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Post by Richard on Dec 7, 2014 20:23:46 GMT
Alright fellah's (and ladies) it's time to start thinking about twenny-fifteen.
I'm really keen to get back to Morzine again. If we could get the same chalet that would be great, if not there's loads more out there for hire.
I was thinking of maybe later in July or even August this time to try to ensure better weather (although last year was the first time in ten years that I've had such a bad experience).
So who is interested? There's a few questions to be discussed/answered including
- Are we all happy with self-catering/self guiding or do we want to go back to the likes of TrailAddiction/White Room? - Are you happy with Morzine or do you want to do another location? - Is July or August the best. For those with school-age kids you may want to avoid August - Are you happy with driving over there again? I'm happy to drive and share my car. It's a pain driving for 12 hours but I'm certain that it's the cheapest option (worked out at £150 per head split three ways last year)
Here's my latest video to get you in the mood.
Our second day in the Alps in July 2014 and the last dry day; you can see the storm clouds gathering overhead. I've been sitting on this footage a while trying to think of something clever to do with it but failed, so here is a few clips thrown together for you cut to the wonderful 2000 Man by The Rolling Stones.
Sorry for the profanity and the goat shagging but we are all grown-up's aren't we?
I have no rights over this music.
It's amazing to think how true these lyrics are today given that Mick n' Keef wrote them in 1967.
Well, my name it is a number It's on a piece of plastic film And I've been growin' funny flowers Outside on my little window sill
And don't you know I'm a 2,000 man And my kids, they just don't understand me at all
You know, my wife still respects me Even though I really misuse her I am having an affair With the Random computer
But don't you know I'm a 2,000 man And my kids, they just don't understand me at all
Oh daddy, proud of your planet Oh mommy, proud of your sun Oh daddy, proud of your planet Oh mommy. proud of your sun Oh daddy, your brain's still flashin' Like they did when you were young Or did they come down crashin' Seeing all the things you'd done Spacin' out and havin' fun
Oh daddy, proud of your planet Oh mommy. proud of your sun Oh daddy, proud of your planet Oh mommy. proud of your sun
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terry
FreeRider
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Post by terry on Dec 7, 2014 20:57:13 GMT
I am in....Are we all happy with self-catering/self guiding or do we want to go back to the likes of TrailAddiction/White Room? - I am easy either way - Are you happy with Morzine or do you want to do another location - If we do it ourselves then Morzine makes sense, if not then happy with another location
- Is July or August the best. For those with school-age kids you may want to avoid August - Happy to go with whatever date suits those with kids
- Are you happy with driving over there again? I'm happy to drive and share my car. It's a pain driving for 12 hours but I'm certain that it's the cheapest option (worked out at £150 per head split three ways last year)- ok to share drive with others but could not face it doing the majority, it wipes me out!
In short, I want to go and can fit in!!
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Post by Fishybob666 on Dec 7, 2014 21:48:20 GMT
Man, dem goats look strangely familiar, baaaah! Nice vid Muddy, reminded me i've still got masses of semi decent footage to string together at some point.
Good call on posting for the trip, just got my extra holiday purchase signed off so i'm in, yeaaay!
Now the details: - Happy with self catering which i thought worked well last year and is so much cheaper than TA. I would book the same chalet again as it had all we needed, great location and plenty of room so we could chill in our own space (and big bay windows to clear out Lee's farts). Again, i'm happy to cook a few meals.
- Definitely some unfinished business with Morzine, the area and network of trails is amazing so i'd hapilly go back.
- For me it would have to be late June or first week of July. We were desperately unlucky with the weather so i can't imagine a repeat of such conditions.On the plus side, if you go as soon as the lifts season start you'll have freshly built trails and a lot less of the dreaded braking bumps. We could also maybe combine with the Pass'portes du Soleil (one day 80km enduro ride) which takes places on 26.27.28/06
- I'm easy either way but most likely won't have my own car to offer driving people so would need to share with someone. Flying + renting small car (or transfer) is a bit more expensive but faster and less knackering.
At the same time, i would also consider any other options, locations, riding type. As long i get to ride a bike all day i'll be happy.
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Post by Richard on Dec 8, 2014 14:01:08 GMT
Man, dem goats look strangely familiar, baaaah! Nice vid Muddy, reminded me i've still got masses of semi decent footage to string together at some point. Glad you liked it. You can always 'dropbox' your footage over to me if you want/can't be bothered to do an edit yourself. I love pulling this sh*t together and it's always nice to see someone else's perspective on the rides as i always tend to take similar shots. Good news that you and Tel are up for '15. 29 weeks to go!
