We’ve been feeling a little jaded about not being able to get out mountain biking for a while, as everywhere’s covered in snow. But we had a reminder that snow’s not all bad! On Saturday Avoriaz opened its chairlifts for the weekend. We headed up early to make the most of it, which paid off well in getting the powder! We stayed out most of the day playing in the snow with two good friends Sam and Jon, and bumped into lots of other friends.
They’re open again from next Saturday throughout the rest of the winter, so plenty more fun to be had.
Running at the same time as our august dirtgirls week will be a week for boys only.
Whether your girlfriend/wife is on the dirtgirls week; you’d rather come over when the female population’s at its highest; or you simply want a week of riding when you’re assured of having a top notch guide, this is the week for blokes!
Find out more here.
OK, admittedly a bit late, but here it is. This article appeared in Health & Fitness magazine and What Mountain Bike in November 2007
Back in June a Canadian couple Mike and Michelle came to stay. What they didn’t tell us is that they contribute to nsmb.com, the super-cool canadian biker’s site. They’ve just sent us this article that’s gone live and we’re pretty chuffed with what they have to say.
Sitting at our computers today we began to feel a little jaded and in need of some exercise. After two steady days of snow the sun decided to start poking its head out so we dug out snowshoes and snowboards and gave ourselves a couple of hours off. We headed straight up the Pleney from Morzine and made it to the top just as a group of teenage lads on a snowshoeing/navigation course made it up from the other side. A quick change and boards were on and we were flying down fantastic fluffy snow. There wasn’t one other track on the mountain and we felt pretty good as we walked back home, showered and got back on the computers.
Snow may put paid to biking for a while, but it’s pretty good fun too.
We now have details of our 2009 dirtgirls weeks. We will be running two weeks, a beginners week in June and a more experienced rider’s week in August. More details are here.
All rides on the beginner’s week will be lead by Ulrika Tamanini. She’ll plan some great rides with amazing views and throw in lots of skills sessions along the way. Sara will tag along with the excuse of taking photos, and the ulterior motive of gaining some extra hints and tips herself!
For the rider’s week we once again have Petra Wiltshire, the ex masters DH World Champ along as a coach! Jo Pauly, who guides for us regularly throughout the summer, will be with Petra leading those rides each day. Ulrika will also be along for the week, leading rides each day with Sara joining that group. This week will have two groups of dirtgirls (split as closely as possible along experience levels) so you get to spend some of your time doing skills (and of course lots of riding) with Petra and Jo and some on long day rides with Ulrika and Sara.
Get in touch with Sara to find out more on sara@flowmtb.com or 020 8123 5654.
Late on Saturday night after a few Mutzigs and far too much wine a plan was hatched for riding on Sunday. Somehow the initial idea of going mountain biking turned into driving to Evian, getting the boat to Lausanne and cycling back round the lake to Evian - around 65km mostly on road, with some cycle tracks. Getting up at 7am the next morning it suddenly seemed a less good idea. The feeling grew as we drove down under a grey sky. However once the boat set off we realised we were heading in the direction of the sun.
Up riding on quite paths through the vineyards was fantastic, and with a mix of these paths, quiet roads and some busier ones we found ourselves in Montreux before long where we had to stop for kebabs and falafel for lunch. Fuelled up we pedalled out of the town and before too long were on quiet cycle paths with only walkers and dogs to avoid. This was probably my favourite part - no traffic to avoid, a nice steady pace chatting as we went and friendly families going by. plus some great views around us. The final section felt like a long way as my legs started to feel the efforts of keeping up with three far stronger riders than me so I was fairly relieved when we reached Evian and the car.
Another great road ride!
On Saturday a group of us headed out for a road ride near Morzine. We drove down to le Jotty (by the Gorges du Pont du Diable) and set off from there. The aim was for a nice steady ride - it was Dan’s first go on a bike in a while and I’ve only actually ridden my road bike a few times. It was great riding though, steady climbs and flatter fast sections, plus of course a few exciting descents! A coffee stop gave us energy before the longest climb up the Col du Cou which saw us managing to rise out above the clouds, then followed a short but tough climb up the Col d’Arces before a quick run to a fantastic bakery and cafe for much needed food.
It was cold, but the great views more than made up for the chilly feet, and the climbs soon had us heating up. And i was left keen to get on my road bike more.
We’re just back from an amazing couple of days over the border in Cervinia, Italy. We were staying at the Dragon Hotel, where we’ll be running trips from next summer. The hotel is a fantastic base, with large comfy ensuite bedrooms, a great pub downstairs and is run by a family of friendly mountain bikers. Plus the view from the terrace and balcony of the surrounding mountains is superb.
We managed to get out skiing in the morning and then biking a bit lower down for the afternoon. They showed us some superb trails - high up on a snow covered track we got awesome views of the mountains before dropping down on fun singletrack, at times fast and flowing, and slightly steep and more technical in places. Definitely top class riding and we’ll be back for more once the snow clears.
The lift company are keen to get more mountain bikers to the area and are busy working on new trails to build to improve the already good offering. There’s also a Maxiavalanche run in august. If you like the Mega, then this should definitely be on your to do list.
Check out details here.
We’re very excited about our new chalet for summer 2009. Just round the corner from flowmtb HQ Chalet la Musardiere is Chalet Coralie. So it’s slap bang in the centre of town and kitted out with everything a biker needs.
Coralie is available as B&B or with meals and on a more budget scale than la Musardiere. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, but more basic than in our luxury chalet. The chalet is comfy and clean, with an open plan lounge with large sofas and a couple of beanbags to relax on, and the chalet even boasts a sauna.
The garden is large, with an area for cleaning bikes, and plenty of space for relaxing in. There’s also a large balcony off the lounge with great views of the mountains.
There’ll be the same great flowmtb service but at a slightly lower price!
Find out more here.
