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Been offered a cheap trip to Morzine in the summer with 4 lads who are all into full on Downhill. I'm not. Much prefer your regular singletrack with perhaps one day on the DH trails. Is there any of that type of riding from the top of the uplifts in the area.
Was perhaps thinking that I could get some gpx's for the area and follow them while the others chuck themselves down the DH runs.
Sorry if this is a bone question, but I've never been to the alps.
Thanks all.
There definitely a lot of easier trails off the lifts
There is absolutely loads of it. Riding for every rider. You can use the lifts to give you a boost and do some extra climbing to make some great epic loops. The more you are willing to climb the more that opens up to you but even with limited climbing there is plenty. Well worth playing on downhill trails too. The Greens and Blues and great fun even if you aren't a downhiller. You should be able to play on the same bit of mountain as your friends, too, so still meet up for lunch if you like.
Loads of XC riding, lift assisted or otherwise.
these are just some of them, accessible from top of Chavannes lift (can be accessed from Pleney lift), also my favourite loop takes in Mont Chery lift too.
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A couple of XC trails on the Les Gets map:
Tour de plateau de loex is the lower loop in blue on my photo. Nice little warm up loop, fine to do twice, but wont take you long.
Loads of routes marked up in this book, which I highly recommend buying (and supporting the author)
http://www.vtopo.fr/vtt-portes-du-soleil-english.html
Not forgetting that the Tour des Portes du Soleil is a waymarked route anyway and is really an XC tour, and can be ridden anytime during the summer that the lifts are open.
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As already said, there's loads of stuff for the adventurous XC rider. I loved the bit from Avoriaz, quite rocky but it brings you out to a superb waterfall.
I would say that with the exception of the big jump/ gap stuff over at Chatel, and the stuff under the Super Morzine lift, there's nothing that's full on DH (I consider the FW world cup track to be "full on DH). The Pleney black run isn't much more challenging than a trail centre red. The various blues are lovely and flowy. Tons of off piste stuff ranging from mellow to eye poppingly scary.
If you want backcountry stuff then I can recommend the Col De Cou route. Options from the summit to descend towards Champery or back to Morzine. I chose Champery
https://www.strava.com/activities/343703214
BoardinBob - MemberI would say that with the exception of the big jump/ gap stuff over at Chatel, and the stuff under the Super Morzine lift, there's nothing that's full on DH (I consider the FW world cup track to be "full on DH). T[b]he Pleney black run isn't much more challenging than a trail centre red. [/b]The various blues are lovely and flowy. Tons of off piste stuff ranging from mellow to eye poppingly scary.
If you want backcountry stuff then I can recommend the Col De Cou route. Options from the summit to descend towards Champery or back to Morzine. I chose Champery
Yeah apart from the length, steepness, speed, technicality, size of obstacles, lack of all weather surface and discomfort/fatigue coming from the braking bumps most of the year it's no more tricky than say Twrch at Cwmcarn. 😉
There's load of riding in PDS for Non-Power Rangers, and despite my piss taking line above most of the 'motorway' DH trails like Chavannes (it's in Les Gets, a lovely lift and XC descent from Morzine) are a great intro in DH, Les Gets Bike Park has some great trails that's aren't mental and yes Pleney is fun to ride on a trail bike - if it's wet I find the 'hardest' Option is easier than the Green / Blue which turns into a swamp.
Trail are better sign posted than ever, but a word of advice, if you're mates want to play on the big stuff and you don't fancy it, be careful riding solo - there's such a MASSIVE area you can cover with the lifts and you might not see another riders away from the lift stations for hours - couple of years ago I managed to get a flat riding solo and my pump failed on me - it meant an hours walk into Town and I didn't see another soul until I got there... would have been a bad place to crash and break a bone. Depending where you're staying you might be able to tag along with other riders after the same sort of thing.
Trail Alpine, despite all their many flaws, do at least have guiding every day in big groups.
closer to the time post up shortly before you go out, as I may well be around and can join you on a ride or two if you like.
Great feedback. Really appreciated.
Looking forward to this now. Thanks Stoner... I'll do that. Going last week in June.
ah, unfortunately I wont get out until the TdF comes through.
have fun though.
