flowmtb’s posterous

The forecasted clouds didn't appear on Saturday, so we set off riding under hot sunshine and bright blue skies. The first ride started with a tough climb up a rocky and loose gravel track. Before long we were feeling the heat and the effort! The reward however, made the memories of that fade - amazing views, then a fantastic descent. Some great forest track and a very technical descent with tight rocky switchbacks. 

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Thursday's fun was the Roman Roads ride - one of Finale's most famous rides. Climbing up a long way we were rewarded with fantastic rocky singletrack and some amazing views of the sea way below. A descent that's well worth the climb.

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Guy, Phil (who will be working with us this summer, helping you all find the best trails and keeping the bikes in top condition) and I left Morzine early on Tuesday morning, heading for Molini di Trioria - the home of Riviera Bike. Arriving around 1.30, we found Sian and Carl, pretty tired from their week of cycle touring but ready for another ride.

We started pedaling up the road, then the fun started on the descent, 

Over beers in the local bar we were fed far too many great snacks. Ade and Ray from Riviera Bike came back from their day of trail maintenance and a plan was hatched for riding the next morning, using their van for uplifts. We returned to the hotel for 5 courses of amazing food and pretty much rolled to bed!

After coffee in the cafe we loaded bikes onto the trailer and drove up for about 20 minutes to the trail head. Ade left Ray to show is the way down while he took the van to the next meet up point. This was a great trail, technical rocky singletrack, switchbacks and definitely enough to keep us all thinking and our hands and arms aching by the bottom. Another 20 minute drive up and this time Ade got to ride, leaving Ray to take the van back to Molini. This stepped up a little from the first descent, with some very technical sections and a couple of hike a bikes. But more amazing views and more great riding.

After paninis in town Jo took us up to a new trail they'd built. Natural sections were joined up by jumps, berms and some short sharp steeps. Knackered after this one, only Guy and Phil were up for more, which Ray happily obliged!

A quick beer and we drove to Finale Ligure and set up camp. Gareth Sam, and the kids from Endless Ride were already there, so we got on with planning Thursday's ride!

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Guy, Phil (who will be working with us this summer, helping you all find the best trails and keeping the bikes in top condition) and I left Morzine early on Tuesday morning, heading for Molini di Trioria - the home of Riviera Bike. Arriving around 1.30, we found Sian and Carl, pretty tired from their week of cycle touring but ready for another ride.

We started pedaling up the road, then the fun started on the descent, 

Over beers in the local bar we were fed far too many great snacks. Ade and Ray from Riviera Bike came back from their day of trail maintenance and a plan was hatched for riding the next morning, using their van for uplifts. We returned to the hotel for 5 courses of amazing food and pretty much rolled to bed!

After coffee in the cafe we loaded bikes onto the trailer and drove up for about 20 minutes to the trail head. Ade left Ray to show is the way down while he took the van to the next meet up point. This was a great trail, technical rocky singletrack, switchbacks and definitely enough to keep us all thinking and our hands and arms aching by the bottom. Another 20 minute drive up and this time Ade got to ride, leaving Ray to take the van back to Molini. This stepped up a little from the first descent, with some very technical sections and a couple of hike a bikes. But more amazing views and more great riding.

After paninis in town Jo took us up to a new trail they'd built. Natural sections were joined up by jumps, berms and some short sharp steeps. Knackered after this one, only Guy and Phil were up for more, which Ray happily obliged!

A quick beer and we drove to Finale Ligure and set up camp. Gareth Sam, and the kids from Endless Ride were already there, so we got on with planning Thursday's ride!

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We're nearly ready to leave for mountain biking in Italy (just some sleep before the 6am start!). Got the bikes sorted yesterday, the rest of our gear done today, and should be riding tomorrow afternoon. First stop is a couple of days in Molini with Rivierabike, then onto Finale Ligure.
 
Can't wait!

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Another day, another road bike climb to Avoriaz. Today I made it a full 5 minutes faster than friday - thanks to a Pinacolada MuleBar I started munching halfway up. Never leave home without one!
 
The velo club organise a timed climb in the summer. If you want to take part this year make sure you're here for the 14th July. It's a great event to do with around 200 people each year and a fun atmosphere. See if you can beat Bernard Hinault's 33 minutes!

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