1st Run:
Out of the Flegere gondola and around the walkers we headed down to the right towards Argentiere. Fast across the piste to begin briefly reminds me of the soon to be suffering Mont Blanc marathoners who will be climbing up here. Its short lived as you enter the tree line into rooty and rocky singletrack. Part way down we turn right for La Joux which drops you into a path with some very commiting little chutes. This is up there with the best of Chamonix tech (only the minor path nearer the Flegere home-run featuring even tighter switchbacks).
2nd Run:
Andy had to begin heading home to get ready for guests arriving at his chalet so from Flegere we headed down the the beginning of the downhill course to see how its holding up. See photo's on chamonix descent facebook group for the north-shore with nails sticking up! It was pretty lame, and we cut down towards Chalet Floria. This trail features some great corners with loads of sneaky high lines into the corners which are just the right tightness to be able to keep your speed.We flowed around to Chalet Floria, and as ALWAYS, we walked through. Its worth doing this just to be polite to the staff and patrons sitting outside. Its also worth taking the 4x4 track gently down into Chamonix so as not to scare walkers. Its a classic Chamonix walk so we don't want mountain bikers causing trouble.
3rd Run:
With Andy gone, me and Rich headed up the Brevent with aspirations of riding flowy singletrack along the Grand Balcon Nord and then dropping down from Charlanon ski lift. However from the area where the footpaths head to Col du Brevent and Col Cornu. Not to be put off me and Rich headed on, after Rich had gone over the bars on a soft patch of snow. I had first ridden with Rich up here last October/November along with Ellie (chamonet) and there was a snow then!
We got across and after some wet brakes screaming as they dried off we zoomed along, getting progressivly faster and faster the closer we were to town. On the last straight before joining the 4x4 track there is still a rock in the middle of the trail, I'll try and get up and dig it into a jump/drop, but for now, try and get around it!
4th Run:
The always rocky track that goes straight out of plan Praz is still loose in places, but getting better. I went to compress the forks to move across the trail to get to another line and the next thing I knew I was on the way to the floor. My front wheel had washed out on a loose rock and sent me off. Luckily Rich was behind me and able to lift my bike off, from on top of me. I had knee pads on so I was lucky to get away with only bruises to my legs, chest, arms and a few grazes.
After a few minutes we were still keen for some footpath action to finish the day, so rather than drop back into towards the lift we traversed across to Plan de Bel Lachet/Bois Prin area for more classic Chamonix fast and also technical trail descents. I unfortunately pinched my front tyre, so I fixed it, but just as I was tacing my pump off my wheel, I heard deflating noise. It was Rich's back wheel with a slow puncture. After we'd both fixed out punctures we carried on, a little slower just to be safe, but we bared right to be a little above Gaillands before heading to Moussoux and the trail just begs you to go faster and faster over little roots and rocks before one amazing big loamy right hander. Rich wasn't behind me anymore, he'd punctured again getting carried away with speed. So we wished each other a good week, I shot off on the bike and Rich pushed his bike home (or was it to Zero G).
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