Les 2 Alpes to Venosc

We parked near to the village of Venosc (900m) in the lovely Oissans region not far from the mythological Alpes d'Huez and caught the gondola up to Les deux Alpes  also known as Les 2 Alpes (1650m)



From here we took the Jandri Express cable car which took us 7km up the mountain to the foot of the Mantel Glacier 3200m in 24 mins



This glacier is the largest summer ski area in Europe. It was strange to cycle through the town passing skiers and snow boarders all dressed up in their gear in a temperature of 20 degrees.


By the time we reached the summit the temperature was down to 4 degrees.
There are stunning alpine views from here even across to Mont Blanc approx 62 miles to the north


We started our ride down on the blue Nord route which was very steep in places with a loose stoney surface.


We rode across various pisted areas.


When we had the chance we stopped to admire the view and pose for photographs.





Les 2 Alpes is very popular in the summer with both downhill and free ride mountain biking.


We crossed over from the blue Nord to the red Vallons trail. The terrain changed to more typical alpine style with green pastures and wild flowers but it was still incredibly steep with switchback after switch back.




There were quite a few timber features thrown in for good measure.




The last section from Les 2 Alpes down to Venosc was basically a ride down a cliff with huge berms to slow you down.




An exciting ride to complete a great visit to the area.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Greenland Kayak Balance Stool - Issiaveeraq qajaasarfik

Image
Introduction   Issaveeraq qajaasarfik roughly translates to Kayak Learning Stool. In order to preserve   the   Greenland heritage and history of the Board   this has been adapted to Greenland Kayak Balance Stool . There is a replica on display in the museum at Tasiilaq on the East coast of Greenland. The Danish Researcher H.C. Petersen, on page 10, of his book "Qaannamik pinnguaatit", Atuakkiorfik, 1994, has written that the balance stool in Greenlandic is called: "Issiaveeraq qajaasarfik".   Quote: Boys, when growing up, become progressively good travellers but are too young to use a kayak. At this time they already have and use (playing) spears. They start with a piece of unfurnished wood which they play with all day long. The spear is only furnished when they grow older.       At home, they are given a small chair. It is elongated, approximately the same size as the boys thighs. The legs (on the chair) are boards, placed on the further ends of
Read more

Greenland Kayak Balance Stool – Issiaveeraq qajaasarfik - DRILLS

Image
Drills UPDATE: No. 1  22/12/2020 I suggest that before you start working through the drills you read my previous post which describes the origins of the Balance Stool and the aim of these drills. STAGE 1 - Set Up Stand or sit in front of your mirror. Place the paddle on the top of your head.     Position your hands so that they are equally spaced on the paddle shaft so that they form two right angles in your arms.   Angle A   This is the angle between your forearm and your bicep. Angle A for Arm Angle B   This is the angle between and your body and your biceps. Angle B for Body These are the two 90 degrees.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Now swivel the shoulders forward and push the shaft forward away from your head until a 45 d
Read more

Searching for Gino Watkins 2016 - The Expedition.

Image
The journey to East Greenland is now a well worn path. After sixteen years Martin Rickard http://seakayakadventures.co.uk/  has assisted many paddlers from the UK, and other places from all around the world, to enjoy the paddling, wild life and culture of this unique location. Martin was already in Tasiilaq having already completed one trip so after flying from London Heathrow I met the other team members the following morning at the Downtown Hostel Reykjavik. Donna was on my ill fated 2014 trip and it was great to meet her again in much better circumstances. Geoff had visited Greenland recently with his wife and he was now ready to embark on our new venture. John had flown in from Copenhagen and was just as keen to get started. After more than one coffee we decided to pay a visit to the Whale Museum which is situated near to the large harbour complex. The Museum provides each visitor with a tablet and ear phones at the reception. You are then free to wander around the full size e
Read more