Are Alps Bike Parks too challenging for normal riders?

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Wow, those trails look 50% awesome and 50% intimidating! Great riding pal, hitting this blind takes some balls though it looks like you and Clark have the trust for sure! Great edit and a great endorsement for the unsung alps MTB destinations! ❤

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers man. Absolutely stoked with the edit. Such a good memory to have of a great day on the bikes 👌

[@blackmac1970]

I love how excited you are by the drops and stuff. Hilarious 🤣. That looked like great fun and right at the edge of my meager abilities.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Ha ha. The excitement levels of a 5 year old 😄 Just can't help it on those trails 👌

[@garioch_gravel_rider7376]

Fair play mate - some of those sections and features looked next level! Good to see Clark hasn't lost it! 😅

[@streetpigeonmtb]

He's getting better... Which is annoying 🤣

[@garioch_gravel_rider7376]

@@streetpigeonmtb 🤣🤣🤣

[@streetpigeonmtb]

@garioch_gravel_rider7376 🤣

[@spybotgabonza]

Brilliant video. I’ve been to morzine and it was amazing but it shows how much following someone who knows the correct speed adds to each trail 💪

[@streetpigeonmtb]

It really does change it. Deffo hit Alps trails with someone in the know 👌

[@MarioNhampossa]

I really enjoy watching this as I’m heading out to the alps in Austria tomorrow 😎 it will be my first time 😊 I’m really excited 🤩

[@streetpigeonmtb]

I'm sure you will have an amazing time. Where are you headed?

[@TheAsbrooks]

I take your point! A few of us went to Morzine last year. I struggled with fatigue on the super long descents.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Yeah! The descents are so much longer for sure 🙈

[@michaelwalsh9524]

Its so nice to see the forge being used. Your videos on it convinced me to buy one!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Ah nice. Lovely bike the Forge 👍

[@MTB_Trekker]

Awesome stuff Jamie, no messing about with some of those reds...defo blacks in parts!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

The reds were unreal. Testing but also insanely rewarding!

[@MTB_Trekker]

@@streetpigeonmtb they looked it mate, kudos for the drops too!! 💪🏻👌🏻🤙🏻

[@streetpigeonmtb]

@MTB_Trekker cheers man. Good times 😁🙌👌

[@markcosens1]

These trails looked great. Im of the option these smaller less known bikeparks are much more enjoyable than the berm tabletop braking bump and repeat uninspiring trails in the pds area. Added this one to my map 👍

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Mate, you could be right. I thought these trails were fantastic. I will be over there again for sure!

[@jaykellett7693]

Wicked vid Jamie, were you riding your Aeris 9 as a full 29er or mullet?

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers man. Full 29 👍

[@IntoTheWhite04]

I'm 45 and am very average ,maybe even below average , and just had 2 weeks in Saalbach Hinterglemm. The easy trails there were harder than anything I've ever done and I had the best 2 weeks of my life.

[@IntoTheWhite04]

Did a red run, the Hackleberg trail, which took me 40 mins to get down, better riders do it in 25, and my brakes were smoking pretty much. Bricking myself all the way down and couldn't wait to do it again

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Well done man. I think the progression you can experience in these places is worth the trip alone. Glad you had a good one 👌

[@IntoTheWhite04]

@@streetpigeonmtb Cheers! Absolutely. Came back and went to the Surrey hills a week later and felt twice as fast as I've ever been there. Much more confident

[@streetpigeonmtb]

That's brilliant buddy. I have to say, I'm feeling great on the bike as well. Think it was the confidence boost I needed.

[@IntoTheWhite04]

@@streetpigeonmtb think the thing that going to the mountains in Europe highlights is how much fitter you need to be. 40 mins down a steep, bumpy, loose track is punishing. Already booked for next year and will make sure I'm more prepared physically and am definitely getting bigger brake discs. I like the look of that smaller place. Morzine and around there seems pretty intimidating for me.