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Post by Richard on Dec 8, 2014 14:26:14 GMT
Let's do a quick tally of costs in the rough order they were paid this year (assuming a three-way split/car-share and self-catering/self-guiding): - Chalet - £150 per head (seven of us last year)
- Eurotunnel - £40'ish p.h. (will confirm later)
- Driving (including petrol/tolls/share of Euro breakdown cover) £187 last year (although this includes an extra £85 Eurotunnel charge due to an admin cock-up by the lovely Mrs S)
- Riding insurance in case you break yourself on the mountain - £35 from Skicard, DogTag or any of the other providers
- Food& beer - was it 50 Euros p.h. for the main shop at the start of the week? (Laurent to confirm as he was the money man on this one). Food lasted all week although a few meals out/top-ups during the week
- Breakfast - about 10 Euros for the week (mainly spent by whoever wandered down to the Pâtisserie that day
- Lift Pass - about 90 euros for six days or 110 Euros for 7 days depending on when you are arriving/leaving
- Guiding - free (self-guided)
- Lunch - mainly free, covered from weekly food bill or breakfast bill but topped up with beer n frites at whatever cafe we stopped at
Anything else I've missed? I make that a total of £412 pounds plus 170 Euros at a rough exchange rate of 1.2 = £141 so that makes £553 in total. However the beauty is that you can spread this across a number of months starting with the chalet payment in say January, Eurotunnel in March for example, insurance and other costs later etc. No need to stump it all up in one go. Other costs could be: - beer
- Easyjet if you choose to fly to Geneva, say £120 and don't forget the 'extras' circa £30 for taking your bike
- Transfer costs of circa 50 to 100 Euros if you fly to geneva to get you to Morzine via a minivan with bike trailer and back again at the end of the holiday
- replacement pads/chains/brakes/derailleurs etc. depending on what you break
- more beer
- eating out if you dont like mine/Laurent's cooking
- guiding if you dont fancy self-guided
- did I say beer yet?
Not knocking Trailaddiction as I've had many great holidays there and love their set-up but for comparison purposes their 2015 prices for the cheapest Les Arcs chalet is £629 p.w. rising to £699 for the premium chalet. You get all meals plus accomodation & guiding included but will still need to pay for Eurotunnel, travel costs, insurance and lift pass from my list above meaning the total will be well over £1,000 if we go with a ridin' n' guidin' company.
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Post by robmanns2007 on Dec 8, 2014 16:56:46 GMT
Some nice financials there Muddy - 30 years in the bank has finally paid off!
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Post by mrzr2005 on Dec 8, 2014 18:25:51 GMT
Sadly I won't be joining you in 2015, well I may join you for a days riding if you are in Morzine when I'm passing! At the end of aug I'm off to Switzerland for a week and will passing Morzine! I will be testing out a family chalet that sleeps 12 for possible trip in 2016 and a guiding company!
Also
A few of us made a snap decision on the BPW trip to book a TA trans-savoie trip. It's pricier than the other packages, and very limited availability, so there wasn't time to put it out on the forum!
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Post by Fishybob666 on Dec 9, 2014 8:59:33 GMT
A few of us made a snap decision on the BPW trip to book a TA trans-savoie trip. It's pricier than the other packages, and very limited availability, so there wasn't time to put it out on the forum! Interesting. Who's going?
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Post by mrzr2005 on Dec 9, 2014 11:23:07 GMT
A few of us made a snap decision on the BPW trip to book a TA trans-savoie trip. It's pricier than the other packages, and very limited availability, so there wasn't time to put it out on the forum! Interesting. Who's going? Me Al Jonesy Si Wobbem Paul
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Post by Si on Dec 9, 2014 12:09:33 GMT
There is room for 6 on the Trans-Savoie trips, and we had 6 ppl - job done. There's also only 3 trips per year (two of which are now booked up for 2015), so a quick show of hands and it was a done deal. How wise a decision it will be to smash out 6 days full-on riding with no rest day or option for one, over a course that defeats some of the world's finest, remains to be seen...
