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The Mega was MEGA! The Main Event
by superfly
Posted: Jul 27, 2009
The Saab Salomon Avalanche Trophy - Megavalanche - The Main Event was again unbelievable as were the toilets at the top of Pic Blanc come race day. Ever wondered what it's like to run in the middle of a pack of stampeding buffalo?
Find out now here as we went to the South of France to Alp D'Huez and survived!
Find out now here as we went to the South of France to Alp D'Huez and survived!
Hopefully you read the story of the qualifying? If not check that out first:Mega Qualifying Report.
As you will know it's all about qualifying and where you finish there, that then places you in to one of the following:
Megavalanche (The A Final) you must finish 1-46th.
Mega Promo (The B Final) you must finish 47-90th.
Mega Affinity (The C Final) you must finish 91-145th.
Mega Affinity 1 (The D Final) you must finish 146-200th.
The real goal at the Mega, no matter what race you are in is to make it firstly down the hill and across the line. Secondary is to get into the A final, the "Megavalanche" which goes down Sunday morning at 09:00.
I finished 27th in my qualifier (group 3), rewarding me with the letter I and 9th row off the start and a 06:40 gondola with my name all over it. Full preparation Saturday evening with fresh rubber and tyre pressure checks, oiled chain and again checking every spoke and nut and bolt. "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail".
Kit all laid out on the front seat of the DG van consisted of:
-TLD Full Face (Full faces are mandatory)
-Adidas clear lens glasses, no goggles as airflow is too restricted and the glasses wipe clean super quick.
-Dainese full jacket with spine plate removed as my camelback has a hard plastic insert and the water bladder acts as a good padding.
-TLD padded chamois shorts
-TLD Moto shorts with pockets!
-661 Tom Cat Knee pads, a bit over protective, though a knee injury took me out at the Mega in 2007 and I couldn't finish.
-661 Ankle biters
-5.10 shoes
Camelback was filled with 1 litre of juice, enough to hydrate on until the race began at 09:00 meaning around 600ml for the race itself.
-Mars bar
-Banana
-Fig roll biscuits
-Tyre levers, mini pump, 2x tubes, multitool
-10 euro note for the bakers at the finish line!
-Mobile phone in to call Tiny to pick us up in the van at the bottom.
Anything else? One of those silver/golden ali foil survival sheets to wrap yourself up in, incase of last years wind and rain. As well as the cold, luckily this year there was no snow up top and come 08:00 when I landed at the top it was pleasantly warm. Always worth raiding the local charity shop back home for a nice big coat to discard moments before the race. Keeping you nice and toasty whilst you hang around the top of Pic Blanc for over one hour. If you do take up your best coat, you can always leave it in the big bag at the top. That is then carried down to the finish arena and did I say it's pot luck as to whether you get it back or not?
Don't forget a peg! The toilets at the top are HORRIFIC. Now I went for a number two when I woke up and then again as soon as I landed at the summit. As a very experienced racer I don't get scared or nervous on the start line for a race, except at Fort William and the Megavalanche that is. You know the drill, the butterflies kick in and off to make a call on the big white telephone. One quick one 10 minutes before the bell, that was three dumps in less than three hours, down to race weight. Only problem is so is everyone else, dropping the kids off in the pool meant the big throne looked like a chocolate Mr. Whippy ice cream gone wrong. Pooh everywhere, bubbling over the rim, crouched on my tip toes trying not to let the python touch down into the now steaming ice cream.
"If you can tackle and survive the toilets at the top, the race is a walk in the park".
No snow this year meant a rocky start line that swerved right with only two clear lines to ride. After the previous days carnage it was advisable to stay high if you were in the middle of the pack and run with your steed. The Chopper appeared, the EuroTrash music boomed out and we were off like soldiers over the trenches in World War I. How crazy? Insane is the only way to describe it, running almost 200 yards with your bike over a boulder field as the majority slid out on the off camber wiping each other out. Clattering into riders, both upright and on the deck, pedals whacking you in the back of the calves, elbows high, shoulders barging this was like running in the middle of stampeding wilder beast.
