New MTB Guide for Chamonix Valley
Our Chamonet reporter, Tom Wilson-North, has been a very busy man this summer; not only keeping you up-to-date will all the happenings and activities in his twice weekly Summer Activity Reports, but he's also produced the very first comprehensive mountain bike guide to the local trails!
Hot off the press this month, his pocket sized guide entitled “Mountain Bike Guide – Chamonix Mont Blanc” (what else??) is a collection of some of the best trails to be found in and around the Chamonix Valley. “It's a labour of love that I've worked on since last August” said Tom. “During my first summer in Chamonix a few years ago, I was introduced to all these awesome trails by loads of different local bikers...and in documenting them in this book, I've hopefully preserved some of that great summer I had, and made it accessible to anyone on two wheels. Mountain biking is really in its infancy here in Chamonix, but it's growing fast thanks to the efforts of the biking community with projects like the Vallorcine downhill, the Les Houches northshore and this guidebook. Everybody seems to be really into it - except a couple of people's secret spots which I've blown!”
With something for every level of rider, his detailed descriptions will guide you round pretty much every trail worth riding, whether secret or signposted, as well as ensuring you see the very best of Chamonix' outstanding scenery. The start and end point for each route is clearly marked, as is the distance, approximate time to complete the ride and a difficulty grading from1-5. It also provides a small map and profile of the trail detailing total ascent/descent, so you can see exactly what you're letting yourself in for before setting out
I thought I'd put it to the test last weekend by exploring one of the routes in Les Houches that I'd never done before, therefore relying 100% on Tom's descriptions to find my way. I opted for “Hugh's Way”, a 10km trail from the top of the Prarion gondola down to St Gervais that promised me “alpine pastures, woodland single-track and great views”. I wasn't disappointed!
Right from the outset I was impressed by the level of detail given in the ride description, especially at the beginning where there were so many paths criss-crossing left, right and centre that I would have never found the trail I was after. Stopping at regular intervals to refer to the guide, it was at times possible to see the next three or four markers in the terrain ahead, such was the level of detail given. If a landmark was noted as being at 10 o'clock, then you'd see it at 10 o'clock, if the trail was meant to split in 40m, then it did. I only went wrong once and that was more because I got carried away on a nice fast descent that I forgot to keep an eye out for my next marker. On one other occasion the directions appeared to be taking me through someone's garden where the entire family were all out enjoying a Sunday BBQ! However, tentative enquiries confirmed that it was indeed a public right of way and they very good naturedly waved me through, offering me a sandwich en route… ;O)
Because I was so reliant on the book to find my way, I was very grateful that it really is pocket-sized so that I didn't have to keep faffing about with my back pack every time I needed guidance. My only criticism would be the size of the maps - they're a little too small to follow in any detail and so I took a separate map with me as well. Having said that though, the route descriptions were so good that I never needed to refer to it. However, I would have liked a heads up that the “occasional goat enclosure” noted in the text was also guarded by the Hound of the Baskervilles who took great exception to me when I unintentionally scared a couple of his flock!! Although judging by the slight twitch in his tail, I think he was actually getting more amusement from nearly making me fall off rather than meaning any great harm!
The guide contains 15 bike routes catering for all abilities and covering the length and breadth of the valley. It specifically omits some of the more obvious routes that you'll no doubt find for yourself courtesy of the free MTB Guide produced by the Tourist Office, so this really is an absolute must for any rider wishing to make the most of Chamonix' fantastic biking terrain. Costing €15, it's available from Zero G, Grand Bi, Chambre 9, Le Pub and Otovalo sport shop or if you can't wait until you get out here to get your hands on a copy, then contact Tom via Zero G and he'll mail you one to your door!
