dans Ramblings

Coupe De Monde, Avoriaz

2012-01-22T16:32:00.000Z

This is the view from about 200 metres down the Coupe De Monde, once of my favourite views from the entire of the Portes Du Soleil.

A good little adventure to Grizedale Pike

2011-11-03T09:27:00.001Z

Tony and me decided to go on an adventure, without a map or really any idea of where we were going...and it worked out pretty well in all honesty...

2011-09-27T10:01:00.001+01:00

On lake geneva...my belly forces my boyancey aid up...risky manouver!

Enroute to Morzine

2011-09-05T16:27:00.003+01:00

Been a bit busy recently but here is a photo from the start of our journey to Morzine in the Alpes :D

An impulse evening ride...

2011-07-25T17:04:00.000+01:00

Driving up through the Lake District (which officially has only 1 lake in the entire district) after a family doo down in Hawkshead I decided at 40 that I wanted to go for a bike ride in the lakes. I sent the text, got replies, picked them up and then by 7pm we were parked up and peddling up Askham Fell! Living in Carlisle is amazing! We got a little lost... but that doesn't distract from the awesome sunset we witnessed! Here are a few photos...

Newcastleton in the rain

2011-07-21T13:52:00.000+01:00

Working from home allows you to get out and do stuff when there isn't much happening, making the most of the quiet trails and doing the work you needed to do when you get back! Although, as we found out, the quick 3 hour ride turned into a morning and an afternoon after we had to take Meyer to the hospital due to a split hand...5 stiches and 4 injections later he was out and fine! He was even wearing gloves...but we had only managed about a mile of the trail before having to head home. Hopefully he will heal quickly and get back on the bike!

Whinlatter Jackrabbitt Ride

2011-07-17T12:54:00.000+01:00

We have been organising group rides for the last few years, to try and get people interested in mountain biking, and the last 2 we ran have been absolute belters. 16 or 17 people turned up to Whinlatter near Keswick on the 10th July 2011 and here is how it went down!

Orange MrO: New Project

2011-07-09T19:55:00.000+01:00

I say new project, I bought the frame about 2 years ago if not more, however I intend on building it up over time, anywho...here is what I have to start with...from the year 2000 it's an Orange Mr O...watch this space...

Just found this...I have intentions of making it look just as good! http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=918136&sid=b347d8253bed981a10b36254b9c79355

Newcastleton with Random Biking

2011-07-09T19:48:00.000+01:00

Joined the Random biking crew on a trip to Newcastleton, I go with these guys when I need my fitness sorting out, they just pedal and pedal and whinge at you when you are taking too long, so it makes you try and keep up. I struggled this time, fitness and breathing went out the window and I just melted...which the midgies loved. I have never seen so many airborne blighters in my life! My arms, legs and hands are bitten beyond belief! Good ride none the less.

Saint crank bolts stripped

2011-07-09T19:29:00.000+01:00

6 years ago I purchased a set of Shimano Saint cranks, under the guidance of guru Joe from Palace Cycles that they would last me forever. They are still going strong, 2 or 3 replacement bottom brackets, however I seem to have gone through more of the bolts that hold the crank arm together than I have bottom brackets. I am currently on my 4th or 5th set of bolts...this is due to the crank arm occasionally coming loose, I tighten it with an old set of allen keys, round the bolt head and then struggle to get them back out!

I think the issue is due to the NS Surge frame being an odd width at the bottom bracket, so the arm doesn't clamp down quite right. Anywho, I bought another set of bolts (£1.99 each) cleaned all the crud off the cranks and tightened them up...WOOO back to normal, I reckon these really will last a long time!

A morning blast on the shredder!

2011-07-03T00:50:00.002+01:00

It has been almost 2 years since I broke my collarbone (clavical) at Ae forest, and I havn't been back there that much since. A play day was in order, so we got up early on sunday, set off at 9am and went up to Ae, we sessioned the last section of the Omega Man a few times and then hit the shredder from the top before heading home. I still have a little bit of fear/doubt in my mind about riding here because I still have no idea why or how I fell 2 years ago (I hit my head hard enough to have a 30 second memory for 6 hours).

I am still using the wrong tyres for these trails, especially in the wet, so I think I will be changing back in the near future to some slightly more trail friendly treads. At the top we discussed; "In my head I am telling myself to just go for the road gap, but I know that as soon as I get there my body will chicken out, but I am going to try!" and a few people agreed with me. It got to the ever crucial corner before it and I ran wide because of the silly tyres, but I decided to pedal and hit it anyway... narrowly missing my manhood with my seat as I landed short and onto flat, about a 5 foot drop, needless to say, my forks bottomed out with a loud clunk but I rode away none the less. I did hit it again, still not quite clearing it but still a whole lot smoother that time!

Ride the full descent all the way down and end of a massive buzz as everyone meets back up at the bottom. This is why I mountain bike, that feeling, shared with your mates, it has to be experienced to be understood.

Photos here: https://picasaweb.google.com/Danieljesse/AeShredder260611

(if vid stops working go here: https://picasaweb.google.com/Danieljesse/AeShredder260611#5624905869727901490)

New wipers!

2011-07-03T00:32:00.001+01:00

Well, I told you I was going to keep you updated on the van stuff... first bit of money spent...£15 for a set of new Aero wipers off the T4forum...the difference they make...incredible...and they look a bit nicer too!

Lakes camping trip

2011-07-03T00:24:00.001+01:00

Well, after last years success (which I did not attend) Kirstie decided to organise another weekend of fun in the Lake District! We went kayaking in Derwent Water near Keswick, took a trip over to the other side, jumped off a pier, visited 2 islands, got cold and then paddled forever to get back to the carpark!
Then we headed down to Stonethwaite at the bottom of the Borrowdale valley...for those that know it you will appreciate the track down to the campsite is a pretty gnarly track...driving the new van down there was a tad scarey (respect to Iain who took a massive hightop longwheelbase Fiat down there in front of me!), but the track was made to look like nothing at all by Phil T in his monster truck vitara, and Mike in his Landy!

We set up camp as you can see in the photos, cooked food, chilled out, made fire (as all real men do!) and then went to sleep! This was our first night kipping in the van, and I tell you what...I will never choose to go tenting again...Campervans are where it is at! Especially when you just chuck your double mattress in the back, it's like home from home! Wake up in the morning and pack up...no soggy tent to fold away...WINNER!

Then we headed down to Kendal climbing wall for a full session there (I didn't due to restricted funding...nothing to do with the new van...honest!?). The walls there are really nice looking and it looks as though they are developing the place to add even more to it, so I look forward to going back once money is less of an issue. Good weekend had by all and a wicked first camping trip in the van!

Here is a link to all the photos on Picasa from the weekend.

The view from my office

2011-07-02T23:53:00.002+01:00

Been in the office a week now, and I think I am going to love it! The view over Carlisle is amazing, especially at sunset!

Our new van: VW T4 2.5TDI 88BHP

2011-06-24T00:46:00.000+01:00

Well, I have mentioned it a couple of times now but it is finally time to unveil our latest addition to the family. As we wave goodbye to the trusty Ibiza and welcome in the new vehicle. The wife and I were on the hunt for an estate car because squeezing everything into the hot hatch was just annoying, we checked out a Mazda Bongo at a local car sales place...Ems fell in love...now she wants a camper, with the thought of taking it, parking up, sleeping etc, then Grave, our housemate at the time purchased a lovely looking VW T4...after a discussion about sleeping arrangements in the van etc, we were hooked! Thus commencing the ebay search! We looked at 2 or 3, too expensive for what they were, tatty old rust buckets, so I put out the call on facebook, "The person who finds us our van will get their name on the back of it!". Wendy sent me about 30 links through, picking out the better deals, 1 we had already seen and then the other, the one we bought!
It turned out I knew the guy selling the van, he taught me to surf! Bought it, picked it up and haven't looked back since! We paid £4000 for it, which is a reasonable price for the condition it is in, but there are still quite a few problems needing looked at, but all in due course! I will list them soon and keep you up to date with anything we do with it and also our adVANtures as we go along!
Finally, the moment you have been waiting for....meet the T4!

Grizedale Pike on semi-slicks!

2011-06-17T16:15:00.002+01:00

Well, last night was interesting...single speed (36/16 for those who know) on semi-slicks riding the Whinlatter south side ascent, then continuing up to the top of Grizedale Pike. A long climb but the view at the top is so worth it. My chain snapped at the start so even after fixing it I still didn't trust it, so the steeper climbs I walked, but then even the experienced riders would be walking up the final bit of the climb to Grizedale Pike...it was almost like rock climbing with a bike on your shoulders! 20 minute descent from the top was well worth it...apart from the steep corners which resulted in me ditching the bike and running to stop myself from falling! Great fun once I could predict my tyres line of choice...

All photos can be found here: https://picasaweb.google.com/Danieljesse/Whinlatter16June

Ullswater spontaneous kayaking

2011-06-10T12:44:00.000+01:00

This is the reason I love living in Carlisle. We finished moving some stuff from house to house and then decided to take the kayaks down into the lake district, 45 minutes later and we were unloading the boats from the van, not many cities in the country where you can do that.

One of my friends offered me the use of his 2 kayaks that he bought a while ago and has never had the chance to use them, so I took him up on it. Proud, Grave and me took to the water after helping a chap from huddersfield carry his dingy down to the water front (turned out he owned one of the boats in front of Sharrow Bay).

Onto the water and then a mission over to the other side, then a stop in the middle for a chat, then back over to the old chaps boat (Laurence was his name!) We got chatting and he asked us if we fancied a coffee or tea, so jumped aboard (and didn't fall in!) got cold, jumped back in the kayaks and sat in the van for half an hour using my new stove to make a few brews! Winner! I think I will be going kayaking a lot more in the future, it is good fun and quite a good social activity.

Sidenote: Long Kayaks do not fit in short wheelbase transporters!

Back on the bike

2011-05-20T13:00:00.001+01:00

Well it has been a while since on my trusty steel trail monster, but after a couple of rides I am still loving it, which is good to know! Must admit it is still taking a bit of adjusting to the traveling forwards and not standing sideways but I suppose that comes with the winter season territory.

So far I have ridden; Drumlanrigg, Mabie, and a couple of Lake district routes which I can't remember the names...see photo above! Anyway, on my second ride back, riding with some of my best riding buddies, we decided to do the ever fateful "One more run", which resulted in Grave going down on the first corner. "You ok?" I asked, to which he followed, "Not sure", picking up the bike and riding off still on top form. Now this might not seem that odd to most people but for us to hear him say that meant that there was probably something wrong as he normally just bounces and grins, but like I say he carried on riding seemingly unhindered. Eventually Proudy got past me at one of the gates, filming with the GoPro he followed Grave and struggled to keep up with Grave's pace down the Laterigg decent. Getting to the bottom and then realising that he was hurt more than he first assumed! Most people would have reconsidered things back up at the top! This is where "Passion Beyond Reason" come from with the Jackrabbitt crew. We took him to A&E only for them to tell him/us what we already expected, a broken clavicle. Congratulations you are now a true mountain biker!

