Want to ride your bike in the biggest Mountain Biking area in the world? 2.0

[Nofearnofun]

If you had kept it in your hand and out of you know where we wouldn't be having this conversation. hehehe. (I'm taking a wild guess here. You've impregnated your wife hey?)

 

I will pm you the stoorie when I'm not driving but I will say this... I would have preferred that than what did happen

[Guest Omega Man]

This is a direct quote from Pottie last night. We were whattapping about riding in Europe.

 

 

Its addictive...i dont know what ill do if i couldnt go back anymorr

[Guest Omega Man]

So last and final warning guys.

 

Announcement

 

I'm going to be closing this at the end of this month. 14 people have paid deposits and I don't anticipate many if any more. Some of the guys that said they were keen have gone quiet so I'm not sure what is going on there. I've got some inside info on flights and I'm EXTREMELY nervous about leaving this till the end of November.

 

If anyone is still keen to do the trip but hasn't paid please please please send me a PM so I know what you have planned.

 

The dates are 26th July TO 9th August.

[Guest Omega Man]

10 Sleeps to get your deposits in.

 

278 Sleeps till we get on the plane.

[Nofearnofun]

Oh behave

[Thug]

Although I'm not coming with you guys, I've followed this thread with interest since its re-incarnation after the 1st one was wiped out by the server crash.

 

Will miss the pictures and the postings, so hope you're going to start a new thread entitled "270 sleeps to PDS....."

Edited October 21, 2013 by Thug

[Guest Omega Man]

Although I'm not coming with you guys, I've followed this thread with interest since its re-incarnation after the 1st one was wiped out by the server crash.

 

Will miss the pictures and the postings, so hope you're going to start a new thread entitled "270 sleeps to PDS....."

This is going to become an annual thing. So start hiding those pennies from the wife for 2015.

 

We've also got something planned for 2016 which will be an Enduro tour of sorts. You'll do a week of doing big mountain enduro type riding around the Mont Blanc area and end it up with a few days in the bike parks. That plan is very much in it's infancy right now.

[Guest Omega Man]

A little survival guide for anyone planning to make this trip.

 

 

Surviving two weeks in the PDS

 

 

Intro

 

Oh you taking the easy way out. Ski Lifts? Pft. I earn my turns bru! Oh so you aren’t doing any exercise then?

 

These are all thing’s you’ll hear from your local mates who haven’t done a Bikepark trip. The truth however is somewhat different. Yes you are getting lots of free gravity. Yes it will be the trip of a lifetime. Yes it will be the most fun you’ve ever had with your clothes on but don’t think for one second that it is going to be painless.

 

Riding over there takes an INCREDIBLE toll on your body and bike. You’ll go through a set of brake pads in 4 days. You’ll easily cover 10km vertically in a day. 70km of DH riding in a day is very possible. That works out to 35 runs at Tokai. In 2011 Nic suffered from such hand pain after we got back that he went to see an Ortho. This year Karl who rides dirt bikes and works with his hands was squealing like a girl about the pain in his hands.

 

We’ve had blown forks. Blown shocks. Broken headsets and multiple brake bleeds required.

 

Don’t take this trip lightly.

 

This simple guide should get you through the trip with as little pain and as much fun as possible. These are things I’ve tried myself and learnt from mates and others who’ve done the trip. Don’t feel obligated to do all or any of them.

 

Cockpit

• Fat Grips. Makes for a more natural hand position and less trail feedback through the bars. I run ODI rogue. ESI chunky’s are also supposedly pretty good.
  
• Don’t buy grips the day before we go. You want a setup you are familiar with.
  
• Run your brake levers as close to the bar as possible. When your brakes are on full lock they should almost touch the bar. Don’t compromise braking performance tho.
  
• You will lift your levers a bit. This will give you a straighter arm and therefore less tiring riding position. It will also improve your control over the bike. The trails are steeper than we are used to so you will be hanging off the back a little more than usual.
  

Suspension

 

• If possible you’ll run your suspension slightly harder than you do here. I add a few clicks of preload to my fork.
  
• You will make your fork rebound a little faster. Say 2 clicks. This is so your bike doesn’t pack up and the front floats over the braking bumps.
  
• The rear you might also make a little faster but be careful.
  

