Having failed to get out for proper group ride 2010, we put things right on the first day 2011 with the New Years Day ride. Irwin, Jeff and Matt A meet up with Jack R and his mate Joe Mallinson (who set the second fastest time at a recent Dual Race) in Aston and following an obligatory puncture repair, we sent off up the bridleway out of Aston. After many years of unblocking the tiny hole in the wall where the stream crosses the track, we were amazed to find a proper channel had been dug under the wall! Perhaps the track will not be a river for the rest of the winter this year!?

Jeff recently got a new stills camera, a Sony Alpha 55 (a DSLR with a twist), so was keen to take lots of pictures and try out the HD video performance.

Route on OS Map Length: 16km / 10 miles

11-01-01 HopeBrinks+HopeX+HaggTor+Gores JI+JK+MA+JR+JM, 38 Pictures by Jeff

As many of you may know me and Nicky decided this year to go out to the Alps for 2 weeks. We where Joined for one week by James W and his friend Martin. I have decided that rather than writing a massive long post about what we did everyday i would pick ten events or things that happened whilst we where out there and write a little bit about each of them, so here goes.

1. Lifts, i know this sounds like abit of a obvious one but not only does it mean that you dont have to push back up the mountain side. But it also means the tracks are so much longer with the average descent time being 8 mins plus if not significantly more in places. But not only this it also gives you the chance to cover/explorer much greater distances. For example the Mossettes lift takes you up to 2250m which is extremely high 🙂

2. Braun roof n slopestyle (best trick) We were luck enough to be able to go and watch Sam Pilgrim (GB) out trick the rest of the field. The contest took place over a short course (1 drop and two dirt jumps). It was practically impossible to take any decent pictures of the riding as the contest was at night and you couldn’t get close enough for a effective flash shot. There was a real atmosphere with people sitting up on the roofs of buildings, loud music thanks to the Red Bull DJ booth. With the Cheerleaders getting the crowd warmed up before the riders dropped in. Highlights from each of the three runs can be found on freecaster. By trick Run 3 the riders where really going for it. It was great to see people pulling such technical tricks as these up close, massive respect.

3. The Chatel bike park is home to loads of well built trails and has a small area at the bottom known as the “Drop Zone”. There is this Wall ride with a fun box on the other side. With a series of three variously sized drops/jumps aswell which kept us entertained for a number of hours.

4.XC Helmets and Crowbar goggles While we were eating our lunch mid way up the Chatel bike park we spotted these two guys modeling some truly horrific headgear. The combination of xc helmets with Oakley Crowbar googles i am sure you will agree looks rather daft. I managed to take a couple of pictures of these guys as i thought i might report them to the biking fashion police.

5.Braun roof n slopestyle (Main event) The main slopetyle event took place the following day after the best trick contest and had a much larger field with a step up in rider class. We were therefor very excited to see the likes of Cam McCaul, Darren Berrecloth, Cedric Gracie and Ben Boyko and not forgetting british hopeful Sam Pilgrim. The course was much longer and included a roof top section. I got a couple of pictures with my favorite being one of Cam McCaul doing a 360 bar spin. But i decided to use the picture of Sam Pilgrim not because it is a better picture but instead because again to our delight he won. Highlights of both runs can be seen on Freecaster, with Sams second run being partially impressive.

6.Table tops In Avoriaz there is a short 4x track, i call it four cross but you would struggle to get anymore than two riders side by side on most sections anyway. We stop briefly one day on it and took some pictures, the rest can be seen in the image gallery. The track itself isn’t partially technical or long. And the jumps are not that big (well apart from one) but the view makes it. With Alpine meadows and high mountain peaks.

7. Cows Again a strange, let me explain. I am guessing so that the farmers can keep track of the cows easily they all wear larger bells around their necks. The large group shown in the picture, i guess there must have been at least 50 were making an impressive amount of noise. Not only that but during one run down the Les Gets “Jump track” me and nicky almost hit one as it was stood right on the the track. It made for a comedy moment as we narrowly mist it!.