We made 3 fatal mistakes that day. 1) I told everyone that they aren't true mountain bikers until they have broken their collarbone, 2) Never say "One Last/More Run" and 3) Never say "I prefer the loose stuff"
Lessons learned once again!

Season in Morzine = Done!

2011-05-08T14:45:00.001+01:00

Well, after 5 months we are finally back in the UK. Having met some inspirational people along the way, we have come back with a lot of new friends and a rake load of stories to tell. Just want to say a massive thank you to all the other seasonaires we met whilst out in Morzine, riding and chilling with you guys made the insane workload that little bit easier to handle! Big up to all of our guests, we could not have imagined how many new people we would meet along the way and nearly everyone was spot on. We will make every effort to keep in touch, but where we do fall short, feel free to give us a shout if you are ever in/near carlisle! A massive thank you to Emma and Olly, the big bad bosses, who helped us throughout the season, if only every boss in the world was like you two! I only hope that we could pass on your passion and represent your company as you would have done yourselves. Cheers to the Jackrabbitt peeps who came out to visit, was good to see people in our temporary home! Finally I owe the sport of snowboarding a lot, it brought on the new experiences, new friends, and a different look on life, to some it is just a sport for one week a year, to me it is a lifestyle and one that continues to effect the way I live my life.

On a seperate note...I made 100 days of snowboarding on my very last day! I made the mistake of working out how many days I could miss and still make 100, so then I inevitably missed those days, however I still made my challenge. WINNER! It was hard work, often going out on days when I couldn't really be bothered, but it usually turned out to be a good day and never failed to cheer me up on the old down days. I challenge anyone that goes away on a season to reach 100 days on the mountain.
Ems also had an amazing season, to the point where she caught up with me and I had to up my game and start hitting bigger things and going faster at everything. Welldone girl, you did good and did me proud! A massive thank you to her for helping me and pushing me throughout the season.

All in all, we had an awesome and unforgettable time chalet hosting for Mountain Mavericks, we got to do what we love with people we love. Question is, would we do it again?

EEEEEEAAGLEE!

2011-04-21T23:07:00.000+01:00

Well today we took the Jackrabbitt holiday makers to the skies! here are a couple of photos with many many more to follow!

Jackrabbitt week

2011-04-16T07:55:00.000+01:00

Our final week is now here, and it has come too quick! Everyone else is winding down but here in Chalet L'Atelier of Mountain Mavericks things are just about to get going! 8 guests for the week consisting of uni mates and friends of friends, sunny weather and fun times ahead! Snowboarding in the morning, GPS treasure hunts in the afternoon, GoApe style stuff through the trees, mountain biking, and for a few of us..paragliding! I will hopefully be able to keep you updated on a daily basis...watch this space [ ]

Just Snowboard Camp, Morzine/Avoriaz

2011-04-02T18:24:00.000+01:00

Just finished the edit of this weeks Just Snowboarding Camp, the Freestyle edition. We had an amazing week with these guys and getting taught by Mint Snowboarding. Breaking everything down into the basics, pipe, park and flat land tricks, making it easier to get to grips with what our bodies should be doing. It was great to see a high level of progression with all involved, including Dave the instructor who pretty much had the Misty flip dialed in on the airbag! Nothing better than sharing a week with people who share a passion to progress in the same sports as you! This week it is the girls turn to step up and show the boys how it is done!

Out of the halfpipe....CHECK!

2011-03-30T13:30:00.001+01:00

Well, I have done a few runs the pipe now and must admit, watching people I thought I could get some air time out of the top, but when I tried myself I was too much of a chicken! I decided to add it to my list of things to do whilst over here, and then recently due to lack of snow there were rumours of them flattening it, this made me decide to go all out and just try it. So today was nice and slushy, so I had a random bit of confidence from somewhere and it just felt right. I got near the top on a few of my first runs but then managed to start breaking out...and eventually I got it. Only managing it on the frontside wall but none the less I was making it out! This is a proud one for me, so I got Ems to get a photo just to prove to you all that I did it! Here you go...

ps. IT IS SNOWING!

Halfpipe wifey!

2011-03-28T21:29:00.000+01:00

Well, I managed to get Ems to do the lesson in the pipe...almost had to drag her kicking and screaming...but it worked! She progressed from being scared of entering the pipe, all the way to getting onto the walls and getting some speed up! Now she is at the same level as me as I am too much of a wuss to get any air out the top!

It sounds like the pipe is due to be flattened in the next few days due to lack of snow :(

A few runs in the slush

2011-03-25T17:21:00.000Z

Went out for a few runs today, only to find that almost everywhere was slush. Normally good fun but after a heavy slam on wednesday my body is suffering. I came over the red kicker hoping to do a grab, but I ended up rotating 90 degrees backside instantly catching my heels on the transition. Catching your heels on a snowboard is usually the lesser of two evils between that and catching your toe edge, because on your toes you have the potential faceplant and also break your wrists, however, at speed and from height...heel edge hurts also! As my edge caught, my feet stayed where they were, sending my ass into the ground, and with my board still acting as an achor point my body rotated round my legs and sent my head into the ground at speed. I got up pretty much unhurt...WINNER...then when I went to sleep that night and woke up the next day I realised that my muscles had decided to punish me for my actions!
This was 2 days ago and I am still having issues moving, my leg muscles, stomach muscles and neck muscles do want to comply with the body movement regulations! Anyway, the slopes were so quiet it was amazing, it has been far too long!

Trying my bit at trash talk!

2011-03-22T21:45:00.000Z

My friend Joycey has decided to step up his game, and he thought the best way to do that was to challenge me to a wee competition within the realms of snowboard freestyle! I have posted my first video to Youtube and I am now awaiting his response, to try and beat it or at the very least match it. We then have a weeks worth of facebook 'likes' to count up and then the winner is decided over on the Jackrabbitt facebook page. Please vote for mine... :D

On a side note, hello to Kate who I found out has been following my blog since I got a mention from the Mountain Mavericks blog a couple of weeks back and is now one of our guests!

Spins and things...

2011-03-21T17:40:00.000Z

With the wee Wifey feeling a little under the weather today I headed out by myself to go meet up with Mel. I have found that I am a lot less forgiving when I am by myself, making comments to ignorant skiers on rental skis chipping away at my edges. When I am with someone else it doesn't seem to bother me as much...who knows...anyway, met up with Mel who was riding with the MoreMountain staff (Dan, Ruth, Andy, Sarah, Helen, Rick) and Stu.

We headed up Arrare side and had a little adventure off piste, some quite nice snow up there, to the point where I have almost forgotten how to ride it! Then headed over to Fornet, where we were just playing on and off the side of the piste, try spins and grabs and just generally pushing each other to get it right. A really good vibe through the whole crew in that you would get a "woop woop" if you got it right, which makes a massive difference with your progression. Andy, Dan and Stu were pulling off some lovely 360 spins, which made me realise it is time to start pushing myself to try and get it right...eventually I did (frontside - anticlockwise), which felt amazing, and then I repeated it again to make sure it wasn't a fluke! WINNER!

After that I managed to persuade Andy and Stu to do a run through the stash with me, hitting a few of the features like the tree gap, picnic table, and a few of the boxes. That was the end of the day, and on the way home I managed to land a backside 360 at the side of the piste and it felt amazing! All in all, an awesome day with some new people which is always good! However it was Paul's last day, so we say farewell to him (even though I didn't get to say bye, sorry Paul!) it has been a pleasure riding with you the last 2 months!

Doll and the Kicks

2011-03-21T09:13:00.000Z

Not the wednesday just gone but the one before we decided to take a road trip to Switzerland to see one of Mel's friends band play in Lausanne, they are called Doll and the Kicks. Not really knowing what to expect we went to the gig, saw the opening act and I must admit I was worried what I had paid for as the first band were pretty pants...then on came Doll and the Kicks...totally blown away and lost for words. Hannah (singer) and the other 3 guys have so much energy and you can tell they are loving what they do. Lyrically and musically they are a talented bunch and put on an awesome live show. I have since struggle to put the CD down. My recommendation to you is that if you get the chance to go see them in your area...DO IT! You will not regret it! Here is one of their videos (this track is a great one to snowboard to).

Cheers to Mel for uncovering these guys to us! Cheers to DATK for an amazing evening, all the best in the future!

Got snow?!

2011-03-19T08:20:00.000Z

Mitch said it, but I didn't believe him....and I was wrong. It is snowing...or was at least, it has calmed down now but check this photo out...this is from our window in the Prodain valley

The snow is still quite wet down here but my hopes are that it is light and fluffy up yonder... here is to hoping!

Lac Montriond

2011-03-14T16:26:00.000Z

Frozen lake montriond where they do all the water sports in summer, a beatiful sight even if you have to walk in a constant stream of puddles...

Turn it up a notch

2011-03-10T22:16:00.001Z

Well, after being here for 107 days, and only 44 days to go, we all decided it was time to step it up a gear. Ems, Carol and Mel are hitting the blue kickers, barrel jump, boxes and also starting to get grabs. Dom, Stu and me have started hitting the reds on a frequent basis, to the point where the blues are no longer a challenge, until I try and spin off them. After hitting the red, we decided to look at the black, as it seemed like the natural progression, this still did not make it into the season targets as it looks amazingly intimidating, and the only people hitting it seemed to be the guys pulling an array of aerial trickery...I have no idea about names but I am sure there was probably a cork mctwist rodeo 540 cab in there somewhere....

Dom kindly suggested hitting the Chappelle Park red jumps on monday, so we did, and it scared me, it got my heart going more than the Arrare Park red jumps, so I hit all 3 in rythme and all was good... until tuesday, when Dom said about looking at the black jump in the Arrare Park...I laughed...but to humour him, I took a dummy run up to the jump, to be met with what looked like a wall, not a jump, the launch ramp was huge and a long way out of my ability, or so I thought... I ducked out and just looked at the jump in awe of its size. I took another dummy run at it to see what kind of speed I needed. Someone told me to just go straight at it... so I plucked up the courage, as did Dom and we both hit it...hearts pounding more than ever before!

I went a little too fast for my first run and had no idea what to do with all the time I had in the air, so I thought I would flap a little bit as you can see in the video, I have never jumped anything that size before and I think it is pretty obvious I need a wee bit of practice. I need to bend my knees more on landing and not just give up...so with a little less speed I managed to land the next 2 runs at the black jump. I still cannot really believe I did it...

Where did that come from?!

