2016 Megavalanche - Practice
The Megavalanche. The Mega, is Mega. It’s got 2500m of descending, which starts off on the glacier at Pic Blanc, high above Alpe d’Huez (3330m). Nothing could’ve prepared me for how steep that glacier actually is, riders were using the third and fourth brakes (right foot and left foot) just to try and regain some control. The riders who decided to stick to the conventional two brakes either made a lucky escape or slid into the snow wall at the bottom of the first pitch. If you survive the glacier, you must then tackle the rest of the trail, which features flowy singletrack, tight switchbacks, wide open ski pistes, fire roads and anything else you could possibly think of. This is one for the bucket list.
This year marks the 22nd year of the Mega, to think the race still turns the stomachs of the competitors, imagine racing it on 22-year-old bike technology. This year we have a few greats of the sport partaking, including Matti Lehikoinen, Remy Absalon, Cedric Gracia, the list continues.
Engage brake number 3.
At this altitude you can see peaks for miles, it's absolutely breath-taking.
The 22nd edition of the Megavalanche.
The glacier here is now closed for skiing in the summer to help preserve it, as glaciers are now getting smaller and smaller due to global warming. Alpe d'Huez are doing everything they can to protect it.
Matti Lehikoinen banging his broom on the ceiling, he's out here racing but also helping out on a press camp for Nukeproof.
Crammed lifts to the top of the mountain this morning.
Matti Lehikoinen, getting a little sideways on his way to the start.
It's pretty hard to gauge the pitch of the glacier, so you'll have to take my word for it. It's steep.
A few different techniques to get down.
You can see why Alpe d'Huez want to preserve this place of natural beauty.
This guy set off on his bum and actually got down pretty quickly and safely. But was left with shorts full of snow.
Yep, that's pretty much a wall of ice.
As the glacier begins to flatten out, it's time for everyone to re-engage bike riding skills.
Confidence will get you a long way here, not sure on the direction though...
POW?
As we reach the end of the glacier the snow is much softer and big old ruts have formed.
Now the trail drops into stunning singletrack, this section is super fun. It's predominantly fast and flowy, but you must have your wits about you because an awkward, technical section is around every other corner.
One of the more playful sections.
The mountains are pretty incredible here.
This rock drop might look simple...
...but with a few big holes on the landing things can turn bad quite quickly.
A few bike park sections are incorporated too.
Towards the second half of the track things get pretty dusty through the bike park sections.
Through some old ruins.
Ahh! This expression sums up this race perfectly.
Liam Moynihan.
Social media hero, Ben Deakin is here and is extremely nervous about making it down the track.
Matti Lehikionen and Pauline Dieffenthaler (Left) and Damien Oton (Right).
#campvibes
Bikes getting prepped for tomorrow's qualifying runs.
See you tomorrow for Qualifying.
MENTIONS: @BWinder
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Being from Australia, it was my first alpine riding experience, despite years of skiing as a kid over in our eastern snowfields (still NOTHING like these slopes) nothing prepared me for handling a bike at speed on snow!!
I watch my helmet cam footage from time to time and remember the vibe, it is easily the coolest, craziest thing I've ever done. We stayed in Vaujany, away from the bustle of Alpe D'Huez, and I think that was the perfect place. If you ever go there, be sure to grab a trail map and spend a day exploring the trails that run down through the forests to the dam in the mountain valley, they are the best days I've ever spent on a bike.
The qualifying race is also a brilliant route.
I love the Mega, did I say that already? Definitely gonna do it again next gear list
There are some parts where it gets icy on the trails so i'm sure it will help but yeah I'll keep that in mind they aren't perfect on snow.