I was born there, been back once. Not on my list to go back.

If it was me I would be picking up one of the Stumpjumper Evos that are been heavily discounted due to the new one been released today. My choice would be the Expert Evo in birch/taupe

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/facetresultsalt.aspx?term=stumpjumper%20evo

Second day exploring in Les Arcs. 3800 m of descent. Had a great day and only one off when the front wheel slipped on a root on Black 8.

Had to fit new pads front and rear when we got back to the van as they didn’t have another day in them.

Pic shows 2 cables. I’ve run AXS for a few years and prefer it over the normal.

We have moved down the valley from Tignes to Bourg St Maurice and have spent the day up on the trails in Les Arcs. Only a couple of the lifts running so had to plan it so we had to do as little climbing as possible

Second day in Tignes. Shuttle bus was running as was one lift when we got to the top.

Weather wasn’t as good but the riding made up for it.

Just got back to the van when the rain arrived.

Whilst studying at  Uni Abigale was fortunate to travel the world racing on the EWS. She always knew that she wanted to go back and spend time in the places she had raced but didn’t have enough time to take anything in. She also didn’t like the route the EWS was going with the UCI

Covid came and she spent time as a Tesco delivery driver and then working in out door events banking money for when she disappeared.

Her first stop off was in NZ working her way down the North Island till arrival in Rotoura. A partime job as a waitress allowed her time to hit the trails everyday.

A job came up at Skyline for a Bike Patrol Officer. She applied and got it.

The above video sums up what she does along with trail building and maintenance. She also works on the other activities. She has now extended her visa for 2 more years

She’s living her dream. Anything to stop you following yours.

Oh no 😪. Haven’t missed one. Think I raced in the first one. Daughter has missed racing in three. One with a broken arm, one with a broken leg and the other because her dad wouldn’t buy her a ticket back from NZ.

Our second day riding in Pila. It was hot and sunny. Trails were dry and fast.

Moving on tomorrow so will have a relaxing day

Kevin’s shoulder was put back in whilst in Switzerland

Back in the UK he couldn’t move his arm at all. It was just hanging limply.

A visit to the hospital put him in an eight week waiting list for a MRI scan.

He went to see a Physio who had kept our daughter racing EWS after her accidents

Within 24 hours he had an MRI and was booked in for the operation two weeks later. Had to pay for it all but worth it in the long run.

His eyes are been sorted under the NHS

Mine took just over five years for the NHS to finally sort it

P.S. I also did mine in Wharncliffe quite a few years ago. Took quite along time to get it sorted but I’m fine now and riding everything I’m capable of

Twelve months ago on the last day of our Alps trip Kevin had a freak accident which resulted in dislocation of his right shoulder, two fractures, all the rotor cuff tendons were ripped off along with severe damage to the deltoid nerve and muscle. He also damaged both of his eyes due to the impact on his landing. That’s the bad news over.

He was in a sling 24/7 for two months after the operation. He wasn’t allowed on his bike till January and along with his Physios sessions and programme they worked together towards his one goal which was to go back to where it happened and ride his bike

The good news is that although he is in constant pain, has limited upper arm movement and has one less rotor cuff tendon we are back in the Alps riding.

He’s not hitting the stuff he was before but his big grin tells me that the pain and hard work he has put in to getting this far has all been worth while.

We are on our second leg of out Alps trip. Verbier has been ticked off his list and today saw us on the trails above Pila

Hang in there. Keep positive and anything is achievable

After spending a few days riding in Verbier it was up and over the Grand St Bernard’s pass and down into the Aosta Valley.

Spent the day up above Pila before the long descent back into the Valley

.

Looking good 👍

Second day in Verbier. Clouds were low so decided to make the most of the lifts that were open and spent the day playing in the bike park

Top result 👏

First stop on our Alps trip is Verbier. It’s 12 months since we were there and it didn’t end well.

With rain forcast for the afternoon we went out early whilst it was still dry.

Did a few runs and managed to finish just before the rain arrived

Wish him good luck from use. 👍

We have 3 storage cases and remove the spacers. One the Hydroshot and accessories goes in, the hose is kept separate.

The other has numerous non biking tools and the last one has Worxs drill and impact driver

They are all thin enough to slide under a false floor in the garage

https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-compartment-organiser-case-14-76-x-11-/850jc#product_additional_details_container

We had a great few days in Samoens in 2022. It was dry and hot. Loads of off piste techy stuff.

Would love to get back

It’s got the most roots I’ve every ridden. Wouldn’t want to tackle them In the wet.

We are just setting off on our Alps trip. It’s not on this year’s visit list.

Starting in Verbier where it all went wrong last year 🤞😎

Make sure you have cover for if you are helicoptered of the mountain. Then read the policy wording with regard to what they constitute an emergency or not for pre authorisation.

The claims management firms that insurers use will try and wangle out of everything.

I prefer the Butcher but other half runs Hillbilly front Butcher rear all year round.

I was tempted to stock up but we have enough spare to last a while.

Hope you heal quickly 🤞

BOGOF on Specialized tyres

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/t/tire-bogo?utm_source=klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=UK%20%7C%20Campaign%20%7C%20BOGO%20Tires%20and%20Tube%20%7C%202024-06-17&_kx=9d_s6mST14SAh5zO0nhZKkCnP_DqPu3mrkotRaA1-j5CYr8Zp5SdXysiFUSXQO6p.NHdUx9

I just bought a pack of cheap ones from Ebay quite some time ago. Gave a few to mates and still have quite a few left.

I use Dynaplug for trail side repairs and always replace with a mushroom plug once back home

No riding for me this weekend. Done a final fettle on the bikes for next weeks Alps trip and pulled together some spares. Just need a stem to arrive so I can replace my damaged bars and then will be all sorted.

Fillet steak, fried onions, mushrooms, peppers and chilli’s, cheesy croquettes.

Bottle of Malbec and now on  Disaronno

Watching the match and keeping my fingers crossed they don’t get any more.

I only wear padded shorts under baggies so can’t help but daughter who is riding every day swears by Specialized SWAT bib shorts. Bit expensive but she keeps an eye out for when they are on offer.

Great news and thanks for the updates.👍

Looks like I won’t be getting my new t shirt for the Alps trip. Will wear my other Singletrack ones instead 🤣

We have had a few frames, Specialized, Santa Cruz and Giant, powdercoated at LSN in Castleford over the years.

All have been top quality.

Was up there last week with my daughter picking up a lot of parts that have been done for her MX5 restoration and the work is still first class

Between us in our family we all have Turbo Levos. One Mk1, three Mk3s and a shared Levo SL. The latest three were all bought second hand as replacements for our MK1s and are still going strong. Its only on the rare occasions that the SL gets chosen above the Turbos.

I’ve ridden mine all over the UK, predominantly in the Peak, In the Alps and Finale along side riding my Enduro.  I don’t tend to notice the additional weight probably because I’m having that much fun riding it.

My other half is still recovering from an injury in the Alps this time last year and has only ridden the Turbo Levo since been allowed back out on the bike. We are going back to the Alps next week taking the Enduros and the Turbo Levos. The SL was not considered as an option to take, even with the range extender,

Abigale has one of these out in NZ. Sturdy and a fraction of the cost. Not sure if it would be legal in the UK

We watched the mens final live on Discovery + and then the women’s final on catchup straight after it

Great result 👏

I cant see past a Stumpy Evo Expert at that price.