2011-03-07T16:00:00.000Z

Ems had some porridge today and decided that it was a good day to go big, along with the rest of the jackrabbitt morzine crew. Here are a few snaps from the day, write ups to come soon!

Powder anyone?!

2011-02-27T18:26:00.001Z

The snow we should have had back in January is finally here! Ems has been off for a couple of days due to some bruised ribs because of a fight with a mogul, but she is all good now (Well...getting better but she doesn't want to miss the currently heavy dumping snow!). Not much updating recently as half term week has been hecticly busy, but almost back to normal now...and equipped with a fully working goPro! I have already got some beautiful off piste tree runs on it, i just have to cut out the falls and then upload them! Be with you soon! ps....IT IS SNOWING!

More Snow!

2011-02-21T15:50:00.000Z

We had a little top up of snow over night, so we got done and headed up. Awesome session of off piste, cheers to the guys we were out with. More snow due in later this week and more fun times to be had! Canny wait like! Even if it is half term...and extremely busy!

We hit up Arrare, Fornet, Up and over chair lift (cant remember names) then Arrare and PisteMarker 38 which was just beautiful untouched snow! Unfortunatly it leaves you with a hunger for more and more and more and more, so we are going back tomorrow!

Real snow!

2011-02-20T21:16:00.000Z

Woke up this morning to a lovely fresh layer of white stuff, with loads more falling! We totally weren't expecting it so I felt like my birthday present had come early, thanks to everyone who did the snow dance for us. We got breakfast done, had a quick dip in the hot tub as I had just cleaned it and it was all fresh, then headed up the hill. For the first day of half term it wasn't too busy, but we have been warned it will be horrid tomorrow. The snow was falling thick and heavy, yet the temperature was still above zero, so as soon as it hit us, it melted, so we came back extremely soggy. We have had about half a foot fall down around our chalet so maybe a bit more than that up top.

I have almost forgotten how to ride real snow, but then again, there are still sections of the old icy pistes showing through, so hopefully the snow they have predicted for tomorrow and wednesday will be correct!

Right, I am off to watch/fall asleep to Band of Brothers on my lovely high res screen in HD, good night y'all.

A quick vid from our day off

2011-02-19T09:30:00.001Z

Here is a few wee clips from our day off, featuring Ems, me, Dom and Stu. With my GoPro on its way back to me, prepare for an onslaught of videos!

Day off with some fresh snow!

2011-02-17T16:05:00.002Z

It snowed on tuesday night too, so to all the people that dedicated a snowdance to the Alps, me and Ems thank you from the bottom of our heart...we needed the snow and it came! In celebration of this fact we decided to head on up for first lift (which we missed by about 2 minutes due to me faffing as per usual). Once we were up we hit the Coupe De Mondes for the first time, a steep, freshly pisted black run which brings a tear to your eyes even with goggles on! Reaching a top speed of 99.5kmph in the first few runs, I thought was quite impressive...no...just me....ok nevermind. Link to GPS tracked route here.

I decided to take Ems to a blue jump which is a step up, this means that it doesnt have a landing on the other side, you get to the peak of your jump, then you land, this means there is no harsh thuds, or long drops to get you injured. She stepped up to the plate and nailed it...falling on her bum, but still trying again a few more times, the third time, totally clearing the flat top and landing on the down ramp...even I was struggling to do that! Time to step up my game I think!

I took it to the reds...this wasn't due for a few weeks yet but Ems forced my hand. I took the run up to the red from where looked to be the best place, I was going too fast and thought I was going to fly off the end of the earth, only to hit the jump and only make it across half the flat bit of the landing...ok...so I need to go a lot faster...a few more attempts saw me keep scrubbing my speed off in the run up and landing on the flat. Eventually I grew a pair and pinned it towards the jump, popped off the kicker and flew...it felt like I was in the air for a lot longer than usual (because I was!) then I landed it and rode away with my heart pounding and a mass of adrenalin running through my veins! Success!

We then went to do a bit of off piste with some new friends and some old friends, Stu, Carol, Mel, Dom, Glenda and Paul. Happy valley was great fun, hitting all the random rock drops, jumps, wind lips, icy patches and (kind of) fresh powder. Awesome day in all, follwed up by some drinks and dancing at the Tremplin for apres, then over to Le Prele for a guestless chalet experience. Dave and Nicky provided us with some amazing chilli and the opportunity of a hot tub....WOOOOOO! A grand day :)

It...is....SNOWING!

2011-02-15T13:49:00.000Z

After what seems like an age, the snow has finally arrived, even if it only snows today it will be enough to save us from our icy dooms! Day off tomorrow and some epic adventures to be had...BRING IT ON!

Me and dave getting confused as to why the white stuff is falling....

Last day of sun?

2011-02-14T16:27:00.002Z

Hopefully that is the last we will see of the sun for a while and HOPEFULLY it will absolutely dump it down over the next week, we need it for sure. As much fun as the current riding conditions are we need a top up. We headed up with our new found seasonnaire friends from Sugar Mountain, Carol and Stu, and had a well good day, jibbing...falling...speeding etc. Really good guys to ride with as they are a lot more experienced than us and it is the best way to learn. (I also find that associating pain with mistakes is a quick way to learn, but it doesn't help you figure out the correct way of doing it!).

After heading over to Les Combes for a quick icy run with Dave and Nicky from Mountain Mavericks, we met up with Olly, who I tried to follow and copy the little tricks he was doing...but I was struggling to keep up let alone trick at the same time!

Burton CustomX 160cm 2009

At the moment I kind of feel like I am being held back with my little jib tricks due to my board as it is pretty stiff (Burton CustomX 160) and I think I am not quite at the level to get the most out of it just yet...but when the soft snow comes, it will finally come into a world of it's own!

Me, Stu and Andy

We then hit the park up for a few laps, where I was feeling pretty good until my foot fell out of my binding after 2 big jumps...glad it happened after and not during! Met Andy from More Mountain whilst in the park, he was laying down some silky smooth frontside 360s, but I ain't quite ready for that yet!
Ems got a few tips from Olly on the jumps; "bend your knees earlier", "bend your knees more when you land" and it worked a treat, she cleared the greens with ease and had a HUGE grin on her face at the end! Nice one wifey!

Jackrabbitt Holiday - April 16th-23rd

2011-02-14T09:19:00.002Z

Beautiful views to be had in the Portes Du Soleil.

We have a deal going with Mountain Mavericks for the week of the 16th (Saturday) April. The cost of the week is £295 and includes:

Your breakfast (with hot options, fresh croissants etc)
Afternoon tea (cake and bread etc)
6 days of 3 course evening meals
A days riding/guiding with Olly
Full access to the LibTech demo fleet
En suite rooms
Hot tub
Xbox 360
In house bar for cheap drinks
10 minute walk to the lift (perfect warm up)
Lifts to and from town
Tea or Coffee to your bedside on a morning
me and Ems as your hosts

If it doesn't snow it will look like this...

Not only do you get all that but in true Jackrabbitt style we will be running competitions and games throughout with prizes and awards given at the end of the week. We will have multiple cameras and video cameras on hand to capture the fails and success' from everyone involved, because we all prefer to watch a fall rather than a perfect jump.

Due to this being the last week of the season, there will be a hyped up atmosphere in the resort, with big parties and nights out all over the spot. We will help you get to all the parties that are worth going to. With it being in april, there is a chance of snow showers leaving us with amazing fresh snow, but if it doesn't snow, it is perfect park weather, so we can all head to the park and practice on the green, blue and red jumps.

Here are some optional extra for the week:

Snowboard lessons from €75 (£63)
Equipment hire available starting from €45 (£37)
Transfers to and from Geneva airport €50 (£42)
Portes Du Soleil area lift pass €175 (£147) or cheaper local area pass

Other costs to think about:

Flights (up to about £200 but get it right and you can get a bargain)
Winter sports insurance (usually around £20)

There are 14 places available. Interest is running high but no place is secured until the full amount of £295 has been paid. Booking forms available on request from dan@jackrabbitt.net.

Spring time slush, great fun to be had.

The snow is on its way!

2011-02-13T18:52:00.002Z

Dan gets it wrong...

2011-02-12T16:38:00.000Z

As you can probably tell by the following photo...I fell...landing on my left butt cheek with force...and now it hurts to sit down...yet I will still go back and do it again no doubt...probably to the right butt cheek.
Not having spent as much time in the park as I would like, I still feel a little un easy in the air, but I am aiming to change that as of Monday. I have a date with Lyle to hit the park for the day.

Very bad effort at a front side shift, which ended in pain

Lyle smashed out a huge backside shift on the jump before this

Dave from Mint tweaking to the max

I probably shouldn't have put this photo after Dave's...

Shredding with new peeps

2011-02-10T22:49:00.000Z

Mountain Mavericks, Sugar Mountain and Skiology

Due to working, sleeping and snowboarding, we haven't really had chance to meet loads of seasonnaires, let alone get organised enough to ride with anyone new. So today we headed out with some of the Skiology Chalets crew ( Clodagh, Jamie and Mitch) and then some of the Sugar Mountain crew (Stu and Carol), not to mention the good old faithfuls Dom and Mel. We had a truly splendid day, riding with new people really helps you push yourself and also learn new styles. I was getting shown new lines down pistes, hidden jumps, and then we were just all pushing to learn new stuff...I landed a backside 270...which will eventually turn into a 360 when I grow some balls and take it to the jumps!
Really nice guys and good banter as per usual with your seasonairre types, and another blue sky day, well looking forward to getting out with them again!

Good old Linderet chair lift

Stu hits the wall ride in the Stash, Avoriaz

Day off with Mountain Mavericks crew

2011-02-09T22:17:00.002Z

I showed them a trick...got it wrong and fell...so they all mocked me by doing the same...like lemmings!

Extremely expensive restaurante with stunning views behind me!

Late start due to 430am bedtime, but on the slopes for 12ish and once again it was a beautiful day! We havn't had snow since the 10th of January, just an afternoon of light showers and that was it. 3 powder days out of the 79 days we have been here, someone please send me some snowdance tutorials...we are getting desperate (also the goggle tan is kicking in far too early!).

Last run down to super morzine...i think it's called Zorr

Live DJing at the Tremplin, great vibe down there, hope they keep doing it!

We headed out with the Mountain Mavericks crew and had an awesome session, heading over to the same place me and Ems had been 2 days previous, beautiful scenery and a great crew to ride with. Constantly pushing each other and trying new stuff. All in all, a good day off, finished with a visit to the Tremplin. Live music, lots of people and the perfect way to end the day...well...then we went for steak and creme brulee...THAT'S the perfect end to it!

Awesome food :D

Over the border!

2011-02-07T22:17:00.000Z

Me and the wife decided to go a bit further afield than usual, this took us over towards Croset and the horrible drag lift that Ems hated so much (fell off it twice and made her have a bad day).

