Les Vosges is a mountain range in France that is located primarily in the Alsatian and Lorraine regions. While the range itself may not have the high alpine peaks of the Alps, it surely makes up for this with its sheer quantity of forests and prime mountain biking terrain. Diversity in terrain coupled with phenomenal the dirt makes for a region that is perfect for the honing of skills. And while this region has produced numerous mountain bikers that have graced the professional ranks over the years, one name remains king: Absalon.
The discipline we call Enduro is synonymous with French riders. Largely recognized as a discipline that originates from the country, it has been dominated by the French for a large part of its “life.” In recent years, Rémy Absalon has been a prominent figure in the scene. Having won no less than ten Megavalanches alongside numerous other wins, Rémy cites the region he grew up in as the main deciding factor behind the style of MTB racing he decided to pursue.
THE TRAILS OF CHOICE
Though there are many to choose from in the area, for this edit Rémy went for a few of his favorites. Zone 1: Remiremont. This is where Rémy and his brother live, and where most of the Absalon training sessions go down. There are trails everywhere, literally. Rémy takes pride and joy in maintaining and building trails throughout the year, and the particular trail we shot is one that Rémy worked on all winter. No build, no party.
When it comes to Enduro Specials, for Rémy there isn’t quite anything like his local “Descente de Nol.” An old hiking trail with ancient stone walls covered in incredible green moss and with large granite blocks to the left and right. This is where things get technical!
The famous Hautes-Vosges is home to La Bresse. Greater elevation change, huge variety in terrain, leafy loamy singletrack amongst the pine trees most notably. Some of our shots were on the SP de la Vierge, which is fast and playful.
BROTHERLY COMPETITION
As little kids, Rémy and his older brother Julien would spend all their time in the woods. Building BMX jumps, skidding around turns, pushing each other to always better themselves; the Pine Forests of Les Vosges was slowly building champions. Slowly but surely, the Absalon brothers transitioned from BMX bikes to Mountain Bikes, and the rest, as they say, was history...
As we all know, Julien found Cross Country, stayed there and over the years did quite well for himself. Rémy, as the younger brother, decided to do something a bit different. Having raced XC, DH and what we now call Enduro, he found that the latter of the three suited him best. As the region is quite diverse, these “do-it-all” bikes were the ideal partner in crime for Absalon to explore the creative facets of the sport.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
For over ten years, Rémy has been living many mountain bikers’ dreams. He gets to travel the world, race in locations that most wouldn’t even know exist, all the while calling it a living. One thing, though, is for certain. There is no feeling that compares with that of going home, getting the bike out of the garage, pedaling over to the local spot and going for a ride. Your friends are there, your family is there, and for a guy like Rémy this means riding with EWS champs, Olympic Champions, World Champions, you name it. Not a bad group for your local.
All Photos:Keno Derleyn
To see the story in other languages, please click HERE
Nice to hear at least some pros working hard on trailbuilding too! This 27+ it looks to step up the benchmark of grip in many places! ( not into that muddy corner but!...) Great words too really interesting to read,,, As for the vid pure raw techniche... and no bullshit... Great Good work guys!
Im going to go and see if I can find the jacket and goggle he dropped somewhere. He clearly doesn't have any means of carrying them down the rest of the trail so presumably they are chucked in a ditch or hanging from a tree
PB any guide to Les Vosges? Seems more attractive than the old cliché - the Alps. At least Lac Blanc is worth the travel but surely there's much more to discover there.
I believe they are more attractive than the Alps. There are just so many great trails everywhere. Went 2 weeks ago to La Bresse and discovered 3 great trails from the same side of the Kastelberg. One flowy and fast, one with a shitload of switchbacks and one rocky and steep. On one side of one mountain! In the Alps that would be 3 mountains ;-)
Just watched the whole series of videos. This is by far the best of them all.
Such awesome riding! France is home, and we I get back there, I must definitely visit that side.
Didn't try this one, but the Specialized 650 Fatty is incredible. 650B+ Is definitely the wheel size for the one MTB bike fits all category. gonna save up my pennies and return beer cans!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TYwvmwZrVk
This 27+ it looks to step up the benchmark of grip in many places! ( not into that muddy corner but!...)
Great words too really interesting to read,,,
As for the vid pure raw techniche... and no bullshit... Great
Good work guys!
Cheers,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DenzJiBJWx0&feature=share
Sick edit, sick rider and sick bike~~
Also enjoyed the rear suspension "action shot ", always like setting a bikes suspension action in show motion
Pretty lame really.
Slice of British Pie.....now that's a bit more like it.