Epic Descent: Col de Joux Plane

[@FelixIsMyName]

Loved just having the sound of the wind and Dan chatting. Really lets you feel a part of the decent!

[@bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

Matt is the GCN gent. He was the only person to use hand signals to warn of imminent danger and was the first to wave / acknowledge others. These are my fav. types of video - some onscreen data would always look good too

[@tobortine]

Fantastic. Particularly appreciated the lack of music.

[@firstnamesurname7089]

Indeed, lack of music made it better imo. :) I love the sound of the bike on the road.

[@beeble2003]

A couple of the descents you've posted somehow didn't look all that fast. This looked *fast*. And thanks for posting without music. Really appreciate that.

[@paulh6467]

Dan has excellent smooth downhill cornering skills.Makes it look easy.

[@Guoenyi]

Just need to brake early... No magic to it

[@TheRocketSmith]

It's his dropper seat post.

[@Guoenyi]

This epic descend is so so epic for sure. Chapeau!

[@staminapromos]

I used to go mountain biking in Morzine and remember one day being spat out of a trail and onto this road. Not knowing any way of getting back off road we followed the road back to Morzine. This road downhill on knobbly tyres, which slide about under load on tarmac, and with downhill disk brakes was one of the most fun things we did. We even tried the road back from Avoriaz, chasing a bunch of roadies. It's hilariously good fun to just let go and nail the brakes into the next corner.

[@rosh-videos]

OMAGERD, THE THIRD LEVER, much aerodynamics.

[@rigorhead01]

Now THAT looks fun!!!

[@SCBbestof]

Based on that third lever I'm guessing this is the "Frankensteined" dropping seat post bike :D

[@BlkBurr1]

Is that what the 3rd shifter's for? I must have missed an ep

[@SCBbestof]

+BlkBurr1 you did. It was fairy recent though. Check for a dropped seat-post video and you will see this hack în action :D

[@NightmirrorXx]

It was also in the upper left at the end of the video.

[@SpiderwebRob]

Beautiful. In winter when its -15 and my roads are salty slush pits I will re watch this video and long for the next summer.

[@ralphelliott9762]

This is a lot more epic and exhilarating when you're actually doing it yourself!

[@wallacedavidg]

Good use of the dropper post.

[@MrDoodsz]

Dan is really loving that dropper seat post.

[@ollywood6942]

Sitting in Bournemouth watching this. Love this descent. Especially since I have an apartment on the last corner, so i know its there waiting for me to climb it in the summer, and race back down!

[@dsarcevic]

Loved that I could pause this halfway thru, take my dog outside, make and eat lunch, than get on my pretend bike, and resume the ride.Was surprised though that Dan wasn't wearing any gloves. If he fell at least might save the skin on his palms.

[@IanLoughead]

It is nice with the description rather than music. Still would love to see data over lay at some point.

[@Markikuunn]

I like the "no music" edition. When will we have the "commentary edition". I would appreciate deeply if you share a word of two about the technique that is being applied in the corners and straights...

[@brianmcg321]

You should post the telemetry along with the video.

[@exonusgod]

+James Vacher Not if it was Matthours or Danhours

[@gcn]

Hey Brian. We hear you loud and clear about telemetry. We're working on it for future editions.

[@mynaamiskaas]

GREAT NEWS ABOUT the telemetry! :D Great vid none the less! I spotted a dropper seatpost hack there ;)

[@sidneyjones6105]

I see that you are using the dropper post.

[@robbchastain3036]

I, too, liked the ambient noise and the on-board comments, and really cool, the changing camera angles because of the dropper post. And as far as telemetry, maybe a Schwinn Sting-Ray speedometer on the bars? Then we'd know for sure that you guys were flying :)

[@MikeBritton]

This was everything a descent video should be. The occasional dry, witty banter from Dan in this one establishes the likelihood that future videos with properly mic'd riders, color commentary and banter, would be popular. I hesitate to assume the same would be true for GMBN since it's harder to talk when bombing down trails.

