September cruising

Not much to report since our epic TMB ride. Just cruising and smiling!

Last weekend Brevent and Flegere closed so I ticked off many of the classic descents that litter that side of the valley. Fast, tech, tight, everything you could dream of, right from Cham!

After a few very wet days, where I was luckily working, I've visited les Houches and le Fayet, again for classic trail riding before they close next weekend (29th).

It's that time of the season where a trail bike would be great to access some stuff around Servoz or Vallorcine. However I've only got my downhill bike now so there is talk of Saleve, Verbier and Crans Montana trips as these places stay open a little later and are within an hour or so's drive.

http://www.crans-montana.ch/ete/fr/vtt/ticketsvtt

http://www.saleveautrement.ch/Pratique

http://www.verbierbikepark.ch/

Comments

Aiguille de la Grande Sassiere 3751m

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What guides do between work in the peak of July

Summer is here, and after fantastic spring riding in Southern France and then all over Valais, Aosta and Haute Savoie with good friends it's been time to get back to summer guiding, taking hikers around the Tour du Mont Blanc circuit. There's much worse things to do, but with three weeks off the bike I was itching to get back on some trails. With a carefully planned week between tours I was excited and made some plans to hit up some classic lines, and some new stuff too. It's mid July now, so in Chamonix valley you have to think carefully about where to go to miss the crowds, and to avoid going on the bike ban trails (July & August). Luckily it's still easy to find quiet trails in nearby resorts, or to simply drop round the back of a hill away from the frontside lifts. It went a little like this: Day 1- La Thuile with Wayne of newly qualified French legal mountain bike guiding service Chamonixmtb.com . Enduro race venue at it's best, rough and raw. ...

Being shown around my classic stomping ground

Another chance to be shown around trails. Not as glamorous as Switzerland, but just as good! Mortimers Forest and Bringewood, Ludlow, Shropshire, England The woods of Mortimers Forest and Bringewood are where I grew up mountain biking so I always love going back. A few years ago I built a long section of singletrack trail to link in above a much loved piece of trail that had been a staple of rides for many years. It was my way of giving back to the forest riders and builders. Over the last few years whilst I've been away riding 1000m+ descents my Dad has still been out exploring every corner of these forests. Sometimes walking with my Mother, other times out on road rides with his Wednesday night Pub Ride group or usually with his main Sunday morning off road group. They are trail connoisseurs, though they might not look it. They are the type of group that make up every British Forestry carpark on a Sunday morning...

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