Alps Trip Tips

More important than for a normal ride, give your bike a proper bit of TLC before you leave. Prepare it for big mountain riding. You might have some tougher tyres and make sure the brakes and pads are nice and fresh and ready for the week. Don’t forget to fit that mudguard as just because you are riding abroad, it can still rain. 🙂 

In alpine regions such as Morzine, spare parts can be expensive so where possible take as many spares as you can. You are likely to rip through tyres and brakes pads at least…personally, I would also put a chain in. If you have a spare shock and wheels then put them in too. 

When at home, you might do say 8 runs of a bike park in the UK. Those 8 runs will equate to about 1 or 2 runs in terms of distance on an alpine trail. With a chair lift, it is also super quick and easy to get back to the top. I would also ask the question of yourself – how many times at home have you ridden for 6 days in a row? Possibly never. 

 

I hear so many times about riders who crash on day 3 or 4 of a trip. They have done 8 runs per day (which is about 4 times a UK riding day in distance) and are 4 days in. Even if the body isn’t getting tired, the mind will be fatiguing, which causes lack of concentration and the chance of crashing is increased. 

 

So add in a rest day or rest time to reduce the risk. 

A simple one here but there is no need to go mad on day 1. Obstacles will generally be bigger than in the UK. So start steady, build your way into the alpine trails and don’t push it too early in the trip. Worth trying to work on your technique for the first day of riding whilst you’re getting used to the trails.