Is Megavalanche really mega?

phoenixliston

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

welshkev

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

here's another cool video of the mega though:

http://dirt.mpora.com/news/chris-akrigg ... mega0.html

thel33ter

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

thel33ter

Beat me to it :evil:

phoenixliston

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

Mega's a strong word

Anonymous

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

yeehaamcgee wrote:

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.

ilovedirt

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.

Splottboy

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

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

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

lol that looks mental how the hell do you concentrate on the trail with all that background

phoenixliston

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

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.

Biggus86

Yeah, this is something thats opn my 'to-do' list... would be awesome!

lochussie

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.

phoenixliston

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?

el loco pollo

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

phoenixliston

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

lochussie

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".

phoenixliston

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