Thanks for the great advice guys – I’m living in a building site so been offline for the last couple of weeks. I have managed to get out on the trails with the locals a few times despite them laughing at my bike, most riders in these parts are very lycra/bling orientated and think you need a full suss with the few HT’s being carbon – some awesome skills to be seen though.
If anyone’s interested in the Alpes Maritime there are some awesome rides out here – lovely shot of a local trail with the sea on the bacground in the “Alpine Builds” gallery on Dialled’s alpine page.
There is not a huge amount on the web re. local routes but try: Peille VTT which is a good start. I have a shed that may eventually become digs/workshop for budding explorers so watch this space as they say… Feel free to mail me if you need a hand putting together a DIY holiday: adamDOTbernaysATgmailDOTcom.
Latest bike thoughts: A full suss kills you on a 500m climb and as well as being easier/faster on the way up a hardtail seems much more controllable round tight switchbacks for the moderately skilled so no debate as to which way to go for me anyway. The real key is decent travel forks, some of the descents here are like riding down a stairwell in a block of flats so you have to have something on the front end that can take the hits – 130mm revs doing nicely for now but will upgrade to Pikes eventually.
As to the bike, pretty much set on an alpine, plugged DB enough so will go on record and say that bright orange or green suck as only color options (sorry Mike) :-), spent most of my money on sand ‘n cement too so after a SH black 17″er if anyone has one..?
Otherwise can’t wait and see how the new Ragleys go down when they arrive, doubt I’m the only one!
Cheers,
Adam