I’m thinking about a trip to Morzine in late August / early September.

Problem is, I haven’t been riding for ages. My fitness isn’t as good as it once was and my confidence could be better.

Are there trails around the Morzine area that are ok for those who haven’t been riding for a while? I’m not after any lairy DH action…just pootling around on the singletrack and a few ‘lift up, bike down’ days (without the 15′ drop-offs!)

Cheers

If you are planning a trip that late in the season check what lifts are running before you book. I went last year in the last week of Aug, super morzine was closed but others were open until the 5th Sept.

Plenty of XC stuff to be had if you don’t want the downhill runs but you will be better off going when the lifts are running as they can get you to the start of some good XC trails.

I would say spend some time getting out and getting your fitness up before you go, you will enjoy it much more…going unfit seems like a waste to me.

Only been once so others here may have better advice.

If you are planning a trip that late in the season check what lifts are running before you book. I went last year in the last week of Aug, super morzine was closed but others were open until the 5th Sept.

Exactly what he said… Go too late, and you’ll wish you were on an 18lb carbon hardtail, as you’ll be riding uphill a LOT!

Plenty of XC stuff to be had if you don’t want the downhill runs but you will be better off going when the lifts are running as they can get you to the start of some good XC trails.

Indeed, but unless you know where they are, you’ll struggle without being guided. Best bet is to stay in biking friendly accomodation, preferably where the owners (or at least people who work there) also ride, and are happy to take you out in the daytime too.

I’ve been 4 times to Morzine, twice for a week, twice for 2, been about 4 years now since last time I went but I know a fair number of trails out there, enough to keep me busy at least. But this knowledge only came through being shown them all a few times first! If you plan on just exploring yourself when you get out there, I can guarantee you won’t have nearly half as much fun as if you go with a guide for your first visit.

EDIT: Incidentally morgs (now I’ve realised who I was replying to!), if you want someone to show you round for a week, then all you gotta do is pay for me to come… I’m quite a cheap date, I promise!!! 😉

haha – mboy you tart!

planning on the 28th August for a week and the lifts close on the 4th sept. Staying at a MTB-friendly place, but not sure about a guide as money is mega tight!

If you can sneak about, don’t mind living off scraps and sleeping in the bath / shower, then feel free to tag along!!!!

If you can sneak about, don’t mind living off scraps and sleeping in the bath / shower, then feel free to tag along!!!!

I’ve done worse before to go riding on the cheap! 😉

As said above though, that late in the season, not all lifts might be open… Worth thoroughly investigating.

Guide wise, ask the people you’re going to be staying with before hand if they ever take their guests out. First time I went, stayed at a B&B for about £28 a night where the owners were keen riders too, and 4 out of the 7 days we were there they took us out on decent rides. The other 3 days we managed to ride with a couple of guys we met that had been before and knew a few trails.

Just a note, regarding your bike, fit dual ply tyres (Maxxis Minions or High Rollers, probably only a 2.35 if clearances are tight) for definite otherwise you’ll puncture lots (even just riding the “XC” stuff), and if you have the option, upsize your brake rotors (you really want a 203 up front, and a 180 out back ideally). Other than that, just make sure everything works (and the brakes are well bled), but too many punctures or boiling/non-working brakes are the 2 things that are guaranteed to ruin your riding fun!

I survived on the available maps/google research for the XC stuff, I’d say enough for a 2-3 days but was doing the downhill stuff inbetween exploring. Came back feeling like a guide would have been worth a bit extra.

Other random things about Morzine…..

It’s nickname is Manzine for a reason

Beer = lots of money

Not much else to do but ride, unless the rally hits town!

They have the best looking Spar shop I have ever seen

I’m sure you will love it, have fun!!

cheers mark. Ive got 200mm fr and 180 r Mono M4’s on it so will hopefully be ok. Will need to probs upgrade the tyres as i’m on Conti vertical-pros.

I hope Manzine doesn’t relate to a lack of female ‘potential’? 😉

Beer? Glad I’m (pretty much) tea-total!!

I hope Manzine doesn’t relate to a lack of female ‘potential’?

You need to be Welsh, speak not much English (let alone French), look a bit like Cedric Gracia and dance in nightclubs in my experience (ie. not me, but someone else off this forum who came with us last time I went!). Otherwise, Morzine isn’t named “Manzine” cos you need balls of steel, or anything else… More that it’s like a sausage factory!

Will need to probs upgrade the tyres as i’m on Conti vertical-pros.

Yeah, just get a set of 2.35 Maxxis or similar, but make sure they’re dual ply. The brakes should be ok, but being Hope, make sure they’ve been bled well before you go. Oh, and take spare brake pads too (they’re hideously expensive in the alps cos it’s a closed market!)

I’m t-total too, which is good in Morzine, cos if you like a beer, you also better like being poor for a long time after your holiday!

Defo a lack of female ‘potential’. They seem to come out on fri/sat nights but other than that bars tended to be a bit of a mast fest.

Buddah bar is OK but if you follow the stairs down you will find another bar on your left (loads of pool tables) and another bar to the right. You enter and have to go down more stairs….this one was the best. Younger crowd and more’potential’.

looks like you’re getting to know what i’m after 😉

Anyone wanna jump along?

Defo a lack of female ‘potential’. They seem to come out on fri/sat nights but other than that bars tended to be a bit of a mast fest.

Younger crowd and more’potential’.

If ANYONE goes to Morzine and bothers to take their best CK pulling pants with them, they’re gonna be in for a shock! Seriously, do a week in Morzine, then a week in Kos/Zante/Ayia Napa/Faliraki/Malia/Magaluf (I’ll stop here, delete as applicable) afterwards if that’s your thing…

Or just take your laptop and a few porn flicks on the HD, you’ll be a LOT less frustrated!

Anyone wanna jump along?

Yes, health and funds pending… You’ve now given me something to aspire to though!

Not much else to do but ride, unless the rally hits town!

Are we talking about the same Morzine? Rafting, canoeing, via ferrata, walking, swimming, ice skating, tennis, horse riding, go ape, etc… and the rally is in town 🙂

Are there trails around the Morzine area that are ok for those who haven’t been riding for a while? I’m not after any lairy DH action…just pootling around on the singletrack and a few ‘lift up, bike down’ days

There’s loads. We spend all day doing that. The maps are really good, too.

The lifts are usually starting to shut the last week in August but the worlds are on in Champery so the Avoriaz side is open an extra week. We’ll be heading over to watch a bit.

We went early season and are going late this year (30th aug to 7th sept). I’ve checked all the lifts and there will be more than enough to keep us entertained. Don’t worry too much about your fitness, I’m unfit/slow but had a great time. It will probably be nice and quiet that week as everyone will head home early so there will be less stormtroopers to rip past you and make you feel useless!! 🙂

emma82 – wanna meet up with me (a rider of old) and a mate (superfit guy who’s never riden off road before!!) ??

If you want XC trails and wimmin you might do better to look elsewhere tbh.

Maybe one of the Spanish or Italisn MTB holiday companies based on the coast?

lol – i think the “wimmin” take on the holiday has been taken a little tooooo far lol!

Morzine for riding (a bike)