I'm also planning to be out there the last week in June, will be on my trail bike with 2 mates on DH bikes, could be interested in a STW does the alps single track day.
lowey - MemberGreat feedback. Really appreciated.
Looking forward to this now. Thanks Stoner... I'll do that. Going last week in June.
Nice time to go, the full lift network opens on the 24th of June so you'll avoid most of the dreaded braking bumps.
took hardtails the 2 times I've been there
plenty of trails to ride
think the only "manmade" stuff we did was the Panoramic/Serpentine in Chatel and whatever the easy trail is from top of Chaux Fleurie back down in to Lindarets valley (both used for accessing XC stuff). Everything else was a track or path on the real map.
Some bits were still shut from the floods last year, but was bone dry and dustier than dusty, when we went. The bit round Mont Chery was shut (well part of it), the river trail back to Morzine needed some inventive navigation each day, with excavators sorting that out. Hope it's all sorted now.
My favourite bit, on a hardtail, was the rocky slaty bit coming back from top of Mossettes, back in to the Lindarets valley.
OP - fear not.
I went back last July after an 8 year absence with a mate who'd never been before.
Used to UK trail centres and the odd DH day but not DHers by any stretch.
PDS has everything from bonkers DH through to epic XC loops - albeit in terrain unlike the UK.
The lifts mean you can get a lot more into a day.
Virtually everyone is clad in armour and full face lids but you don't NEED it if you stick to the easier trails - just makes you feel a bit more invincible.
There's a lovely descent (red I think) off the top of Mont Chery in Les Gets, Chavannes in Les Gets is great but will hammer your forearms but leave you grinning like a gimp. The Pleney blue is nice. Various ways down Supermorzine. Head into Switzerland. On day one we rode over to Morgins and had lunch, XC'ed it back via lifts to Les Crosets then down the GRs to Lindarets. Def do the ridgeline from Col du Cou into Champery...dont leave it too late in the day or it's a long expensive taxi back if you miss the last lift from Champery as we nearly did! Even the green Panoramique (?) into Chatel from Lindarets is brilliant, non-techy but great fun.
Then there's the whole apres-bike get-down-to-Bar-Robbo for some well earned ruiner that is Mutzig 🙂
You won't regret it - pretty much guaranteed.
Lowey...who you going with? G and their Tony?
Bookmarked, we're going in July. Not that interested in all the DH/park stuff. 'mon the singletrack.
Will keep an eye on this, I'm also going there Mid June for the first time with a friend who's new to biking so not really looking at the DH stuff other than greens/blues.
Went 10 years ago on a hardtail and was shown around by a really cool couple, loads of XC stuff, the lifts take the worst of the climbing away and you can just swoop and glide through stunning mountains. We found some proper sketchy stuff, and so will you if you go looking for it. Also found a lot of snow on one day which was fun.
My only warning, when going down the equivalent of our forestry track watch out for the drainage channels, if you arent good at bunny hopping take it easy until you get used to them.
Lowey...who you going with? G and their Tony?
No mate... few other lads that I ride with.
Don't ignore the green stuff. Les écureuils off the Chavannes lift isn't challenging at all. But the top half in particular is lovely.
There's amazing trail riding in the PDS. Lift up, single track down other side, repeat till you've done a massive loop.
And again, don't discount the green/blue runs, serpentine in chatel is great fun.
Very glad I saw this post. I'm off to Morzine in July with a group of lads DHers. I've been worrying about where to ride.
Some great feedback thanks guys. I'll post a bit nearer the time to see if we can arrange a bit of and STW meetup ride.
Thanks once again.
@lowey, Stoners routes are good ones. Will email you the great Les Gets to Samoans descent, needs a taxi/lift back (we got one with a trailer for 60€ which could carry 4 or more bikes). Also needs to be ridden in company imo as if you fall off no one may come past. Col du Coux/Arret Berois, STW did a gpx a while back you can use and skip the big climb by using lifts, blues in Chatel, reds too plus Morgins, lots of great riding other than dh (fyi black Canyon in Les Gets is excellent and not "dh")
Go on a good day, here is the view of Mont Blanc from Lac Joix Plan (photo from another STWer) sorry cannot post actual image
[url= https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/sheldona/9278090046/in/set-72157634618088251/ ]linky[/url]
FWIW I am definietly no dh-er, there is plenty of riding on bike trails and paths away from bike parks for you. Lunch at Mont Caly is excellent
Do you like steep techy stuff Lowey?