[@SergejGrabun]

So these are more natural trails by the looks of it. Is whole place like this or your mate showed you these natural ones for videos? I liked how quiet your bike was through chunk and roots, on landings.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

I'd say that this particular bike park has more natural style trails as opposed to the more bike park trails. I went to La Clusaz as well which had a mix of natural and bikepark. I definitely prefer the more natural trails like these 👍

[@staceyismine]

You should use strava and allow us to follow your routs or komoot

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Hey there. I'm on Strava. All the routes are there 👍

[@adriano8729]

Dude that was freakin awesome! Every time I watch your videos all I want to do is get the bike out of the shed and hit the trails! Very enjoyable and inspirational! Thanks pal, Adrian

[@streetpigeonmtb]

My absolute pleasure buddy. Love that the videos make you want to ride. Thanks for commenting buddy!

[@chris4536]

Outta the shed and onto the shred!!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

@chris4536 🙌🙌🙌

[@Mtbcaelan]

I think you no longer fall under the normal category… above average at the least - absolutely shredding! 😂

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers buddy. Honestly, my riding has just come together at the moment. Really loving riding and riding as well as I ever have. I think it's just that I've managed more descending time this year, especially now that I have an eeb to play on as well as the proper bike. Good times!

[@Mtbcaelan]

@@streetpigeonmtb been very good to see the progress! Good times indeed 😎

[@streetpigeonmtb]

@Mtbcaelan thanks man. Appreciate you taking the time to get involved in the comments. 🙌

[@Mtbcaelan]

⁠@@streetpigeonmtband thanks for always replying! 😀

[@joeblack4026]

try wexl trails near Viena, that is more friendly place :)

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks for the tip 👍 Although it was deffo friendly when I was there 😁

[@chris4536]

What sort of setup and tyres is your mate running? Cheers

[@chris4536]

Looks like a Krypto on the rear

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Continentals but not sure which exactly...

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Yeah, that sounds about right!

[@chris4536]

Heck yeah!

[@chris4536]

By the looks of that terrain I would want something with a dual crown and the burliest tyres going! That rocky sub Alpine hammers the bike and body!

[@Alan-75]

You riding the 180mm linkage in the alps?

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Hey man. 180mm up front, 160mm at the rear. I just find this setup works for me. Keen to give 180mm at the rear a go!

[@benwahhhh]

i ve been there last year, I gave up at noon, and we headed to another place. Too many rocks, roots and ruts everywhere... blue track with 60cm step down in ruts and pin together... I tried another red track, i felt, and that was it. I don't know if it s better in UK, but it s been 4 years in testing bikeparks, I still don't know how to jump properly, because i cannot find a track with simple tables and big/high turns so i can train on it. the jump i can find around my place are even harder, only huge gaps, badly shaped. and the Alps bikepark are always tricky so i can't remember if this or this bump is manageable or dangerous for me... When I see mtb jump videos in the UK the guy always shows ultraclear tables, with room around ... it looks so easy

[@streetpigeonmtb]

I think videos are deceiving. They always make tracks look easier than they are. The tables on the blue at this place are great to practice on. Doesn't matter if you come short 👍

[@bionic909]

Your on a green when you were on the flow.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks for letting me know. I wasn't sure what all the trail gradings were. Cheers 👍

[@bionic909]

No worries, just saw a green sign on the left as you said it. Your spot on with rest. I ride my DH rig on greens, i love it and dont care what anyone says. Lol. Sorry if you thought i was calling you out, it wasnt my intension. Hope your having a great time. Come over to Avoriaz if you can and havent been yet.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

@bionic909 thanks buddy. Yeah, no shame in greens at all 👌

[@Dummmmmmdiduumm]

French yes, Austrians no

[@streetpigeonmtb]

I've gotta say all the French parks I rode had something for the normal rider 👍

[@Dummmmmmdiduumm]

@@streetpigeonmtb Its more a joke

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Ah, ok 👍

[@juliosanchez8026]

Hi mate, this video is nice, but I don't understand this "The video was shot on a DJI Osmo Action 4 mounted on the chin of an Endura MT500 helmet using a R3Pro mount" Do you have any images of how the camera is held on the chin of the helmet? Thanks

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Yeah of course. Do you have an email or way of getting an image to you? Why don't you DM me on FB, Insta or X?

