The Passportes du Soleil Mountain Bike Race
The Passportes du Soleil is an epic mountain bike race in the huge Portes du Soleil region of France & Switzerland which heralds the start of summer and the opening of the lift system. It takes place over the last weekend in June, and has evolved from an earlier event known as the "Freeraid".
Most riders don't really treat the Passportes as a race (although you do get a number for the front of your bike) but simply a great day's mountain bike riding. The event is massive - 2 days, 3 courses (30, 45 & 75 km) and 3700 riders. The classic trek of 75 km includes 12 ski lifts, 6500 m of total downhill, 500 m of total uphill climb.
What makes this event unique is the fact that it attracts a wide range of participants - from lycra clad cross country riders to armour clad downhill riders, and from beginners to experts. Everyone gets involved and rides the same course. True, the cross country riders tend to beat the downhill riders on the climbs, and for the real keen peddlers, there is also optional climbing sections. And true the downhillers tend to overtake the cross country riders when it comes to descending, and there are a couple of optional "free ride" sections. But overall, the race is a fantastic melting pot of all mountain bike styles and standards.
As for the course itself - it has to be one of the best in the world! It takes in some amazing panoramas on the Morgins and Champoussin sections with views of the Dents du Midi, the Dents Blanch and even Mont Blanc. There is some excellent steep and twisty single track down through the woods in Torgon. There are dedicated downhill courses used at Chatel and Les Gets. There is an epic descent from the top of Linderets down to Morzine and there are some great meandering cross-country sections on relatively easy 4x4 tracks.
Another excellent feature of this event are the fantastic refreshment stands located at regular intervals throughout the course. Large tables offer up a wide range of snacks and drinks, from energy/nut bars to cheese and ham, from energy drinks to beer and wine. It is always interesting to see who feels fit to tuck into the alcoholic drinks at ten in the morning, and then avoid them if you see them on the course!
The Passporte du Soleil is really an event for everyone. It has become so massive that it now sells out months in advance. However, if you visit the Portes du Soleil later on in the summer, it is possible to get a map from the local tourist office and cycle pretty much the whole route.
Race stats:
Classic trek - 75 Km The classic circuit is for purists: a long tour of the Portes du Soleil about 75km* approximatively 75km - 12 lifts* 6500m of total downhill/ 500m of total uphill* 7 resorts to start from : Avoriaz, Châtel, Les Gets, Morzine, Champéry, Morgins et Torgon* 8 refreshments points
Intermediate trek - 45 km 45km with one aim in mind; having fun* approximatively 45km - 7 lifts* 4000m of total downhill /300m of total uphill* 4 resorts to start from: Châtel, Champéry, Morgins et Torgon.* 4 refreshments points
Discovery trek - 30km For those who are quite good at mountain biking, but out on The Portes du Soleil's tracks for the first ime...an ideal "breaking in route"* approximatively 30km- 5 lifts* 2200m of total downhill/ 200m of total uphill* 3 resorts to start from: Avoriaz, Morzine et Les Gets* 3 refreshments points
Top Reasons Why You Should Not Quit Mountain Biking!
Your neighbors or probably even your friend will just roll their eyes if you tell them you have started mountain biking. They might say, "You are just wasting your time because you will quit anyway." If stirring skepticism is all that you create, why not put it in a positive way. Whenever you feel like quitting, remember all these people who do not believe that you can stay on your bike. Prove them wrong.It makes you feel good about yourselfYou might have seen some changes in your body after just weeks of regular mountain biking. What more if you maintain it for several months?When you ride, you burn lots of calories that should have turned into fat if you did not decide to get moving. Riding helps you keep in shape. And if you are in shape, you start to feel good about yourself, which can be reflected to the way you act, communicate and relate with others.Also, you are often judged as a person through physical appearance. If you look good, many will think of you as trustworthy and smart. If you are fat, you may be labeled as dumb, lazy and untrustworthy. This is not morally right but it is true; and many studies have testified to it.It makes you feel better when you bump to an old friendIsn't it nice to bump to an old friend from high school looking chiseled and fit? Isn't it great to attend a reunion and become the center of talk because you have lost a lot of weight? Losing weight may be the reason why you started mountain biking, looking good is a bonus.Mountain biking is funFun can be defined in many ways. Being able to improve your endurance, breathe fresh air, challenge yourself, learn new skill, see new places, meet new people and stay in shape are some of those. Mountain biking allows you to enjoy them all at the same time.The beach seasonCan you still remember the last time you have taken your shirt off and put on a swimwear? Or, have you done it? Confidently? If you love the beach or planning to go to the beach this summer, wouldn't it be nice if you can show off how good your body looks? Mountain biking, although it may not be able to give you those big muscles, will certainly keep those fats off and help achieve a trimmed body.The opposite sexFor some strange reasons, human beings still posses some attitudes of animals even if we claim that we are the superior kind. We still have the idea that if we look good and look strong, we attract the opposite sex. But is it true. Good looking people get more attention; and you have to admit that you want to belong in this small, lucky group.