Then the snow, a mellow slope, feet up and pedal if you dare. Amazingly I saw my mate Daz upfront who had started two rows behind me, as I looked up there was a huge pile up. Moments later Daz was joining the "Pile On" as I screamed past. Seconds later upfront I saw some guy dive left and over the ledge, I thought he was going to die was my immediate thought. He slid down a 15ft snow bank and luckily stopped on the clear gravel road. If he had gone any further and carried on he would of been seriously injured for sure.
It looked good for me so I followed him down with Daz not far behind foolishly following me! Straight onto my ass and then on the bike we were off again towards the big snow and again some unexpected ass riding (I'm used to that). Looking across I was sliding parallel to four riders in a train together. Lifting my bike above me so nothing was dragging I accelerated past them with heaps of verbal abuse being thrown out.
Think that’s the top? Think again. When you pass that gondola station in the main event you are still not half way down.
Back up and riding the thousand ruts before the ice and then onto terror firma, solid ground and singletrack central as we trained it down in single file. Just after the dodgy bridge crossing some Johnny Foreigner came from nowhere and blitzed across the rocks, dropping down onto the singletrack and "T" Boning the rider in front sending them both head over heals. How close? Too close for my liking. If the course itself isn't dangerous enough the last thing you need is lunatics throwing themselves at the track unexpectedly.
Very, very little overtaking on these singletrack sections before a few steep climbs where the strong pedaled up whilst the rest of us pushed our bikes up the lung and calf busting incline. More singletrack and crowds of spectators baying for you to crash your brains out.
Around 30minutes gone at this stage the fuel tank was almost empty, luckily no cold to contend with, just the sun and heat, great! A huge slog ahead now on grass before we slowly climbed and traversed around Alp D'Huez and up part of the track used for the Sprint race. I spotted Victor Meldrew aka Danny Hart's Dad who shouted abuse and encouragement at me making me stand up and gain a few places. What must have been almost 2 miles of sand riding along a sheep’s/goats path grinded along, came next zapping every bit of energy from your legs. Let the rider behind sniffing your tail past? Surely he's as goosed as you, just keep on trucking guys, Yorkie style.
Gravity Dropper down and a fast descent next, super dusty with huge bermed dusty corners was a nightmare following the rider in front, zero visibility. I won't even mention the fire road that followed, anchors out 180 right how many went straight on in the dust ball?
Technical DH next really sorted the men from the boys. Arm pump, trailing leg calf about to explode and exhaustion meant silly schoolboy errors started to occur. Keep saying to yourself, smooth, hang in there, relax and enjoy. I even switched my stance on the long straights, putting my left foot forward felt awkward but gave that left leg a welcome break.
Loads of crashes ahead, riders off track or down in corners, how caring was everyone? Now my French, German, Italian is dire, as is my English though I still deciphered whatever language shouts of "You O.K?", "YES" was the reply followed by, "Get back on it mate". We may have been at war with the rider in front and behind yet everyone still cared for their well being.
Plenty of short sweet downs and ups on the roller coaster section was where the thoughts of giving up really kick in. What makes you carry on? The other riders screaming support for you to kick on and knowing you're less than 10 minutes from the finish line.
Tennis courts insight and the chance to overtake a few with a big lung busting push along the road before even more singletrack. Then onto the road and a quick road climb, seat post up, grab the bars just either side of the stem and dig deeper than you ever have before as that entrance to the next load of singletrack is worth dieing for. In you go and at the bottom cross the bridge and up the gravel fire road, again Tour De France style, head down, spinning to the last corner. Then stand up and give it full beans to the line and applauding crowds.
COLLAPSE.
How many people asked me my time and position? Not sure what race or track they were doing but when I crossed that line I collapsed to the floor with no energy to turn to the clock.
How did I fair? Not too good this year, last year was O.K with a 156th in the A final, 305th this year in the A final and I thought I went well. What went wrong? The start for sure and not staying upright on the snow.