[@PauloRobertoAS]

do you known Claudio Callouri from red bull channel? there is a lot of videos of him talking while riding down hill on UCI track preview, it's a lot of funny.

[@MikeBritton]

Yes, I love his videos!

[@donkgti]

Only ever done the top of this decent from the Col de Ranfolly on a snowboard. Its a little bit different in the summer and looks a bit more fun!

[@marnug]

Fantastic footage and so much better without background music.

[@CharlieBennici]

Love the sound of the brakes on carbon rims. Sadly, I don't have carbon rims...

[@rizaldiryanryan]

Yeah... the sound is like jet engine

[@thomask1uk]

It's the Mavic Exalith aluminum rim, not carbon. At least it is if he's on the wheels that came with the bike. I have the same bike and it's a familiar noise...

[@TheWaxChainFanClub]

This is stunning. Beautiful job guys.

[@randycordova8340]

Can you do a video on bike gear bags like commuter backpacks, duffel bags, etc.? Best gear for transporting for a day trip or week long? Thanks!

[@TimothyFish]

The camera angle could've been better on this one, but I'll have to say that though I don't usually watch the GCN videos full screen, I do on the descent videos, because there are usually some views that can't be properly appreciated on a small view.

[@marty197666]

Best descent that the guys have done. Just would be nice to see some speed data up!

[@garysellars8914]

That was cool! Thought i was seeing things with that extra lever! It looked horrible!

[@nyallhorner7891]

Do a real time epic climb!!

[@ucnguyenminh9393]

Yeah because someone would watch an 1hr video of suffering... How about no

[@bobotea1234]

presumably they climbed the MT to have the descent video. So they could easily have the footage.

[@nyallhorner7891]

+bobo tea (bobotea) good point

[@ricksnyder6318]

Why is it that in all videos that I have seen Tom has to do all the climbing while Dan, Matt, and Simon do the descending? Why doesn't Tom get to descend after all the climbing he does?

[@digbyodell2924]

GCN discovered Tom's talent for Voeckler-esque face pulling on the climbs and the rest as they say, is history.

[@seankinsey4619]

Excellent. Kudos for no music. Much more entertaining to actually hear what the guys are hearing.

[@engleshen]

Gravel\adventure bikes are the best bikes for descending, ive never been so quick and i was so afraid of descends! Now it's like im on another level!

[@TheDarKris]

I bet it's those disc brakes ;)

[@FourPW]

Put in 25km yesterday on my new CX bike. First half is over gravel and rough-ish terrain. Enjoyed the whole thing. Surprising how nimble you can be, even considering the thicker treads and whatnot. Definitely feel more confident on this than my old roadie!

[@jam-ymikk8772]

Nice vid boys.... thumbs up. love the no music. Total motivation to climb so that you can go down!

[@carmenplacido9479]

Pure joy.

[@barefeg]

3:56 did that guy let 'the boss' hanging?

[@Yackberg]

Much better without music in background!

[@CanaryShuttlebus]

Overlaying the speed and power on these videos would be amazing. Also, the lack of music is a definite plus!

[@johnyainsworth3818]

awesome video! much prefer the commentary from Dan over the music!

[@paradox963]

Was Dan so far ahead because he was using a dropper seat post? Would also love to see some data overlays.

[@froggy12345678901234]

Use garmin virb software to put data on the video it would make watching the video much better.

[@thomasmullins2530]

I see you still have your dropper post on your bike. we're you on the the high option of the dropper post or the low during that descent

[@bphipps58]

Dropper seat post handle from earlier huh!

[@kona6812]

Nice to see you so polite greeting following cyclists. An unwritten role amongst cyclists which is unkown by most. Great vid, that's why I ascend ;-) But get rid off that 3. lever!

[@pedrocaldeira1604]

I love so very much my disk brakes! When I see and ear you braking it seems like stone age.