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Mountain Bike Racing
Who can race?Everyone! Most mountain bike race events are divided into different categories: gender, age and ability. So even if you are just beginning to love the sport or if you have been riding for several years, there is a race for you.
Mountain Biking - First Race Click hereWho organizes the race?Many of the best mountain biking races for beginners are organized by local communities. And most participants can be your friends and neighbors. How many joins this race? Depending on its popularity – maybe 30 or 100. The good thing about community-organized races is that they are less competitive as they are often participated by average riders like you. So if it is your first time to join a race, this is a good starting point.Check with your local bike shop and bike websites to find if there are race events nearby.Why race?Racing improves your riding skill and makes you a better rider. Racing gives you a goal, which drives you to perform better than in casual biking. It improves your focus on the road. Since you dare to ride as fast as you can, it increases your reaction time to every bend, corners, rocks and dips. Also, knowing that the race is coming up, you eat and prepare better.How much does it cost?Entry or registration fee for community mountain bike race usually costs between $10 and $35. This usually includes t-shirt. Regional races are a bit higher. Often, gift certificates and bike gears are given and prizes.Speaking of prizes, awards are given in all categories like Women 30-39 Beginner, Men 30-39 Beginner, Men 30-39 Expert, Men 40-49 Beginner etc. So there are several chances of winning. When they speak of the "depth", it means the number of places that is awarded for a particular category. If the awards are "five deep", that means prizes are given from first up to fifth place.Either way, it is not about the prize but for the fun of biking.What are the rules?Know if you should be "self-supporting", meaning you have to provide everything you need during the race from water supply to repair tools. If not, ask if you can share tools and inner tubes with your teammates or other rides. Also, check if you can munch powerbars while riding or get water-bottle from your pit-crew as turn a lap. These are important details to know.There are unwritten, non-technical rules in mountain biking race. First, do not mess with other riders. Do not block. Do not draft (riding directly behind another rider and use him as shield block the air). Do not endanger another rider. The aim of the race is fun and camaraderie so do not spoil it by kicking someone else's bike or throwing an empty water-bottle to other competitors.What to prepare?Be physically fit. Get stronger. Ride more often. Run the course at least once before the race to familiarize the terrain. Register in advance. Pack everything you need a night before.On race day, arrive an hour early. This gives you time to rest, mingle with other racers and do some final check with your bike (do not change major parts on race day unless it is completely necessary). After the race, hang out with other racers, cheer for the late finishers, wait for the awarding and recall the day's event.
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Gesundheit hat ein Zuhause - Praevention
Training For a Mountain Bike Race
Mountain biking belongs to the category of sports that fills your need for adrenaline rush and excitement. From the moment you get on your mountain bikes until the time you rush downhill or cross country, you feel strong and free and you momentarily forget life's worries. You throw all caution to the wind, vulnerable yet unaffected by the elements that may come your path.
But of course you can't just get in there and engage in racing bicycles without at least considering the basics of this sport.
It all starts with sorting through an array of mountain bicycles for sale and choosing what's right for you. There are several classifications of mountain bikes with the differences between them centering on the setting where you'll use them. Cross Country Mountain Bikes are mainly suited for trails. Downhill Mountain Bikes are designed for downward riding. These bikes are more appropriate to use on elevations such as valleys or mountain sides where you partly use gravity to propel you.
Upon choosing the right mountain bicycle that would help you easily navigate your target terrains, you start off with addressing the fitness factor. You can't just jump in there and do difficult stunts without making sure your body is at par with the challenge. You need to be familiar with the three systems that our body uses in physical activity.
The first is the adenosine triphosphate or ATP system that gives our body the necessary boost to do a certain activity. In just a few seconds, we gradually lose this energy and it must be replenished in order for you to keep going. These exercises require major effort and so you must do them far and between.
The Anaerobic system doesn't require much effort and lasts a little longer than ATP. The goal of this training is to increase your body's lactic acid so that you can perform longer at the same time maintaining a high intensity.
The Aerobic system is a staple in cross country biking. It allows longer function than the first two energy systems and is thus more sustainable. Because it is much needed in bicycle racing, you need to invest a certain amount of time in Aerobic training.
This gives you an idea of the different systems that your body uses for physical activities. If you want to race you need to exercise these systems to enhance your fitness level. So not only do you need to make sure that your new or used bicycles are in order but you need to make sure your body can perform for the event.
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GSC 2 Flat Rock rock garden 2009 mountain bike race
Author: joebx1
Keywords: Flat Rock rockgarden
Added: April 20, 2009
GSC 2 Flat Rock rock garden 2009 mountain bike race
Author: joebx1
Keywords: Flat Rock rockgarden
Added: April 20, 2009
GSC 2 Flat Rock rock garden 2009 mountain bike race
Author: joebx1
Keywords: Flat Rock rockgarden
Added: April 20, 2009