1 ABSALON Remy 1201 (1)PRIO COMMENCAL ( France) 0:49:28,210 A 0:00:00
2 WILDHABER Rene 1 (2)PRIO TREK ( Suisse) 0:49:44,120 A 0:00:15
3 VOUILLOZ Nicolas 1202 (3)PRIO LAPIERRE ( France) 0:51:36,160 A 0:02:07
4 BAREL Fabien 1401 (4)PRIO SUBARU MTB PRO TEAM ( France) 0:53:30,390 A 0:04:02
5 PAROLIN Franck 1001 (5)PRIO RIVIERABIKE.COM ( France) 0:53:41,840 A 0:04:13
6 BALAUD Alexandre 601 (6)PRIO TRIBE SPORT GROUP ( France) 0:53:55,930 A 0:04:27
7 VAZQUEZ LOPEZ David 1402 (7)PRIO LAPIERRE SAAB SALOMON ( Espagne) 0:54:11,070 A 0:04:42
8 DOUCENDE Gregory 402 (8 ) PRIO LAPIERRE SAAB SALOMON ( France) 0:54:11,930 A 0:04:43
9 CLEMENTZ Jerome 801 (9)PRIO CANNONDALE - KENNY ( France) 0:54:12,790 A 0:04:44
10 NAVARRO Olivier 605 (1)MA30 EXTREME BIKE BANDOL COMMENCAL (
0:55:10,560 0:05:42
First Brit Home:
25 FRANCIS Rob 205 (7)SENI SUSSEX ( England) 0:59:49,910 0:10:21
In summary the Mega is the worst and best day of your life. Physically and mentally the race destroys your mind, body, soul and bike. Three quarters of the way down you swear you will never do this again and you confirm that as you cross the line. Then by some mind bending phenomena Olivia the organizer brain washes you and you are already starting your training plan on the drive home.
Will I be there again next year is not the question, the question is will you?
Entries usually open January 1st, as soon as we know anymore we will let you know right here on Pinkbike.com.
Clipped in? NEVER.
Si Paton..
Descent-Gear.com
Maxxis DH Tyres £24.99 Trackside or a little more online!
As you will know it's all about qualifying and where you finish there, that then places you in to one of the following:
Mega Promo (The B Final) you must finish 47-90th.
Mega Affinity (The C Final) you must finish 91-145th.
Mega Affinity 1 (The D Final) you must finish 146-200th.
The real goal at the Mega, no matter what race you are in is to make it firstly down the hill and across the line. Secondary is to get into the A final, the "Megavalanche" which goes down Sunday morning at 09:00.
I finished 27th in my qualifier (group 3), rewarding me with the letter I and 9th row off the start and a 06:40 gondola with my name all over it. Full preparation Saturday evening with fresh rubber and tyre pressure checks, oiled chain and again checking every spoke and nut and bolt. "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail".
-TLD Full Face (Full faces are mandatory)
-Adidas clear lens glasses, no goggles as airflow is too restricted and the glasses wipe clean super quick.
-Dainese full jacket with spine plate removed as my camelback has a hard plastic insert and the water bladder acts as a good padding.
-TLD padded chamois shorts
-TLD Moto shorts with pockets!
-661 Tom Cat Knee pads, a bit over protective, though a knee injury took me out at the Mega in 2007 and I couldn't finish.
-661 Ankle biters
-5.10 shoes
Camelback was filled with 1 litre of juice, enough to hydrate on until the race began at 09:00 meaning around 600ml for the race itself.
-Mars bar
-Banana
-Fig roll biscuits
-Tyre levers, mini pump, 2x tubes, multitool
-10 euro note for the bakers at the finish line!
-Mobile phone in to call Tiny to pick us up in the van at the bottom.
CHAOS..
Anything else? One of those silver/golden ali foil survival sheets to wrap yourself up in, incase of last years wind and rain. As well as the cold, luckily this year there was no snow up top and come 08:00 when I landed at the top it was pleasantly warm. Always worth raiding the local charity shop back home for a nice big coat to discard moments before the race. Keeping you nice and toasty whilst you hang around the top of Pic Blanc for over one hour. If you do take up your best coat, you can always leave it in the big bag at the top. That is then carried down to the finish arena and did I say it's pot luck as to whether you get it back or not?
Foot out, flat out..
