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Hi guys, not posted here before but thought this be a good place to ask. My amazing wife has asked me if i want to go watch the downhilling somewhere for my 40th, initially i was like yes Mount-Sainte-Anne but thats alittle too rich for her lol. SO i have been looking, I've been to Fort Bill, and thought somewhere different would be nice. But I was wndering if anyone had been to watch any others? ANd if they can give me some tips on traveling there etc.
Any of them would be good. I’d do a road trip in a van and to one of the concurrent weekends, may in Eastern Europe or September in the alps? If she’s a non rider a week between to enjoy a weeks holiday.
If your biking too then that might miss lift season, id probably go for vallnord given the choice of one, id love to ride there.
Just go wherever the world champs is. You will not be dissapointed.
Where is it this year out of curiosity?
I've been to Fort Bill, Val di Sole, Leogang and Vallnord.
Fort Bill honestly is the best. It's a proper 'event' with the crowd and the atmosphere to match. Everywhere else it's just like watching any national level DH race.
But you want to go somewhere different which is fair enough. In 2020 I'd go to Les Gets if you can wait until September. Wild track, wild crowd and it's a party town if you're into that. That's what I'm aiming for.
In 2020 I’d go to Les Gets if you can wait until September. Wild track, wild crowd and it’s a party town if you’re into that. That’s what I’m aiming for.
I do Fort William every year but I'd definitely suggest Les Gets as one to go for outside the UK. Great track for viewing as it's so open, and the race is actually in the town of Les Gets so logistically it's perfect, and as you said it's a busy town with a proper atmosphere and big crowds. Watching some of the other overseas races, the finish line crowds are often sparse. FW and Les Gets are guaranteed for a good atmosphere
We went to losinj 2 years ago and going back this year, the atmosphere isn’t as good as fort Bill but really nice out on the islands and can make a nice holiday of it. We’re going there then up to slovenia riding
I'd love to be at world champs but I'll be bankrupt by that time of year. If anyone knows a car or van going down from Sheffield with a free seat I'll chip in!
Les Gets would be the pick as its a full weekend.. DHI / XCO and XCC... best combination IMHO
Id be a bit concerned with the weather at Fort Bill. Whereas in Europe you are more likely to get better weather (and no midgies). I was at LaBress which was by far the best event Ive ever seen anywhere. I will be going again this year to wherever there is XC and DH at the same place.
Actually the XC was better to watch as you can actualy follow the race, whereas with the DH you need to see the times and that was not possible halfway up a hill. Also you dont see riders battling it out lap after lap. Sure the jumps and skills are impressive, but actualy the wheel to wheel racing on the XC was more exciting. Also the XC courses these days are very techy. I tired riding it after the event and failed on a few sections.
Look for one where you get both.
with the DH you need to see the times and that was not possible halfway up a hill.
Best WC I went to I was up the hill watching live on Red Bull TV as well as seeing each rider come past. Who says you can’t have live timing up the hill!
hafjell 2014 in Norway was EPIC!
Whereas in Europe you are more likely to get better weather
Optimism like this is dangerous. Crankworx Lest Gets was an absolute grease pit. I've also been in torrential rain in Vallnord.
Nice weather might be more likely in the Alps than Scotland but don't hang your hopes on it. Pray for sun but prepare for a downpour.
It’s not World Cup but a lot of the worlds best are there, crankworx whistler?
Loads of events over 10 days, inc plenty of DH, almost guaranteed good weather, busy lively town. Plenty of stuff to do for non bikers too
This year. Vallnord.
1. All the events are on, XC/XCC and DH. The DH boy and girls are fabulous, but the XC crowd have got to be seen to be believed just how fast they go up a hill
2. The Location's pretty nice, and the event and town are literally next door to each other. The Pyrenees are quieter than the Alps, and it's a good location for riding and walking.
3. The weather in June in Andorra is more likely to be nicer the Ft Bill.
4. The DH course has to be seem to be believed just how steep it is in places.
5. The shopping and Food in Andorra Le Vella is v cheap (it's basically a huge open air Duty Free shopping Mall) so your missus will love it as well.
This year. Vallnord.
1. All the events are on, XC/XCC and DH. The DH boy and girls are fabulous, but the XC crowd have got to be seen to be believed just how fast they go up a hill
2. The Location's pretty nice, and the event and town are literally next door to each other. The Pyrenees are quieter than the Alps, and it's a good location for riding and walking.
3. The weather in June in Andorra is more likely to be nicer the Ft Bill.
4. The DH course has to be seem to be believed just how steep it is in places.
5. The shopping and Food in Andorra Le Vella is v cheap (it's basically a huge open air Duty Free shopping Mall) so your missus will love it as well.
You've just given me a brilliant idea for my 50th weekend away for next year. Thank you
World championships are 5/6 September in Leogang this year. I’ll be there.
Lots to do in the area and the weather is typically great (obviously not guaranteed).
Id be a bit concerned with the weather at Fort Bill.
I wouldn't, even when it's shit the event is still amazing.
Tip for spectating the Downhill-
Don't just go for race day. Get hold of the timetable and check out the practice sessions. That's when you'll see the most riding and some of the wildest lines. You'll see Danny Hart fly past about a dozen times.
The actual race is obviously one run and done and it's better to follow the action on the big screens from a grandstand or whatever they have. It's much more exciting when you know where everyone stands and you're watching the splits waiting for people to slide into the hot seat.
Well after a long talk and a bit of realisation that we have a 9month old, and leaving him for a week is a bit long we are going back to Fort Bill, but this time I'm taking my bike and popping over to Glencoe Mountain resort for a bit of riding. Shes not a rider really, but i've convinced her she can easy do a blue run or two. Thanks for the advice, but yes whistller, 50th my boy will be 10 then too so should be epic 🙂