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Swaledale Outdoor Club |
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Swaledale Outdoor Club |
| > Home > Newsletter > Mountain Biking > Portes du Soleil - Circuits VTT |
Portes du Soleil - Circuits VTTRecovering from the ignominy of a broken ankle sustained falling off my bike in Safeway car park has at least provided time to reflect on more enjoyable cycle trips. Last August we enjoyed a walking and cycling holiday centred on Morzine and I thought a few details might be useful should anyone else be tempted by the area. Morzine is about one hour from Geneva, in the French Alps south of Lac Leman. It is well developed as a winter ski resort but has now extended its season to include summer and serves cyclists particularly well. Ski lifts continue to operate and both telecabine and telesiege have bike hooks. For the former, you must get in quickly then the attendant clips two bikes on the outside; at the top they are lifted off so you can exit equally swiftly. Chairlifts can carry only one bike so ascents become a team effort at each station with everyone keen to help and discuss routes and biking in a variety of languages. Portes du Soleil is a network of marked mountain bike (VTT) trails, with the slog taken out of ascents by careful linking to the network of ski lifts. To get a full days tour in, some uphill work is required, but to gain 1000m sitting on a lift is real joy. Routes are graded in a similar fashion to skiing. The downhill racers, in full protective gear go for the shortest and steepest descent back to the lift. Touring types plan 2Okm+ circuits at altitudes between 1000 - 2000 m, perhaps dipping in and out of Switzerland, and taking in an alpine refuge or two. Stupendous views are guaranteed, with the summit of Mont Blanc often clearly visible to the south. All villages have ample fresh water provided at the roadside so it is possible to travel really light. Being a ski area, accommodation is plentiful and with the exchange rate so favourable, not expensive. Ed Chicken |