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Post by Richard on Dec 9, 2014 12:26:01 GMT
There is room for 6 on the Trans-Savoie trips, and we had 6 ppl - job done. There's also only 3 trips per year (two of which are now booked up for 2015), so a quick show of hands and it was a done deal. 8-)o No problem, it looks awesome but it's not for me, well not in 2015 anyway. Mebbe another time.
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Dandy Mole
Race Rider
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Post by Dandy Mole on Dec 9, 2014 16:12:52 GMT
I am in....Are we all happy with self-catering/self guiding or do we want to go back to the likes of TrailAddiction/White Room? - I am easy either way - Are you happy with Morzine or do you want to do another location - If we do it ourselves then Morzine makes sense, if not then happy with another location
- Is July or August the best. For those with school-age kids you may want to avoid August - Happy to go with whatever date suits those with kids
- Are you happy with driving over there again? I'm happy to drive and share my car. It's a pain driving for 12 hours but I'm certain that it's the cheapest option (worked out at £150 per head split three ways last year)- ok to share drive with others but could not face it doing the majority, it wipes me out!
In short, I want to go and can fit in!! Like Tel, I'm keen on another trip to the Alps with 'da boyz' and either June, late July or Aug suits me. I'm in Les Arcs with the family 04-11 July, so I can make dates up to and including 27 June, and from 18 July onwards. I can provide a car, but will need to share some of the driving 'cos as an old git it is a bit knackering
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Post by Richard on Dec 19, 2014 10:35:18 GMT
you guys and your different requirements.
I ain't going in June; end of.
July looks best
Laurent and I and Tel can make first week of July but Dandy can't
Anyone else?
I'm going to have to get cracking soon on booking the chalet so anyone out there wavering and not yet posted here needs to commit soon.
If we can't get seven of us from here we may need to start scouting around other friends/family/work colleagues etc. to make up the numbers so start thinking about who you would (or wouldn't) want to spend a week riding with.
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Post by Fishybob666 on Dec 19, 2014 11:38:48 GMT
Dandy, Tel and I were discussing dates at the curry the other night just as you decided to defect and go to the other end of the table with the kool kidz. We pretty much came to the conclusion that 20-27 June would be best. Lifts should open a week before (dates tbc in a month or so). Are you dead set on July then?
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Gaz
Junior Rider
Posts: 36
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Post by Gaz on Dec 19, 2014 13:14:47 GMT
Ive not done anything like this before but am certainly interested.
Ive had to put my purchase of a full suss on hOld at the moment,
Are there any options of hiring a full suss out there ? And does any one have any experience of this ?
I may have one before the trip and not need it should know nearer the time.
As neve been will leave other decisions like location to you guys,
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batbling
Gnarly Dude
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Post by batbling on Dec 19, 2014 13:23:00 GMT
June & July defo out for me 'cos of home commitments - & I cant really commit to anything until my back is sorted out.
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Post by Richard on Dec 19, 2014 13:30:57 GMT
Ive not done anything like this before but am certainly interested. Ive had to put my purchase of a full suss on hOld at the moment, Are there any options of hiring a full suss out there ? And does any one have any experience of this ? I may have one before the trip and not need it should know nearer the time. As neve been will leave other decisions like location to you guys, hi Gaz, you can hire a full-suss out there but they are usually shagged out pieces of sh*t that cost something like 70 to 100 euros a day so for six days riding you may as well beg, steal or borrow one here in the UK and stick it on the tow bar rack of my car to transport it out. From what I've seen of your riding i think you would be fine out there. you are sensible enough to not attempt something if you dont think you can ride it. We'll put you down as a maybe...
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Post by Richard on Dec 19, 2014 13:33:20 GMT
Dandy, Tel and I were discussing dates at the curry the other night just as you decided to defect and go to the other end of the table with the kool kidz. We pretty much came to the conclusion that 20-27 June would be best. Lifts should open a week before (dates tbc in a month or so). Are you dead set on July then? man, all these discussions going on without me, the CEO being involved. Can you as the local yokel guarantee that all the lifts will be open, all the snow will be melted and the weather will be half-decent that early in the year?
