Megavalanche

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Megavalanche
Local name:	Mega
Region:	French Alps, Peru and Reunion Island
Date:	Alps - 28/29th July 2007
Type:	Downhill marathon
History
First Edition:	1896
Number of Editions:	?
First Winner:	?
Most Recent:	Nico Vouilloz ( France)
Most Wins:	?, ? times

Megavalanche is a mountainbike downhill marathon style event that mixes gravity asssisted excitement with enduro levels of fitness, guaranteed to test both nerve and physique. The most famous round is run from the French Alps town of Alpe D'Huez, starting on the glaciated summit of the Pic Blanc and descending to the lush meadows valley bottom, after some 2000 metres down and 15km along.

In 2007, an expected 1200 participants will depart the summit of the Pic Blanc with top competitors making the 2000m descent in somewhere around an hour!

Many of the competitors are from mainland Europe, however an increasing contignent of UK riders are making the pilgrimage, from seasoned competitors to mega-virgins looking to loose their cherry on the steep slopes.

The event also takes place in Peru and Reunion Island.

Megavalanche start

[edit] Kit and Equipment

While this is a downhill race at the start, the event can cover up to 15km in blistering heat of the summer. A full on downhill bike (often with upward of 8 inches of suspension at each end) is not recommended. A dual-chainring equipped 'freeride' bike is the weapon of choice, having 5-7 inches of travel and single crown forks.

The Joe Breeze invented Hite-Rite looks like it could be making a comeback. This device, or similar systems, allow rapid adjustment of the saddle height. Swapping from unrestricted handling to efficient pedalling is the key ot a fast time down the Mega.