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Looking at the trail map ( 
) as we are staying in ADH and as long as we don't go past Oz it looks like the lifts will get us about OK - true?
If we drop into Allemont is it hard to get back out? Looked at buses at they seem to take ages to get up to ADH again, does it make more sense to get to Vaujany and use the lifts from there back up?
Maybe dump the car in Allemont, get a 3010 bus to Vaujany. Play about and end of the day at least the car can get us back OK when we want to.
Any recommendations?
There were special free buses running back up to AdH when I did it in 2013, wasn't THAT much of a ballache but we only tended to use them once a day
Bus from Allemont to Oz station seemed pretty regular, just don't get down too late in the day. Can't remember the last and first bus times but they post the timetable down in Allemont from what I remember. Was glad to be in Allemont in 2014. First time I've ever taken a road descent over off road.
I'm up in Alp Duez this year due to booking it too late and a refusal to camp. My plan will be to only ride the lower parts early on , it's not that long a run down anyway.
For the Mega, they put on a special bus to get you back to the start, but leaving a car at Allemont is the best option on race day.
On other days the normal free bus will pick you up from the near the swimming pool in Allemont and drop you at Oz, so don't bother with Vaujany. You need to time it right!
If you're just riding around and you think you'll miss the bus (and depending where you are) you can traverse across to the Oz station, but some of the best riding is between Allemont and Oz - there is a set of super steep, tight hairpins that are a challenge and not to be missed.
Hth
Marko
Sorry, we also got buses up to Oz, not AdH - that would take ages!
Yep, extra bus from Allemont to Oz on race weeks, and extra surly drivers (English). Bus takes 20 mins to Oz - as above, the riding between the 2 villages is very good.
Worth dropping down to Allemont via Vaujany at least once if you can, a nice "enduro" route that is now marked on the trail maps, ending up at the damn.
Thanks for the replies
Don't miss the last bus up to Oz from Allemont. A taxi from Allemont to AdH is very pricy!
just as a incentive how pricy 😉
well it's 25km and a hell of a way up a hill, it's not going to be cheap. Just be sensible and check the time when you leave the AdH sections and drop below Oz. Bail into Oz and get the lift up if it's tight - never bank on the last buss/trailer due to the number who could already be down there
Ride back up yer big girls blouses!
interesting thread, thanks.
this will be my first mega, never been to AdH before either, not even in winter so the whole area is brand new...
so are you saying we should drive down to Allemond at some point the day before the race, dump the van and ride home (via the lifts) - then after the race we can just drive back to AdH?? is this because the buses/lifts back to Oz/AdH are dead busy?
we arrive Tuesday night, disappear Sunday night. so got 5 days riding incl quali and the race. how much of the day does quali and the race take up? can you continue riding afterwards? what to do weds & thurs? is it worth a nip over to L2A?
so looking at the schedule we can collect lift passes on weds morning. do we sign on for the race then, get number plate/quali start times at this point or do we have to come back on Thursday? do you get a quali start time actually or just turn up whenever?
I've always picked up the lift pass on Sunday or Monday when I arrive. Just show your passport to the person at the window below the main lift. Everything else from the sports centre on the days given. Race numbers seem to be pretty much last minute and will be pinned up outside, your number will dictate wave/start time.
verbboy - Member
just as a incentive how pricy
Eh, I think it was €80 IIRC. He also grumbled for the entire 45 minutes about having our dusty bikes in his taxi. As we were leaving some New Zealanders landed in Allemont who had also missed the last bus, we managed to fit one into our taxi so he could get back up the Alpe and pick up their van. The taxi driver wanted to charge us an additional €20 to take him with us.
I think we picked up our plates when we picked up our lift pass on the Wednesday morning from the sports centre. We literally parked up on arrival after our drive from the UK, picked up our passes and were riding 30 mins later.
We should organise a beer in AdH, we are staying above Sphere bar on the Place Jean Moulin.
I'm getting excited now.
I seem to remember a few years ago a friend being rinsed 100 euro's for the privilege of missing the last bus.
We rode back once a few years ago. I'll never do that again.
so are you saying we should drive down to Allemond at some point the day before the race, dump the van and ride home (via the lifts) - then after the race we can just drive back to AdH?? is this because the buses/lifts back to Oz/AdH are dead busy?
