About ten years in the past, I tried the Go’Portes du Soleil mountain biking competition for the primary time. I used to be on an everyday mountain bike, with no prep, no teaching, and no thought what I used to be doing. No marvel I solely accomplished a small part of it. So once I bought the possibility to return this June – this time with a Mondraker e-bike and a few correct teaching – I couldn’t say no.
Les Will get is greatest generally known as a family-friendly French ski resort in winter, however in summer season it’s one in all Europe’s high mountain biking locations. Together with Morzine, it’s a part of the large Portes du Soleil community, dwelling to Europe’s greatest bike park and a paradise for lift-accessed journey.
The Go’Portes du Soleil is a three-day summer season competition the place riders can sort out as much as 100km of trails throughout France and Switzerland, supported by chairlifts, mountain meals stops and a buzzing village environment. It’s not a race – it’s extra like a scenic MTB tour with a aspect of cheese, tartiflette and high-altitude views.
Earlier than the principle occasion, I warmed up within the Les Will get Bike Park with a day of teaching with Leo Mathieu from Bike Academy. Simply 23, Leo runs his personal MTB college and took me via the fundamentals: braking correctly, physique place via corners, and dealing with small jumps.
“Every part you give on one aspect with the bike, you are taking again on the opposite aspect along with your physique,” Leo defined, as we carved berms on a inexperienced path.
It was precisely what I wanted. Like many skiers, I’m comfy flying downhill – however free rock, steep hearth roads and switchbacks on a motorbike are a distinct beast completely. The e-bike added energy, however the ability needed to come from me.
The subsequent day, we set off from the Mont Chéry raise in Les Will get for our part of the Go’Portes route. The climate was excellent – if a bit too scorching – and I used to be glad I’d ditched the complete physique armour and face helmet. There have been blue skies, long-range views of Mont Blanc, and never a cloud in sight.
Because of the Bosch-powered Mondraker bikes, I may now truly get pleasure from climbing – even over roots and rocky sections. We pedalled via open pastures and forested ridgelines earlier than rolling into Lindarets and catching the chairlift as much as the excessive plateau above Avoriaz. From there, we dropped down via the woods on a quick, dusty descent into Morzine – on trails full of expert riders.
By the top of the day, we’d lined over 60km and a pair of,454m of elevation acquire. I hadn’t even burned via 70% of my battery, regardless of dipping into Turbo mode – and I felt energised, not worn out. That’s the fantastic thing about e-biking: the mountains are accessible. You continue to get a exercise, however you’re not ruined the subsequent day. I even managed a brief hike the next morning alongside one in all Les Will get’ scenic trails, which can be a part of the official Go’Portes mountain climbing route.
Whereas e-biking makes the uphill sections way more accessible, Guillaume Heinrich from Bosch eBike Techniques, who guided us via the opening levels, was clear that descending nonetheless requires ability.
“You may go larger and additional than ever earlier than,” he stated, “however you continue to want the method to get down safely.”
I discovered this the laborious means on one of many steeper gravel descents. It wasn’t notably technical, however so steep it felt like dropping right into a pink ski run. My forearms ached from fixed braking, and at one level we needed to cease to let the brakes settle down.
“Brakes are like your legs on skis,” Guillaume stated. “You may push the bike laborious, however you additionally must handle your descent.”
Fortunately, the competition environment took the sting off. On the primary part of our trip, we stopped at a trailside meals station close to the Roc d’Enfer sector for potato fritters, biscuits and native cheese – and a fast top-up cost for the e-bikes. Then we pedalled on to the Chaux Fleurie plateau, the place a number of lifts converge simply above Lac de Montriond. A reside band was enjoying French chansons, mountain bikers had been lounging within the solar, and we tucked into tartiflette earlier than taking the Chaux Fleurie chairlift as much as the plateau above Avoriaz.
Not each part was easy crusing. I needed to get off and stroll just a few corners – particularly these perched above lengthy drop-offs. However that’s the enjoyment of this sort of occasion – you’ll be able to take it at your personal tempo.
One factor that actually stood out was the sense of movement. The route is designed to maintain you shifting, with well-marked trails, meals and restore stops, and raise entry to skip the hardest sections. It felt like a ski tour on wheels.
Even when drained, the ultimate descent again to Les Will get was a spotlight – quick, flowy, and simply technical sufficient to maintain you centered with out feeling out of your depth.
Off the paths, Les Will get has loads to maintain you entertained. There’s Alta Lumina – a magical night-time forest stroll with lights and sound installations – and a brand new connoisseur flora stroll led by native plant knowledgeable “The Plant Man.”
The city itself has a relaxed vibe, with over 60 cafés, eating places and tearooms to refuel in. There’s additionally a packed summer season occasions calendar, together with the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup on the finish of August, and the brand new Planetary Path, which lets hikers discover a scale mannequin of the photo voltaic system with epic Alpine views.
Whether or not you’re a skier lacking the slopes or a first-timer on the lookout for a mountain problem, Les Will get in summer season has one thing particular. The Go’Portes du Soleil is an excellent introduction to e-mountain biking: adventurous, scenic, well-supported and enjoyable.
Sure, I completed the day with sore arms and a dusty face – but additionally a thirst for extra. I’ll be again. Subsequent time with a bit extra brake management.
All pictures copyright Katy Dartford.
