Megavalanche

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 assisted 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 30km 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 British riders are making the pilgrimage, spurred on by ever increasing press about the event.

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 30km in blistering heat of the summer. A downhill bike (often with upward of 8 inches(203mm) of suspension travel at each end) is not recommended to be competitive, though many competitors choose to ride them. A dual-chainring equipped 'freeride' is the bike choice, having 5-7 inches (130-178mm) of travel and single crown forks. The 2006 winner Nico Vouilloz rode a 150mm travel bike with a dura ace chainset and semi slick rear tyre.

Seat height adjusters such as the Maverick 'Speedball' or 'Hite-Rite' allow rapid adjustment of the saddle height. Swapping from unrestricted handling to efficient pedalling is the key ot a fast time down the Mega.

[edit] Fitness

Competitors need physical strength for the top section, cardio for the road climbs and endurance to string it all together and keep going.

Training should include forearm work to limit arm pump, caused by hanging on to the bars and riding the rough sections. Bike setup can also help to reduce this.