8. The view from the top of Mossettes lift, as i have already said this lift goes upto 2250m and takes you over the border into Switzerland. From here there are loads of different ways to head off, you have got the single track route, miles of epic alpine single track, puncture alley (a daft fireroad), the Swiss National downhill track (as seen in Kranked 6), or you can head down the ridge further into Switzerland. Anyway back to the view, From here you have a breath taking view over much of the Portes du Soleil region. The picture shows the Dents Blanches which are covered in snow all year and meet up with the flanks of Mount Blanc.

9. Morgins This is a small swiss town that we had heard lots of good things about so we decided that it would be worth the trip over. This involved heading off into the unknown and riding off the beaten track a little. But we ended up getting caught up in the middle of a mountain bike race (we even got filmed!) But we made it to Morgins and we were not disappointed this small town has three graded downhill tracks blue, red and a gnarly looking black run. But a mechanical problems with Nicky bike meant that we had to head off early before we got to ride them all, something for next time.

10. Chatel Town We had already been to Chatel bike park which is located a short distance from the town of Chatel and we had been told of some other tracks there so we got the free bus ride to check it out. You could take you bike on the bus which was great. With half the the bus being open so that there was somewhere to store bikes. Anyway once we got there our efforts were rewarded with two great tracks. The easier of the two was a combination of doubles and berms which was great fun.

And one last thing, i have got to say the 14km road downhill from Avoriaz back to Morzine was just quality especially when you get to overtake cars!
08-07-12 Morzine JI+NB+JW, 56 Pictures

Today I was joined by 13 other riders from ‘UK MTB Forum‘ and ‘MTB in the Peak District’ (Facebook). As riding goes, it was a tough uphill day, but well worth the effort for the downhills!

We had a range of riders on all different bikes, but what made it better was the obvious passion for riding and just getting out there regardless of age or physical capability. I would also like share that we witnessed a bizarre phenomenom on the ride in the shape of malt loaf (Greg)…. it works wonders, well either that or it was the smell of chips! The ride was rounded off with free chip butties at The Nags Head Edale..much appreciated, thanks!

Thanks to Scott Preece and Ben Armitt for the pics. Also, to every one that turned out…Cheers!

With respect to my new bike…well I wanted a change and fancied something a bit different….so I treated myself to a new Marin Quake 7.2

It’s a awesome bike which descends with such phenomenal pace, as I had the pleasure to find out on the ride…also ascends really well, but being lazy, I resorted to pushing up hill!

Shane

The 11th-16th of august is the date. Current riders are: Nicky, James & Jonny. Annie Last is interested and we would be interested in making the numbers up to about 5 if anyone else is interested?

The mother of all epic rides.

Having got my new ‘lighter’ bike for xmas, my dad saw that the time was fit to encourage an attempt on the legendary coast-2-coast ride that he had completed a good 10 years or so ago. Its a gruelling 223 mile, five and a half day off road ride. Spanning the width of Northern England from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay. If that doesn’t mean anything to you, to put it in simple terms it means riding right through the Lake District and over its numerous peaks. Across the Dales and then the North Yorkshire Moors, well I think that’s it any way.

I have spoken to Jonny and Irwin and mentioned the idea to Joe and Osian and I propose a Monkeyspoon/DHP attempt. My dad has already agreed to act as the support vehicle so we wouldn’t have to carry tents or anything other than food and water and a basic repair kit.

As far as timing goes, our exams all finish around june 20th, (Jonny finishes earlier and would have to miss school). So possible weeks are the 23-29 June, 30(June)-6 July, 7-14 July so as to have completed it before Jonny leaves for the Ardeche.

I also feel it would be a good idea to use it as a way to raise some money for a worthwhile cause. I am however lacking any idea of which worthwhile cause and any proposals would be much appreciated!

There is a little more information route wise here.

Cheers Nicky

P.S. I’ve ordered that book!