reply for EPIC and his Avoriaz start. We did that last year, drove up to collect the kit and drove back. Took best part of an hour. However, others have said that if you show you entry papers at the lift in Morzine they’ll let you on so you can take a quick detour into Avoriaz to pick up the kit. We’re staying in Morzine but have Les Gets starts so we’re going to try that trick on the Pleney lift.

done it 3 times, will be there next saturday. Not much climbing, but what there is tends to be steep (granny + biggest on back).

However, if they stop the lifts due to storms (which are forecast), and you’re on the wrong side of the range and have to ride over either the col de cou or the col de chesery, you’re faced with a 1000m climb whichever way you go. I’ve done it a couple of times and I wouldn’t want to do it with heavy wheels – it takes hours even on XC wheels.

TBH it’s an XC event, this will be my 4th time on my old (single pivot) mount vision and I’ve never really wished for anything with more travel. After all, the route keeps you off the really tough stuff, and there is a lot of contour pedalling on the Swiss side.

Enjoy – it’s the highlight of the MTB year for me.

loads of good xc routes – maps available from the TOC when you get there. If anyone starts mentioning words like ‘Gulley’ steer well clear.

thanks for the tip about the lift, endlessride. Collecting the packs was going to be a hassle, we thought involving a team time trial up the road trying to keep breakfast down…

let’s hope for a repeat of 2008 for the weather.

done it 3 times before, you’ll be fine on an Anthem. I’m running a 10 year old Marin…(somewhat ’emburlened’)

go for low maintenance stuff that doesn’t attract pests to start with – chard, perpetual spinach, leeks (although they’re a faff to get going, once in need little attention). bush toms aren’t too bad either. if there’s no pigeons, brassicas are easy too.

good luck

got into a flap trying to think of a new one…