The Plateau de Loex Tour is conquered!

From Les Gets 26 July 09

Les Gets does not shut down for the summer. Ski lifts are put to good use ferry mountain bikers to minimise some of the climb. There are two types of biking - cross country (XC) and downhill (DH). To date, under strong guidance from Caroline, I have limited myself to the cross-country. First couple of visits I limited myself to the blue and red XC runs, but in a moment of madness, and a new front brake disc installed on the Rockhopper together with newly purchased protective gear I challenged myself to the Black XC run, the "Plateau de Loex Tour" (marked no. 7 on the map). Easy I thought .. I had done the Black Mountain Bike Run at Thetford Forest several times - and the distance was about the same .. but the Alps do make a significant difference - up and down. East Anglia soon became very, very flat.

From Les Gets 26 July 09

"Plateau" has little to do with flat on this run. Whilst the total descent from the Chavanne lift may be 700 metres - there is also 400 metres of climbing on the 17 km route. Climbing was something of a challenge given current state of cardiovascular fitness, and I was happy to stop and admire the stunning views - but don't think the descent is easy. I was relieved to have the larger brake disc at the front - but it is not likely to be long before there is upgrade on the rear brake system as well! Any steeper and it felt as if one would be doing a forward roll. (Yes I thought you were meant to use the rear brake more - but the apparently technique is to lower the saddle and put as much weight to the rear as possible).

Spectacular views of Mont Blanc on the climb..













back in Les Gets ..

From Les Gets 26 July 09

Will I be doing it again? Yes.. phone crashed and so limited photos and no GPS record for the doubters. For the less adventurous this would be a great walk.



Explore more

Official web site for mountain biking at Les Gets

and if you are wondering what downhill (DH) is like