Chamonix Activity Report: 29th July 2008
Had an excellent day riding Le Tour today, on my mountain bike. There are few things in this world that feel as good as being in a great place, with good friends, doing the things you love. That's what brings people to Chamonix on vacation, and that's what sometimes keeps people here after their holidays end.
Back to Le Tour. Today was a mid-mountain dream; blue skies, singletrack winding its way through the no-man's-land between France and Switzerland, gentle climbing and fast downhill. Everything that's good in mountain biking. We took the train to Montroc, then pedalled up that vile tarmac hill to the resort (why couldn't they put the station up there?). Then, after riding the gondola and the chairlift, we dropped down under Tete de Balme and around under the chairlift of the samename. We call the ride Cowsheds for that very reason - after some slippery rocky switchbacks you come to a little cluster of cowsheds nestled at the bottom of a deep bowl. The signs take you back down to Vallorcine, from which you can easily take the lift back to the Col de Posettes, and subsequently the Le Tour trails. It's a bike descent I'd recommend for anyone of even average ability...check it out.
While I was down at Vallorcine I coudn't help noticing the enormous apartment and hotel development that they've got going on there. With that many additional beds right next to the lift, Vallorcine is going to be one of the destinations that you'll see cropping up in tour operator brochures more and more in future years. If I could afford it, I'd buy a place up there as fast as one of the Vallorcinians would sell me one.
A last quick note about Vallorcine ('Vallo', to our trendy amis francais) - check out the café next to the station. Great service, friendly vibe and unbeatable take-away sandwiches for a bargainous 4€. If you're passing, stop by.
Having had our fill of fun, thrills, frolics and spills at Vallorcine & Le Tour, we headed back downvalley to ride a couple of trails at Les Grands Montets. Firstly, we took an exploratory peek at the Pierre A Ric in summertime. Much like it's status in winter, it's an unenjoyable descent, worth doing only for those who don't wish to wait for a cable car down. It's a 4x4 track, full of hand-sized rocks that have a habit of pulling away even the most firmly-set front wheel. We found a little bit of rocky singletrack in the woods, which was OK...but the summer equivalent of hiking Tacul to ski Planards. In short - not worth it.
More worth it, however, was the run down the 47 switchbacks of the Trapette couloir. From Plan Joran to Argentière, this run was a delicious test of bottle and aptitude, with soft, pine-needley dirt underwheel and blue skies and green trees above. A great end to a great day on great trails.
Until next time!