Don't forget a peg! The toilets at the top are HORRIFIC. Now I went for a number two when I woke up and then again as soon as I landed at the summit. As a very experienced racer I don't get scared or nervous on the start line for a race, except at Fort William and the Megavalanche that is. You know the drill, the butterflies kick in and off to make a call on the big white telephone. One quick one 10 minutes before the bell, that was three dumps in less than three hours, down to race weight. Only problem is so is everyone else, dropping the kids off in the pool meant the big throne looked like a chocolate Mr. Whippy ice cream gone wrong. Pooh everywhere, bubbling over the rim, crouched on my tip toes trying not to let the python touch down into the now steaming ice cream.
"If you can tackle and survive the toilets at the top, the race is a walk in the park".
Alp D-Huez in the background
No snow this year meant a rocky start line that swerved right with only two clear lines to ride. After the previous days carnage it was advisable to stay high if you were in the middle of the pack and run with your steed. The Chopper appeared, the EuroTrash music boomed out and we were off like soldiers over the trenches in World War I. How crazy? Insane is the only way to describe it, running almost 200 yards with your bike over a boulder field as the majority slid out on the off camber wiping each other out. Clattering into riders, both upright and on the deck, pedals whacking you in the back of the calves, elbows high, shoulders barging this was like running in the middle of stampeding wilder beast.
Rene Wildhaber this year on a Trek
Then the snow, a mellow slope, feet up and pedal if you dare. Amazingly I saw my mate Daz upfront who had started two rows behind me, as I looked up there was a huge pile up. Moments later Daz was joining the "Pile On" as I screamed past. Seconds later upfront I saw some guy dive left and over the ledge, I thought he was going to die was my immediate thought. He slid down a 15ft snow bank and luckily stopped on the clear gravel road. If he had gone any further and carried on he would of been seriously injured for sure.
It looked good for me so I followed him down with Daz not far behind foolishly following me! Straight onto my ass and then on the bike we were off again towards the big snow and again some unexpected ass riding (I'm used to that). Looking across I was sliding parallel to four riders in a train together. Lifting my bike above me so nothing was dragging I accelerated past them with heaps of verbal abuse being thrown out.
Hats off to all the spectators that cheered every rider on. The atmosphere at the Mega is unbelievable, hairs on your back type stuff. Here you can see the appreciative rider, fist punched high in the air, pushed onwards by the crowd.
DMC Lift up from Alp D'Huez
Back up and riding the thousand ruts before the ice and then onto terror firma, solid ground and singletrack central as we trained it down in single file. Just after the dodgy bridge crossing some Johnny Foreigner came from nowhere and blitzed across the rocks, dropping down onto the singletrack and "T" Boning the rider in front sending them both head over heals. How close? Too close for my liking. If the course itself isn't dangerous enough the last thing you need is lunatics throwing themselves at the track unexpectedly.
Mega Number Plate
Very, very little overtaking on these singletrack sections before a few steep climbs where the strong pedaled up whilst the rest of us pushed our bikes up the lung and calf busting incline. More singletrack and crowds of spectators baying for you to crash your brains out.
Paul Hart was there, Danny's Dad.
Around 30minutes gone at this stage the fuel tank was almost empty, luckily no cold to contend with, just the sun and heat, great! A huge slog ahead now on grass before we slowly climbed and traversed around Alp D'Huez and up part of the track used for the Sprint race. I spotted Victor Meldrew aka Danny Hart's Dad who shouted abuse and encouragement at me making me stand up and gain a few places. What must have been almost 2 miles of sand riding along a sheep’s/goats path grinded along, came next zapping every bit of energy from your legs. Let the rider behind sniffing your tail past? Surely he's as goosed as you, just keep on trucking guys, Yorkie style.
Danny Hart
Gravity Dropper down and a fast descent next, super dusty with huge bermed dusty corners was a nightmare following the rider in front, zero visibility. I won't even mention the fire road that followed, anchors out 180 right how many went straight on in the dust ball?
Technical DH next really sorted the men from the boys. Arm pump, trailing leg calf about to explode and exhaustion meant silly schoolboy errors started to occur. Keep saying to yourself, smooth, hang in there, relax and enjoy. I even switched my stance on the long straights, putting my left foot forward felt awkward but gave that left leg a welcome break.
Loads of crashes ahead, riders off track or down in corners, how caring was everyone? Now my French, German, Italian is dire, as is my English though I still deciphered whatever language shouts of "You O.K?", "YES" was the reply followed by, "Get back on it mate". We may have been at war with the rider in front and behind yet everyone still cared for their well being.
