just done the passportes,
worth doing, but only the once. Too many motorways, too many braking bumps, not enough trippy singletrack (none that we were signposted to – although a little knowledge of the area helped).
like i said, it's worth doing, but it's more about having a big day out in the mountains (which are stunning) with your mates than the quality of riding.
mind you, the organisers could hardly be expected to direct 5000 bikers down the footpaths to lac montriond…
Completely agree – I love the DH trails, my wife loves the more singletracky ones, and many of the Passportes ones were a bit too fire-road. That said, it definitely shows you the scenery, and points you to where you might choose to ride some more. As a taster for the region, you really can't beat it.