Everyone had told us not to bother going over to the Swiss side as there was no snow, only rocks and dirt. It turns out they were almost correct, however the pistes were still in ok condition, and pretty good fun after being in the sun a while as it was extremely slushy. I noticed they have a nice sized park over that way, with next to nobody using it, so I intend to go over there to try out the red kickers before I attempt them in the park where people can watch!
Long story short, great day with Ems, and she even got round to conquering the nasty drag lift as you can see in the photo.

Crosets 2 drag lift over in Switzerland

Summer summer summer time...

2011-02-06T15:32:00.001Z

Temperatures have risen in Morzine and the snow is getting slushy...it is only the ~~middle~~ start of Feb and the slopes are starting to need a top up...can people please do the snow dance for us...we don't know it...

Ems and me decided to have a sit on the deck chairs outside our chalet...IN FEBRUARY!

You can see just how little snow the mountains are managing to hold onto during the rise in temperature

Drop Doms not Bombs

2011-02-03T08:09:00.000Z

My new favourite place on the mountain... you guessed it, under the Les Combes lift!

Ems just dropped...

2011-02-02T16:23:00.000Z

Just to show you how much the mini wife is improving over here...

Les Combes rock drop

Day 40 on the mountain

2011-01-31T09:33:00.001Z

68 days from leaving the UK and we have just ridden our 40th day on the mountain, shortly heading out for day 41. The target is to get 100 days on the slopes by the end of the season, and we fully intend to achieve this! As we venture round Morzine, chatting to shop owners and instructors etc, we are getting a vibe that the other seasonnaires in the area are feeling the pressure and letting the old grind get to them. As me and the wife were discussing yesterday, now that we have been out here for a while, it would be far too easy to take all this for granted. Living in the mountains, beautiful views out the window, a massive variety of people to meet, an interestingly different culture to the UK, 5 days (sometimes 6) access to an amazing array of lifts and slopes...if none of them gave us reason to smile, I would start to question my sanity.

My wife appreciating the spectacular views just a short journey from our chalet

We have heard many people say that because the conditions are poor (not much snow and a quite icy) they are not heading out on the hill, which is their sole purpose for being here at the end of the day. So inevitably people are starting to lose focus, however, if you were to take a step back and look at it, we have a season pass of access onto the slopes. This means that it does not cost us any extra to get out even just for 2 or 3 runs and come back home, that is still more snowboarding and better conditions than you would get with your trip to Xcape or local dryslope. My point being is make the most of what you have before it is too late, and do it with a smile on your face!
...always look on the bright side of life...dedoo..dudoo..du du doo doo...
( Saying that...it would be lovely to have a wee bit of snow some time soon :D )

Les Combes rock drop

2011-01-29T23:58:00.001Z

Over chatel way, me and Dom spotted this drop from the chair...as per usual it was bigger than it looks when you got there...I bottled it and went for the smaller drop, but Dom kept his man status and drop the big un.... check it out!

Les Combes chair lift, easiest drop in the world to find!

Shredding the Avoriaz Halfpipe

2011-01-27T16:13:00.001Z

Well, today was not my first run through the pipe, due to a half hearted effort the other day, but it still felt like my first time! It is rock solid, icey and just incredibly intimidating...you stand at the top looking down, watching the people in front get out the pipe and pull some kind of trick that just doesn't make sense. Dave (tattoo) informs me of the basic principals of a half pipe, these being: only use your edges in the base of the pipe, board flat on the sides, do not jump as you will jump off the wall, and basically let it flow.
Simple...

Avoriaz half pipe...me the beginner!

I had my first run through, and it felt pretty good...no where near as hard as I was expecting. Managing about 6 turns until I got to the bottom..no falling! WOOO!
Obviously I headed for a second run, going faster and higher this time, still no where near the top, but enough to make me horizontal as you can see in the photo...it does't feel like it looks at all! Another good run until the very last turn where I tried to force myself out of the pipe, thus making me catch an edge and land with all my weight on my knee...I am now looking for kneepads on the internet as it hurt a lot more than I would have liked it to for such a pathetic fall! I am looking forward to lapping the pipe once I have some knee pads and butt protector on me. It is an addictive feeling that's for sure...bring it on!

Mint Snowboard instructor Dave (tattoo) rocking a tweaked grab in the pipe...looks easy....it's not...

Au Revoir to the JR crew

2011-01-24T10:01:00.000Z

Well, after an awesome (exhausting) week we waved goodbye to the JR lot that were up in Avoriaz. It was great to see some friendly faces and even better to get out on the mountain with them, everyone progressed a lot over the week they were here. The Jackrabbitt crew seem to encourage an atmosphere of pushing your own limits, and giving a "woop woop" when you get something right, an absolutely sound bunch of people to snowboard with and just as good to socialise with after the day is done.
Cheers for a good week guys...hope you can come visit again!

Last run with the Jackrabbitt lot

The long day is done

2011-01-19T23:13:00.000Z

Well, that's the day off over with...we made it to the chair before it opened, even if we didn't get on it once it did open due to waiting around for the JR crew to hit the freshly pisted home run and escort us back up the hill. We had a good cruisey day today, just hitting a few pistes and having a play at the sides. All in all, a good days riding headed up by some food up in Avoriaz with the crew, my first experience of Tartiflette (heart attack food).

One of the best photos I have ever taken!

The morning started off pretty grim

Quick run through the stash with more people falling

Stop for early lunch

We did a little off piste...and regretted it...rock solid!

Tartiflette...lots of cheese and stuff...

Jackrabbitt peeps hit the stash

2011-01-18T23:06:00.000Z

The stash is a completely eco friendly park, all the rails etc are made of wood are randomly hidden throughout the tree runs. Today along with some of the JR crew, we went for a ride through, pushing and pressuring people to try new things, and that is just what we all did. We hit the picnic table and some of the other big stuff, great fun in a big group getting the ooo's and aaaaahhh's as people fall or make it!
Here are a few photos from today, with a few more to follow, but it is day off tomorrow and I want to make early lifts, so need to sleep. All in all, an awesome day with the JR crew once again, looking forward to a much longer, less time watching day tomorrow! See you on the hill!

Grave showing us some old school moves

Ems trying some new age tricks

Simon rocking out on the old picnic bench in the stash

Wife on the home run after a good afternoon

Carlisle's Jackrabbitt crew arrive in Avoriaz!

2011-01-16T23:04:00.000Z

They arrived yesterday and hit the slopes today! It is fantastic to see some old faces and we had an absolute storm on the slopes today, meeting them at about 10am and riding til about 3. Such a laugh and such a good ride! Me and Wifey are well excited for the rest of the week! Bring it on!

Carlisle's Jackrabbitt crew neatly tucked in at the side of the slope, well done guys!

I didn't realise how many people were in the group til we hit the first corner!

Stu approves :)

Proudy approves :)

Skittles anyone? It is very hard to miss these guys on the slope....love it!

Ems explains to the group that when you fall it can sometimes hurt, she relays stories of previous experiences

Lunch at the local. The staff here are legends.

More off piste in Avoriaz/Morzine!

2011-01-15T22:20:00.000Z

As a staff treat, Olly took us out again, this time covering a lot more ground, fornet, over the swiss side, arrare, pilon 38, and a few other hidden gems. Keeping up was hard work (impossible actually) and my legs suffered a lot, but it was worth it. The feeling of fresh snow turns is one of the best things about snowboarding, so floaty and light with very little noise unlike the piste. Here are a few photos of our wednesday just gone.

Maverick outing including the legend that is Charlie

Ems and Mel shred the off piste, up near Arrare

"Cliff over to the left, cliff over to the right, don't go over them..."

Trying to get a nice photo of Ems and this person just fills the shot with her derier! hehe

Legends, over the up and over Fornet lift

Dom shredding over at Pilon 38

Today we ride!

2011-01-11T22:06:00.000Z

Olly our boss took us out first thing this morning to get some proper riding in, he took us off piste in Fornet...I learned that to follow and not think about what might happen next was the best way to approach today...hitting some bigger drops and jumps than I am used to just because the guys in front of me did it...however, I then learned that I could also do it as long as I didn't hesitate! Had an awesome day ending over in happy valley in the Chatel direction, fantastic fun to be had! Bring on some more fresh stuff!

Todays riding guides, Olly and Charlie (Legends!)

Ems rocking down the Happy Valley

First day of nice snow and blue skies!

2011-01-11T21:58:00.000Z

Ems n Wellsy over yonder in Fornet

Yesterday laid host to a horrible cloud with low visability until about 10:30 when it all lifted and left us with some amazing fresh snow and a beautiful blue sky! We rode hard all day and our legs suffered, but here are some photos, we basically just hit as much off piste as we could just using the lifts...best day yet!

Busy Busy Busy....

2011-01-11T21:48:00.000Z

Looking over Avoriaz...it looks like an infestation of rats that Rells is about to battle!

We had an awesome group of people in the chalet over new years and 3 of them decided to stay an extra week along with the legend that is Bill ( I will explain about this awesome man later ). Had another amazing week, heading out on the slope with them and making some amazing friends, looking forward to catching up in london town when we return! Hope you are all ok guys, the snow is here now....where are you?!

A bad day for 154 Dominant

2011-01-11T21:38:00.000Z

Mel/Ems causes chaos...no idea who started it..

Out with the other Mountain Mavericks hosts

Before everything went all pete tong!

Last day off I decided to take out my favourite little board Burton 154 Dominant, which suffered an injury last year on the snowball rally losing a lot of base right next to the edge. However, local snowboard shop sorted it out and patched it, but before they were finished I snatched it away to go to Tignes...mistake! Although the patch stayed in that week, a quick trip to Castleford xScape soon saw the patch fall out.
I intended to fix it, but didn't think it would cause too much of an issue as I didn't remember struggling in Castleford...so I took it out on the wednesday. Regrets! Every time I went on my toe edge, the damage acted like a brake, pulling down the heel edge and making me lose control, so I spent the whole day on my heel edge, almost like my first ever week away in Chamonix with my brother and peeps. At first I couldn't decide if it was me or the board, but after a quick swap with Dom, he reassured me I hadn't forgotten how to snowboard and that infact the board was horrible. So my first impression of the Les Gets side of things wasn't a great one, we headed down for a Croque Monsieur at 3 and then got the bus back.

Nice day to start with!

Wifey didn't have a great day either, with the rebel lift than caught me, dom and Ems by suprise taking out all our legs due to it being stupidly fast...as we laughed it off we realised that Ems was indeed not laughing, but crying. The lift had managed to catch her exactly knee cap height standing side on, possibly making the knee pop out and cause immense agony, such so that even a hot chocolate didn't cheer her up. We eventually got her back on the board and she tentatively made her way down the slopes...still ahead of me as I was still being the falling leaf of Les Gets!