Plenty of short sweet downs and ups on the roller coaster section was where the thoughts of giving up really kick in. What makes you carry on? The other riders screaming support for you to kick on and knowing you're less than 10 minutes from the finish line.
Epic Scenery
Tennis courts insight and the chance to overtake a few with a big lung busting push along the road before even more singletrack. Then onto the road and a quick road climb, seat post up, grab the bars just either side of the stem and dig deeper than you ever have before as that entrance to the next load of singletrack is worth dieing for. In you go and at the bottom cross the bridge and up the gravel fire road, again Tour De France style, head down, spinning to the last corner. Then stand up and give it full beans to the line and applauding crowds.
How many people asked me my time and position? Not sure what race or track they were doing but when I crossed that line I collapsed to the floor with no energy to turn to the clock.
How did I fair? Not too good this year, last year was O.K with a 156th in the A final, 305th this year in the A final and I thought I went well. What went wrong? The start for sure and not staying upright on the snow.
Nico following Remi
2 WILDHABER Rene 1 (2)PRIO TREK ( Suisse) 0:49:44,120 A 0:00:15
3 VOUILLOZ Nicolas 1202 (3)PRIO LAPIERRE ( France) 0:51:36,160 A 0:02:07
4 BAREL Fabien 1401 (4)PRIO SUBARU MTB PRO TEAM ( France) 0:53:30,390 A 0:04:02
5 PAROLIN Franck 1001 (5)PRIO RIVIERABIKE.COM ( France) 0:53:41,840 A 0:04:13
6 BALAUD Alexandre 601 (6)PRIO TRIBE SPORT GROUP ( France) 0:53:55,930 A 0:04:27
7 VAZQUEZ LOPEZ David 1402 (7)PRIO LAPIERRE SAAB SALOMON ( Espagne) 0:54:11,070 A 0:04:42
8 DOUCENDE Gregory 402 (8 ) PRIO LAPIERRE SAAB SALOMON ( France) 0:54:11,930 A 0:04:43
9 CLEMENTZ Jerome 801 (9)PRIO CANNONDALE - KENNY ( France) 0:54:12,790 A 0:04:44
10 NAVARRO Olivier 605 (1)MA30 EXTREME BIKE BANDOL COMMENCAL (
0:55:10,560 0:05:42
25 FRANCIS Rob 205 (7)SENI SUSSEX ( England) 0:59:49,910 0:10:21
Nasty things happen at the Mega
In summary the Mega is the worst and best day of your life. Physically and mentally the race destroys your mind, body, soul and bike. Three quarters of the way down you swear you will never do this again and you confirm that as you cross the line. Then by some mind bending phenomena Olivia the organizer brain washes you and you are already starting your training plan on the drive home.
Will I be there again next year is not the question, the question is will you?
Entries usually open January 1st, as soon as we know anymore we will let you know right here on Pinkbike.com.
Clipped in? NEVER.
Si Paton..
Descent-Gear.com
Maxxis DH Tyres £24.99 Trackside or a little more online!
13 Comments
- - 2
kev-hal
(Jul 29, 2009 at 0:09)
Gnar!
[Reply]
ed
[Reply]
I would have loved to start at position 30 in my qualifier, pretty much garuntees you qualification unless your useless. I started at 145th and finished in 112th with a 2 minute stop to chat to a Marshal I knew. Next year i'll be entering as early as possible and training harder so that If I do start behind a bunch of slow XC riders that run down the steep stuff I can just barge through them.
clipped in ...never. I bet all the top finishers were clipped, maybe try using clipless next year, you might be able to catch one or two of those 304 people ahead of you!!!
What an event! Some friends and I went out this year for the first time, absolutely amazing race and top notch organisation. Managed to get a 67th in the Mega (A) final after a 165th qualifier start, DH bikes = more lines!??
Gotta agree with "payback".... If you were clipped in Si you probably wouldn't be whinging about burning calves… Mine were certainly fine!
looks fantastic - Im going to enter next year - been a dream of mine for ages! see my blog to see my journey to the Avalanche!! http://jumble.pinkbike.com/blog/52weeks
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