[@Mtnboarder]

Great riding Jamie- I was out in the Alps about the same time on a "family holiday" that just happened to be at a bikepark. Not that I planned it that way of course! 🤔

[@streetpigeonmtb]

😁 Of course! Did you have a good one? Where did you ride?

[@Mtnboarder]

@@streetpigeonmtb Really good- Les Arcs for ten days, four on the bike and the rest being a tourist. So much out there for a family trip outside of riding or skiing.

[@Mtnboarder]

@@streetpigeonmtb kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIjNmZ2mqtiIhcU

[@streetpigeonmtb]

@Mtnboarder nice. TBF I think the tourist days are great! Stops the fatigue building up!

[@TrailTrackerSwitzerland]

Looks like a fab park buddy. You definitely have to recalibrate your riding for alpine bike parks. Trail speeds are often so much higher than people are used to, which is why it always helps to have someone like Clark who knows the right speed. Great job 👍

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers buddy. If you've not been already I can recommend!

[@growlith6969]

Yeah, when I ride with my friends it's all the grind up and they don't even have energy to put into the down parts. They really don't have the experience to do this so I never invite them, not ruining my day by riding in an ambulance with them.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

It doesn't sound like you like your friends very much 🤔😕

[@growlith6969]

@@streetpigeonmtb I like them enough not to take them to a place where they are certain to get hurt.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Do you ever try and session trails with them? Might be a good way to start progressing with them 👍

[@growlith6969]

I'm a "normal" rider, I can't clear big gaps, I don't do enormous drops, but I absolutely love downhill parks. Park just isn't in the same universe as normal riding. I think normal riders struggle with the scale of things, and especially how long you spend at speed. I've got a nice enduro but to really crank out laps without fatigue and the most forgiveness, nothing beats an actual DH bike with big hit suspension and brakes. A lot of people bring their trail bike and make do, and I think they are missing out on how rowdy they could have gotten.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

That's a good point. I'd really love to try a modern DH bike. I bet they are loads of fun!

[@Eddiehickson]

I was there today and I think it might be some of the greatest trails I’ve ridden, so much fun!!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

No way! It's so good eh?!

[@Ry_Rides]

Not fancy doing Ard rock next year? (even though rock ain’t your thing!)

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Ha ha. Not really. Only because racing just isn't my thing 😁

[@Ry_Rides]

@@streetpigeonmtbfair enough! I’ve only done a handful of races but really enjoyed the Ard rock experience

[@streetpigeonmtb]

@Ry_Rides TBF I did it once and loved it. Maybe it's a wee bit of anxiety. I just love quiet rides with mates though 👌

[@ewan_young]

wow great vid , that's my local bike park ! really a rough Rooty one

[@streetpigeonmtb]

No way! I loved it man. You are so lucky to have this as your local!!!

[@Restylelol]

nice comments on the video, nice to see that your a bit scared sometimes :D i can only relate

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers man. Scary but rewarding 👌

[@andyslater5248]

Some of that (aye alright most of that) gave me the fear !! Well done man, great riding.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers man. Honestly, places like this just force progression 👌

[@budycelyn]

those trails look awesome, getting some trail envy here and i live within 30 minutes of Afan, Glyncorrwg and BPW. went to morzine, les get, chatel etc back in 2017, best holiday i ever had.

