Trans Provence

One week to go.

Who's going? Excited? I am…

LOL
I am not riding it but it will be the occasion to meet some old friends from over here <===== 😉

Will you be at the end of race booze up?

I have been invieted at the restaurant in menton the 4th.
But I might help/marshall on the last stage. I'll have to see with Ash if he needs help or not.

Really excited and looking forward to it now.Should be a good week, just hoping for reasonable weather to make it a good holiday as well.

well should be good but you might get a couple of thunder storm or snow fall if you are unlucky…
Oh and before the waht tyres pops out I would recommend:

Maxxis minion 2.35 in super takcy front and the high roller 2.35 DH rear in 65A (or a minion put back to front)

A pair of big betty if you're a light tech rider…

http://uk.weather.com/weather/10day-Nice-FRXX0073

I wouldn't worry about the weather. Hope its not TOO hot to be honest (lived in Nice for a year)

LOL I would worry 😉
It's not uncommon to have snow on the top at this time of the year 😉
And it won't be too hot temperature will be around 25°C mid day so you'll be just fine.

Maxxis minion 2.35 in super takcy front and the high roller 2.35 DH rear in 65A (or a minion put back to front)

Have you seen how far we are riding every day? 🙂 Too much IMO.

This is the south alps, trust me you will appreciate the tyres 😉 Trust the local 😉

Its ok. I've ridden there and ridden with/without those tyres.

High Roller Lust 2.35/Cross Mark Lust 2.35. Ridden and tested in the Val Des Bagnes. Impressive.

Yep. Looking forward to it!

I'll be on a Minion/High Roller combo here. Seeing as most of the timed sections are downhill, getting a flat would suck balls.

to be fair if you fear the weight the big betty are very good. Not as grippy as the maxxis in the wet but uber light and very good in the dry. Makes sure they are the triple compound though

Seeing as most of the timed sections are downhill

downhill(ish)

downhill(ish)

Point taken, but still worth the slight weight penalty methinks.

Also, hip flask in the pack is also worth the weight sacrifice…

ferrit I don't know you but I already like you 😉

I agree though. Punctures = Suck Balls

Whats in the hipflask?

Whats in the hipflask?

Well to keep it in the spirit must be genepi 😉

Agreed.

Hipflask will most likely contain some Islay goodness. Ardbeg/Lagavulin most likely.

Ideally I'd have 3 hipflasks though:

1. Malt as mentioned above for sampling at the summits and general sharing good times.

2. Absinthe if things get really bad. To trigger hallucinations that hills aren't as steep/legs aren't as tired/bike isn't as broken as I thought.

3. Rohypnol solution to induce collapse/illness and hopefully a heli-lift off the hill. Recovery from a revitalising hospital drip then get to the nearest bar ASAP.

Hmm.. next week looks to be a rude awakening for me.. used to racing endurance so miles of tech singletrack are gonna take their toll..

been advised to fit suspension for this week of racing but i'm not swaying from the usual singlespeed set up..

Conti Rubber Queens or similar gonna cut it??

Singlespeed won't be a big issue I reckon. Definately advise some suspension though. Its rough round there.

Rubber Queen's seem pretty good.

Paul it's going to be quite rocky and at some time very steep. So if you have a FS you really should take it. I am pretty confident that the DH bits are going to be as exhausting as the uphill bit.

Sounds awesome, good luck to the organisers and riders 🙂

i'm heading along as well – am looking forward to it, but now i'm worried that a soul with 100-130mm forks isn't going to cut it…

Good luck and I'm jealous 🙄

I've just found another event to add to my wishlist.
Looks like I'll be saving up Brownie points at home…

Well I don't know the first half of it. You'll make it with a HT, just make sure you have DH tyres oh and expect a bit of rattle 😉
The descent onto St sauveur sur tinée is going to be fairly rocky. So are the last two days…

Nothing forces you to hammer down like a complete lunatic, ride a bit slower and you'll be fine.

cheers juan! that's what i was hoping to hear. i'm not the fastest DH rider anyway so was going to be picking my way down things. think i'm going to need bigger tyres though…

yes you are and on a hardtail I VERY STRONGLY recommend the maxxis DH 😉
I'll see you all on the 4th 😀

Don't listen to Juan 😉

Ash rides a hardtail and recommends it. Its pros and cons for FS v HT, each have both. If you fancy hauling DH tyres up 1500m vert every day, for 7 days in a row (with high levels of intensity during special stages) I would advise that you have experience of it.

They tyre a bit (see what I did there)

They tyre a bit (see what I did there)

LOL

i'll maybe just bring a suite of tyres and carry them with me. or is that overkill?

Maybe some shavings of different tyres and then toss them in front of you as you ride?

=) that should work!

ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh mama

that looks the danglies of the dog…………..

the danglies of the dog…………..

JFC don't you brits know how to speak english anymore…
It's "The dog bollocks FFS" 😉

do we need to wear tuxedos in monaco?

do we need to wear tuxedos in monaco?

Nope only armani and gucci branded clothes 😉

Only bring Euro Notes for the casino's….any loose change will be rattled from your body on Monaco's steps.

I'm going to try and get into a casino in a sweaty wife-beater and muddy riding sorts that make it look like I've papped myself. Helmet optional.