If so you might enjoy the Monkey's Arse.
Not my video but gives a really good idea of what to expect...
Not really Stacey... my biggest weekness is when it gets mega steep. Always have a go though.
Not really Stacey... my biggest weekness is when it gets mega steep. Always have a go though.
The thing I've found with the PDS routes, is trail grading is an absolute lottery. They built a new red on the Pleney last summer, which was arse clenchingly steep in places, and a lot of people had serious problems with. I honestly think the black was a lot easier, and with the exception of one very, very big steep chute that is avoidable, it had nothing as steep as the supposed red.
Even over towards the Swiss stuff, this is the black graded "Swiss National" track, but again there was nothing steep on it. A few small gap jumps that had alternative lines, but apart from one steep corner (you can here me squeal a bit on the video) there was nothing steep at all, on a supposed black graded national downhill track. I'm not really sure what their grading criteria is, but it's inconsistent at best.
Don't let the trail gradings dictate too much over there. Just try stuff and see how you get on.
If you fancy it then it might be worth learning how the 'gates' work on electric fences 🙂If so you might enjoy the Monkey's Arse.
Not my video but gives a really good idea of what to expect...
If you fancy it then it might be worth learning how the 'gates' work on electric fences
Looks like Tough Mudder training 😆
If you fancy it then it might be worth learning how the 'gates' work on electric fences
I don't remember how we negotiated the electric fences when we did it TBH.
Don't remember crawling in the dirt though.
No. Its really not necessary. That one in the video just unhooks, or some across fireroads and trails are sprung loaded and can be ridden throughDon't remember crawling in the dirt though.
Some electric fence gates you unhook, go thru, try to zap your mates as they go thru, and hook it up again.
Always be the one that offers to unhook the wire 😉
Have a dare competition to hold on the the wire.
(Used to work on a farm as a kid so I know fully well what it's like to get zapped, but doesn't matter how gnar core your mates are, they'll all be like girls if the leccy fence wire is too close 😉 )
Some are like a pair of sprung whips that you just ride thru. Don't think they're electrified.
And I second the trip up Mont Chery, and the "ridge" down to Mont Caly for lunch (then round the back of Mont Chery afterwards).
Even over towards the Swiss stuff, this is the black graded "Swiss National" track, but again there was nothing steep on it.
The Swiss National from the other side of the valley:
[url= https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6149/5941884613_fdc8821624_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6149/5941884613_fdc8821624_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/a44Hhr ]Swiss National Downhill track[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/pimpmasterjazz/ ]Neil Cain[/url], on Flickr
The Swiss National from the other side of the valley:
Yip, nothing steep. Lots of long traverses. -20% average gradient.
Actual steep is stuff on the Pleney like:
Up Your Bum: -39% gradient!
Back Passage: -32% gradient
War Lord: -27% gradient
And under the Super Morzine lift
Super morzine black 1º parcial: -31% gradient
Super morzine black 2º parcial: -29% gradient
The unofficial singletrack trails under the super morzine lift were terrific when I was last there a few years ago.
Bit steep in places but so much fun.
Where does the Swiss national dh track start ? Not found that one ,we are out there 17 July this year been 5 years really like it weather dependent though
Lowey the last time i went I used the lifts to ride all the singletrack in all directions. You can get over to Switzerland and back and the top of Months Chery that brings you out in numerous places etc.
Swiss national is from the top of the mossettes lift if youre coming up from lindarets. At the top go right along the fire road. It's about 45 seconds along that fire road on the left. Signposted as a black. It's absolutely fantastic. Very long and flowy
To get back to the OP's question, I think there's so much that I'm taking only a gravel bike this year. I think Col de Cou, round the Swiss side, up over the Col de Chesery back down into Les Linderets should be on if the weather's good.
OP You will be fine as already said there is loads to do on a trail/XC bike.