Not so much as time went by...

I have now decided to put my 154 Dominant to rest and create something interesting using my favourite board which now has no other use. However...this leaves me with a dilemma, which I shall explain in my next post....

Our lovely guests invited us out to eat with them that night, so that made it all ok :D

It's dumping in the prodains valley!

2011-01-11T16:31:00.001Z

Wooooo snow!

Happy new year!

2011-01-09T22:44:00.000Z

Happy new year everyone, sorry it has taken a while to update but I have chosen to sleep instead of blog...and I probably should be doing the same now...but thought I would update you with a few photos.

The bears are there to make everyone happy....I think....

Me and wifey

Our friend Dave swings all ways!

Early morning ride up on Arrare.

No cars in Avoriaz, so this is the way to travel!

Our Day Off

2010-12-31T15:01:00.002Z

So guests arrive sunday, and leave 8 days later. We cook them breakfast in the morning, and a 3 course meal in the evening. It will come as no suprise to you that on our day off...we are shattered.
Despite this, we got up for first(ish) lift on Wednesday and rode all day! Heading over to the Stash, and then hitting up Chatel for a few runs. The pistes were mobbed, there were soooo many people! Almost to the point where I didn't enjoy it, but then something clicked...use them to practise speedy reactions! A number of close calls but no accidents! WOOOO!
I started to see improvements in myself for the first time since we arrived, upping the speed and remaining in control. I am still struggling with the backside 180 spin (left foot forward, spinning clockwise) I seem to go off axis every time and land with my board in the air. Frontside (anti clockwise) 180 grabs are too easy now, I just need to start doing them off bigger and more impressive things. I have started back on with my frontside 360 (1 full rotation, anti clockwise with left foot forward) the ground work is in and now I just need to take that to the kickers as I am currently doing them on little bumps on and off the piste.
I have also been working on full runs in switch...I am not enjoying it!
Ems has had a few bad days of late, probably from being shattered, but the last week she has improved a lot, getting the confidence to hit a box, try 180s and go faster down the piste. She looks a lot more confident on the board now which is great as now we can both hit full runs in a pretty good time.
Anyway, here is my best photos from my day off, please leave a comment if you like them :)

Views of freshly groomed pistes, lovely and fast yet quiet and safe

Ems shredding up the just off the Prolays lift

Incredible view of the Portes Du Soleil

Chaux Fleurie lift, against the rising sun

After a quiet 3 hours of fresh pistes, these guys arrived and ruined it all...WHERE'S WALLY!

Dave (one of the Mountain Mavericks team) hitting the stash with a nice 180

Busy again, but my attraction was elsewhere, you have to see it to truly appreciate it!

Dave, Nicky, Ems and me head for some not so fresh lines off piste

Dave goes flying down the meadow, we cannot wait for some fresh snow!

Ems following Dave's lead down the meadow

It was a lot steeper than it looks! Nice one Dave!

Our walk home, the lovely Prodain valley. An amazing place to call home for now!

Sleep on snowboard...

2010-12-27T15:15:00.000Z

SNOWBOARD!
Change over day has a reputation for being a challenge...but I think yesterday was a proper mission for all involved! Our first bunch of guests arrived at 2 after traveling since 4pm, and our second lot of guests arrive between 1130pm and 1230am, our final bunch of guests were missing from these transfers...
We got a call from Mrs Maverick (Emma) and she let us know that their flight had been delayed so they were getting a transfer with a transfer company. That's fine. 2am arrival, I stay up and do the late shift while Ems goes to sleep and does morning shift, simple! Nope when the guests finally arrived at 330am after the flight was delayed even more only for the transfer company to have to leave and thus leaving our new guests to get a taxi from the airport to Morzine. With every right to be mad, they appeared on our doorstep at 330am with Olly with great big cheery smiles, satisfied in the fact they had reached their destination. Such nice people!

Our usual mid day stop off: Changabang:
4xHot Chocolate and a portion of chips = 17 euros ...ouch

Anyway, in came the morning and I woke up at 715am anyway, so got up and helped Ems with breakfast (a little slower than usual due to lack of sleep). I took our guests up to Avoriaz for their lesson, then hit the perfectly piste'd home run in a straight line all the way down with no goggles. Listening to Reuben: A Short History Of Nearly Everything, an empty piste and a clear day, a great run (yes it is "hero snow" but I enjoy being able to go that fast and under control)!
After cleaning the rooms, I faced the difficult decision of snowboard or sleep...not really...easy answer...SNOWBOARDING! So I grabbed an energy drink and ran out the door! Totally worth it, sitting appreciating the mountain with a hot chocolate and some good friends.

Happy birthday BeXx!

2010-12-27T10:32:00.002Z

Anyone who follows the Jackrabbitt blog will know the name Becky Menday the awesome little shredder ripping up the slopes around europe. Recently signed by Protest Becky is going from strength to strength and everytime I see a video I see massive improvements. Having the right attitude of having fun in everything you do is certainly something that Becky Menday has, with such a vibrant passion for snowboarding.

The little lady is 12 today so please leave a happy birthday message on this post for her to see!

Keep up the good work BeXx (and family) and have an awesome day on your birthday!

Happy birthday BeXx!

2010-12-27T10:30:00.001Z

Our christmas card to you

2010-12-25T23:44:00.003Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

2010-12-25T21:40:00.004Z

NO TIME TO BLOG....

2010-12-25T09:42:00.000Z

Would love to stay and chat, but the snow is falling, it's christmas, and we can go snowboarding....Au Revoir!

Friday is the new Monday

2010-12-24T12:31:00.000Z

I hate fridays...so far anyway, everything seems to want to go wrong on Fridays. We were meant to be doing our shop, and it turned out my "I have the card" statement was a total lie...it was my GoPro in my pocket not my wallet...oops...all the way back home and only to realise I forgot to get the key to our apparentment...where the card was...we will get it right next week!
On a plus note, its christmas eve and its snowing! We are about to do our daily chores and then head up to the Kinkerne to meet the Mavericks crew for our secret santa thingy.
IIIITTT'SSSSS CHHHRRIISSTTMAAAAAAAAAAASSSS!

snowing in morzine!

Hmmm...I think we will go snowboarding...

2010-12-22T09:59:00.001Z

"A nagging wife is like a dripping tap" - so they say

Well it is now our regular day off on a wednesday and it is nearly 11am and I am still in bed. Ems is up, ready and nagging me to get up because she wants to go ride...I never thought things would be this way round!
I suppose I should get up and get the rest of the day on the board...it is just that my bed is so comfy!

Our season so far

2010-12-21T12:49:00.007Z

Well, me and Ems have been here for a month now, and with 10 days snowboarding under our belts, we are feeling pretty good. Chalet hosting is hard work as we expected but it returns so much reward when you get nice guests, our first week was a snowboarding camp where we hosted 10 guys who were all really cool, and got to know Dave the snowboard instructor from Mint Snowboarding, who has done a few seasons over the big pond. So far everyone has been spot on, as you would expect from a group of snowboarders, I think we are just preparing for the worst and will end up getting the snobby "cooler than you" snowboarder at some point.

We are meeting seasonnaires left, right and centre, as well as people like Tami who owns Mint Snowboarding, and JP who owns one of the cooler snowboard shops in Morzine (although it is a bad place to go after payday!) slopestyle. It is just like starting university all over again, having to remember everyones names and what they do etc.

So far I can highly recommend doing a season for anyone that wants a bit of a break and fancies meeting some new people, it is hard work but you get the following pay offs: amazing views whenever you step out the door, you meet some interesting people along the way, there are hot tubs everywhere, the culture is different to the UK so it's a good experience, you get to snowboard almost everyday, you improve you skills quickly, lots of cheese, fresh mountain air and you get to snowboard almost everyday (worth mentioning twice :) )

If you are interested I am doing a personal blog with random photos etc for people to see over at www.danjesse.co.uk

Incredible views at sunset

2010-12-18T07:19:00.001Z

Mountain Mavericks team off for a shred

Danger of skiiers with bobble hats

2010-12-18T07:18:00.001Z

Amazing view from the top of the Fornet lift

Getting here by car

2010-12-18T07:14:00.003Z

After watching the Age of Stupid (a film about climate change etc) Ems and me decided to try and do our little bit for this planet, by driving over to our snowy destination. Firstly let me say that if you drive over by yourself, it does not actually work out better, as the emissions etc are getting pumped out for just one extra person, who could have jumped on an already flying plane, but as soon as there is 2 or more, it becomes a far more environmentally friendly way of travelling, almost by half the emissions.
With an 8 hour drive in france and a 6 hour drive in the UK, it seems a little bit daft to do it just for a week but seeing as Ems and me are doing a season we decided it would be the perfect opporunity to 'practice what you preach'. Not only is it better for Mr O Zone, but it makes our new experience that little bit more exciting, adding a little more adventure to the trip.

We did it in 3 stages, driving down to london, staying with uncle Tony and Elaine (thanks by the way), then heading off to the ferry early in the morning, then from Dover to Dunkirk, and Dunkirk to Morzine.
Carlisle to london cost us nearly a tank of fuel, costing around £45, with no toll roads to pay.
London to Dover had one toll road, but we were early enough to get through free! This part took us about and hour and a half.

Dover to Dunkirk with Norfolkline cost us £19 one way, including all the charges, and it was a painfree experience throughout the whole process, from paying to driving on and off. This is about 15 miles further North than Calais (where everyone seems to go) but its cheaper, so we didnt mind driving the extra 10 minutes.

Then from Dunkirk we headed to the main road, getting onto the main road really quickly, then from here it was a case of head for Lyon and turn off when you see signs for Geneva. This is one of the main roads coming through France and is pretty easy and the speed limit is 130 KPH which is where your foot sits nicely on the pedal! Unfortunatley it is a massive toll road, so you pay for the different sections you use. In the end we ended up spending around the £65 mark, passing through 4 tolls in total (2 expensive ones and two 1 euro ish ones). We then put in a bit more fuel just so we had enough to get down again later in the season. This part of the journey probably took about 8 hours driving.
Then we hit the mountain roads, and they are very welcoming (with no snow) it was almost like a prize at the end of the long monotonous journey on the motorway. Then arriving at our destination with no problems and an hour earlier than expected!
When it comes down to it, flying is a lot less hassle and a fair bit cheaper (unless you maybe have a 3rd person and split the cost 3 ways) but at the end of the day, I really liked the adventurous side of things, having never driven on the wrong side of the road before etc etc, it was just one massive road trip and it felt pretty rewarding. Also you don't have to worry about baggage being over, or not taking your lipstick through because it might be a bomb etc. On the downside, you spend a lot of time in the car and need to buy some extras like snow chains and high vis jackets etc (that once you have, you won't need to buy again).
All in all, a realtively fun experience and at no point were we made to feel like we had done something wrong, unlike at the airport!
Total cost: £140 (fuel) + £65 (french tolls) + £19 (ferry) = £224 for eveything
When you compare this to our potential £60 flight, and £50 transfers (to uk airport and from french airport) this equals £220. So flying is a lot cheaper when you add in the little extras like snow chains etc if you don't have any already, but like I mentioned before, adding a 3rd person to the equation adds very little extra cost to the final sum, but now the total can be split 3 ways instead of 2, and obviously 4 people would be even better! (however I would definately recommend an estate car if you plan on doing this...its a long time to be knees up in the back of a mini.

