Just entered on line. How's this for a road trip? Staying in Alpe d'Huez for a week. Starts Sat 5th July with the Marmotte cyclo-sportive, epic roadie event. Followed by Sat 12th July Mega Avalanche epic down hill marathon. Two bikes, two sets of kit and a whole load of fun in the mountains. talk about two extreme's of bike riding.
Any one else in the area at the same time?
Anyone else done the Mega and got any advice for me?
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 Sounds like you've got it all worked out! I was meant to be doing the mega this summer but after emailing the organisers last year to get the dates, and booking my annual Morzine trip to incorporate the mega, I now discover they've changed the date as it clashed with the tour de France! I am so disappointed and am still considering flying out for the race weekend but my partner has an annual work thing that weekend that he'll never get out of so it's a bit touch and go at the moment! 
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 Yup - will be in the area for the marmotte. Thought about doing the same as you and entering the megavalanche and spending a couple of weeks out there but couldn be bothered to go buy the compulsory body armour and full face helmet. Not so sure about the alp duez time trial though!!!!!
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I am really excited. Some of my mates from work are doing the Mega too and we keep giggling watching clips on YouTube. LA if you've seen the clips you'll know why you need that body armour!!
I'm now worried that the Marmotte will do me in and I won't have the energy and strength to enjoy a week of mountain biking. Think I'll pass on the TT. I've done it before though not as part of Marmotte weekend.
SJ - there is a group of us going out and we are booking a chalet. If you wanted to come out on your own without the partner drop me a line as we still have spaces. Alternatively check out Flow-Mtb, they are running a Mega Avalanche holiday package and Sara will be racing the Mega again.
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Thanks for the offer, I'll bear it in mind because I do really want to go, it's just a cost thing really and if it'll be practical going for the weekend then going back out for a 2 week holida a week later!
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 It's gonna be great this year, looks like we'll have lots more girls lining up than last year. I can't wait! We should get together for a pre-race ride of the route on thurs or fri. Would be good to have a nice group of us do that together. What bike are you bringing? I think I'll be on the heckler you rode when you were out with us last summer!
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That would be great to meet up with the other brit laydeez. I think at the moment I'll be on my Commencal Meta 5. I know a guy who rode last year in teh Mega and thought it was great. I might change the forks and wheels for the occasion though. One of the lads at work told me that
" 5inches should be enough for a girl" - I think it was the travel of my bike he was talking about.....
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hah hah, probably! I reckon I had too hefty a bike last year, far too hard on the climbs (and only a single chain ring - big mistake!), so wanting to make it a bit lighter. Wouldn't mind some bigger forks though 
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Spannah, can I ask where you are staying and how you found your accommodation?
I'm looking for an apartment or chalet for July to sleep up to 6 people. It's for my hubby and he said it needs to be near the ski lift at Rue de font Belle as the one they had last year was too far away. Problem is when I'm looking on sites they all just say near a ski lift but not which one and as they're competing in the Mega-Avalance again that's the one they need.
Cheers!
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I know a few people in the Alpe d'huez resort so found it that way. The tourist information site for the area is really helpful and lists bike friendly accomodation. Email me when you've got a minute and I'll try and put together some addresses.
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Anyone thinking about this but not yet decided, go for it. Have just spoken to the organisers and found out that entries are going fast, with 66% of entrants so far Brits! But....only 50 entries so far from girls We can do better than that!
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Hi guys I have entered the Mega this year too and am pretty excited about it (but pretty scared too!) I will be going out with my husband and a few other guys so would love to meet up with some other girls out there to pre-ride the course. I am planning on doing it on my Orange 5 with Rockshox Pikes - I hope it's up to the job. Sara, as you've done it before - any words of advice would be really welcome. (not sure if you'll remember me, but we stayed in the separate chalet you rented for us last July) Helen.
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Hi helen, I remember you - be great to see you again. There will be a girls pre-ride happening on the Thursday and me and Petra will def both be there. I'll post some info on the forum with a meet place and time, plus my phone number, once we've got round to organising it. Nothing formal, just be nice to get together so we all know a few other girls on the day and also all ride it together. It was really helpful last year riding it with someone else that had done it before, and a good laugh trying out techniques in the snow! Will try to get details sorted soon, but we will definitely be doing a pre-ride on the thursday and all girls are welcome to join. s.x
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Hi Sara, That sounds great - I would definitely like to do the pre-ride with you guys. It will be great to know a few other girls. Look forward to seeing you again in July then. Bye for now, Helen.
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Here goes - nothing too formal, just let me know if you want to join us Sara Burdon of flowmtb and Petra Wiltshire of the Trek - Extreme Medics Racing Team presented by thecyclejersey.com are organising a girls only pre-ride of the Megavalanche course. Anyone female can join and come along for as much of the day as suits them. The idea is to get a group of girls together to pre-ride the course, have a bit of fun on the way and see it's not really that scary after all! Petra has twice ridden the Megavalanche, making the Masters podium both times. Sara rode it for the first time last year, having finally run out of excuses, and found that she loved the experience. They hope to encourage more girls to enter this year and have more friendly faces in the race line up. Meet at 10am on Thursday 10th July at the bottom of the Grandes Rousses lift. Anyone interested should let Sara know on sara@flowmtb.com.
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| Edited: 19/03/08 14:16 |
