My 'Megavalanche ready' Kona Minxy!

miss notax

TwellySmat wrote:

I bet you tore down the trail at QE on that!

Yes

styxd

Ha fair enough. Surely though you would want a controlled, laid back position in order to get you down the glacier quickly and in one piece? There is also many steep rocky sections from the clips I have seen which would suggest a more DH set up would be best. This would override the need for a low front end for the easier pedally bits for me. But then you have ridden it, I haven't.

What'll get you down the course quickly is your ability on a bike. If you've ever ridden bmx/dirt/downhill before then you'll probably beat half the people there, just because you actually have some bike handling skills (alot who ride there appear not to - i.e. stopping for 2 foot drop offs)

What'll get you down the glacier quickly is a touch of luck I guess. Its a bit chaotic, hold on and hope for the best. Just make sure you get to the bottom safely. There is one section of Glacier thats a long flat out down hill, the rest is fairly slow going though.

I rode the track on a hardtail, its not a very difficult track, but it is long and tiring!

With regards to the bar height, the bars look higher than the saddle. They look set at a height I would have my bars at and I'm 6f2i (I would have a higer saddle for pedalling obviously, but for the mega I'd just run it right down out of the way)

If your bars are to high it can make it more difficult to control your bike effectively and move about on it, aswell as getting your weight over the front end for more grip on certain corners etc.

But regardless, it sounds like Miss Notax is comfortable with the bike setup. Good luck with the race.

miss notax

styxd wrote:

What'll get you down the course quickly is your ability on a bike.

Oh well, i'm stuffed then

Interesting to hear how you found it styxd - total respect for doing any riding there on a hardtail! I am a wimp and need a nice bouncy but solid bike to reply on on downhill stuff

styxd

Oh well, i'm stuffed then

Interesting to hear how you found it styxd - total respect for doing any riding there on a hardtail! I am a wimp and need a nice bouncy but solid bike to reply on on downhill stuff

You'll be fine. The course is not technically challenging really. If you are there for the practice week then just take it steady and build up. By the end of week your confidence will be high and you'll be flying.

Oh yes, I never raced it by the way, just rode it during practice week. I can imagine it'll be much slower pace on the race day due to all the people!

mrmonkfinger

That race looks like a shitload of fun and I'm now jealous.

paul.skibum

styxd wrote:

With regards to the bar height, the bars look higher than the saddle. They look set at a height I would have my bars at and I'm 6f2i (I would have a higer saddle for pedalling obviously, but for the mega I'd just run it right down out of the way)

If your bars are to high it can make it more difficult to control your bike effectively and move about on it, aswell as getting your weight over the front end for more grip on certain corners etc.

If I recall correctly Miss Notax is a smaller statured lady so that Kona is a tiny bike but with 170 forks or somethin on it - the downside of being small but having lots of travel is some parts of the bike cannot be lowered - i.e wheels are 26 inches whether you are on a small or an xl bike, forks with 170mm travel have a certain crown to axle height.

It is unavoidable for the bike to look like that - I think my big hit looks similar.

miss notax

Yep, you are correct! I am most definitely 'vertically challenged' and the Kona is a 15" frame

The saddle is also at a nice xc height in the photo - I have fitted the dropper off my Orange as i'll just get the saddle out of the way for the descents 8)

mrmonkfinger

paul.skibum wrote:

wheels are 26 inches whether you are on a small or an xl bike

Wheel size makes zero difference to bottom bracket / saddle / bar relationship, which is the bit that determines bike fit.

Also, other size wheels are available, if you don't like 26" ones. My better half rides a trail bike with 24" wheels.

styxd

the downside of being small but having lots of travel is some parts of the bike cannot be lowered

Yeh, some parts cant be lowered. The bars can be though.

Thewaylander

Just watched the Video again, You will be rocking Miss, as thats not as technical as DH at Cwm. so i think you will be great. Enjoy! and take lots of photo's or it didn't happen.

miss notax

Thewaylander wrote:

Just watched the Video again, You will be rocking Miss, as thats not as technical as DH at Cwm. so i think you will be great. Enjoy! and take lots of photo's or it didn't happen.

Thanks!!! I will definitely take LOTS of photos!!!

bluechair84

So very jealous that you get to do the race we set off on our drive down to Alpe D'Huez a week on Monday to go play on the Sarene glacier and everywhere else. Can't freakin' wait! When do you guys set off homeward bound?

miss notax

Very nice 8)

We are leaving on Sunday and back the following Monday - I will be racing on the Saturday so should have a day to chill out and watch the boys (well, those who are racing on Sunday) which will be great

It does mean we are driving all the way from Alpe d'Huez to Calais in one go on the way back, but hey ho

felix.london

styxd wrote:

I rode the track on a hardtail

styxd wrote:

Theres a difference between a cheaper bike and an unsuitable bike.

Ive never done the trans provence, but the mega - I wouldnt attempt that on a Rockhopper!

There is only one styxd on these forums isn't there??

felix.london

miss notax wrote:

Very nice 8)

We are leaving on Sunday and back the following Monday - I will be racing on the Saturday so should have a day to chill out and watch the boys (well, those who are racing on Sunday) which will be great

It does mean we are driving all the way from Alpe d'Huez to Calais in one go on the way back, but hey ho

Gutted I'm out of town as I'd have definitely come up to say "hi" (and given some support!) That goes for you too bluechair84!..the hi bit not the support

Anyway miss notax - this should get you in the mood. This was the Maxiavalanche I was gonna do but couldn't make due to work

http://www.zapiks.com/maxiavalanche-cervinia-2012.html

looks like it was super fun, right??

