Passportes Du Soleil
Discussion
I know this is a bit of a PH-PP favourite event, but I've never done it.
I know entries open on the 15th of Feb, and what information they need - but how does one go about entering? Is it an online thing, like trying to get Glasto tickets, but logging on at midday and furiously trying to get tickets?
There are about 8 of us who want to do it this year, and I know the event fills pretty quickly, the last thing we want it half of us to have places and half not!
Plus if anyone else has tried it a few times and would like to give us a good idea of what to expect that would be great!
We're all pretty experienced MTB'ers, but whenever we've gone to the Alps before it's been on full on DH bikes and in the lift-descent-lift-descent-Bar Robbo vein.
I know entries open on the 15th of Feb, and what information they need - but how does one go about entering? Is it an online thing, like trying to get Glasto tickets, but logging on at midday and furiously trying to get tickets?
There are about 8 of us who want to do it this year, and I know the event fills pretty quickly, the last thing we want it half of us to have places and half not!
Plus if anyone else has tried it a few times and would like to give us a good idea of what to expect that would be great!
We're all pretty experienced MTB'ers, but whenever we've gone to the Alps before it's been on full on DH bikes and in the lift-descent-lift-descent-Bar Robbo vein.
Hah very funny you mention PDS as I just looked on their wesbite today as to when registrations open.
I have done it the past two years and absolutely loved it. The organisation is superb and they changed the route slightly from 2010 to keep things interesting.
I have stayed in Champerey the last two years but will probably change to France this year as the Swiss Franc is a total joke and Champerey is a bit too quiet for my liking.
In terms of entering I have always done it as soon as the registration opens and been ok. I wouldn't hang around though - I am sure the prime Saturday and Sunday tickets (when the Swissy and French locals go) go within the hour.
Couldn't recommend it highly enough.
I have done it the past two years and absolutely loved it. The organisation is superb and they changed the route slightly from 2010 to keep things interesting.
I have stayed in Champerey the last two years but will probably change to France this year as the Swiss Franc is a total joke and Champerey is a bit too quiet for my liking.
In terms of entering I have always done it as soon as the registration opens and been ok. I wouldn't hang around though - I am sure the prime Saturday and Sunday tickets (when the Swissy and French locals go) go within the hour.
Couldn't recommend it highly enough.
Edited by Not Ideal on Wednesday 4th January 16:15
As far as I know (and am sure someone will correct me) the Saturday and Sunday will sell out very quickly so have you and your mates all set to enter on the 15th Feb when it opens and there shouldn't be a problem.
The Friday is a newish day for the PDS. Last year was the first year of trying it and I don't think it sold out. I did the Friday last year and it felt just as busy as any other time but could just be my immagination.
The Friday is a newish day for the PDS. Last year was the first year of trying it and I don't think it sold out. I did the Friday last year and it felt just as busy as any other time but could just be my immagination.
Edited by Not Ideal on Wednesday 4th January 16:48
We entered in 2011 for the first time. When you registe/book you choose a start town and day (Fri, Sat or Sun), with a limited number of places at each - typically 200-250 per start town. The more popular ones - Les Gets, Morzine, Champery - go quickly, so I'd recommend buying your places as soon as registration opens. We started from Morzine and the queues in the morning to pick up your rider pack were quite long - that might be better if you start from somewhere quieter perhaps.
I rode it last year on my Spicy - ideal amount of travel IMO. I just ran single-plys with thicker tubes, I reckon dual-plys would be unnecessary weight. My wife used her 140mm travel Prophet which suited her fine as she's more sensible than me. Watch the arrows and DON'T always follow the person in front of you: we ended up back in Morzine 45mins after setting off after some idiot in front of me took a wrong turn at a crossing point - being an idiot I followed them... Awesome extra descent though.
Also made the mistake of carrying all the water/food we needed for the day: we didn't realise the amount/quality of free food at the stations along the way, and could've travelled far lighter. They had an extra 14km loop last year but we decided against it as the event was already a massive undertaking for my wife. They also put in some DH alternatives along the way and these were ALL worth it last year IMO. Don't think my wife enjoyed them but meh. But the most important advice: start early, take your time, and enjoy
We're still debating whether to enter this year: loved it last year, really want to go again but about to put our house on the market so unsure whether to commit to an Alps holiday again or not...
I rode it last year on my Spicy - ideal amount of travel IMO. I just ran single-plys with thicker tubes, I reckon dual-plys would be unnecessary weight. My wife used her 140mm travel Prophet which suited her fine as she's more sensible than me. Watch the arrows and DON'T always follow the person in front of you: we ended up back in Morzine 45mins after setting off after some idiot in front of me took a wrong turn at a crossing point - being an idiot I followed them... Awesome extra descent though.
Also made the mistake of carrying all the water/food we needed for the day: we didn't realise the amount/quality of free food at the stations along the way, and could've travelled far lighter. They had an extra 14km loop last year but we decided against it as the event was already a massive undertaking for my wife. They also put in some DH alternatives along the way and these were ALL worth it last year IMO. Don't think my wife enjoyed them but meh. But the most important advice: start early, take your time, and enjoy
We're still debating whether to enter this year: loved it last year, really want to go again but about to put our house on the market so unsure whether to commit to an Alps holiday again or not...
