Weekend in the Alps

[Marcellus]

Following on from the discussion in the Welsh Weekender topic here's a suggestion;

A long weekend using Morzine as a base for Cycling.

Driving isn't a stupid idea as reality is that it takes about 7hours without the need to be silly but also without messing around at service stations.

Flying is also easy with Geneva just an hour away.

It would make sense to go in the summer when the lifts are open so that the "Downhill boyz" can also come and play and the XC gentlemen can use the lifts to climb before they go on some of the best XC terrain in Europe.

Then there are the roads..... Col de Joux Plane, Col de Columbier, Col de Ramas to mention a few... if you want to kill yourself then you can and they're all on your doorstep...

I guess Accommodation won't be as cheap as Wales but will be around £50 per person per night half board including unlimited wine!

I'm thinking of here as the accommodation;
http://www.morzinetrails.com/

So, what's the best way to take this forward?

I think we should do it July or August so the weekends are;

6/7th July
13/14th July
20/21st July
3rd/4th Aug
10/11th AUg
17/18th Aug
24/25th Aug
31/1st Sept

Which can people do?

[anonymous-user]

On the basis that forgiveness is easier to obtain than permission, I'm in... but I can only probably do the last two dates, however the bank holiday weekend in August would seem like a good idea? ferry crossings might be a bit more expensive but the additional day makes travel easier and people can get at least two days riding in given the distance travelled.

I would suggest its a plan for 2014 however, most people will have reasonably full calendars for 2013 now and would be gutted to miss out? Also gives you plenty of time to organise it!

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 13th May 14:44

[S10GTA]

If you are looking for somewhere to stay drop me a line. The company I work for have a large 30+ people chalet in the centre of Morzine which could be available for you (before Sept). I can even package it all up with flights if you would rather

[Rob_T]

i go to morzine about 3 times a year, twice for skiing and recently for the passporte du soleil at the end of june. i drive and it's a good 9 - 12 hour journey door to door when you have taken into account eurotunnel. 7 hours is erring on the side of optimistic.

i am going at the end of june this year for the PDS, but would be happy for a friday to monday trip, leaving 2 days cycling at some point in august (can't do weekend of 4th august). can take three bikes plus limited gear in the car if the bikes are dismantled. not happy to put on the roof rack as it destroys your mpg.

not into downhill, but enjoy the xc side of life.

when your playground looks like this, why would you not want to go?

[louiebaby]

Out for this year, potentially in for next year...

[S10GTA]

S10GTA said:

If you are looking for somewhere to stay drop me a line. The company I work for have a large 30+ people chalet in the centre of Morzine which could be available for you (before Sept). I can even package it all up with flights if you would rather

Just to let you know, the price for a weekend flying (out Thursday lunch, back Monday late from LGW) is currently £365. Bike carriage is £54.

[Marcellus]

S10GTA said:

If you are looking for somewhere to stay drop me a line. The company I work for have a large 30+ people chalet in the centre of Morzine which could be available for you (before Sept). I can even package it all up with flights if you would rather

Alpine Elements per chance?

[TonyHetherington]

I'm a bit warey of cost this year I must admit (I think I mentioned, I'm going through a house renovation at the moment and so frankly skint), so this trip might end up a little over the top for me unfortunately.

I'll certainly keep on top of this thread and definitely come if I can, but I'd hate to say yes now and then back out nearer the time.

[Marcellus]

Sorry Rob, meant 7 hours from Calais.

[S10GTA]

Marcellus said:

S10GTA said:

If you are looking for somewhere to stay drop me a line. The company I work for have a large 30+ people chalet in the centre of Morzine which could be available for you (before Sept). I can even package it all up with flights if you would rather

Alpine Elements per chance?

Nope

[Celtic Dragon]

I'd love to do this, sadly I don't think the bank manager would like it, nor the bike be ready.

Shame as it would scratch the road trip itch.

We shall see though. I need a goal to aim for.

[Jimbo.]

Granted it's one lift out of many, but the Pleney lift is out of action this season IIRC. There're alternatives in place (minibus to Les Gets, IIRC) but it cuts off access to the Pleney run and those interwoven with it. Given you'd want to keep the riding time > lift tim and thus keep it local, you're kind of limited!

EDIT: Also, it's a LOT of effort for two days riding. 9-12 hours driving, fuel/tolls/ferry costs, associated faff with such travel etc, etc.

Edited by Jimbo. on Monday 13th May 18:56

[stuarthat]

we just got flights return £130 july weds til sunday ,morzine /les gets .

[TonyHetherington]

What about an option of going back to Wales? Plenty of different rides available for those that have been already, and we know what to expect: cheap and cheerful

[joema]

I must admit. That I prefer Wales for xc to morzine.

But mountains are epic and Wales can be done any time.

[Happy Eater]

I have done the PDS for the last 8 years.
Driving down is about 8hrs (to Chatel)- It could be done quicker but we have always done it with 3/4 bikes and all the gear.

As you get later in the season the afternoons get wet - alpine rain
....but the biggest issue is the lifts shutting late in the season - mid august they begin to close down and im pretty sure by Sept they will be shut.

We have always headed to Chatel as the Pre-a-joux bike park is amazing!

I can't afford to go to the PDS this year... but im already saving for next year.
There is nothing like the Alps - for those of you who do go have a great time!

[TonyHetherington]

I def want to battle that climb again

But as said above, I imagine the Alps really are something special

[IroningMan]

TonyHetherington said:

I def want to battle that climb again

But as said above, I imagine the Alps really are something special

Now that Pablo's done the hard work I reckon it'd be easy to make it an annual event, at least.

Very taken with the idea of an Alpine trip, too, but I'm equally stuffed for the rest of this summer and well into the autumn.

Notwithstanding that I have a pad in the Pyrenees and should get off my arse and ride more when I'm down there.

[Celtic Dragon]

Jimbo. said:

Granted it's one lift out of many, but the Pleney lift is out of action this season IIRC. There're alternatives in place (minibus to Les Gets, IIRC) but it cuts off access to the Pleney run and those interwoven with it. Given you'd want to keep the riding time > lift tim and thus keep it local, you're kind of limited!

EDIT: Also, it's a LOT of effort for two days riding. 9-12 hours driving, fuel/tolls/ferry costs, associated faff with such travel etc, etc.

Edited by Jimbo. on Monday 13th May 18:56

What about the black forest? There has to be some decent routes etc around there and its only 6 hours away. Or Garmisch-Partenkirchen, that held the winter olymics so there has to be unused ski runs.

Edited by Celtic Dragon on Monday 13th May 21:03

[Potatoes]

I can' this year as wife is due but definitely up for this and anything else next year.

This is an AWESOME idea.