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Post by Fishybob666 on Dec 19, 2014 15:05:57 GMT
Dandy, Tel and I were discussing dates at the curry the other night just as you decided to defect and go to the other end of the table with the kool kidz. We pretty much came to the conclusion that 20-27 June would be best. Lifts should open a week before (dates tbc in a month or so). Are you dead set on July then? man, all these discussions going on without me, the CEO being involved. Can you as the local yokel guarantee that all the lifts will be open, all the snow will be melted and the weather will be half-decent that early in the year? Of course, as the autochthon i will be be personaly responsible for the running of the lifts, the good weather, the quality of the booze, the killer trails and the looks of the local hotties. Seriously, it's all pot luck and end of June's climate is the same as early July, should you be lucky.
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Post by mrzr2005 on Dec 19, 2014 17:04:50 GMT
, stick it on the tow bar rack of my car to transport it out. . You finally have your own RACK now?? What one did you buy???
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Post by Richard on Dec 20, 2014 9:37:47 GMT
You finally have your own RACK now?? What one did you buy??? yes Stevie-boy, yes I do. I went for the full monty i.e. the Thule 929 EuroClassic 3-bike towball carrier AcutightHere's a thing that's doing my head in though, the electric connector doesn't link to the car and I can't work out which adapter I need to buy. Any thoughts?
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Post by Richard on Dec 20, 2014 9:41:43 GMT
Of course, as the autochthon i will be be personaly responsible for the running of the lifts, the good weather, the quality of the booze, the killer trails and the looks of the local hotties. Seriously, it's all pot luck and end of June's climate is the same as early July, should you be lucky. I'm sorry, I have no idea what an autochthon is or even how to pronounce it. Does that mean you will guarantee at least that all the lifts are open? Cos looking at the lift info here which admittedly is 2014 it looks like not all the lifts are open the week of the 24th
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Post by Fishybob666 on Dec 20, 2014 10:21:53 GMT
I called the Morzine tourism office and the lift opening dates for summer 15 will be confirmed in a month or so but usually it's around mid June. Dandy, does the following week, 27/06 to 04/07 work for you?
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terry
FreeRider
Posts: 1,212
Faster on: his latest bike
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Post by terry on Dec 20, 2014 10:47:26 GMT
Hi Guys Sorry missed the latest bout of exchanges!! As I said I am easy what ever the date, although that date would need to include Richard! So if Richard can do the date than that is fine with me.
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Post by mrzr2005 on Dec 20, 2014 20:11:22 GMT
You finally have your own RACK now?? What one did you buy??? yes Stevie-boy, yes I do. I went for the full monty i.e. the Thule 929 EuroClassic 3-bike towball carrier AcutightHere's a thing that's doing my head in though, the electric connector doesn't link to the car and I can't work out which adapter I need to buy. Any thoughts? So does that mean you have splashed out on a new bike also???
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Dandy Mole
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Post by Dandy Mole on Dec 22, 2014 11:55:32 GMT
I called the Morzine tourism office and the lift opening dates for summer 15 will be confirmed in a month or so but usually it's around mid June. Dandy, does the following week, 27/06 to 04/07 work for you? Afraid not, as I need to be driving down to Les Arcs with the family on Sat 04 July. For a similar reason (but the return journey) I can't make the 11-18 July, either.
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Post by Fishybob666 on Jan 25, 2015 10:49:05 GMT
I called the Morzine tourism office and the lift opening dates for summer 15 will be confirmed in a month or so but usually it's around mid June. Dandy, does the following week, 27/06 to 04/07 work for you? Afraid not, as I need to be driving down to Les Arcs with the family on Sat 04 July. For a similar reason (but the return journey) I can't make the 11-18 July, either. How about the week before (20 to 27/06)? There's also the Pass'Portes du Soleil on 26, 27 et 28 june if we wanted to make it a long weekend instead of a sat-sat week Also if there's only 4 of us a chalet probably won't be an option and we'll have to stay in a hotel or appartment
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batbling
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Post by batbling on Jan 25, 2015 12:34:31 GMT
I'd be interested if you did the Passeports - don't think I will be in a state to commit for a while though so will watch this space....
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terry
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Post by terry on Jan 25, 2015 17:59:08 GMT
Hi All As I said before I am flexible with dates, all being well I intend to give my notice in this week to finish 1st week in June ( Plan to take the summer off) What ever the dates or type of Mountain biking it needs to fit in with Richard as he has offered to drive! Otherwise I am easy with whatever!
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Dandy Mole
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Post by Dandy Mole on Jan 26, 2015 12:19:13 GMT
Yep, 20-27 June is perfect, and I can also stay on for a few more days to include the Passeportes du Soleil too.
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