Brakes

 

• Brakes are the single most important piece of equipment on your bike for a trip like this. The trails are steep and the descents long.
  
• As said above you’ll ride your levers closer to the bar and a little higher than you are used to here.
  
• Bleed your brakes by a good mechanic before we go.
  
• Get 203mm rotors front and rear. Weight is very much a secondary concern. It’s a cheap mod that can make a big difference to your braking performance.
  
• You will go through pads. A set will probably last you 4-6 days so take spares. The shops there might not have your pads available.
  

Bike General

 

• Take your bike for a service before we go. But not the day before. Give yourself at least 2 rides on the bike to iron out anything that your LBS might have screwed up. Servicing there is expensive and your bike takes a proper beating. You also don’t want to miss out on riding time while your bike is getting fixed.
  
• Fit a set of new tires before we go. You can get wets there if you really want to but I’ve never bothered with them.
  
• Take a spare hanger, derailleur and some bolts if possible. Stuff does get shaken loose. The shops probly won’t have spares for your bike.
  

Riding Gear

 

• It’s probably a bad idea to buy new kit just before we go. Especially gloves
  
• You’ll probably buy a kit there. The stuff isn’t cheap but there’s lots and lots of variety and there are bargains to be had if you keep your eyes open.
  

Your Body and The Claw

 

• There’s no way to really prepare your body for the beating it will take. I use those spring loaded hand strengthers or a squash ball to build up a bit of hand strength. They can cause tendonitis tho so I stop using it about 2 weeks before we go.
  
• Spend as much time in the saddle as you can leading up to the trip.
  
• Being fit is obviously a benefit but you aren’t doing the Epic.
  
• Keep yourself well fed and well hydrated
  
• Arnica. Don’t laugh. I start taking it a week before we head out and continue while we are there.
  
• Anti Inflamitories. I take 1 in the morning and 2 in the evening every day. No you can’t have any of mine.
  
• Deep Heat spray. I discovered this stuff on our last trip. I went through 2 cans in 10 days.
  
• Protein. Some guys take protein. I tried it in 2012 and I didn’t notice any benefit.
  
• Take a rest day. Hahahahaha. I’ve not managed one in 3 trips. I’ve started out the day with the intention of taking a rest day but when I see those little bubbles going up Pleney I can’t stop myself. MUST. GO. RIDE!
  
• Once you adjust your riding the pain will ease. You’ll learn to brake hard and for short periods. You’ll adjust your position on the bike and you’ll start to get comfortable with the incredible speed.
  
• Embrace the pain. You’ll be bummed when it’s gone.
  

While we are there

 

• Know your limits. A lift pass doesn’t turn you into Brandon Semenuk. You’ll see an ambulance picking some broken chap up every day. Don’t be that guy.
  
• Day 3 and 4 are the danger days. Your body is fatigued but your confidence has grown cos you are used to the vertical by now. Careful!
  
• The braking bumps are a factor on the main lines. Try to find lines around them or go faster so you float over them. Or better yet venture into areas that are ridden less.
  
• Do a sighting lap. You don’t have to hit every trail flat out first time. You’ve got 12 days and Ski lifts. Take your time. Look at the features on the trail and ease into it.
  
• Give yourself a hit list that you want to do before the end of the trip. Don’t smash the biggest gap you’ve ever done on day 1. You’ll keep upping the ante until the inevitable.
  
• Keep your eyes open for a star. Many World Cup pro’s base themselves in the area including World Champ Tahnee Seagrave.
  
• Most importantly. Finish the trip. If you ride within your limits you’ll be fine. Push it too much and the trails WILL bite back.
  

Edited October 21, 2013 by Omega Man

[Nofearnofun]

A little survival guide for anyone planning to make this trip.

 

 

Surviving two weeks in the PDS

 

 

Intro

 

Oh you taking the easy way out. Ski Lifts? Pft. I earn my turns bru! Oh so you aren’t doing any exercise then?

 

These are all thing’s you’ll hear from your local mates who haven’t done a Bikepark trip. The truth however is somewhat different. Yes you are getting lots of free gravity. Yes it will be the trip of a lifetime. Yes it will be the most fun you’ve ever had with your clothes on but don’t think for one second that it is going to be painless.

 

Or off

[Guest Omega Man]

Or off

 

Ha. Ja but I didn't want some hero telling me I'm doing it wrong.