[@pilsknot]

Would be cool to see some stats along with this video. Like speed, cadence and watts etc.

[@DanThemes]

Strava link, or it didn't happen :P

[@duartelourenco7830]

Did Matt's camera stop recording or something? From the minute 1:40 only appears Dan's POV...

[@belmany]

Decided to keep the dropper seatpost, I see!

[@andystone5487]

What carbon rim/brake combo does Dan have?. I have carbon r/ Black Prince blocks but they don't make that buzzing sound.....

[@karlwilliams3589]

I see how you got so far ahead, it was the dropper seat post matt didn't have a chance

[@TheDarKris]

Dropper post too OP pls nerf :)

[@kingzarse2828]

Nice dropper post lever. You should have tested the RockShox Reverb instead and had better luck with the lever installation. Im sure the GMBN boys could have sorted it our for you.

[@KingTom1983]

That's actually just scared me a little - I did the Etape and recognised none of it so must have been well and truly in the zone! Well, none until around 7:30 when I punctured...

[@DarkpowderUK]

Ahh GCN does dropper-science Episode 2! - "Matt's already a little way behind...." - "I'll just wait for him..." - Dropper-post result! (When did everyone else spot the dropper post being triggered, i did at 5:25, and again at 7:38, 8:24, 8:48)

[@HartFalleon]

What is the lever for on Dan's bike below the handlebar on the right side?

[@ucnguyenminh9393]

"I'll just wait for him"... Ride even faster

[@werther41]

my favorite track in RBR :)

[@sputnic3032]

Now Matt wants a dropper post.

[@MVProfits]

Fun to see those guys. I second too that it's great without music and one day one video with "technique commentary" would be nice. Was it one of the descent part of stage 20 and this year's Étape du Tour? Being in your cycling shoes, I'd fear cars coming out of driveways and such - especially at that last 3rd of the descent. On the Étape du Tour, I'd fear weird maneuvers by other cyclists.

[@lucianonarno1408]

Is that third lever for switching gears in the front wheel cassette?

[@lucianonarno1408]

+Sam Morris I saw the video, i was just making a joke :)

[@CharlieBennici]

An "all-wheel drive" bicycle. I have to admit, I have thought about it.

[@lucianonarno1408]

Charlie Bennici But anyway there's only a certain amount of energy your body ca put out, I don't think we're gonna revolutionize the industry :(

[@dansneyd4646]

I've ridden motorbikes for a long time and when taking say a left hander at speed, your actually pointing the handlebars slightly to the right. I know it sounds weird but it's true. I think it's because the bike is leaning over so much. is this the same with cycling?

[@bonesbacon446]

No. Because there isn't any sliding going on like on a street bike or motocross bike. Spinning the rear wheel makes you counter steer (turning the handlebars to the right) but that doesn't happen on a road bike. Mountain biking is more apt to tune that way as well.

[@dansneyd4646]

+Jeremiah Gerber its nothing to do with wheel slip or drifting. I just Googled it. It's called negative steer and happens on motorcycles and bicycles

[@mattmeg2916]

This is rad

[@todortodorov3470]

He still has the dropper post switch on. :)

[@roblucchetti2993]

cool noise from the brakes pads - sounds like a small turbo! Man carbon frames are noisy!

[@jacookerbad]

is that a brake lever on the drops?

[@sufyansaleem9771]

Can we get a speed and power overlay on the descents?

[@Lububrn]

Very subtle use of the dropper post at 8:47 Dan. I certainly hope you can find a better setup if you really are going to stick with it in the future.

[@aidanstrebel7955]

hi I'm new to cycling and I just started. I was just wondering if there were any HUGE tips that I should use. I just got a bike and I don't know where to start. write me back. :)

[@benperiod]

first things that come to mind are, stay hydrated, always take food, ID, and money on long rides, riding with friends will usually help more thab riding alone (just make sure they're similar skill level) and, always, always, always remember to keep a high cadence, usually between 80-100, and your cadence is determined by how many times a minute your right (or left it doesn't matter which) foot reaches the bottom of the pedal stroke. So, if you havr a timer of sorts, a good place to start, is just trying to get three pedal strokes every two seconds, although, your body will automatically put you in a comfortable cadence, provided you are using a proper gear.

