Check out the GoPro video here: Les Houches Downhill MTB - Youtube
With Bucky in Munich for the last few days I have been trying to find ways to keep myself entertained solo here in Chamonix. Yesterday that looked like sitting in the sun, drinking beer, and reading all day. Today I decided to do something that I would enjoy, that maybe Bucky wouldn't. And by that I mean some downhill mountain biking! I only have a hard tail bike, but I figured it would be a good way to spend the day heading up the lift and exploring the few downhill trails in Les Houches that I've read about, but never ridden. From what I read it sounded like there were three separate DH trails. What I found today, however, is one trail that has some easy, medium, and hard variants. There were a couple fun sections, but it is not really a place I could spend all day. There was one drop that was looked like it was going to be about 3' when I rode up from the side, but I think it was more like 6'. Either way, I landed pretty hard, but was able to ride away. Now, I'm not saying I could compete on the World Cup DH or anything, but I'm no slouch. I can't even remember the last time I got passed on a descent. Well, today I got passed. And it wasn't even close. Maybe I can blame it on the fact that I was riding a hard tail in spandex and he was on a full DH bike with body armour, but I don't think even all that would cover it. This guy was flying. Luckily I passed enough guys in full DH gear that I didn't feel too bad. Anyway, after a couple descents I decided I was done and headed back toward Cham. On the way I took a turn up toward Merlet and hoped to link up with the Petit Balcon Sud trail. After about an hour of fun technical climbing, the trail became noticeably steeper and nearly unrideable. I pushed on for about thirty more minutes or so until a section where I had been hiking for about ten straight minutes. At that point I decided to give up and ride back down. Despite the grueling nature of the climb, the descent was really fun. I got back to Chamonix about 4 hours after I left feeling really hungry and really satisfied with the day. I walked to the grocery store to buy some food, totally forgetting that it was Sunday, and everything is closed on Sunday! Oh, well. I will find something to eat!
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