Well that's 2012's epic adventure sorted... Pass'portes du s

weeksy59

Passportes VTT - 2011 edition

Well... why on eart not...

It suits some of the requirements of my unfit fatty mates... loads of chairlifts for the climbs and loads of downhilling for the descents.

Plan is to integrate it with the climb of alp d'huez on day 1 or day 3. We've possibly modified that plan slightly too and will be taking our MTB's and running slicks for the climb, fitting dirt rubber for the descent of it and taking the mucky way down I rekon it will now turn into a 5-6 day (or 6 weeks in hospital) trip... should be an EPIC !!!!!

anyone been and done it ?

welshkev

yep, i've been 'planning' on doing it the last 2 years..next year for sure 8)

zenistar

Sounds like a superb trip, with a new baby on the way i doubt im going to see anything other than my local trails next year

bluechair84

What's the minimum climbing you can do with the Passportes 80km? We've just used our Portes Du Soliel lift passes but stuck to the bike parks of Morzine and Les Gets. I think next year we should be braver and attempt the big one.

welshkev

bluechair84 wrote:

What's the minimum climbing you can do with the Passportes 80km? We've just used our Portes Du Soliel lift passes but stuck to the bike parks of Morzine and Les Gets. I think next year we should be braver and attempt the big one.

i thought that there wasn't much climbing, i thought that was the point in having the lift passes to all lifts so you could use them to avoid the climbing? :?

is that correct anyone?

weeksy59

according to website 500 climbing, 6500mm descents

So yeah... not a huge ammount of climbing in there.

We're saving the climbing for Alp D'Huez a couple of days before or after (depends on dates of 2012 event etc)

bluechair84

6500 millimeters!?

Why climb the Alp D'Heuz? Is there a decent track back down not accessible by lift or is it just a test of balls?

andyg1966

I've done it twice, the full 80k on a 120mm FSR Stumpy.

Not much climbing at all, there is one section where there is a small climb, but you're at about 6500 - 7000 ft and you can feel the slight thinning of the air when your working.

Took my GPS on the second time, total ascent and thus descent 17500ft.

There are 4 major service areas with superb food, Mavic mechanics vans.

Both years I damaged wheels.

Also both years I've got a free lift pass for another day worth €20 plus a decent rucksack on the second year.

Next year doing it again on my 'Five.

All in all well worth it.

Drive don't fly as flying is serious hassle with bike bags, car hire etc. Lots of moving kit around.

weeksy59

bluechair84 wrote:

6500 millimeters!?

Why climb the Alp D'Heuz? Is there a decent track back down not accessible by lift or is it just a test of balls?

Mostly just a test of fittness and because 'it's there' kind of thing.

We're planning on using the MTB, lobbing a set of City Jets or something on for the climb and then swapping over to some dirt rubber for a descent (assuming there's an off-road descent).

If we can fit it in, something like the Galibier or another climb will be done too.

p.s. no, not 6500mm 6500m.

welshkev

ok i'm gettingv itchy feet now

i wanna go, i wanna go, i wanna go!!!

Northwind

That looks ace... If money allows I fancy this or maybe the mega/mountain of hell next year. But probably won't

Welsh_Tom

Kev jimbo wonts to do les gets in 2013 dar said he would come. After after reading about this in last months mbuk/mbr. This sounds more fun. Happy to do this next year or the year after.

welshkev

Welsh_Tom wrote:

Kev jimbo wonts to do les gets in 2013 dar said he would come. After after reading about this in last months mbuk/mbr. This sounds more fun. Happy to do this next year or the year after.

next year, next year, next year!!!

weeksy59

andyg1966 wrote:

All in all well worth it.

Drive don't fly as flying is serious hassle with bike bags, car hire etc. Lots of moving kit around.

That's our plan Mondeo estate and 3 blokes

bluechair84

weeksy59 wrote:

andyg1966 wrote:

All in all well worth it.

Drive don't fly as flying is serious hassle with bike bags, car hire etc. Lots of moving kit around.

That's our plan Mondeo estate and 3 blokes

Plus loads of room for spares! Have you sorted insurance yet? You know the drivers have to be added to the car owners and any accidents obviously affect the owners premium. This surprised, then worried me for the journey, but the drive down is dead easy.

weeksy59

bluechair84 wrote:

weeksy59 wrote:

andyg1966 wrote:

All in all well worth it.

Drive don't fly as flying is serious hassle with bike bags, car hire etc. Lots of moving kit around.

That's our plan Mondeo estate and 3 blokes

Plus loads of room for spares! Have you sorted insurance yet? You know the drivers have to be added to the car owners and any accidents obviously affect the owners premium. This surprised, then worried me for the journey, but the drive down is dead easy.

Driving insurance or health insurance/crash insurance ?

Spares, i rekon between us we'll have most of a bike apart from the frame and of course 47 pairs of pads as we're all rubbish at going downhill.

welshkev

weeksy59 wrote:

Spares, i rekon between us we'll have most of a bike apart from the frame and of course 47 pairs of pads as we're all rubbish at going downhill.

yeah tubes and pads i've heard are a 'take more than you think' item

i'll hopefully have my transporter next year to cruise down in 8)

homers_double

I'm seriously looking at this for '12, even more so now I've realised there is a guided kids route with instructors so the little feller (and possibly mrs.d can have a go)

Nissan navara, loaded to the gunnels with bikes and spares.

Whats the crack with accomodation, is it camping or rent an appartment for the weekend?

Bring it on... wife permitting.

weeksy59

we'll be renting/B&B/hoteling it. None of us do camping.

Something i need to look into although without the dates being confirmed etc it's tough.

pilch

Looks good, reckon i'll give it a go too... bit of a roadtrip and some van camping

andyg1966

Quote from PdS

"look forward to seeing you again at the next Pass’Portes du Soleil MTB and the show in Morzine from the 29th June to 1st July 2012"

weeksy59

Looking that's the Fri/Sat/Sun.

Which day is likely to be the PDS day ?

homers_double

You can ride on any of the three days from what I've read, but your entry only allows one loop.

From there I'd assume you just buy a standard pass or use the free day pass you get with your rider pack - or for what its worth enter it for a second day.

homers_double

Heh, Ilike:-

The mountains are my playground where...
◊ A) I leave all my litter and chase marmots on my bike.

andyg1966

Previously, you book a day and that's the day you have to ride. (different coloured numbers distinguish), there is nothing stopping you from doing multiple loops or concentrating your riding on a particular area, no-one records which lifts you've used.

The event will be on all 3 days.

weeksy59

Top info mate.. thank you

homers_double

Sorry, I meant by "one loop" that you'd only ride for one day. Then fend for yourself for the others.