Could some kind soul tell me how to find the start of Monkeys Ass trail please, heading out in August and would enjoy that!
Funny how people view things I felt the Swiss national downhill was far steeper than Pleney or a lot of the other reds around Less Gets, Chapel etc. But then I rode it on a 80mm travel XC bike with something like a 100mm stem.
Could some kind soul tell me how to find the start of Monkeys Ass trail please
Mate, I couldn't find it again myself. It involved a pretty meaty hike-a-bike through a load of bushes, is all I remember.
I felt the Swiss national downhill was far steeper than Pleney
I'd have said they were about the same, but the Swiss National was way more rugged and easier to go fast.
OP mag archive issue 91 - Local Morzine ride inc gpx. This is for out of season so involves a big climb to col du coix but you can ride the arrete berrois into Switzerland via Mossettes lift then round the 4x track past Lapisa farm restaurant (gret view/worth a stop). The ride also has a climb to the col of Portes du Soleil which you can do or not and from memeory it hooks into a nice steep descent to Lac Montriond which can also be accessed via lift missing out the PdS col. You can also ride the big climb from Morzine as a descent as other stw-ers do again using the Mossettes lift
The ride also has a climb to the col of Portes du Soleil which you can do or no
Not if you miss the last lift (which we've done twice)...
Swiss national is steeper - I'm not a fan of either really as I hate open fast tracks. I prefer trees
Les Gets - Samoens (not as neat as Stoner's maps 🙁 OP YGM
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View from small restaurant at Mont Caly, well worth a visit. Short detour off @Stoner's route. OP the Black Dans Le Gas under Mont Chery lift isn't "DH"
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I felt the Swiss national downhill was far steeper than Pleney...
I'd agree with that. It was the exposure at the top of Swiss National that got me. Once into the groove and nearer the bottom I really enjoyed it, but I had to stop a few turns in from the top just to sort my head out.
Just registering an interest here....
This video was from the old thread (4 years ago?) on Les Gets - Samoens ride 🙂
Strava says the Pleney black is -19% and the Swiss national is -20% so not much in it
Pleney is definitely more technical, Swiss national is smoother and feels faster due to the very long straight sections
They must have done some work on the Swiss National then as last time I was there it was a badly eroded mess and I hated it. Was 5 years ago now though. 😥
They must have done some work on the Swiss National then as last time I was there it was a badly eroded mess and I hated it. Was 5 years ago now though.
That was my experience too, although I didn't hate it. Probably didn't help I rode it in the wet as well.
It was a bone dry BMX track last year so they must have done a fair bit of work
Jambalaya,
That video is EXACTLY what I'm after. Looks ace.
Cool, its worh the taxi ride back or organising to leave a car. Stoners loops from Mont Caly and via Col Ecrenanz are good and similar but with less vertical. There is plenty of non bike park dh riding if you are prepared to pedal a bit
Have fun
Grande conche is awesome, we where the lest down before they shut it for maintenance and it was Very rough, we do it on the way to the Col de cou, there are some nice rides on either side of the telepherique that run down to Champery.
we're off first week in July.
Cool, its worh the taxi ride back or organising to leave a car.
Ride back from Samoens to Les Gets is easy...unless you go via Morzine.
Ride back from Samoens to Les Gets is easy...unless you go via Morzine.
I must say that I've never ended up in Samoens and thought "I know what I'll do, I'll ride my mtb back on the road to Les Gets/Morzine. It'll be fun and easy" 😆
Ride back from Samoens to Les Gets is easy...unless you go via Morzine.
Its a 1000m TdF climb back to Joux Plan or 20k round on the road 😯 I'd say taxi every time
My daughter and I are going for a fortnigbt in July. We are taking DH bikes. How can we avoid a huge pedally xc type trail fiasco? Is it obvious which trails are which? Do i need to buy a guide book and or maps?
