[Closed] Trip to the Alps - What Should I pack?

kevlar gussetted undercrackers..........just in case like 😉

Fullface helmet
Goggles

Sun cream ;P

4 Pair of spare pads that's rather excessive.

Another downhill tube? I would rather swap a tube than repair a puncture when out on the trail.

Fullface helmet

Now, I've been thinking about this, but I'm scared of looking like 'all the gear and no idea' too easily.
CRC have one in my size on sale though.....
Do most people wear one?

Sun cream ;P

Good call.
🙂

Drac - Yeah but they'll get used at some point.
(Shock - Horror! They're Superstar sintereds, I rate them very highly....)
🙂

Are you going to the Alps to be a rad and gnarly DH god, or are you just going to be riding quite intensively? I never quite understand why riding on holiday requires a whole different set of equipment... 🙂

Are you going to the Alps to be a rad and gnarly DH god, or are you just going to be riding quite intensively? I never quite understand why riding on holiday requires a whole different set of equipment...

I'm going to chuck myself down some big hills, yeah. And I'm hard on equipment in the UK.....
Have you been to the Alps then?
🙂

Most of the gear listed is stuff I already have and use here.

You're taking spare wheels??

Money, lots of it.

Bike specific insurance for riding in the Alps. Getting a helicopter lift off the side of the mountain is not cheap.....

Just take a spare bike. I would if I was driving.

You're taking spare wheels??

Well maybe.
See, we have the space, and I have some spare wheels which will fit any of our bikes. So why not? Saves a days riding and a lot of € if we bust one.

I should make the point that 2 of the other riders are DrP, who can ride a bit....
[img] [/img]

And WorldClassAccident, who, like me, busts stuff rather well.
🙂

spare gloves. i dropped one of mine off the chairlift on my first day. DOH!

Your welcolm to take my Coiler if you want a spare bike.

Gear cables & spare cheapo rear mech.

Spare wheels if possible.

I'm going to Verbier for 6 weeks in the summer, and have been wondering what spares to take as well!

people seem to take spare mechs.

i would say take some trail snacks if your fussy, foreign stuff can be a) funny b) difficult to get hold of.

the only thing you *might* want is dual ply tyres

maybe some spare brake hose and olives (etc in case you bust a hose) - dunno how wells tocked the shops are in that area but they can be pants in some locals

Bike specific insurance for riding in the Alps

Good call. Mrs PP has just renewed our yearly insurance and had the presence of mind to check that MTBing is covered. So I am.
🙂

spare chain (and cassette if your chain is old) and rear mech isn't a bad idea

[i]Have you been to the Alps then?[/i]

Yes indeed, I had a fortnight in Les Gets a few years ago. I took my regular bike and rode it as I normally do, just on bigger hills and in the sunshine. I'm sure your extensive list of spares and new equipment will all come in handy, it just always strikes me as a bit wierd that people ride [i]differently[/i] just because they're in some proper mountains. I tend to ride long trailish days with a fairly modest gnarl-quotient in the UK. I do the same abroad, it's just rather better. 🙂

people seem to take spare mechs.

I have a spare SRAM for myself. I'm hoping Shimano will be easy to get, or someone else will bring one.

i would say take some trail snacks if your fussy, foreign stuff can be a) funny b) difficult to get hold of.

Good call. I can get Mule bars very cheap/free.

the only thing you *might* want is dual ply tyres

I'm hoping the DH tubes will cover this. Is it worth it as I might never use them again?

Rich, I reckon the Coiler will put Andy's van over the 3.5 tonne weight limit....
😉

I am taking some spare tubes, spare tyre (around my waist), a pair of crutches and an ankle cast.

The bottle opener is already fitted to the bike

[img] [/img]

I'm getting 2.5 dual ply high rollers for doing the Mega, on advice from a mate who has done it a few times. I get punctures easily it seems so it might help with that too.

WCA, for shame that helmet is wrong. Buy a new one!

Dr_P- looks like the earth subsided from under his front wheel 😆

All the things you listed plus...........

A very small first aid kit like a Lifesystems one or something - they're about the same size as a compact camera and well worth it.

emergency whistle

Park tyre boots

Seriously though-
Sunblock (for back of neck)
A different set of tyres (incase it chucks it down or you find your other fav set work better). Tyres are expensive in Les Get etc.
Hangover powder
head ache tablets
Plaster and antiseptic cream (I didnt like the local stuff)

hora - they don't make helmets that look right on my head.