[@budycelyn]

oh and cwmcarn, MV bikepark, about an hour or so from brechfa, all good trails and centres but the range there, stunning

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Sounds like you have some amazing riding buddy! Deffo worth another bike holiday if you can find a way. I've not been abroad that much but I really enjoy it ❤️

[@cheeta2000]

Especially the more touristic destination in the Alps have been creating (or modifying) tracks for the rental bike brigade, so usually there is something that is very doable. I have been riding with people with no Alps experience and limited MTB experience, it is mainly respecting the length (fatigue), exposure, etc... (~ don't outpace your guardian angle) and gradually building up the confidence (and choosing trails accordingly).

[@streetpigeonmtb]

I'd agree with building up slowly. Easy to get carried away.

[@conkeeftador]

Can you spell the name out please buddy, I can't find the place from what the man said 🙁

[@streetpigeonmtb]

This park is called Les Sept Laux 👍

[@conkeeftador]

@@streetpigeonmtb ideal 👌 I've been looking at chamrouse

[@neilmcauley7750]

how do you get your bikes over there?

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Hey man. So this year I drove the bike over! We were staying in London, Paris and the Alps so it made sense. Ordinarily I'd take the bike on the plane 👍

[@Clarkyboy101]

What an amazing day oot :-) thanks for coming along matey :-)

[@streetpigeonmtb]

My pleasure buddy. Hopefully see you at another bikepark again soon!

[@4KMTBRider]

Those trails look incredible! Great video, definitely got me wanting to visit that bike park one day 🤔

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Hope you make it over. It's such a great wee park. Just loved it 👌

[@ab_mtb]

Mate... that looks fucking awesome. Great vid + great riding. Was willing u on over those sketchy drops. Well done pushing ur limits

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers man. Really appreciate that!

[@scottsland99]

Great riding Jamie!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Thanks man. Some of the best riding I've done for sure. Happy to have captured it on the camera!

[@junovivi5037]

As you said, I'm sure lot of people don't realise how challenging this bikepark is, especially Hard'Oisiere and Bloody Roots, you're such a beast for hitting these trails that easily for the first time !!!

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Cheers! Only did it because I had someone to follow 🤣

[@shannonmtb]

Make you laugh the trail grading in the alps 🤣 looks a great place

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Ha ha. Yeah, the trail grading is a wee bit different 🤣

[@TheAsbrooks]

@@shannonmtb Yeah, the red on Pleny side is steeper than the black. I quite enjoyed riding the black and skipping around the crazy big jumps. The red however was crazily fast, too fast for me to get around the berms in one piece on the wooded bits

[@streetpigeonmtb]

@TheAsbrooks wild!

[@shannonmtb]

@@TheAsbrooks yeah we were in Morzine a few wks back and they can be so fast...we did a blue called le panoramic (vid on my channel) and it's so fast. Used to be a green 🤣

[@TheAsbrooks]

@@shannonmtb I know the trail. I’ll watch the video a bit later 👍

[@KarlWalford]

How do you get there logistics wise with you bike ? I’m from near whinlatter and need to try this

[@streetpigeonmtb]

The two main ways are fly with a bike bag (possibly to Geneva which is close) or drive over. I'm afraid I cannot say much about the flight as I drove my bike over as part of a family holiday. Sure somebody on here can help.

[@KarlWalford]

Fantastic thanks for coming back to me !

[@streetpigeonmtb]

@KarlWalford hope you make it out there!

[@outlandishmtb]

That looks like a great ride. Well done on those heavy tech sections as well as nailing the big drops! I've got to figure out a way to get over to the EU for a few months of riding. It never ceases to amaze me how many great riding destinations there are.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

That would be amazing. A trip to Europe for an extended time could be incredible. Like you say, there are so many options. I hope you make it!

[@lioneldm5130]

7 Laux is an amazing place for skiing in winter. The hidden gem of grenoblois.

[@streetpigeonmtb]

What a place 👏

[@youngstadan4999]

90 percent of the people riding this stuff are normal people

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Well yes, but 90% of normal riders don't have the opportunity to ride abroad. This video was aimed at those who were apprehensive or nervous about heading there. Hopefully it's encouraged a few doubters to head out 👍❤️