[@patrickarredon4502]

Get comfortable and ride often

[@benperiod]

and yeah, probably the biggest tip, is to just ride a LOT. that's the best way to improve quickly once you start, do long rides, hill climbs, rolling hills, whatever you can, as long as you're on your biking and moving, you'll improve. Try to get out at least 3 or so times a week when you start, though more is always better, BUT! remember to give yourself rest to recover :)

[@matthewstewart4469]

We still have the STI dropper lever guys?!

[@NYK01]

this has probably been said a thousand times before, but the camera isn't in the best place to get a good view when dan's leaning forward, meaning we can only see the road and a couple of grass patches

[@MozOnBikes]

Thumbs up if you've taken the off road way down to Morzine from the top of the Col de Joux Plane (next to the Les Nauchets lift, near the jump park, route 20 on the PDS map) and would be hitting the Mutzing in Bar Robinson by the time the GCN boys got to the town centre ;) That would be an epic GCN vs GMBN race!

[@FearOmnicide]

Wouldn't be easy without a dropper seat post

[@barefeg]

will the third sti lever trend ever catch on?

[@andyspoo2]

You just need 1 car to be in a unexpected place, and then these guys will find out what it's like to be air born over a mountain.

[@BrianMcMahon74]

Are you guys still using the Garmin cameras or is footage from GoPro's

[@gcn]

Go Pros...

[@joeldawson4159]

Is Dan going to keep the dropper post on forever

[@Damakke]

wow super nice

[@ketjuariittaa]

There are slalom downhills. Why there are no tarmac bike downhills?

[@thegangsterpineapple6266]

what is with the break lever on the right drop

[@thomasjardine8674]

Who won the orbea orca?

[@davidb224]

Looks like Dan had to trade in his Garmin for that dropper seat post

[@junkieball]

Was the dropper post used on this descent??

[@sraspopov]

Video recorded more than one month ago and might be useful at that point, just before EDT... My time is 7:49 on this segment, could be a bit better if there were no ambulance just in front of me =( I was a bit angry first but then I realized that they were just doing their work...

[@julianarbelaez3620]

What was that lever on the bottom of dan's right hand drop

[@DreamClean]

It's to activate a dropper seat post. They made a video about it.

[@terkelterke]

This is also a "How to risk getting hit by a car around corners, by driving on the opposite side of the road" video

[@antontkacz6693]

I would love to see power and speed data ...

[@dul22]

What Joux plane is this ? Just came back from Samoens, did it twice and it doesn't look like this... Is is the road going to Morzine ?

[@gcn]

Yes, the one into Morzine that they did at the Tour this year.

[@dul22]

Should have done it, looks cool, I just went back and forth from Samoens... Cheers guys.

[@ojtibi9906]

Here we stumble upon evidence of Dan's extensive use of his dropper seat post to gain an advantage against Matt.

[@230Colin]

would be good if you could display the speed.

[@palmer3977]

Fantastic descent but that one piece bar & stem & the carbon breaking noise.

[@jontze4970]

Dan told us not to ruin our road bikes with a dropper seat post but continues to secretly keep his on

[@brianmoore1164]

On screen data please!

[@prayerpowersr854]

get your knees down on those twisties get rid of those chicken strips

[@fetusfajitas3015]

DROPPPPPERRRR!!!

[@ricardoharo.7026]

super cool😏😏

[@Humongous_C]

i think it is better to put the speed on the screen

[@jenslundingnielsen1106]

How hard Do you rekomment me to train i am 12 years old

[@craiggoad2509]

I'm disappointed that dan didn't try an mimic Chris froome on the descent.