Is Megavalanche really mega?

phoenixliston
phoenixliston Posts: 112
edited September 2010 in MTB general
What does everyone make of Megavalanche?

Anyone here been and can you give me an idea of what cost it was? Whats an ideal bike to take along?

I really want to go next year, this year looked awesome: http://www.imbikemag.com/issue7/?page=17 - there is a video (top left of page) w/ rider interviews and some super sexy slow mo footage that prompted me to start asking the Q's above!

Ive done sand..but never snow! :(

p.s. i saw another good video on youtube that i'll try and find now to share

Comments

  • welshkev
    welshkev Posts: 9,690
    i've always fancied the look of it but i think i'm going to do the passe'porte du soliel instead, it's more mellow :lol:

    here's another cool video of the mega though:

    http://dirt.mpora.com/news/chris-akrigg ... mega0.html
  • thel33ter
    thel33ter Posts: 2,684
    A guy on here called Supraman did it this year, may be worth pm'ing him/ He rode a 2006 Specialized Enduro with Fox Van forks IIRC.

    Check out Chris Akrigg's video of it http://vimeo.com/14117356
    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
    05 Spesh Enduro Expert
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  • thel33ter
    thel33ter Posts: 2,684
    Beat me to it :evil: :lol:
    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
    05 Spesh Enduro Expert
    05 Trek 1000 Custom build
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  • liking the videos guys, its definately a very visual event! the videos just make me want to do it all the more..don't think ive got the right gear thought..not good enough at least..probably kill myself! Still busting moves on my Haro EX0 pretty old bless it..
  • Doombrain
    Doombrain Posts: 360
    Mega's a strong word
    LOL road riding.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    It's only Megavalanche in name, I real life it's actually tiny. It's only 30 feet long, and only a 6 inch descent.
    They use very wide angle lenses to make it look big.
    No, really.
  • Bignige
    Bignige Posts: 223
    It's only Megavalanche in name, I real life it's actually tiny. It's only 30 feet long, and only a 6 inch descent.
    They use very wide angle lenses to make it look big.
    No, really.

    :lol:
    Ride it like you stole it.........Yeah Baby!!!

    2008 Spesh Enduro SL Expert
    2010 Fuji Roubaix 1.0 Ltd Edition
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    out of interest, does anyone know how much you should expect to spend in total to compete in the mega? (flights, hotels, food etc etc). I'd love to do it one year.
    Production Privee Shan

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  • Splottboy
    Splottboy Posts: 3,694
    I'd prefer to do the one in Gran Canaria, every spring I think. More XC though.
    Through desert, volcanoes, cactus...

    The "Mega" does look the dogs bits!
  • welshkev
    welshkev Posts: 9,690
    ilovedirt wrote:
    out of interest, does anyone know how much you should expect to spend in total to compete in the mega? (flights, hotels, food etc etc). I'd love to do it one year.

    do a search on here for 'sara-flow' or something like that. she posts on here but runs www.flowmtb.com that specialise in trips to the alps, the mega, passe'portes etc etc
  • P-Jay
    P-Jay Posts: 1,478
    I've got two friends traning for next years now, well not 'now' they're probably in work or someting but you get what I mean.

    It's meant to be tough, but perhaps not the feat of superhuman endevor that it has the reputation for.

    I'm told the trick to a quick time is quali on a full DH bike as it's much shorter and race on a hardcore trail bike, an '06 Enduro would be perfect, but if you're not willing to risk a big fall for a better time you can do the whole thing on a full DH bike if you want to know you've done it.
  • mak3m
    mak3m Posts: 1,394
    lol that looks mental how the hell do you concentrate on the trail with all that background :D
  • ilovedirt wrote:
    out of interest, does anyone know how much you should expect to spend in total to compete in the mega? (flights, hotels, food etc etc). I'd love to do it one year.

    According to the article you can do it for about 500 euros, but it probably comes in at a bit more..especially if you wanna party :)
  • jonnyc2420
    jonnyc2420 Posts: 557
    have a chat with the guys at flow mtb (google them) - i seem to recall they do a package and have local knowlege etc - it seemed reasonable enough last year.
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  • Biggus86
    Biggus86 Posts: 385
    Yeah, this is something thats opn my 'to-do' list... would be awesome!
  • lochussie
    lochussie Posts: 276
    I priced up a trip with flow this year at about £1k for everything apart from airport transfer, which is where my plan failed, as I had nobody to share with they were going to cost 100s each way.
  • 1k, ouch! yeah i guess the more people you can get the better. What kinda luxury were you going for, was it basics like hostels etc or somehting a bit nicer?
  • I've done the mega for the last few years. It is an incredible experience but not for the faint hearted or people who take themselevs too seriously, I've been wiped out, ridden over, pushed off, elbowed etc. It's a bit of a free for all to be honest but it is a good crack.

    The first year I ran a 223 in full DH spec but it was too big really, the last couple of times I've run an orange 5 (borrowed) with 36s and an air shock, thick tubes on ex721s with swamp things - most people use high rollers but the swampies do the trick for me, even in the dry rocky stuff they are great.

    Fill your camelback, you'll need it, and don't even think of starting without a full face helmet (I don't think they will let you start without one, not sure). As for body armour I wear knee and elbow pads and gloves, it's too hot in full armour but ymmv.

    As for cost well it's just like any holiday, you can do it with a bunch of lads in a van for cheap or spend as much as you like :)
  • True, i guess if you look at it as a holiday and not just one ride in one crazy race it makes it far more worth it. The photos and video make it look fun but im sure its a bit of a part for a few days too.

    haha i vote for bunch of lads in van for cheaps :)
  • The £1k was with flow so included accom and food and maybe guiding on the days before the race, their site will tell all. I would def go for van and mates if I had any!

    So people know, I bought my entry for around E100 and paid a wee bit more for cancellation insurance. I can't remember the nos, but when I cancelled they took a good chunk off my refund for "admin costs".
  • Thanks for the tips man, sometimes it is worth going through a company, otherwise you can end up broken down with no idea what to do, no direction or purpose..well thats me and my mates anyway.. haha