Our vehicles for the winter

2010-12-18T06:34:00.003Z

Just thought that I would give you a quick insight into the stuff we will be driving over this coming season. Between us we have 2 UK VW transporter shuttle buses and a french Renault Espace (left hand drive, resulting in the door being punched when it's gear changing time!). The VW is a really nice van to drive, especially now it has it's winter tyres on! Driving on the right hand side of the road almost seems normal after being here 3 weeks, although I still do get the odd look in the car park when I am on the wrong side! Other than that I am generally quite good at remembering!

Chalet Hosting in Morzine

2010-12-17T01:06:00.001Z

Ems working in the kitchen while the snow dumps down outside!

Rude Chalets accross the road

Well, it has been 23 days since we set off and so far we have been out on the board 7 time...not bad going I don't think! We have been dropped in at the deep end hosting for 10 people, with 14 for food on an evening, so it has been hard work but the guests are all really nice and we couldn't have got a more perfect group for our first week. So if any of you guys from the Just Snowboard Camp in december are reading this, thanks for understanding with the small problems we did have.

Ems little car with a light dusting

The first 2 weeks kind of set us up wrong for how the season is going to be. We have very little time to get things done, our appartment is a complete mess, I haven't really touched the laptop since saturday when our guests arrived, and every spare bit of each day is spent planning the next opportunity to snowboard!

Afternoon tea

We get up at 6:30 to get breakfast ready and on the table for 7:30, they then head out onto the slopes for 8:30, then we wash up the breakfast stuff, make a cake, do some prep for the evening meals and set out afternoon tea (cake and bread, jams etc). Once thats done, head to the rooms, clean the toilets, make the beds, fold the towels and make the place look neat and then move onto the communal areas, with a quick sweep and a mop if needed. Then we get our kit on and head to the lifts, for around 12ish depending on how fast we have been. After a ride we then come back for about 4:30 and start prepping tea ready to be served at 8. Serve food, 3 courses, then clear away and tidy up, heading to bed around the 11 or 12 mark, then reset and repeat the next day, and everyday except wednesday which is our full day off.
I will give you some more updates when I get a little bit more time, hopefully in the next few days as I do not think we will be snowboarding til sunday even though the snow is coming down heavily outside...it is our shopping day tomorrow...and it is a mammoth task!

Day 4!

2010-12-15T00:16:00.000Z

Snowboarding wooooooooo!

Snow is falling...all around

2010-12-09T11:08:00.001Z

WOOOOOOO! The rain has gone! The view from our window blows my mind everytime I go over and look, it is incredible. Bearing in mind that when I go to the window and look up, the top of the tree line is extremly high, you can imagine just how high I have to look to see the top of the cliff! The fisheye really doesn't do the scale of things justice...but it is, in all sense of the word, awesome.

Our chalet kitchen, L'Atelier

2010-12-08T16:30:00.001Z

Ems slaving away in the kitchen while I take photos of her... :)

The Thaw...

2010-12-07T09:26:00.001Z

This one is for you Lucie :)

This is the view from our chalet kitchen window. The snow is pretty much gone due to heavy rainfall, but should apparently make the snow better for riding as it will for a harder more compact base for fresh snow to sit on. These are the wise words from my boss Olly and so far he hasn't been wrong!

3rd day on the hill

2010-12-05T22:35:00.004Z

Technically our 3rd day on the hill, but only the second while the lifts have been running. We decided to go back up...just because we could, and it was worth it. We hit a load more off piste today and it was well amusing! See the following video of Ems on her off piste antics:

So yeh...I laughed...fortunatly she saw the funny side of it too, as I know how frustrating it can get...as 2 minutes later I did the same thing! My body is still suffering and it didn't like the extra effort required to recompose after a deep snow bail, even if it prefers the falling into it rather than onto an icy piste! Me, Wife and Glenda rode a few runs in the morning, then meeting up with a few more of the MM crew, Dom and Mel. We all had another great session on the limited lifts available until the wind and fog drew in and brought our day to a close.

I got in a couple of grabs and a few frontside (anticlockwise with left foot forward) 180s along with a substantial amount of clown falls, and basic idiot bails!

The lift we were on went over the Burton Stash, and in all honesty...it looks insane, I am really looking forward to attempting the smaller stuff and possible some of the bigger stuff when I find some ability and manliness! Here are a few photos to show you what it looks like before they build it all properly:

Avoriaz opens it's lifts!

2010-12-04T23:08:00.003Z

After 10 days of being here, we finally got to go out and hit the piste! It cost us 15 euros each though as the season doesn't officially start till next weekend and only a select few lifts were open. We were happy enough to just get our riding legs back on the blues and reds that were open, with the occasionaly wandering off into the soft fluffly snow!
Ems' bindings were set up slightly wrong to start with so we just needed to get that sorted as she was struggling to get back into the slide of things and we could't initially figure out why. Once we sorted that, she was on her way back to her old self, just remembering the basics of keeping your weight over the centre of your board to make the turns easier, and then leaning to turn instead of kicking the board out. 2nd to last run, she had it, and then the last run...too icy for any of us to have fun so yeah, we all struggled a little bit.

My legs are currently not talking to me, I forgot to warm up and cool down so they are refusing to do what I tell them to do. School boy error but I was just too eager to get on the hill that the 10 minutes of simple stretches etc were not in any part of my mind. It was nice to be back on the board and back up the lifts as opposed to walking, 15 euros well spent I feel!
I was riding the Dominant 159cm today, as the other Burton Dominant 154 of mine is currently on it's death bed waiting for a specialist to diagnose the probable outcomes of surgery (a deep scrape down the edge through to the core about 10cm long and 1cm wide, meaning peetex won't stay in and the patch that had fixed it, fell out). The 159 is a hard board for me to get used to as it just doesn't flick round like the shorter board when I mess up and need a little security, thus the reason I fell so much. I eventually got used to the board and soon realised the reasons for having longer boards, the stopping power! You have more effective edge meaning that there is more resistance when you need it, which in turn means you can go faster! Woo!
All in all, a great warm up to the season with the Mountain Mavericks team, Dom, Mel, Glenda, Ems and me on a beautiful blue sky day with plenty of snow to go round!
Random stats if you are interested:
Date: Sat Dec 04 10:35:39 GMT+01:00 2010
Resort: Portes de Soleil
Distance Skied: 17172 m
Total Distance : 33728 m
Average Ski Speed: 21.6 km/h
Average Speed: 5.7 km/h
Top Speed: 68.4 km/h
Altitude Gained: 3019 m
Altitude Descended: 2839 m
Data provided by Satski.

The Slopes are open in Avoriaz!

2010-12-04T07:47:00.002Z

The view from our bedroom window for the next 5 months

Well it's been 10 days and 22 hours since we set off...and today is the first day the lifts are open! So the Mountain Maverick crew are heading out! I have just been on the old video chat with Lyle (used to work in Scotby bikes in Carlisle) so we now know what jacket etc to look out for on the slope.
Right, I need to make a cup of tea!

Ice Hockey Rocks!

2010-11-28T16:12:00.002Z

So Ems, me, Dom and Mel headed to the ice hockey to support the local Morzine team against the Mont-Blanc team. We met up with another couple Rick and Helen who are friends of Dom and Mel's, both seemed like lovely people and we will no doubt be riding with them at some point.

The ice hockey was a total new experience for both me and the wife, but we both loved it and I would definitely go back again. There was an incredible atmosphere even though there were not many people, and also the home team won!

I still don't fully understand the rules though but there was a lot of carnage going down... see the video below for a quick montage of video clips I got throughout the game.

First snowboard ride

2010-11-27T18:38:00.003Z

A full day off, and a lot of snow? Lets go ride!

Well, we did, hoping that the rumours of a couple of lifts opening early were true, only to arrive and have our high hopes crushed when the lifts were all locked up :(

So we decided to head to Ardent and do a wee hike up the home run and at least get one fix of the day. We got pretty far but realised the true value of lift passes, as we were all completely knackered by the time we got about a quarter mile up the hill...shocking. Anyway we decided to head down from here, in the fluffy white stuff!

It took a fair few turns for it to all start coming back to me, and I also remembered how much I suck at riding powder, but it was awesome fun none the less. Laughs and smiles all round from Ems, Mel, Glenda, Dom and me, then to Dixies for a quick drink before returning home.

Mel noticed a poster advertising the local ice hockey team playing tonight....so guess where we are heading tonight?! I am well excited! I will report back after the match!

WOW....it snowed!

2010-11-26T08:41:00.001Z

Well that was a suprise, woke up to see...a lot of snow fall...the previous photo was only 8 hours ago! WOOOOOO!

Itching to get out...

2010-11-25T23:14:00.001Z

the view to the bus stop from our living room...notice the snow :)

Well we have been chilling out in Chalet Chambertin with the Mountain Mavericks team for a day now, and I just can't wait to get started. The snow has just started falling heavily and we went to take a look at Chalet L'Aterlier (the place we shall be hosting in a week or so) today and it looks amazing. Our apartment where we will be staying is right next door and looks extremely nice also...me and Ems just want to get stuck in and start!
I am still impressed with the ease of getting over here by car, and I will certainly consider it in future travels! We went for a walk around the Morzine town today and it was desolate, so many road works going on to get finished before the snow comes (oops, too late!) but probably only about 3 or 4 non workers wandering around. Almost every shop was shut, with displays being stripped of mountain bike components and redeployed with snowboard kit. I would love to experience the summer atmosphere here...well...I would prefer to see the winter one in a couple of weeks.
The town is a really picturesque place and the views are pretty breath taking, I can understand why this is such a popular place. I just can't wait to get out and ride!

View from the kitchen

2010-11-25T11:24:00.003Z

Our morzine season has just begun...well kinda...but look at the view from our temp accommodation...

A lot of driving....DONE

2010-11-24T22:56:00.000Z

Here are some images in a slideshow of our journey down, it was like driving on the same road for 7 hours except each hour was a different month. The drive itself was amazing, really nice country side to be driven through, no traffic and not too taxing. The ferry was pretty fun too...I can highly recommend...especially for £19.

