Packing

Packed up the bike today in preparation. Not that exciting but I thought I'd do a quick post about packing your bike, spares and tools.

If you're flying, I wouldn't recommend packing your bike like I did... Ideally you need a bike box (mine is a frame box, hence wheels and forks separate) or a bike bag, and you need to be aware that the baggage handlers seem to have it in for your bike. So pad it as best as you can. I always used to put my body armour in with it, as well as foam pipe lagging around important bits. But you've also got to be weight conscious! Definitely take your mech and mech hanger off, and definitely take your disc rotors off. Get an old hub, block of wood or your jewellery box and put it between your rear drop outs too.

Of course, if you're awesome, you'll be driving like me. Only I will be handling my bike, so I don't need to worry about it as much. This also means I can pack as many spares as I think I'll need. Now I've always found a mix of advice as to what spares to bring. "I went through 3 sets of tyres in a week" or "you'll need at least a set of brake pads per day!". In my season, I changed my rear tyre once, and used about 4 or 5 sets of brake pads. So with CRC doing free delivery to Europe, I've gone with what I have, and can order stuff if I think I'll need it.

Obviously if you're only here for a week or two that isn't really an option. So my advice is, if you can fit it, bring it. As for tools, the same applies. Don't forget however, if you're with us at Riders Retreat, both chalets have a toolkit. If you've got something specific for a part on your bike, remember to bring it though!

I'm back!

Or at least I will be in a week. Getting pretty excited to be out in the mountains again. Preparation has been expensive, breakdown cover in particular, but I didn't want to risk it, and it costs what it costs. I also need a more up to date banner at the top of the blog, that's something else to add to my long to do list.

First things first, no longer on a patriot, moved on to a rocky mountain slayer SS. Not sure if slopestyle is quite what it's best at, but then I'm not sure downhill (which is essentially what I'll be doing on it) is quite spot on either. Maybe it's one of those mythical 'freeride' bikes. Or something. All I know is, where I ride in the UK, it's damn fun. However, I've made it a little more Alps friendly. A new headset from Works Components went on today giving me a slacker headangle. According to a posh phone, it's now at 63.8 degrees. This coupled with the longer wheelbase should make it a bit more stable at speed, and a bit less scary on the steep stuff. I also raised the bar height a little, cos that's what the pros did at Champery, and I want to be like them. Anyways here she is:

Blogspot has changed a little since 2010, but I reckon I can get to grips with it. Hopefully this year I'll get a few more videos, plenty more pictures, as well as my usual ramblings. See you in a week Morzine!

Back Home

Ok so I'm home, after a long and depressing drive, that was topped off by a wonderful slow moving stint on the M25.

I'm pretty sad to have left, but in some ways it's nice to be home. I don't know what it is that I'm missing, the mountains, the space, the riding, amazing people? I guess it's a combination of them all, or maybe it's one more than the others - I don't know.

It's ok though, I've had an amazing summer, nothing I've ever done before even comes close. Cheers to Paul at Riders Retreat, cheers to all the guests, cheers to the alps for being amazing mountains for riding bikes down, cheers to the amazing people I've met, but most of all, cheers to life, for just being great.

To 'finish off' the blog, here are some pictures of some guests' packing of their bikes for the aeroplane, which deserves some sort of award I think.

Better weather and BBQs

The weather decided to stop mucking me about on wednesday, and after some dampness on tuesday, lead to rather favourable trail conditions. The wet weather lately has meant there is some added roughness to most of the tracks though.

It was possibly that roughness that lead to a few failures on my bike - spokes, mech, chain and probably other faults. Trying to jump into a few corners that I'd usually hop in and out of lead to some pretty harsh bottom outs and some hairy moments where there are now just giant holes. But nevermind, the Morzine Mountainbike Mechanics sorted me out once again!

So I've spent a bit of hard earned and ordered myself some new rims and a straight chainring to make my bike look prettier when I get home. Talking of which, I have just over a week left here. It rained today, and tomorrow looks to be rainy too. Next week looks set to be cold. Nevermind.

We also took a trip up to Lac de Montriond for a BBQ and a big fire which was good, if a little cold, and our BBQing skills leave something to be desired. Paul's lighting skills however, were spot on.

Also, bit of a plug here, but girls, ride your bikes!

Lindarets Air Bag

I stopped off whilst the weather was glorious to catch some people hitting the Lindarets airbag jump. I was pretty impressed by the xc riders hitting it (I didn't!) though their style - see pic - varied slightly from the downhillers and dirt jumpers.

Also, look out in the video for Neil from the Morzine Mountainbike Mechanics hitting it for the first time on his full sus, after a full run of one of the downhills! It seems bike repair wizardry isn't his only game.

On that topic, although the lifts over that side will be closed from this weekend, next week and after, the MMMs will still be around if you need help with your bike. They told me they'll carry their mobiles on them, so if you're stuck with a broken bike, give them a shout.

Chamonix

The weather is still fairly poor, which is beginning to get annoying. So when there was a slight window in the weather, we decided to try Chamonix. I've been with my family a couple of times before, but the weather has always been awful.

This time was no different, except the clouds were marginally higher. Most of the Boisson Glacier was visible, and a little bit of snow, but you could see the cable cars climbing into the clouds. One day I'll get up there on a glorious day.

My niece enjoyed it though, possibly not because of the incredible scenery and geography all around, but more because of the petit train which had her in giggles, and the pigeons which kept her entertained (for a short while...) at lunch time.

Not much to say...

Pretty much as the title says, it's been raining loads and I haven't been riding today. Spent the day with my family instead, hiding from the rain.

It's a shame, especially for the guests that have just arrived, it means they've muddied their kit straight away and it might not get dry for the rest of the week now. It does however mean they're braver than me as they went riding.