Which bike in Morzine?

projexe

I see that there are different forums for mountain bikers and road bikers so I've posted this in both as it's a bit of a crossover.

I'm going on a family holiday to Morzine in a few weeks. I'm primarily a roady, but instead of taking my road bike I'm considering taking my CX bike thinking that I might be able to use it both on the roads and on the trails. For those who know Morzine - is this a realistic option? I'd appreciate any advice

ronnierocket

I am out in Les Gets (next to Morzine) at the moment and don't think the CX bike would be very suitable. You might get away with it on the road, although would be hard work, but the trails are too rocky for it I would imagine even with 35mm tyres. I would take the road bike and hire a mountain bike when necessary, although you can hire a road bike, there is not a great selection whereas everywhere seems to do good quality mountain bikes.

As an aside, not sure where you are staying but it would be worth enquiring about the Porte de Soleil multipass which for a couple of Euros a day gets you get you cheap or free into loads of activities e.g. swimming, lift passes... Your accommodation provider has to give you a voucher for it.

http://www.portesdusoleil.com/vacances-montagne-ete.html

Let me know if you need any routes, there are loads of great hills around here.

woolwich

There are some valley bottom cross country routes that a cx bike would be ok on around Morzine. However as mentioned it is really serious downhill MTB territory.
Loads of places to hire a Downhill bike but very few to hire a roadbike. So again I would take the road bike and hire a proper MTB if you get the urge.

Call into the tourist info place. They possibly still do a really nice little guide for roadies with loads of routes and descriptions of the major climbs and rides.

Have fun.

zak3737

I've done Morzine on numerous occasions for MTB trips, and tbh, none of the trails would be CX suitable in my opinion, much too rough and rooty.
We were only there as XC riders, not Downhill etc, and there is some seriously good riding, but all with some seriously tricky/rocky/rooty sections, it aint for the faint hearted even in XC guise.
That said, there 'may' be some valley bottom trails ok for CX type riding, - I'd suggest calling the Tourist Office perhaps, they should be helpful enough to advise, as summer DH/XC riding has transformed Morzine during the summer season, they really have embraced it.

homers_double

I think that a) cyclo cross bike would break you and b) only if you didn't break it first.

The braking bumps on some of the down hill trails are immense and exposed rocks are going to be a problem.

Hire a DH bike, buy a lift pass and have a blast!

projexe

Thanks to everyone who has take the trouble to reply, it's greatly appreciated.

I shall probably take the CX with 25mm tyres to use on the road - with perhaps a set of 35mm knobbly tyres to use on family trails - but I won't think about taking it into the high mountains thanks for the advice!

Ronnie - I will actually be in Les Gets (rather than Morzine) from next weekend so if you can recommend a shop I'd be grateful. Can you 'walk-in' or do bikes need to be booked in advance as I doubt we will want one all the time. I have had other advice saying that they are so costly to rent that it might be worth buying on ebay and then selling on after the trip so that's something else I might also consider.

Anyway thanks again for everyone's input.

iron_duke

Hope you have a great time. Out there with the family for last 2 weeks in August.

Agree wit the road bike rental being a limited market and the proper downhill MB is pretty punishing. I have always taken my road bike and rented for a couple of days downhilling.

Will see if I can dig out links for local ride routes suggested.

iron_duke

Below is what I have previously posted on a similar topic.

Hi Ted,

If road riding the following local guide gives a good list of options

http://www.valleedaulps.com/documents/guidevelo.pdf

Following also provides some ideas

http://www.morznet.com/activities/cycling/routes.html

If you want a challenge then below is a map for the Morzine Vallee D'Aulps Cyclosportive borrowed from (http://www.ridemorzine.com/node/75). 3,700m of climbing in 145km with a little trip up the Joux Plane at the end! Not risked it myself yet but planning on it this summer.

http://www.gpsies.com/mapOnly.do?fileId=scurcrzzwaopehnm&isFullScreenLeave=true

Road bike hire options are more limited and tend to take my own bike out rather than hire.

Linky to BR discussion on similar topic

viewtopic.php?f=40003&t=12933374

BW

Wells
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