Tomorrow morning we head off south - to Eyne in the Pyrenees to be exact. It’s the first of the weekends we’re running down there and we can’t wait. Jo’s been down there for a while already, scoping out new trails, checking out his old favourites and making sure his mum’s cooking’s still up to scratch 
With six people on the first weekend and the others almost full, expect to see lots of photos up soon, and more dates for 2009.
As we’re busy shutting down the chalet and getting ready for the Cycle Show we’ve found ourselves with less time to mountain bike than we’d like. Still, it has been a great excuse to get out on my new (well second hand) road bike. It’s been great fun, and I’ve been working out some good loops to do through autumn and winter. Might need to buy myself some over shoes though - couldn’t feel my toes yesterday
Did my first run since the spring today - had forgotten how much I hate it. Think I’ll be stickling to my road bike from now!
….our last Morzine guests left yesterday and we’re busy clearing up from a hectic summer of riding! Summer’s over here, but not for long as we head down to the Pyrenees for some more riding and then onto Morocco..
In between we’ll be in London for the Cycle Show. If you’re going, pop by our stand to say hello.
On Friday, local guide Lionel, of Synergie bike school, treated the flowmtb and Endless Ride teams to a training session on his new trials bikes. It was a new experience for all of us and the bikes took a little getting used to, with more than one of us forgetting what we were on and trying to sit down! Before long though we were hopping on and off palets and practising endos, wheel lifts and bunny hops on the grass at the bottom of the Pleney.
I can’t claim to be the best trials rider, but I think we all got something out of it and had lots of fun too. Lionel’s offering 1 1/2 hour sessions throughout next summer - let us know if you’d like to know more and build it into your holiday.
The last of the Morzine and Les Gets chairlifts shut on Sunday. It’s always a sad time of year, wishing that the Portes du Soleil biking season could keep going just a little bit longer.
However, undeterred, Guy, Tom and I headed to nearby Praz de Lys, parked up at the bottom and pedalled up the road to the resort. Feeling very pleased withourselves for earning our descent we had a coffee at the top and headed down on a fast rocky trail known as the Roman road. Before long we spotted a singletrack on the left, a quick check of the map showed us it’d get us back down to the right place so we took it. Steep, technical and wet, it was an interesting, fun descent but sadly over all too quickly. We realised the summer of lift assisted riding has spoilt us all!
We’ll be back mountain biking in Chatel and Champery this weekend though as the lifts open for the weekend and a new group of guests come in ready to ride.
We now have just a few places left on the Pyrenees mountain bike trips so get in touch soon if you want to join us. Guide/instructor Jo will be taking you on the best of the local trails and help you get the most out of your time there with some coaching too.
After riding you get sublime French home cooking at Gite Cal Pai and can relax in the garden making the most of the evening sun.
See you there…..
More info’s here.
We still have a few places left on our Morocco mountain bike trip in October. It’s an exciting ride through the High Atlas, using land cruisers (and on one day mules) for uplift and descending on some challenging mule paths and footpaths.
It;’s not for the feint hearted, but if you’re up for some adventure, riding some technical singletracks, and a bit of autumn sun then get in touch.
Check out our video of our 2007 Morocco mtb trip here
And photos here.
Yep, the season’s not yet over but we’re already getting enquiries from bikers wanting to come out next summer. As such, we thought we ought to get some info up pretty sharpish! Info and prices for 2009 are here.
We know it’s a bit of a tough time at the moment for lots of you so are not raising our prices at all for next summer. Not only that, but we’ll be giving all guests on a full week stay a free flowmtb tee.
Chalet la Musardiere will be available on a flexi stay basis, arrive and leave when you want. And dinner will still be offered on all days except Wednesday.
Just get in touch to let us know what dates you’re interested in and we’ll let you know what’s available.
The dates for the passeportes event - when the whole portes du soleil mountain biking area opens - have been announced. Next year it will be the 27th and 28th June. Three routes are available with plenty of ‘refreshment stops’ - read free cheese, meat, bread and drinks - en route.
We’ll be riding the route again - see you there…..
Well it’s that time of year now when the lifts start to close 
We rode all day yesterday, making the most of the lifts on Super Morzine, Lindarets and Switzerland before they closed. After straight sunshine for weeks on end the trails were in top shape even if our bodies weren’t!
It’s not all doom and gloom though, Pleney and Les Gets are still open for mountain biking for another week, the sun is shining and the trails are nice and quiet!
Once they shut in a week’s time, we’ll be making the most of some weekend opening in mid september, plus using our own steam. Morzine mountain biking doesn’t stop just ‘cos the lifts shut!