Edited October 21, 2013 by Omega Man

[Guest Omega Man]

9 sleeps to get your deposits in. I'm booking tickets next week come hell or high water.

Edited October 22, 2013 by Omega Man

[Guest Omega Man]

Challenge Time

 

Ok so I've come up with a little challenge for the dudes (and dudettes) going to The PDS. While we are there we are going to have a little race of sorts. I think we'll call it the PDS Epic.

 

To complete the race you and a partner (See! Just like the Epic) will have to complete a run of the following Bikeparks.

• Les Gets. Mont Cheri
  
• Les Gets. Chavanne
  
• Les Gets. Nauchetes (Jump Park)
  
• Morzine. Pleney
  
• Morzine. Zore
  
• Morzine. Super Morzine *
  
• Lindarets. French National Side
  
• Lindarets. Chatel side
  
• Chatel. Top half
  
• Chatel. Bottom Half
  
• Crosets. Champery Side
  
• Morgins.
  

* There's only a black run down Super Morzine so you can hit the road if you want.

 

That's 12 runs in 6 bikeparks in one day. That should amount to more than 100km and 15km of vert in one day.

 

Rules

1. The race starts at 8am. (The lifts only open at 9)
   
2. The race starts and finishes at the hotel we are staying at in Morzine
   
3. First team back wins. Simple.
   
4. Teams of 2
   
5. Photographic evidence of the top and bottom lift station of each of the parks is required. The top picture needs to be taken before the bottom picture. (Your camera will time stamp the pics)
   
6. Only official tracks please
   
7. Any grade so if you want to hit the blacks that's fine.
   
8. You can do the runs in any order
   
9. The prize is whatever alcoholic beverage I purchase in Dubai Duty Free on the way out.
   

 

It's actually quite a good challenge cos the guys on DH bikes will have the upper hand on the trails but the guys on AM bikes will have the advantage on the commutes. Also There's a bit of route planning involved.

Edited October 22, 2013 by Omega Man

[dman2]

A little survival guide for anyone planning to make this trip.

 

 

Surviving two weeks in the PDS

 

 

Intro

 

Oh you taking the easy way out. Ski Lifts? Pft. I earn my turns bru! Oh so you aren’t doing any exercise then?

 

These are all thing’s you’ll hear from your local mates who haven’t done a Bikepark trip. The truth however is somewhat different. Yes you are getting lots of free gravity. Yes it will be the trip of a lifetime. Yes it will be the most fun you’ve ever had with your clothes on but don’t think for one second that it is going to be painless.

 

Riding over there takes an INCREDIBLE toll on your body and bike. You’ll go through a set of brake pads in 4 days. You’ll easily cover 10km vertically in a day. 70km of DH riding in a day is very possible. That works out to 35 runs at Tokai. In 2011 Nic suffered from such hand pain after we got back that he went to see an Ortho. This year Karl who rides dirt bikes and works with his hands was squealing like a girl about the pain in his hands.

 

We’ve had blown forks. Blown shocks. Broken headsets and multiple brake bleeds required.

 

Don’t take this trip lightly.

 

This simple guide should get you through the trip with as little pain and as much fun as possible. These are things I’ve tried myself and learnt from mates and others who’ve done the trip. Don’t feel obligated to do all or any of them.

 

Cockpit

• Fat Grips. Makes for a more natural hand position and less trail feedback through the bars. I run ODI rogue. ESI chunky’s are also supposedly pretty good.
  
• Don’t buy grips the day before we go. You want a setup you are familiar with.
  
• Run your brake levers as close to the bar as possible. When your brakes are on full lock they should almost touch the bar. Don’t compromise braking performance tho.
  
• You will lift your levers a bit. This will give you a straighter arm and therefore less tiring riding position. It will also improve your control over the bike. The trails are steeper than we are used to so you will be hanging off the back a little more than usual.
  

Suspension

 

• If possible you’ll run your suspension slightly harder than you do here. I add a few clicks of preload to my fork.
  
• You will make your fork rebound a little faster. Say 2 clicks. This is so your bike doesn’t pack up and the front floats over the braking bumps.
  
• The rear you might also make a little faster but be careful.
  