The end of the race is carnage, lots of people & not many buses = a long wait. I've always been picked up & we have just driven home at that point so never had the pleasure of the long wait.
we arrive Tuesday night, disappear Sunday night. so got 5 days riding incl quali and the race. how much of the day does quali and the race take up? can you continue riding afterwards? what to do weds & thurs? is it worth a nip over to L2A?
Quali normally starts early & is done by mid afternoon, so people do ride after.
If you're only there 3 days I would probably ride the quali a fair few times, and work out where the Enduro specific straight line options are on the track (they are pretty liberal with the tape & you can cut big sections out, so great for overtaking) & try to get up on the glacier at least once, as it can be hit & miss with the weather to get up there.
If you have never experienced that before it's worth trying to learn to ride it, the first 5/10 minutes on the snow can make or break your race.
so looking at the schedule we can collect lift passes on weds morning. do we sign on for the race then, get number plate/quali start times at this point or do we have to come back on Thursday? do you get a quali start time actually or just turn up whenever?
You can pick it all up Weds AM. The numbers & quali wave/times are usually released in the week before.
cheers hob nob
The cafe and pizzeria in Allemond are quite good, so if you are a little way between buses or there is a big queue (and enough time before the last bus) then it might be worth a stop.
The road ride up from Allemond to AdH is quite a nice ride anyway, fairly quiet with some nice balcony roads once you get higher and close to Huez village.
we arrive Tuesday night, disappear Sunday night. so got 5 days riding incl quali and the race. how much of the day does quali and the race take up? can you continue riding afterwards? what to do weds & thurs? is it worth a nip over to L2A?
I wouldn't if your taking the Mega seriously.
The only problem after your Quali if it's early is the mass of people all over the place, we just went for beer after ours.
As above Glacier practice is important, especially looking at this web cam
https://www.alpedhueznet.com/webcams/pic-blanc
The plus side for lots of snow is you won't see the massive sharp rocks... the down side is it's really hard work to get going. You want to see waht works for you on the steep bits, on the flats smooth wins all the way. Just holding onto traction is a good skill on the traverse bits.
After that I'd look at the lower half of the course, good to have an idea where you are, how far through etc.
ok thanks.
another question (apologies i know there are loads of posts about this) but what is all this race licence / doctors note business about? what the definitive word? i have snowcard adventure plus cover already...
another question (apologies i know there are loads of posts about this) but what is all this race licence / doctors note business about? what the definitive word? i have snowcard adventure plus cover already...
Basically you need one or the other to race. They will check on sign on (well, they always used to).
It's separate to your actual insurance in case you nail yourself.
There always used to be the option on entry to get a 'Multi Assurance' - for a couple of Euro's when you entered which was a waiver for the above, not sure you can do that on sign on though?
so i just pop in to see a GP and ask him for a note? i have not been to a doctor in donkeys
[url= http://www.ucc-sportevent.com/wp-content/uploads/Medical-Certificate-Doc-Type-MEGAVALANCHE-2016.pdf ]UCC Medical Cert Template[/url]
I guess best to use this template.
We took out the Multi Assurance, it wasn't dear and I double checked it means no other documentation is needed.
thankings
Dr's receptionist said i will need and examination before they will sign that form, and it will cost between £25 - £125!
might as well just buy the multi assurance instead, about 25 euro? can apparently just buy it at sign on...?
Can you just use a BC race licence? I'll say it quietly... I did AdH triathlon and they let us in with a British Tri race licence and so didn't need a Dr's note.
would you say AdH is full face all week sort of place, or just for mega days?
I rode in my full face all week. I'm assuming you'll spend most of the week practising the quali and Mega course, so the same level of protection is required as for the race run.
sorry mahalo on pinkbike someone asked the same thing:
http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=128551&pagenum=120
Just pay when you are there, much easier. Why waste the Dr's time and spend more money when there is a cheaper alternative 🙂
Good luck
week cometh!
Mega aside - anyone got any tips for best trails around AdH? off the beaten track like...
With the lack of faith in the Multisports Assurance does anyone know if the UCC is UCI accredited? Have got this so fine for entry just thinking of any potential issues...
If it is I may upgrade to the BC Gold membership to take advantage of the personal accident cover.