Arrived at Chalet Chambertin 8:40 so we made pretty good time. This chalet is...incredible...I want one!

White cliffs of dover

2010-11-24T08:33:00.002Z

We can't actually see the white cliffs due to the fact we are facing the wrong way, sat in the ferry queue. All good, arrived here in good time, although feeling pretty tired right now, and my android Blogger app thing won't let me do pictures :(
405.5 miles travelled so far, one top up of 53.03 quid to refill the tank from empty...

far too early!

2010-11-23T17:17:00.001Z

Up in time! Pepper just thought she would have one last hug, right before I make Ems pack the car.

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Dan and Ems do a season...

2010-11-23T02:57:00.001Z

...and so it begins, its 3 in the mornin and I've just crawled into bed. We want to set off for 9...you reckon we can do it? Place your bets now!
5 months of chalet hosting and Snowboarding here we come, watch out morzine...
Sleep time

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Settmurthy "freeride" trails

2010-07-26T01:05:00.004+01:00

Grave and I got invited out to some downhill style trails in Settmurthy, so we decided to check them out. I say downhill type trails because I am guessing that downhill riders would find it a bit too smooth, so maybe its more of a freeride place...I dunno, we took the bikes anywho! Walking up the trail, you could see so many different lines heading all over the place, I felt like a kid in a toyshop. "I wanna try that one, ooo, I wanna try that one....OOOO I wanna try that one!". Gaps, berms, drop, tables, roots, rocks, dirt, trees...totally awesome! Good evenings ride had with Grave, Original Tom and James. Cheers lads.

Stainburn with sunburn

2010-06-11T22:12:00.001+01:00

After a night at the wakeboarding campsite, we put Ricks bike together and headed up to Stainburn. A mountain bike trail found near Harrogate with a red and a black loop. The only issue I have with Stainburn is that the loops are very short in comparrison to a lot of trail, but they are really nice none the less.

We started out by doing the red route, with some nice little rock gardens , and technical climbs descents, not too technical but still enough to make you think. When we got to the bottom, we saw that 3 other lads had headed down even further, so we followed, then ended up walking up the black downhill after the northshore.

I had heard about this northshore from some friends so fancied giving it a go. It is really well built and all very achievable with a bit of precision. This was my first time on the seesaw feature, and I must say, I quite enjoyed it even though I was filling my pants while waiting for it to tip over!

Then Herring followed, successfully but I must say I was a little nervous as he ain't been on a bike for a few years! All ok though, and then Rick decided try it, even though he openly admitted that he wasn't very good at northshore...

Well he tried the skinny before hand and it went well, so he went for it, and then got to the tipping point, only for it to put him off balance, fortunatly a near by tree caught him...no injuries.

Back up for a second attempt, (by the way I had tried to stop him) which was good to see, determination helps you progress to the next level and as us Jackrabbitt people say, Passion Beyond Reason! Anyway, same thing again but on the otherside where there is no tree, only to watch Rick go over the bars so much so that he landed square on his head and coming down with a thud on his arm.

It looked painful but we are certainly glad he was wearing a lid, otherwise we would have been going to hospital. A few scrapes on his arm, a bit of screaming and a quick check of the helmet (which has a crack all the way down the centre from the rock it perfectly lined up with) and we were off again, back to the car where it was a little bit safer!

Our muscles hurt and our sunburn stung, so we were happy to call it a day with one lap, a bit of northshore and a play on the lovely little pump track, which I sucked at! If Stainburn had a longer red it would be far more popular I think.

Wakeboarding at Sheffield Cable Water Ski

2010-05-22T21:43:00.003+01:00

In the spirit of trying something new, we decided to try and organise a wakeboarding trip. We had been told it was much like snowboarding therefore I think it was inevitable that we would love it. Unfortunately due to the lack of money and the fact that trying this sport wasn't cheap we only had a turn out of 4 which was somewhat a disappointing turnout but it made for a stress free weekend!
So there was Rick, Napper, Herring and me, with only Napper having tried it before, the rest of us were wakeboard virgins. We aimed to be there for 10am...which Rick did, and then we finally arrived at 11am...sorry Rick! The place didn't open till 11am anyway so it wasn't like we had wasted wakeboarding time. The sun was out and we were ready for anything!

We paid, got out rental stuff, life jacket, helmet and knee board and headed for our quick lesson. It all seemed pretty straight forward, to turn you lean your board! Next we had to line up and try it in front of everyone, you get pulled off a jeti and this is done by using a tow rope that is attached to a cable with 8 engagements on it, so only 8 people can go on at a time. The cable runs at 19 mph with 4 corners and it runs for about 0.45 of a mile (this was my estimation worked out from the time we got round etc).
Watching the other group of beginners getting pull into the water face first etc we started to worry a little bit, but when it got to us, we all got it fine, mastering the corners on the first go, which is the hardest bit about all of this! One thing we noticed by this point is that after your 3 laps of the cable, (only allowed 3 as it was fairly busy) your arms felt like they had just towed an elephant through some really boggy marshland...ie. knackered!
After a few goes, we decided it was time to try the real reason we were there, the wakeboarding! It cost us £35 each to use all the first lot of kit, with an extra £8 for hiring the wakeboard for the day. After watching the people on knee boards and the people on wakeboards, we realised there was a certain 'cool' element missing from the knee boarding, so desperately wanted to it with a wakeboarding so we could look as awesome as the other people there.

I know I am not fat-fat, but I know I have a bit of a belly, however walking into the wakeboarding place on a day with no clouds in the sky and near 30 degrees Celsius, I couldn't help but feel a little inadequate...all the guys there were stacked with their 6 packs and arms as big as my head. Time to go on a healthy eating plan I think! As vein as it is, I would love to look like that and I am sure Ems wouldn't complain either!
However before the inadequate feeling made me want to ride with my tee shirt on, we couldn't help but notice the amount of extremely attractive girls dotted around the place, most of them with their ripped boyfriends etc, but for any single guys looking for a hot girl you should certainly look into the wakeboard scene!
Due to it being so busy, we could only get one board between 4 for the start of it, so Rick decided to head off and line up in the massive queue, telling the cable guy that he hadn't done it before, he then got some tips and a bit of hand on set off, only for the water to grab his board and pull him under the water. Remember this is a sitting start onto a 19mph tow rope, it ain't going to be easy!
Next Napper was up, and you could tell he had done it before, also he was at a slight advantage of being goofy so it was easier to set off...ahem...after one full lap he then fell off at the first or second corner, which is a long haul back, having to walk around the lake and back to the start. Due to Napper being Napper and being small, he didn't do the bindings up tight enough and got pull out of them leaving him with EPIC injuries...ahem.

Next up was Herring, who managed the set off, only to fall on the first or second corner, again for the long walk back.

Next up was me, extremely nervous, chatting to the two people either side of me and asking for any tips I could use before I set off. The cable guy helped me and my turn came, heart pounding like crazy, the cable caught and off we went, not very smoothly but I got away none the less.

The feeling is fantastic, even if it does feel a lot slower than the knee board, it still felt amazing! You can carve etc so easily and just generally mess around, no tricks for me just yet though! Now, the corners are most peoples nemesis, I spoke to a few people who said that this was their 4th time and they still hadn't managed a full loop due to issues with turning the corners!
The cable goes slack for a second and you have to go wide otherwise you will sink, you then have to turn your board and not catch an edge, almost every corner I did was sketchy. Anyway, I managed 3 laps on my first go and came to a dignified stop in the right place!
This wasn't to last though, beginners luck! The next time I tried, I got to the second corner and fell, with a long walk of shame to think about what I had done. Next go, I fell in at the start, only to look back up at all the people watching, good job I have little pride in myself anyway! Next one, I fell on the second corner again, and then the next one I got 1 and a half laps...falling on the second corner again!
At this point I could understand what people meant about the corners being quite hard! All in all, I had an awesome day, got very sunburnt, had good banter and then headed for some sleep in the on-site camp-site.
My arms were a wreck, I can now appreciate why everyone of them wakeboarders have such toned bodies!

Anyone that is thinking about trying wakeboarding, just do it. The people are really laid back, we encountered a couple of obnoxious riders that were really good, but stayed on longer than their 3 laps and obviously knew they were good, but other than that, everyone was chatty, friendly and more than willing to give advice and share stories.
The next day we went to Stainburn on the bikes...(next blog post)
Photos can be found here.
Sheffield Cable Water Ski website can be found here.

My first real Mountain Bike ride! (Walna Scar)

2010-05-16T21:49:00.001+01:00

For someone that has ridden a mountain bike for 6 - 7 years that may seem like an odd title for this post...but its true! I have only been riding trail centres with the man made trails or little bits of natural trails but never a 6 and a half hour epic ride. After watching Eddie Izzard marathon man on TV, I decided I really needed to challenge myself with something, so when I got invited to this Walna Scar ride in the lake district it seemed inevitable! The lads that normally plan these rides are renowned for their fitness, which isn't something I am currently in possession of... so there were a lot of nerves on my part as I know a lot of people hate waiting!

Setting off from Coniston in the Lake District, we headed up our first ascent, up to Parkamoor, which was a fair bit of road then onto a bridal way, which was an easy enough climb until about the last 300 metres, then I started to struggle, walking about 60 metres up the really loose gravel, then finally reaching the top.

After this was our first summit, and even though my body hated me, the view was inspiring over lake Coniston, to know that I had just ridden from the tiny collection of houses so far away to be this high up and looking down. If you are reading this and have never been up a mountain/massive hill I advise you to get out there as soon as possible, it is greatly humbling and awe inspiring. Such beauty and so close, it makes me that much more proud to be northern, London has its sky scrapers but they ain't a patch on this!

Anyway, at this point I knew the riders I were riding with, were not your average mountain bikers...they were fit and knew what they were doing, which worried me. We descended from the top, all the way down to Water Yeat, and it was so fast, intense and crazy, it reminded me why I had built my bike up to be the way it is.
160mm travel at the front, solid rear end and a whole lot of commitment, made for an amazing ride down, split seconds to think about the direction you are going and the next obstacle to overcome. It was nice to be able to keep up, even over take one or two people on the down, it made me feel a little less inadequate on the bike.

The rush and the buzz over with at the bottom of the trail and on with a bit more "faffy" road riding to quote Kieran. I didn't mind the road riding if I am honest, it made a change from the loose gravel climbing! I was pushing on to make sure I didn't make anyone annoyed, but I don't think they would have been anyway, so if any of you boys are reading this, thanks, I really appreciated your patience. We then climbed what I thought at the time was a bit of a monster hill, but every time I thought that, it got steeper and steeper, but I didn't walk any!

