Moving to Switzerland - Who lives out there?

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Moving to Switzerland - Who lives out there?

53 posts & 21 voices | Started 1 year ago by Phototim | Latest reply from skiingfatboy

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Phototim - Member

Hi All,

Thought I would resurrect this thread as the snow is all but gone now and riding season will be here before we know it.

I've been riding local trails around Fribourg and have also ridden Plaffeien bike park which still had snow at the top a few weeks back. After Easter I'll have my DH bike here so will be keen to head to Rochers de Naye, Bex and Dorenaz.

I'm still to sort out trail riding bikes (although I could probably borrow) so will probably be concentrating on more lift accessed DH stuff to start with.

Will be heading to the world champs in champery too, anyone planning on this?

Has the snow pretty much gone where everyone else rides?

Something else I want to do is plan a big multi day route across the Alps linked up with all the lifts. Like this http://www.pinkbike.com/news/More-Ride-Than-Free-The-Alta-Rezia-All-Mountain-Tour.html but with more lift use to get up Can anyone provide any advice on this? Seems like it will be difficult to map out trails and lifts/trains that are operating.

Cheers,

Tim

Posted 1 year ago #
Gruenermoench - Member

I had the misfortune of living and working in Basel for 12 months. The job was great but the Swiss are proper jobsworths. !

I would advise you to give the Duftsäckli's a very wide berth.

Posted 1 year ago #
yetivaud - Member

Anyone want to hook up over Easter? I'm still on the hardtail at the moment as the good weather has caught me out and I haven't finished the re-build on the FS. Happy for suggestions, or we've found quite a bit of stuff around Col de Marchairuz if you don't mind some pedalling.

rich

Posted 1 year ago #
RHSno2 - Member

Col de Marchairuz

Have you now...I just rode the Mt Tendre Trail from Montricher. Very nice. Any tips?

RdN is on now. Mostly clear and in the week it will be clear from La Perchè.

PhotoTim: Get yourself a 6 inch machine. There really is no need/time for DH tracks when you have the whole of the Valais/Alps/France to explore.

Posted 1 year ago #
spoon - Member

I'm in Geneva and its bloody awesome - its crazy expensive, but there is a charlift up to 1097m with some awesome trails.

And then when it snows ... ski.

There is a BMX track and some mega huge dirt jumps nearby as well. I just got rid of all my bikes and purchased a full on DH bike, what else do you need... les gets is 40mins away...

did I say how expensive it is..very!

Posted 1 year ago #
yetivaud - Member

We live close to the col, so we've been trying to find stuff because it's on our door step (no car needed). Thus we mostly end up going around in circles to link together all the best downs, rather than traveling in any one direction. That said our loops seem to reach out to Mt.Tendre in one direction and almost La Dole in the other. We haven't found so many routes which descend off the ridgeline at the moment. We found some nice ones into St.George and Le Vaud. Most of the tracks seem to follow the ridge line around that area, with short climbs and descents...... or at least the ones we found have.

Posted 1 year ago #
yetivaud - Member

ps I 2nd the 6" machine idea.

Posted 1 year ago #
RHSno2 - Member

I am down nr Lully/Morges so I have to go up. Have only really just started looking as I was mostly riding the road.

Les Gets. Yes, there is only Morzine/Les Gets/Portes De Soleil. Look no further.

Posted 1 year ago #
yetivaud - Member

I've heard rumours of a descent that comes off Jura, and down a creek thats goes almost to the lake ending inbetween nyon and gland. I have yet to go look for it though, as I only heard about it recently. We can show you what we've found so far if you have time. We live near St.George.

Posted 1 year ago #
RHSno2 - Member

Excellent.

Mail me at robert dot hamiltonsmith at gmail dot com

Posted 1 year ago #
spoon - Member

Sounds like a meet up for exploration of Jura trails might be in order ?

Take the train up to St Cergue from Nyon ?

Posted 1 year ago #
spoon - Member

Or..,. you can jump on the train to Geneva and take the chairlift onto the Saleve for some of the best trails I've ridden...

Posted 1 year ago #
RHSno2 - Member

I can make a day next week maybe

Posted 1 year ago #
flamejob - Member

I'll be in Zurich from the 16th May. I'd totally welcome some 6" riding (especially involving a chairlift )

I also have a couple of DH bikes for some more FroCore action. I will probably end up getting up early on Saturdays and driving to the hills.

Posted 1 year ago #
Phototim - Member

Hi chaps, sorry completely forgot about this thread! Was back in the UK for Easter, currently now sitting on a train from Geneva. I have my glory with me and hope to use it this weekend in Rochers de Naye, I'm so excited its not even funny! With regards to getting something more all mountainy, I'll be building up quite a collection of bikes starting with a genius LT hopefully. I've heard jura is good so would be keen to explore. I have to admit though, I'm more of a lift up and ride down person than a spend half the day riding up person but keen for some xc too, just need to get a suitable bike.

I'll keep an eye on this thread for any updates. Hope to ride with some of you soon!

Cheers,

Tim

Posted 1 year ago #
RHSno2 - Member

Enjoy....whatever floats your boat.

Posted 1 year ago #
Phototim - Member

Wow, just got back from an amazing day riding Rochers de Naye. What a place. Huge variety of riding from loose and rockey to loamy to steep and slidey topped off with unbelievable views and beer by the lake.

I love Switzerland

Posted 1 year ago #
skiingfatboy - Member

I can second Rocher de Naye as an experience. I've only ever skied it, but the view (down the length of Lake Leman) in very impressive, as is the train ride up, rising steeply above Montreux. You can even stay in a yurt at the top:
link.

Moleson has the potential (I have not yet visited) to have a fantastic (long) view, situated as it is on the northern edge of the mountains. I experienced something like this at Rigi, near Lucerne, this year (but I don't know about biking there). (If you go to Lucerne, try to experience the Fasnacht)

There are a few people wanting to know about lifts up. I have to declare an interest in that I have contributed minuscule-y to it, but there is a map just out for skiers that is designed to show resorts with easy links to train stations. It might be relevant to downhill(-only!) cyclists, and the creator is very approachable (and a keen cyclist) so if enough interest is shown, he might try to bring out a version that is more bike-centric. Anyway, info at:
SkiRail map at Lascelles

Posted 1 year ago #