Brakes

 

• Brakes are the single most important piece of equipment on your bike for a trip like this. The trails are steep and the descents long.
  
• As said above you’ll ride your levers closer to the bar and a little higher than you are used to here.
  
• Bleed your brakes by a good mechanic before we go.
  
• Get 203mm rotors front and rear. Weight is very much a secondary concern. It’s a cheap mod that can make a big difference to your braking performance.
  
• You will go through pads. A set will probably last you 4-6 days so take spares. The shops there might not have your pads available.
  

Bike General

 

• Take your bike for a service before we go. But not the day before. Give yourself at least 2 rides on the bike to iron out anything that your LBS might have screwed up. Servicing there is expensive and your bike takes a proper beating. You also don’t want to miss out on riding time while your bike is getting fixed.
  
• Fit a set of new tires before we go. You can get wets there if you really want to but I’ve never bothered with them.
  
• Take a spare hanger, derailleur and some bolts if possible. Stuff does get shaken loose. The shops probly won’t have spares for your bike.
  

Riding Gear

 

• It’s probably a bad idea to buy new kit just before we go. Especially gloves
  
• You’ll probably buy a kit there. The stuff isn’t cheap but there’s lots and lots of variety and there are bargains to be had if you keep your eyes open.
  

Your Body and The Claw

 

• There’s no way to really prepare your body for the beating it will take. I use those spring loaded hand strengthers or a squash ball to build up a bit of hand strength. They can cause tendonitis tho so I stop using it about 2 weeks before we go.
  
• Spend as much time in the saddle as you can leading up to the trip.
  
• Being fit is obviously a benefit but you aren’t doing the Epic.
  
• Keep yourself well fed and well hydrated
  
• Arnica. Don’t laugh. I start taking it a week before we head out and continue while we are there.
  
• Anti Inflamitories. I take 1 in the morning and 2 in the evening every day. No you can’t have any of mine.
  
• Deep Heat spray. I discovered this stuff on our last trip. I went through 2 cans in 10 days.
  
• Protein. Some guys take protein. I tried it in 2012 and I didn’t notice any benefit.
  
• Take a rest day. Hahahahaha. I’ve not managed one in 3 trips. I’ve started out the day with the intention of taking a rest day but when I see those little bubbles going up Pleney I can’t stop myself. MUST. GO. RIDE!
  
• Once you adjust your riding the pain will ease. You’ll learn to brake hard and for short periods. You’ll adjust your position on the bike and you’ll start to get comfortable with the incredible speed.
  
• Embrace the pain. You’ll be bummed when it’s gone.
  

While we are there

 

• Know your limits. A lift pass doesn’t turn you into Brandon Semenuk. You’ll see an ambulance picking some broken chap up every day. Don’t be that guy.
  
• Day 3 and 4 are the danger days. Your body is fatigued but your confidence has grown cos you are used to the vertical by now. Careful!
  
• The braking bumps are a factor on the main lines. Try to find lines around them or go faster so you float over them. Or better yet venture into areas that are ridden less.
  
• Do a sighting lap. You don’t have to hit every trail flat out first time. You’ve got 12 days and Ski lifts. Take your time. Look at the features on the trail and ease into it.
  
• Give yourself a hit list that you want to do before the end of the trip. Don’t smash the biggest gap you’ve ever done on day 1. You’ll keep upping the ante until the inevitable.
  
• Keep your eyes open for a star. Many World Cup pro’s base themselves in the area including World Champ Tahnee Seagrave.
  
• Most importantly. Finish the trip. If you ride within your limits you’ll be fine. Push it too much and the trails WILL bite back.
  

 

I would say the first and last day of your trip are the danger days.

First day: because you go mental with excitment and do stuff not within your abilities (or pin a trail blind)

Last day: last chance to do a insane gap or get a strava time and do stuff not within your abilities.

[Guest Omega Man]

I would say the first and last day of your trip are the danger days.

First day: because you go mental with excitment and do stuff not within your abilities (or pin a trail blind)

Last day: last chance to do a insane gap or get a strava time and do stuff not within your abilities.

Come along and test your theory.

[Guest Omega Man]

Plane tickets are being booked on Monday. Yeeeehaaww.

[DR ◣◢]

Plane tickets are being booked on Monday. Yeeeehaaww.

 

Still feels unreal that this is actually happening