Then we cut off and did some levelish riding on some lovely single track, then heading down to the river for some lunch and home made flapjack. At that point Kieran told us that we had gone the wrong way, but it isn't an adventure unless you get a little lost! We then did another really fun descent which was wide enough for 2 or 3 bikes enticing a few of us to battle it out, a lot smoother than the first descent, but still with some challenging quick thinking rocks etc.

More road climbing, then onto a rough track, which, if I am honest, I walked about 100 metres as I just couldn't be bothered to try getting over the rocks etc, but I used the group of 10 or 11 moto cross riders sessioning a steep hill as an excuse to slow down and watch.

Another fun descent after a short food pit stop, which was fantastic to start with but after I stopped to get photos, my arms and legs decided to lose all energy! The route was immensely rocky, with rocks averaging about a foot diameter, they weren't easy to negotiate on a hard tail, although, I am guessing it wouldn't have been much easier on any amount of full suspension! Finally getting to the bottom, utterly drained and ready for our next climb.

I think this was our final climb, but I didn't realise what kind of climb it was, finding the rest of the group waiting at the bottom of a crazy steep, huge rock, gnarly ascent...so I got off my bike and started walking without a thought of even trying it! A few of them tried and a few of them managed, nobody cleared it, but there were a few people that really impressed us! You can see the climb going up and up, and even walking with your bike was punishing enough, but then to look up and see Willy, Steve and Dave still riding was demoralising! The walk took a while and a lot of effort, but the view was more than worth it, and I would recommend it to anyone!

When we got to our highest point, the others were raring to go, so we set off straight away and started our 4 mile descent! It was again like the very first descent, so rocky and gnarly that you had very little time to think, but I found the best way was just to commit to everything you did and throw a fair bit of speed at it all, it gets your arms pumping and your legs running, with your brain running on overdrive it makes for one of the best descents around. After about a third of the way down, I started noticing a few alternative routes, so was taking these, as they weren't as loose etc, but often leaving me with a 3 or 4 foot drop to get back on the trail, but sometimes the alternative routes were smooth grass tracks and it made it so much faster and smoother, and in my opinion a lot more fun...until you wanted to stop.

This and the first descent were my favourite parts of the day, but then only to finish off with a mile long ride down a smooth tarmac road into Coniston, which at first I liked the thought of going fast, but only to realise that cars were coming up the same road in the opposite direction, still, it increased the adrenalin rush none the less. After I overtook the rest of the group at high speed, whilst having my brakes on full, I realised I had a bit of an issue with stopping, but fortunately no cars came the opposite way and the road flattened out, giving me time to slow down before the T-junction. Scary scary times!

All in all, I had an awesome day and I performed a lot better than I ever imagined I could. However, it is now the day after and I will not be taking that same seat with me on any rides longer than 3 hours, as I cannot sit down properly! I have a lot of respect to all the lads that went out that day and they all made for a ride that I will never forget. A real mountain bike ride, where you choose your own line instead of the trail builders line.
Here is a link to the photo album.
Here is a link to the Endomondo Android tracking results.
ps. I also think it was worth all the effort just for this photo...

Dalbeattie, Full Sus, Wide Bars

2010-04-18T23:58:00.004+01:00

Dalbeattie red route was never one of my favourite stanes, just because there was no real, mind blowing descents. However this trip has changed my mind slightly, thanks to Mad Mike and Grave Danger, two names that I probably shouldn't have tried to keep up with!

My lovely Marzocchi 55 ATA (2008)s were still back with Windwave, so Proudy kindly lent me his Trek Remedy 8. Let me just state this before I get into it all, I am, always have and always will be a hard tail person, and at the start of this ride I was 15% for full suspension and 85% for hard tail.

Anyway seeing as there were only 3 of us, we decided to really try and go for it, see if we could get round in a respectable time. We set off on the skills loop, which I will quickly add, is a pretty fantastic loop in itself just for having a play on. We discovered a little bit of black that we hadn't seen before as you can see in the photo, it was a mini slab type thing with a sudden drop which was actually more scary for me than the actual slab.

This is possibly due to me only riding the Trek about 500 metres to this point and not being used to the incredibly wide bars that Proudy had decided to attach. My arms were nearly out at full reach just to reach the grips! Needless to say I like my bars slightly thinner, but I did notice how the front wheel always pointed the direction I told it to with no rocks persuading it otherwise unlike with thinner bars.

We did the first bit all the way to the stane (me lagging somewhat due to the fitness of the other two lads) pretty easily, I remember walking up that fireroad the first time I went...shocking! For me, the single track from the stane, for the next mile or so is the some of the best that Dalbeattie has to offer. I somehow found it in me to just keep pedalling and chasing Grave Danger down the hills, and I was starting to see the attraction of the fully squishy bike, it allows you to not think about the little bits of the track and just worry about the main line you want to take. The three of us just kept on pushing and pushing, and with Mad Mike behind me I didn't want to lose face and slow down, so I maintained a pretty quick average speed, only later to hear him say he was only trying to keep up! If I knew that, I would probably have rested!

From Dalbeattie

Did the slab first time with a little bit of hesitation of getting over the lip to start it, then the Twins as well, by this point I had retracted previous statements about Dalbeattie not being that good, as I now ranked it quite high. It is one for the fitter more experienced riders in my opinion though as you need to be able to keep on slogging, as the stopping to rest really splits the route up and makes it a lot less enjoyable. It is a pretty long trail and if I am totally honest, I would say more perfectly suited for the front and back suspension bikes, as some of the climbs are just that little bit too bumpy.

From Dalbeattie

The last few sections with the northshore on top of the slick rock and then the very last bit of singletrack through to the car park are fantastic and really leave you wanting more. After really learning how to pre load the rear suspension for the jumps I was really starting to enjoy the Trek and a small piece of me would like to own one someday, but I am still a hard tail boy at heart. The stats of the ride can be found here and the photos are over here.

From Dalbeattie

Harrogate Climbing Centre (HCC)

2010-04-14T00:55:00.001+01:00

For those that end up reading this blog and do not know my whole back story, here it is in a nutshell* : Whilst at Uni in Carlisle I used to go down to the Sands Centre climbing wall, wearing skate shoes, I sucked at it, I gave up. That is my climbing history.

This year after my collarbone breaking incident, my fitness was at an all time low, so I decided to give climbing another chance, and someone kindly donated me their old shoes and harness. Thanks very much to the guy responsible. I loved it, the shoes made a massive difference and I really took to it, like a penguin to ice climbing. So now I climb at the Sands Centre in Carlisle every Tuesday with some other Jackrabbitt people.

So anyway, I was back in Yorkshire for a week and had heard about a new climbing wall in Harrogate. Decided to take my wife and brother along and have a bash. First and foremost, the place is very clean and very well run, possibly because it is new but then again, it seems as though the people there have a passion for it so it should do well. We paid £8.50 each to get in, and we were only there for a few hours so it seemed a bit pricey, but if you were there for an afternoon or full day, you could definitely get your monies worth. Check out Ricks, review of the evening on the Jackrabbitt.net blog

The main hall is very modern with a fantastic range of colours and an interesting layout making the most of the space available to them. The tallest walls are around 11 metres, although I think they are possibly slightly higher or the rope we were using wasn't quite 25 metres as you can see in the photo! There was a good variation of routes, from extremely simple 4's with top ropes all the way to 7c+ and possibly higher which I didn't see. You did not need quick draws on the routes without top ropes.

The main overhang wasn't as severe as some that I have seen (as seen in the right of this photo), but it was still enough to be challenging (I didn't try it, this time). I felt the grades were graded correctly and this is something which I am sure many people will find as they go from centre to centre, a 5+ is sometimes a 6a+ at another centre.
The bouldering room was really nice and had some fantastic challenges in it, with some great opportunities to dyno, which is my current favourite bit of climbing...however I don't like the lack of skin left on my fingers.

All in all, I would highly recommend people to go spend the afternoon at Harrogate Climbing Centre if they get the chance. They hire out kit which is essential for a climbing venue in my personal opinion, how can we expand the sport if we can't provide the right equipment.
Click here to see the HCC website.
Click here to see all the photos
[* nut allergy safe, just a figure of speech ]

Cwmcarn Day 03 (Wet Welsh Weekend)

2010-04-12T00:18:00.003+01:00

A good nights sleep and some bacon, some lovely sunshine and the welsh hills... a bit of a better start than the day before! Packing up the tent, getting 10 bikes out of 2 cars, repacking the cars with everything else and then heading down to the start of the Twrch Trail, all done quickly and efficiently. The sun shone all day and really helped make up for the amount of rain we suffered in the 2 previous days!

It was my idea to do the red route, and even though a few people said that I was daft, they appreciated me suggesting it by the end of the ride! I feel like I achieve more when I complete a full red loop, and even though we could have got the Uplift to the halfway point of the red loop and just ridden the good descents, I wanted to earn it, nothing better than that feeling of accomplishment after a hard challenge.

For anyone that has done the trail you will know just how challenging the 1st half is, very rooty, steep and technical. It just seems to go on and upwards forever, I think it feels longer due to the roots, possibly making this trail a little easier for the full suspension bikes, but don't hold me to that one! The weather was nice and the scenery is beautiful but it also helps that the trail is well maintained and even after all the rain previous it was relatively water free!

We got to some of the climbs where people would have made a wrong move and had to walk a little bit, but everyone was full of encouragement for the next person trying it, which really helped me, it made me want to push that bit harder and make it to the top of the section. There is a lot to be said for words of praise and encouragement whilst on a trail, I know it might not be everyone's cup of tea but I know it helps me a lot. It is so easy to knock someone down, but it is just as easy to build someone up, even something as small as a hi-five is enough to make someone feel accomplished!

This is what mountain biking is all about to me, being out with your friends in amazing surroundings, out on an adventure just for the sake of it! I am not saying that a little competition ain't fun, but maybe sometimes we get a little bit too competitive for the circumstances. This is one I am sometimes guilty of.

Coming down from the freeride park, there are a couple of lovely sections that are quite natural, twisty turny and rooty, and if you take them at speed it feels so incredibly fast...it's probably not...but it definitely feels like it! Then there is a section where we got told by a local, not to touch the brakes all the way round. Which I had tried the last two times I rode this trail, and failed...but today I managed it, and also got my fastest time on the GPS tracking on my HTC Tattoo. Last climb, then the best bits of mountain biking all over again! The rocky descent and the smooth, beautiful single track down to the car park.

I was still on a massive rush about ten minutes later from it all, and I had finally remembered why I do these things. There is nothing better than pinning your bike down a lovely winding section of single track following your mates so close that it could all end in tears, so fast that there doesn't seem like enough time to think, let alone react, so amazing that at the end you are all talking over the top of each other about how awesome it was...That to me is what it is all about. Thanks to all the lads for an amazing trip away, and thanks to the lads for reminding me who I am.

See all the photos here.