All the things you listed plus...........

A very small first aid kit like a Lifesystems one or something - they're about the same size as a compact camera and well worth it.

emergency whistle

Park tyre boots

I've got a first aid kit I regualry carry, and I use toothpaste tube for ripped tyres. It works well.

Whistle - I'll get one. Good Idea.

you forgot spare shorts for when you poo yourself, eh Hora 😉

Join the club. I look like a cross between the school caretaker and a History teacher..
Whistle - Your riding with others not on your own!

**** ME!

I've just been looking at the prices of dual ply tyres. Sod that.

maybe some spare brake hose and olives

I though he was avoiding all that fancy foreign food? 🙂

I would only get a full facer if you're not planning on doing any along or uphill. A Deviant or a Remedy might be tolerable but most of them are very very hot. Try one on, they vary a lot in shape and one manufacturer's design might be torture compared to anothers. I have a Bell Bellistic which are light and silly cheap.

Dual ply tyres are a genius invention and worth the weight penalty IMO. I dented the bejesus out of my rear rim in the Mega last year but didn't pinch flat once. You'll be able to flog them easily when you get back, or keep them for playing.

Some people find two way radios useful but phone coverage out there is surprisingly good.

I've just been looking at the prices of dual ply tyres. Sod that.

I've actually got some spare High Rollers in the shed, you'd be welcome to borrow them if you're in my neck of the woods soon?

I've actually got some spare High Rollers in the shed, you'd be welcome to borrow them if you're in my neck of the woods soon?

You know I might take you up on that. I'll be in Brizzle for Bikefest....
You going?
🙂

Suitable clothing: [url] http://mountainbikerides.spreadshirt.net/en/GB/Shop/Article/Index/article/Morzine-T-6522376 [/url]

😉

Definately get a full face! I wen first year and crashed on my face .... not gone back to Morzine/Les Gets without one ....gives you some extra confidence I think!

Yer passport.

CRC have one in my size on sale though.....

Christ, I bet they can't wait to get rid of it, to make space in the warehouse for loads more stock.. 😉

WCA, for shame that helmet is wrong. Buy a new one!

Everything about him is wrong. You should see the state of his tatty WCA t-shirt. It's a disgrace.

Tell you what, he can't half ride, you know, considering. 😯

Def get a full face and goggles, not too expensive and it could save your face/life.

Full finger gloves a must.
Trackpump for changing tyres.

haven't read all the above so sorry if i am repeating stuff but a few less obvious things:

- more than one pair of shorts and gloves. The alps riding especially DH is very hard on you and you will find gloves and shorts will rub in certain places after a few days. Wearing a different set of gloves/shorts will relieve the pressure on those areas
- some tape for your fingers! I found that the amount of braking I did not only wore out the pads but really hurts those soft little southern office worker sat behind a desk all day hands of mine so I taped up my fingers again to relieve pressure i.e. wind the tape a few times around the top knuckle on first three fingers before inserting fingers into gloves
- gaffa tape, for the use of. multitude of purposes eg fixing stuff, taping rattling/broken bits on, taping your hands, knuckles etc (see above), repairing split tyres
- cheap two way radios are useful in emergencies or just fun on the longer chair lieft sections

Oh yeah, the BIGGEST advice for anyone new to the alps is take it easy on the first day.

i guess you are there for a week and that is plenty for anyone (come Friday you will be aching all over and glad to be going home) so dont go mad on the first day despite the egging on from your mates.

take it all in your stride, get used to the steepness, the acceleration as soon as you let go of the brakes and the need to 'feather' the brakes rather than jamming on all the way down.

that way, you wont break yourself at the start of the week and will enjoy the riding more.

Christ, I bet they can't wait to get rid of it, to make space in the warehouse for loads more stock..

Yeah, it's a whopper alright.
You cheeky little git!
😉

BigDummy - Member
Are you going to the Alps to be a rad and gnarly DH god, or are you just going to be riding quite intensively?

'course he is, he rides a legendary Specialized Pitch.

Good advice there MTB.

We're driving down overnight the previous Tuesday, going back on Monday

'course he is, he rides a legendary Specialized Pitch.

Which I bought partly with this trip in mind....
😀

I'm so stoked to be rad to the power of sick, dude....!