[Closed] Trans Provence

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.

[i]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)[/i]

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

[i]Seeing as most of the timed sections are downhill[/i]

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)

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?

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.

oh. will endura do instead?

Tuxedo Lycra. That is classy

will check on wiggle and see what they have

Now I'm getting excited!
Just packing the XC race bike now, 1.9 conti's should give me enough gap on the uphill, I can mince down the hills on any tyre 😉

Will be interesting to see the range of weapons brought to the party.

so going to die!

Its a valid point...Are you really bringing 1.9's? At least you KNOW that every corner they will drift 😉

you guys are going to get lucky 😉 Apparently the casino is doing a deal on machines, you can play with half cts.

Being localish I would agree with Juan

high roller super tacky and 60a on the back...and i haul these over 6000m vert a week with no problems

I would stray away from continental though, very weak side walls the French terrain will rip them up, I had them onmmy lapierres, I couldnt give them away to locals.

Good luck with the race

Where exactly is the finish line? I have an airport transfer at Nice so I may pop over to say hello.

I'm going for the downhill fun so GRR
[IMG] [/IMG]
VERY excited now. In fact I'm so excited I'm nearly er.. gnnn... oh... ew

Dave 360

A guest here has those with downhill tubes.... he is on his 6th pinchflat in 3 days, and our terrain just over the vally from France is not as harsh!

Light they are but The sidewalls are simply too weak.

UST, nash. Plus they has big volume. They WILL be fine.
Tell your guest to repeat the mantra "punctures are caused by bad riding"

Tell your guest to repeat the mantra "punctures are caused by bad riding"

They use them when its more DH orientated not climbing loads and then racing down loads. 6000m a week....Ooo. Lets add another 3500m plus 'racing' singletrack...That extra drag, weight etc...Its not down, downhill at all either.

I think I'll trust my man Florian Golay who recommended me my wheel/Tyre setup (a very good endurist who recently won the Enduro des Portes des Mercantour for the 4th time). This race has 1800m of vert and lots of special stages. Not too different to the TP. What tyres do you think he ran?

'Pour les rallyes je prends le risque de rouler en lust, surtout avec le Cross Mark 2.25. '

However, I am bringing a spare front Minion 2.5 Super tacky just in case I need to eat my words 🙂

OK, riding badly over sharp rocks

good luck all, gutted i couldn't make it 🙁

Are you going to get the chance to update with pics etc Rob?

Or maybe Ash could if he gets a chance

ahh juan - just noticed you questioning mon anglais, non. That would be "les couilles du chien", n'est-ce pas?

when do entries open next year?

Hmm... seems like a lot of tyre debating.. you sure you guys aren't secret cross country racers?? 😀

Think i am gonna have to break from the norm and come fully rigid... rode it at Salzkammergut this year etc so pretty sure i can get myself down just maybe not as quick... although think i will try and get some HUGE tyres sent to me today:)

Salzkammergut is a made up name surely!

I look forward to meeting you paul78

Oh well Racing Ralphs then.

you guys are talking like you want to go win! I'll be happy to survive.

So place your bets, the winner will be?

My money will be on Sam Morris from Bike Village for overall talent, Dan Darwood is a downhiller, but has he got the Stamina 😉

who do you think Rob.

No singlespeed for me..

At last minute a kind donation from a friend has seen me with a loaner Ellsworth for the week... weighs 3 x what my SS does and is longer than my car but should be fun.. not my kind of racing so will be concenrating on enjoying the trails and taking some good shots..

Is anybody else flying from stanstead at stupid o clock on saturday morning???

Salzkammergut is unfortunately not a made up name.. its a crazy endurance race in Austria.. unfortunately i only got to do 150km of it this year as they stopped it due to severe weather conditons but the full deal is 208km and 7000m of climbing

I would avoid Rubber Queens, go for a Larson or Crossmark on the back and an Ardent on the front, the ones with Lust sidewalls.
Not used the ust but the other Rubber Queens pinch really easily.

Holy crap. 7000m of climbing!! In a day?

I am in it for the comp. Its going to be great though. ride up at a relatively gentle pace, take in the views, chat but when it comes to the timed stages, I'll be honest, I want to win, well, I am going to try my hardest.

My money is mostly on Dan. I know he has the DH skills and must have the fitness to win the Ae enduro. He is definately who I am gunning for.

Sam. Have heard he is pretty damm handy all round.

There are some unknown's though. Greg Germain is gonna be pretty fit and knows the area.
DeathChr. Good rider yes?

However, lots and lots of variables. 7 days, 26 stages...Will be about consitency.

you guys are talking like you want to go win! I'll be happy to survive.

I ran Lust High roller's on my 224 for 2 months. They were fine. And riding them on rocky, alpine terrain. Shhhh.

I have rideen with Greg Germain and he is fast...very fast up and down.

Anyway where is the finish? It will be in the nice area so it would be nice to come say hello.

Alot of the enduro riders I know use the maxxis larsen on the back and a high roller up front.

Its a combo im going to try myself to lighten and quicken my spicy up a bit.

Ciao for now

Overall result [u][b][url= http://www.singletrackword.com/TP09_general_Day7.pdf ]here[/url][/b][/u]

Some photos [u][b][url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/trans-provence-2009-photos ]here[/url][/b][/u]

More detailed results and more photos to be added [u][b][url= http://www.trans-provence.com ]here[/url][/b][/u] soon.

To all STW peeps who participated, thanks for helping to make it a great week 🙂

Thanks to you and Ash (and ALL the other incredible helpers).

Best 7 days of my life I reckon. Has been hard adjusting to real life.

Well done Mel and Ash for organising (and pulling off) such an awesome event. Pics look ace and I can see it growing considerably in future years.

Who won the Alpine frame?

Some guy called Dan Darwood? 🙂

so to put the tyre thing to bed, I had Rubber Queen UST 2.4 up front and 2.2 on the back. NO PUNCTURES. Grippy + rolly. Did it for me.

And there are times when a Schwalbe Stelvio really would be a bonus.

d'oh! after getting a little bit lost on the first stage of the first day, i came last overall! the smurfs helped later on though...

'A little bit lost'
I got a little bit lost. You sir....Well....

Can I join the 'I got lost on the TransProvence' club?

Day 2 for me. Epic fail. Too busy trying to shield my eyes from naked sunbathers and tanned past a sign pointing down to the left.

01:34:38 for what should have been about 50 mins that day!

D'oh!

You got even more lost than I did then! 1:07 on what should have been a 51 min day.

I forgot about the random sunbathers. The Wild Provence Shire Horses were my fav 🙂

i was surprised that the sunbathers were about the only people we passed on the trails in the first six days of riding.

Haha! Forgot about them!

Think your 'solution' to getting lost wins the T-P improvisation award though mate!

that was a good video =)

Prices for the 2010 event are on the website, 1195 Euros!

'Twas a great event, but I don't think my bank balance can take that sort of hit for one week away.

Anyone definitely signing up when it opens on Sunday night?

Just noticed this

DeathChr. Good rider yes?

......No he wasn`t the hills were his enemies 😥

Cheers for the compliment though rob 😉