For downhilling it's very easy. There's a few bike parks. Trails are well marked and the free map from the lift station is pretty clear. The secret is not to wander off down a fire road assuming it will pop out where you expect. If in doubt follow someone in pyjamas
@brenin - you can pick up the map in the resort, plenty of marked bike park trails to follow throughout the PdS. You might like to try some of @stoner's rides over Mont Chery or even Samoans descent plus the lift the other side to give you a flavour of what else there is as you are there 2 weeks. A bit of pedalling but not too much and the cow path at from Lac Joux Plan to Borgeuoise can be walked. Chatel and Morgins worth exploring too, all the red and blue bike trails. So much to do !
jamba - thanks for putting up that Col du Joux Plan to Samoens route. I'd heard much about it, but never seen a route on a map before. It got added to my wall map at the flat when I was out a few weeks ago. I shall be doing it this summer since we will have the van - so Mrs Stoner can drop me at the top, drive down to Samoens to meet me, and then she can unhook her road bike from the van and ride back up it while I have a beer and drive back (daft lass, completely the wrong way of doing things)
That's a great plan ! A fellow STWer did something similar, rode down on mtb's put then in car then rode up on the road bikes
Samoens town centre is a cool place for a beer/coffee/ice cream
YGM
That'll be me then.
@Stoner if Mrs Stoner wishes she can drive direct to Samoens (two ways there one via Les Gets and the other round via "main road" D902/Taninges) that way she can save the Mont Blanc view for the ride back up. You can get to the ride via top of Les Gets bike park lift and then round on the road (don't bother to ride up to arrete overlooking lake as it's unridable down as we discovered)
Wow, just read this and it's given me loads of good info! I'm also a non-downhiller, girl with a van and cool bike looking to take myself way out of my comfort zone and do a solo road trip!
Stoner i've heard you're the man/woman to keep in touch with 😉
feel free to PM me remster - email in profile.
The family and I are out there from 21st July for the TDF until end of summer. I get out riding regularly enough and you'd be welcome to tag along, or even just come to the local bar with maps and a pen and I can show you some routes. There are other forum members out there in summer like IGM who will be based in Les Gets too so post up in here regularly and you will find people to ride with when you're there.
There's a great scene in town for single riders, although admittedly its usually more DH orientated, but there's quite a few XC riders out there during the summer and you'll find ride buddies really easily if you're gregarious enough.
EDIT: PS this may be of interest, I put it together for another thread:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rGgLbCyvJvqQO86TKGZkiYHVf3cVG58CVldwoO5HPFY/edit?usp=sharing
I'm there late August- just in time for the braking bumps and rain.
I adore the place, it's great. All the above advice is spot on. I have a bunch of GPX files if anyone is interested. Also, I tend to ride alone quite a bit so if anyone wants any company out there, give me a shout.
And the descent to Montriond, via the GR5 is just sublime.
great thread... heading out for 1st half of August and will be allowed to play for a few days and riding with kids for a few more (all weather dependent of course) if people are looking to hook up.
15th for the day for me.
Just revisiting this thread to say thanks to all that helped. We had a fantastic week with great weather bar one day. Two days on the bike parks with the lads then I rode all the tracks suggested and from the Excellent book that Stoner recommended. The Col du Cou ride and the descent from Col de la Basse were exception.
STW at its finest. Cheers Chaps.
[url= https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7293/27738936590_8161c71e55_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7293/27738936590_8161c71e55_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Jgcirq ]IMAG0517[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/ ]Dave Lowe[/url], on Flickr
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We love an update and yes STW at its best, most of what I have shared here is based on what others have shared with me. Glad you had good weather, pretty rubbish in Paris all week.
Just for the record so we can link to the thread. Col du Cou, Arrete Berroi, north to Planafrache
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+1 Col de Cou
Tonnes of other stuff, but of the only trips there I've done so far, that was the best stuff. Even if I was getting frustrated with the ridgeline descent with steep ass steps I struggled with. Views are fantastic.
brilliant. good to hear you had a great time.
did you go from col de la basse all the way down to essert rommand through the woods? It's a blinder!
@Stoner... I did. I have to say probably the finest trail I;ve ever ridden. Utterly superb.
I have to say probably the finest trail I;ve ever ridden. Utterly superb.
8)
Its a great trail (one Ambrose shared with me waaaay back) But did you do Samoens ? 😉
You should look at a guided holiday, its that sort of trail all day everyday often with a van uplift to a place it would be very hard to get to otherwise,