Thanks for the info all!
When you say 'sells out' chances are we'll want to start in Morzine - in terms of selling out are we talking, days, hours, or mins?
Sorry for the endless questions, I'm trying to organise 7 of my mates to all do the same thing, at roughly the same time - it's like hurding cats...
Am I better off hedging our bets and going for a Friday start?
When you say 'sells out' chances are we'll want to start in Morzine - in terms of selling out are we talking, days, hours, or mins?
Sorry for the endless questions, I'm trying to organise 7 of my mates to all do the same thing, at roughly the same time - it's like hurding cats...
Am I better off hedging our bets and going for a Friday start?
I did the PdS with my brother 2 years ago, starting from Morzine on the Sat. Had no problem getting tickets, just find out what time tickets go on sale and be ready in front of the computer. I don't think it sells out in mins but wouldn't want to leave it more than a couple of hours esp given the number of tickets you need.
As for the bike, I saw loads of people on huge 8" travel DH bikes - you really don't need that unless you're staying on and doing other stuff. I was suprised at the number of people on DH bikes riding very slowly, my 120mm Stumpy was fine with 2.35 DH Minions and fresh pads. A good 140mm bike would be perfect.
Its a well run event but I doubt I'll do it again unless I was spending a few days in the area. We drove down on the Fri and came back on the Sun and for the money it cost us, next time we would prefer a week touring Welsh trail centres. Having said that it was a great experience.
As for the bike, I saw loads of people on huge 8" travel DH bikes - you really don't need that unless you're staying on and doing other stuff. I was suprised at the number of people on DH bikes riding very slowly, my 120mm Stumpy was fine with 2.35 DH Minions and fresh pads. A good 140mm bike would be perfect.
Its a well run event but I doubt I'll do it again unless I was spending a few days in the area. We drove down on the Fri and came back on the Sun and for the money it cost us, next time we would prefer a week touring Welsh trail centres. Having said that it was a great experience.
Thanks, I'm actually 'between' DH bikes at the moment, I'll be using my Spicy, I think PDS recommend the Zesty but I'm sure I'll survive, they're quoting 1000m vertical of climbing . A lap of the Red Trail at Brecfha is more than that.
I may pick up a DH bike between now and then and I take it for after the event.
I may pick up a DH bike between now and then and I take it for after the event.
Edited by P-Jay on Thursday 5th January 13:39
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No I didn't!As a rule, I can't stand Wine, but given it's now over £6 a pint for lager in the Alps I may convert!
What the hell happened to France? When we went as teenagers lager was cheap as water - and thankfully sold to anyone who even looked like they may be 14 (or so). I assumed the bars in Morzine / Les Gets employeed some sort of Alpine / Captive Audience tax, but I was in Loire in the summer and it was equally expensive.
I did it a couple of years ago, and will not be doing it again.
It's a great day out, but I'm a DH rider and on the PDS you traverse near all the good stuff on 4x4 tracks rather than riding the actual trails!
It's not a good day out on a DH bike, and mid-travel trail / xc bike is perfect.
Just my 2c as you sound like you enjoy DH more than trail riding. Might be mistaken?
It's a great day out, but I'm a DH rider and on the PDS you traverse near all the good stuff on 4x4 tracks rather than riding the actual trails!
It's not a good day out on a DH bike, and mid-travel trail / xc bike is perfect.
Just my 2c as you sound like you enjoy DH more than trail riding. Might be mistaken?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yep, to echo that plenty of folk do it on hardtails. IMO full-suss will certainly be beneficial towards the end of the day for comfort, but a hardtail with big tyres would be fine. I've got a hankering to do it on my On-One 456ss but don't have space to bring multiple bikes over with me.Janosh said:
I did it a couple of years ago, and will not be doing it again.
It's a great day out, but I'm a DH rider and on the PDS you traverse near all the good stuff on 4x4 tracks rather than riding the actual trails!
It's not a good day out on a DH bike, and mid-travel trail / xc bike is perfect.
Just my 2c as you sound like you enjoy DH more than trail riding. Might be mistaken?
Thanks for the info, yeah it's probably going to be a little tamer than the norm for us in terms of out-right Gnar, but that's what we're after really.It's a great day out, but I'm a DH rider and on the PDS you traverse near all the good stuff on 4x4 tracks rather than riding the actual trails!
It's not a good day out on a DH bike, and mid-travel trail / xc bike is perfect.
Just my 2c as you sound like you enjoy DH more than trail riding. Might be mistaken?
We headed out to Whistler last summer and it was amazing, and we had more than our fair share of downhill action, stupid high-speed crashes, falls from heights and bear encounters ha ha - we're after something a tiny be more sedate this year.
We'll still be heading up and down the Pleney and Mont Cherry runs and over to Chatel Bike Park and Avoriaz on the days we're not on the Passports course, only on 6" bikes!
). 
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