Have a blast...enjoy

Btw - bike looks like it'll do the job but are you sure about those brake rotors :?

felix.london

...hahaha..just read that back to myself....that's probably the last thing you wanted to hear, right?..sorry..I'm sure you and they'll be fine

miss notax

Yeah, thanks for that :shock:

The Maxi looks amazing - hope you get the chance to do it next year instead 8)

Everyone looks so fast though, which brings me to my other secret fear that I will be last :oops: Logically I know that it doesn't matter and just finishing will be fine, but I would really rather not be absolutely last :?

Obviously now I will be

bluechair84

You won't be last! There will be someone with horrendous bad luck and punctures more times than they have spare tubes, who will then have to walk the rest of the mountain. You see them here and there walking down in the various Mega videos.


Of course, if you are this person, you will finish last.

felix.london

hahaha..that's what I was thinking. Someone has to be last! Chances are very slim it'll be you though. If the brake rotors hold out you'll be fine

bluechair84

Actually, Felix, I wonder if you could help me. Our chalet owner isn't particularly bothered, but maybe your close enough to know. The Alpe D'Huez website says that there are 10 day lift passes available but not for consecutive days. I've found another website which sells 10 day consecutive lift passes, and I'm a bit concerned that as they aren't mentioned on the official website for the resort, they might be a load of tosh. Do you know anything about them and if they are available to purchase there rather than online?

miss notax

Thanks boys - very, errr, reassuring

(off I go to comtemplate my brake rotors.... )

paul.skibum

styxd wrote:

the downside of being small but having lots of travel is some parts of the bike cannot be lowered

Yeh, some parts cant be lowered. The bars can be though.

Bars can be lowered? How? Flip the setm over might drop the front end a bit but I reckon it would do some horrific things to handling and balance on the bike. I personally disagree that on a DH oriented bike with long forks you can do much to lower the front end in an effective way.

To Miss Notax - good luck and give them Frenchies hell!

felix.london

bluechair84 wrote:

Actually, Felix, I wonder if you could help me. Our chalet owner isn't particularly bothered, but maybe your close enough to know. The Alpe D'Huez website says that there are 10 day lift passes available but not for consecutive days. I've found another website which sells 10 day consecutive lift passes, and I'm a bit concerned that as they aren't mentioned on the official website for the resort, they might be a load of tosh. Do you know anything about them and if they are available to purchase there rather than online?

I'm out of town til Sunday but I'll be going up my local mountain for a sesh on Monday so I'll ask at the lift station what the deal is over there. I know our stations have links (business not lifts) with Alpe D'Huez & Les 2 Alpes so they should be able to let me know. I'll get back to you on Monday...

felix.london

...btw - you know you can use a non-consecutive pass on consecutive days though don't you?

Just had a look, don't know if you're gonna get any cheaper than €100 even if they do a consecutive version. But I'll have an ask around next week.

bluechair84

felix.london wrote:

...btw - you know you can use a non-consecutive pass on consecutive days though don't you?

Just had a look, don't know if you're gonna get any cheaper than €100 even if they do a consecutive version. But I'll have an ask around next week.

I didn't know this - what does it mean by non-consecutive then? If it's a 10 day pass, you reckon I can just use if over any 10 days I want?

felix.london

bluechair84 wrote:

felix.london wrote:

...btw - you know you can use a non-consecutive pass on consecutive days though don't you?

Just had a look, don't know if you're gonna get any cheaper than €100 even if they do a consecutive version. But I'll have an ask around next week.

I didn't know this - what does it mean by non-consecutive then? If it's a 10 day pass, you reckon I can just use if over any 10 days I want?

aha. Yeah I've had a quick check up and it looks like that is their 10 day pass (and not a bad deal - cheaper than our one). Basically you can go 10 days whenever you like; (not sure if it's within a season or a month or what) in a row, every other day..whatever. So if you were going for 2 weeks you could have a few days off without losing any value from the pass. If you see what I mean :?

felix.london

...generally ski passes are consecutive so if you're ill, injured, the weathers sh1t or you're just not up for it one dayt you lose that day on your pass cos you have to go 10 days in a row! A complete liberty when punters are paying €40 per day!!!

felix.london

btw - our (Serre Chevalier) 4 day pass is €60

We also have one called a Galaxie pass which is €77 for 6 days but you can use the lifts at Serre Chevalier, Montgenevre, Les 2 Alpes & Alp d'Huez.

Might be worth finding out if Alp d'Huez do something like that if you're up for a bit of exploring the area. Les 2 Alpes is about 30mins away and we are about an hour from Alp d'Huez. Montgenevre is excellent - right on the border with Italy and about an hour and a half drive from where you'll be.

Then again..you probably wanna spend your time riding not driving

Saying that...just a matter of setting off early and you can still catch first lifts at any of those stations 8)

bluechair84

I see... so non consecutive means that you don't have to use it 10 days in a row - it's like an open pass? I thought it meant you couldn't use it on consecutive days. If this is the case, I'll just purchase them when I get there.

(Miss Notax, sorry for the thread hijack! and good luck in the race!)

miss notax

bluechair84 wrote:

(Miss Notax, sorry for the thread hijack! and good luck in the race!)

No worries and thank you