Right then, after reading hora's post yesterday about the above event, i asked our lass last night and got the go ahead to do it next year. As i have never done it before, i was wondering if there was anyone else in the same position and or others who had done it and wouldn't mind an extra tagging along next year?
I'm live between Barnsley and Sheffield and was thinking about driving there as it look like fun!!
Anyone interested?
Hi skiprat, a group of 40+y/o PDS virgins are looking to travel down to Chatel next year. Nothing set in stone yet, but the idea would be to leave on the Thursday afternoon, Channel Tunnel, get as far into France as possible, Formula 1 sleep stop. Then travel to Chatel on the Friday.Do the event on Saturday, celebrate one of the lads 40th birthday in the evening. Sunday, not sure what state we'll be in,looking to ride out again. Monday return.
We are based 2 miles from J24 on the M1 so an hour from you. It was suggested it was a long way to go for one days riding but the experience will more than make up for the distance travelled.
I drove there this year from the midlands. we left at 9 pm and arrived in morzine at 5pm the next day. we couldn't sleep at all so any planned sleep stops will go out the window. i would only recommend driving if your going for a week otherwise take the plane as it took a while to recover and it worked out alot more expensive!
I wouldn't bother doing the event. All the trails are mapped and way marked so may as well avoid the crowds and ride them in your own time. That's what we did. There are loads of good bike shops in Morzine so don't worry about bringing loads of spares. But driving is good craic. I've down it for the last three years from Northern Ireland. Double the journey you guys have to do from S. England...
i'd agree about not doing the event. u miss out on alot of the good trails especailly around chatel. conor did u not think the shops were expensive?
Yeah, but when your forks have shat all their oil and you have no rebound, €120 to service a set of 36s and fit new seals worth paying!!!
I would bother doing the event.
If you start from Chatel the queues won't be that bad - and the feed stops alone make it worth the price of entry.
I would do the event for the food as well! We drove; 4 of us in campervan last year, two hours driving each, overnight. Took us 10 hours roughly Calais - Morzine, at a bimble. Worked really well.
I would take spares of everything as most stuff was double plus the price (£30 for a pair of brakepads FFS). Although what happened to Conor is just bad luck you cant cater for.
Oh and get off the beaten track as well. Lots of singletrack to explore.
Oh, and we stayed for a week after to do more riding.
This seemed to work well, as we'd already got a feel for the area from riding the PPdS and so had our bearings and knew our way around a bit.
Hmmmm a long weekend.
marsy8493 sounds like that hatching of a plan!! I know its a long way off and like you say its a long way for a days riding but it sounds like "one of those thing" you have to try. Age, ahem, is not a problem as mid 30's.
If theres room for a little one, i'm there. I'll drop you a mail about it.
Cheers
Chris
I'm planning on entering so maybe looking to meet up over there as hoping to tie it in to a summer family holiday. When do entries open?
I mentioned this to a mate (they are all doing the Mega) as I was tihnking me and the missus (and the new addition to the family) and he said if I did it alone I'd get bloody bored?
Its a good event for a mixed bunch of riders, done it twice and last years route had a fair bit of uphill if you take a bigger bike. Food and atmosphere really good and a few queues but all pretty good natrured. Best bit is other trails and riding with guys we meet up out there for rest of week.
Plus Morzines a bit less quiet that week than some of the other weeks we've been. The rampage guys had an event this year in Chatel (Mountain Style event)the following weekend and saw them Friday (this should be on next year - saw Berrecloth, Romaniuk etc doing jumps a few feet away)
8 and half hours from Calais to Morzine and Chatel another 50 mins (did 2 road trips to Morgins DH tracks and drive through Chatel)
4 or 5 in car/van with bikes and shared driving works well but drive pretty boring (hellishing boring at times)- drive down from Kent overnight and back in day. Ferries cheap and have meal/break on board. Stay for at least 4 days riding or a week and need at least half day riding/adjusting before Passportes as 58 to 65 mile course and loads of fast doubletrack stony descents need a bit of concentration as its a long day (you'll be fine for the singletrack and dh options but these are only 15% or so of route IMO).
Bike show in one town on Passportes route worth a longer look if you can get to it on the other day. Take the bike you want to ride for the whole trip and you also get a free day's lift pass plus t shirt in bag when sign on in morning so don't chuck these away.
Need a longer trip than weekend if you're driving and if have 4 nights plus can get accommodation from about 18 euros a night per person for 5 or 6 of you.
mudhound