But this time we're only interested in one trail: the official Tour PDS. The map that is freely handed out by the tourist office clearly shows this XC-orientated route that circumnavigates the core of the PDS system and it's this orange line that had first sowed the seeds of intrigue among my old-school roots. We knew from riding the Tour PDS previously that it's a hefty and demanding loop to tackle in one day even when using the lifts to cover the majority of uphill. One time we approached it with such casual abandon that we ran out of time and got turned back at one lift half way around, so to attempt the loop when the lifts were closed would be a meaty challenge indeed. By my reckoning we could ride the 90 Km loop in two days, staying overnight halfway round and carrying just the essentials - waterproofs, change of shorts and a toothbrush - in our backpacks. There was only one way to find out. To get an early crack at the challenge whip we head to Morzine the night before, where we consume our body weights in local specialities at the La Chamade restaurant, nigh-on the only eating establishment open at this time of year. It's late September and Morzine is as dead as a slumber party in a morgue. Still, we're not here to party we all agree as we emerge from the restaurant and into the night air to be met by light drizzle. Okay, so it's raining, but the forecast is good at least.