| The Passportes du Soleil is an epic mountain bike race | | | | some great meandering cross-country sections on |
| in the huge Portes du Soleil region of France & | | | | relatively easy 4x4 tracks. |
| Switzerland which heralds the start of summer and | | | | Another excellent feature of this event are the |
| the opening of the lift system. It takes place over | | | | fantastic refreshment stands located at regular |
| the last weekend in June, and has evolved from an | | | | intervals throughout the course. Large tables offer up |
| earlier event known as the "Freeraid". | | | | a wide range of snacks and drinks, from energy/nut |
| Most riders don't really treat the Passportes as a | | | | bars to cheese and ham, from energy drinks to beer |
| race (although you do get a number for the front of | | | | and wine. It is always interesting to see who feels fit |
| your bike) but simply a great day's mountain bike | | | | to tuck into the alcoholic drinks at ten in the morning, |
| riding. The event is massive - 2 days, 3 courses (30, | | | | and then avoid them if you see them on the course! |
| 45 & 75 km) and 3700 riders. The classic trek of 75 | | | | The Passporte du Soleil is really an event for |
| km includes 12 ski lifts, 6500 m of total downhill, 500 | | | | everyone. It has become so massive that it now sells |
| m of total uphill climb. | | | | out months in advance. However, if you visit the |
| What makes this event unique is the fact that it | | | | Portes du Soleil later on in the summer, it is possible |
| attracts a wide range of participants - from lycra clad | | | | to get a map from the local tourist office and cycle |
| cross country riders to armour clad downhill riders, | | | | pretty much the whole route. |
| and from beginners to experts. Everyone gets | | | | Race stats: |
| involved and rides the same course. True, the cross | | | | Classic trek - 75 Km The classic circuit is for purists: a |
| country riders tend to beat the downhill riders on the | | | | long tour of the Portes du Soleil about 75km |
| climbs, and for the real keen peddlers, there is also | | | | * approximatively 75km - 12 lifts |
| optional climbing sections. And true the downhillers | | | | * 6500m of total downhill/ 500m of total uphill |
| tend to overtake the cross country riders when it | | | | * 7 resorts to start from : Avoriaz, Châtel, Les |
| comes to descending, and there are a couple of | | | | Gets, Morzine, Champéry, Morgins et Torgon |
| optional "free ride" sections. But overall, the race is a | | | | * 8 refreshments points |
| fantastic melting pot of all mountain bike styles and | | | | Intermediate trek - 45 km 45km with one aim in |
| standards. | | | | mind; having fun |
| As for the course itself - it has to be one of the | | | | * approximatively 45km - 7 lifts |
| best in the world! It takes in some amazing | | | | * 4000m of total downhill /300m of total uphill |
| panoramas on the Morgins and Champoussin sections | | | | * 4 resorts to start from: Châtel, |
| with views of the Dents du Midi, the Dents Blanch | | | | Champéry, Morgins et Torgon. |
| and even Mont Blanc. There is some excellent steep | | | | * 4 refreshments points |
| and twisty single track down through the woods in | | | | Discovery trek - 30km For those who are quite good |
| Torgon. There are dedicated downhill courses used at | | | | at mountain biking, but out on The Portes du Soleil's |
| Chatel and Les Gets. There is an epic descent from | | | | tracks for the first ime... |
| the top of Linderets down to Morzine and there are | | | | |