DATE: 8th – 15th July 2013

LOCATION: Vaujany, France

BONUS – Everyone who signs ups for our Megavalanche holiday gets free entry to our exclusive MegaSKILLS Megavalanche preparation session, worth £75.

After a hugely successful 2012 Megavalanche holiday (see our testimonials) , we will be running the same superb experience for the 2013 MEGAVALANCHE. We will be supporting a group of riders through practice, qualifying and race day, so if its your first Mega, or you are a veteran why not join us in our very comfortable chalet for undoubtedly the finest mountain bike event in the world and let us handle all the logistics.  Places will be very limited so contact us as soon as possible to reserve your place.

For those that have not heard of the megavalanche, it is THE mountain bike race on the world calendar, involving a mass start down hill course between 15 and 25 km long with 2,000 – 3,000 m vertical descent.  Starting on a high alpine glacier, the first part of the race will be on snow, shoulder to shoulder with 400 riders jostling for position, trying to get to the front of the pack before the incredible singletrack and technical riding that awaits in the middle and lower sections.

The mega, is neither a cross-country or down hill race but a real discipline of its own. Riders from many different riding backgrounds will be on the same line on equal terms. Some hoping to use their athletic power and endurance and others their technical down hill skills.  There has never been a race more fitting for the modern mountain biker.

Check out our Guide Trev’s mega race video from the 2012 event.

We have found an excellent chalet in Vaujany and will be offering a unique MTB experience, one week of fully supported riding in one of the most incredible locations with the opportunity to race in the Megavalanche. We will look after all your accommodation, race entry’s, practice uplifts and provide mechanical support through the event, and also run all transfers to and from the airport, leaving you free to concentrate on doing well in the event.

The Itinerary

The format of the Megavalanche has evolved over the last few years and the 2013 event is likely to follow the format shown below.

Monday - We will pick you up from the airport and transport you to our chalet, you will have the chance to meet the rest of the group and build up your bike in our workshop.  We will then head out for a short ride with our guides to check that everything is working as it should. Before an excellent dinner our guides will give you a race briefing talking you through the event itself and providing tips to help you get the most out of the event.

Tuesday – Thursday - We will pick up your lift passes, and start running practice runs. There are no lift stations from the race finish at Allemont so our van will be there to meet you at the end of each run to take you and your bike back to Oz en Oisans.  By using our uplift service, you will not have to subject your bike to the highly damaging local bus shuttle.  On Thursday you will be provided with your race number for qualifying, this is a good day to rest up, sort your bike, get some fuel on board and get psyched up for the events to come over the next two days.  We will be running shuttles to other local riding spots allowing you to experience more of the riding in the area and escape the crowds for a while.

Friday Qualifying - It begins here, your race number will dictate your start time, and usually today will be an early start as it takes the organisers a long time to get everyone upto qualifying start.  Putting down your best run here over the 15km course is vital as your qualifying race will determine when you ride on Saturday or Sunday.   The top 35 riders of each heat will go through to the main event while the rest will ride the second event or one of the 2 infinity events.  But it does not matter how you do as you will still get to ride the Megavalanche course.

Friday Evening - We will head to the Palaise de Sport to check your times and positions and pick up you race letter.  Once we know who is racing on Saturday and Sunday we will head out for some easy local riding on some quiet tracks allowing you to check over your bike and keep in the zone.

Race Day - You will racing on either Saturday or Sunday depending on how well you did in the qualifying.  An early start will take you up to 3300m, where you will line up with other racers, staring down the glacier as helicopters beat overhead.  You will never forget your first Megavalanche.  Upon completion of the racing on Sunday night we will head out for a celebratory meal and share the banter of the event in town buzzing with excitement.  We will then help you pack up bikes and after a great breakfast, transport you to the airport for your return journey.

The Accommodation

We know that if you want to ride the Megavalanche, you are looking to enjoy the epic riding in the area and do not necessarily need to be based in a ostentatiously expensive chalet.  We have managed to source a comfortable chalet offering safe secure storage for bikes and excellent accommodation at a more affordable rate.  Located in the village of Vaujany facing the splendid “Massif des Grandes Rousses” mountains it encaptures the charm and the seduction of an authentic Alpine high altitude village.  If you would prefer to relax in the evenings and wake up to views of a spectacular waterfall than mix it up with the hedonistic ‘core’ riders frequenting Alpe D’Huez then this is the trip for you.  This spacious newly built chalet is 400m from a well connected lift and comprises one double bedroom, two twin rooms, one bunk bedroom (which will be used for your riding kit storage) and a mezzanine level bedroom with twin beds.  The double bedroom has en-suite shower facilities and there are two further bathrooms with two separate w.c’s.  The communal area comprises an open plan living space with a fully equipped kitchen and a balcony with views of the mountains. There is seating for 10 people at the dining table.  The chalet has a flat screen TV, DVD machine, dishwasher, electric oven and a fridge freezer.  There is also a private garage to keep bike equipment, where we will set up our bike stands and workshop for essential repairs and the use of a washing machine and tumble dryer.

Prices

Full Mega package with 7 nights accommodation (based on sharing a twin room) - £550 pp

The price includes the following

Please note, flights to Grenoble and holiday insurance are not included.

Booking

To book your place on the 2013 Megavalanche trip all we require is a £75 deposit with the rest of the balance paid before February 2013.  To book your place, please use the button below.  If you have any queries please contact us

Availability

Single Room 1 - FULL

Twin Room 1 - FULL

Twin Room 2 - FULL

Mezzanine level bedroom with twin beds – FULL

Double Room with En-suite – FULL