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Sorry I don’t know the bike shops up that way.
le sauze bike park has a some decent trails ,it’s quite new so they are improving it year on year. The trails are a mixture of machine and hand made. If you were nearby I would give it a go, but like you say there is lots of choice nearby, pra loup (used to be really good but in recent years has been a bit neglected, has a new team this year so I don’t know), allos ( I haven’t been for a while but is supposed to have really good enduro now), montlcar…
If you like jumps evo bike park in digne is amazing but a bit further south.
What's with Montclar?
@the_chosen_llama I mean the black enduro trail from Homme de Pierre to the warmish springs. Eau Chaude.
New lift to Homme de Pierre means it is getting ridden a lot more than for the last 15 years, when you needed to ride to the top.
I might ride Risoul in Friday.... But then I'm tempted to go shout advise/encouragement at the Tour....
Ah , I’ve never ridden the trail down the valley.
with regards to Montclar I’m a massive fan.
it has a good range of technical red/black tracks with jumps, it has No greens, blues are ok. One good length lift and normally it’s open April to October (exceptionally closing September this year for maintenance).
The tour is always fun though!
Little update on my travels.
Rode Risoul yesterday.
Great little park. Really well built trails with well shaped jumps. Only gripe is the two seater chairlift that takes an age, but can be avoided if you want, although that means a bit of a loop and some mini detours. But overall great fun. The "flow" trails were ideal for all ages/skill levels.
One day last week I was back in Serre Chevalier. All the lifts were open this time around, although I didn't fancy 4-500m climbs to reach the other area so stayed in there middle section. Some of the trails up top are fun. Those that congregate and lead back to the valley floor can get a little tedious.
The week before I was over the border in Italy. Rode at Bardonecchia which is a small park. Some well designed trails, but somehow lacking something. Some short trails that are over too quickly and then four longer trails at the other end of the valley. They have potential,but need for features. Also, the number of hikers on the bike trails got a little annoying, especially given the number of signs everywhere. I rode the trails at Jefferau, albeit with an ebike (but that's another story) and I'm not sure it's worth the trip across the valley for them. Highlight was seeing a wolf on the trail.
Sauze D'Oulx was good fun. The trails have a more natural, not-carved-out-by-an-excavator feel to them. Worth a day's riding, for sure. I'm definitely going to return there this year. They also have a shuttle running between Sauze D'Oulx and Bardonecchia. Parking with the van is easier in Bardonecchia.
Plan for this week is Vars, Puy Saint Vincent and then head towards Italy to pick up the GF the end of next week.
Might head up the Colle dell'Agnello for the eclipse on 12th August and use it as an excuse to ride Abries.
Think we will stay in this area till the end of August then head back to Piemonte to ride at Mont Alpet and St Greè before heading to Liguria.
