of it...although fuel prices in France are going slightly silly, so flying would be cheaper (probably). I've been with the bike both on the plane and the car.
Getting the plane was quicker, but a right hassle and even though my bike was packed well, I couldn't stop worrying about it. Of course, having the bike with you in or on the car/van stops this 'mother' type worrying
Only things I will say is wear good armour, get a big camelback, have good travel insurance and you'll have a bloody great time!
Our speed was a constant battle of wills between those of us who wanted to "get out of this f I thought it was a nice drive to be honest, make a road trip of it...although fuel prices in France are going slightly silly, so flying would be cheaper (probably). I've been with the bike both on the plane and the car. Getting the plane was quicker, but a right hassle and even though my bike was packed well, I couldn't stop worrying about it. Of course, having the bike with you in or on the car/van stops this 'mother' type worrying
Only things I will say is wear good armour, get a big camelback, have good travel insurance and you'll have a bloody great time!
king car" and those of us who didn't want the rough looking trailer hanging off the back fall apart with all our bikes and kit in. If someone found a big enough gun to point at my head to make me drive it again I would avoid driving through the night again, that didn't help.
P-Jay said:
Flew with the bikes. Got my big Cove Shocker in a CRC branded Bike Bag (also hid a set of mud tyres, a spare rim and my presure suit in there) and just about got under the BA 32kgs limit for bikes.
BA used to allow sports equipment for free, now it's a reasonable set price. £25 I think.
You'll be fine on the main or 'motorway' as they're known DH tracks like Chavez , pleney & Mont Cherry (well they're called somthing like that) on your 575 (but mind yourself on Mont Cherry, it gets seriously steep and fast near the bottom.
A good guide will lead you to endless lift assisted single track though which is pretty amazing.
I would say I'm jelous, but I'm off to Whistler in August
I've always wanted to go to Whistler. Are you going as part of a mountain biking package or have you planned it all yourself?BA used to allow sports equipment for free, now it's a reasonable set price. £25 I think.
You'll be fine on the main or 'motorway' as they're known DH tracks like Chavez , pleney & Mont Cherry (well they're called somthing like that) on your 575 (but mind yourself on Mont Cherry, it gets seriously steep and fast near the bottom.
A good guide will lead you to endless lift assisted single track though which is pretty amazing.
I would say I'm jelous, but I'm off to Whistler in August
carter711 said:
I've always wanted to go to Whistler. Are you going as part of a mountain biking package or have you planned it all yourself?
Package first time out, can't really fathom the on park / off park thing and what lifts (if any) are available without a Bike Park Pass. I'd be happy to spend everyday in the bike park, but two of our group are pretty new to riding and bringing 6" AM type bikes so might not fancy racing down A-Line with us everyday and the passes are quite expensive.We're staying with Bearback Riding they seem really good, asked us loads of questions about what type of riding we wanted to do, what bikes we had and our skill level so I'm hoping they'll be able to build something for everyone. One of the boys is a bit of a joker and put "see bears in their natural habitat" under the 'what do you want to gain from your stay section' I'm hoping they sort a load of sight seeing tours for him ha ha. Oh and he enjoys his Halal meal on the plane ha ha.
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