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Spring 2015 arrives a year early

Some people hadn't packed their bikes away yet and had been doing a mix of skiing and biking.  I had sold my bikes so instead had been studying for my next IML tests and doing a bit of walking in the autumnal weather that had returned to the northern Alps.

 It was with news that Courmayeur was unable to open is ski pistes, and that the ever Swiss resort of Verbier was even offering reduced price passes as their ski area was so poor that several people were talking about more biking.  I was kindly lent a Mega, 26 inch, but it was superb to be heading out.
Green style!
Five of us actually quite comfortably got our bikes into the back of the Bluebird minibus and headed down to Servoz for several laps of leafy goodness.  Load the van and repeat! We even managed to befriend a dog and take her for a lap in the minibus.  She eventually ran off when she had a chance to escape from Mr G.
Stabby T getting low
Andy
Me!
Me!

Humpage huck!
More Jarno green style

After a stylish Super U carpark lunch where we were treated to such culinary delights as the goat's cheese and banana baguette and turkish delight style chocolate it was time for the classic Merlet track!

You definitely know that you are back in Chamonix Valley after riding in Servoz.  Big rocks, exposure to your side, roots all over the place at awkward angles, and more rocks.  You really have to be on your toe's at all times, in the dry you can try daring lines hopping over a root here and then trying to charge through the next set hoping that your rear wheel doesn't slip out.  And of course there are some switchbacks to contend with too. By the time we got down to les Bossons, everyone was grinning and/or grimacing from close calls on the way down.  Only option was to do another lap!



So what a way to finish November 2014!  There is no snow forecast for a while, people will keep on riding, running and walking.  And I'll keep on studying.
Wheel size debate: 26" is quite possibly dead.  The sweet little Mega I rode was great, the tyres gripped like anything. It felt familiar after a season on a similar, but slightly newer version.  It's still a great bike for around here.  BUT.  The wheels, they are small and you do feel all the bumps and roots more.  And when you try and pump, there is not quite that same zippy acceleration as when you get 27.5" wheels going.

Comments

  1. Unknown30 November 2014 at 19:47

    Agreed 26 is dead.. But that bike looks awesome brushed aluminum from and components, who ever put that bike together must have some style. Long live 27.5.

    ReplyDelete

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