Steve had entered the Mega Avalanche. It’s basically the biggest downhill race in the world starting above Alp d’huez at 3330 meters, riding over the glacier (yes snow, ice etc!), all the way down past Alp d’huez resort and continuing into Allemont which is a small town at the bottom. Originally he had arranged to go with a mate for a “boys” few days doing all that stuff on downhill bikes. Unfortunately, the mate hit a tree whilst riding a downhill event in the UK, knocked himself out for 1 hour and broke his wrist! I volunteered (or at least insisted) on going along with him so that if anything was to happen I’d be there (such dedication). We decided to take the tent and camp. We set off on the Wednesday and after a 7 hour journey arrived at Allemont and managed go get a spot in the Municipal Camp site there. It was a lovely spot, quiet, clean with hot water and showers available. We set up the tent and had some nosh – long day time for bed.
Lovely Camp Site Fantastic view from the tent
Thursday – we set off up Alp d’huez itself . Drove up to the top of the famous Tour De France climb to the ski resort where all the registration was happening. Now it’s my first time to a ski restort and also my first visit to a mountain. My first thought was the scenery was absolutely beautiful but in contrast to the site of a sprawling metropolis of shops, chalets, cafes and restaurants in the resort itself.

Beautiful Scenary

Steve signed up and I bought a lift pass which cost 21 euros for the 4 days of the Mega. I thought this was expensive until I looked at one of the brochures and saw that it was actually 21 euros a day normally! To do the Mega, you must wear a full face helmet and full body armour so Steve got kitted up and set off up the ski lifts for a few practice runs. The only way to the top is by ski lift and it’s quite a sight to see all those downhillers cramming themselves into the lifts to get up the mountain. At the end of a gloriously sunny day we made our way back to the camp site and for some grub and good night sleep.
View of course from ski lift

Friday – time to get practising more of the course. This time, we decided to get the bus. Just outside the camp site, there was a special bus service which had trailers on the back to take bikes. The bus took us to the resort of Oz Station. There we were able to get the ski lifts to either the top of the qualification course, Alp d’huez or onward to the very top of Pic Blanc. It was my first time on a ski lift and I don’t have a head for heights. Big deep breath and in we went up to the first station. After the initial feelings of wobbly legs, I started to quite enjoy the ride. When we got to the top of the qualifying circuit, I took some pictures and Steve headed off down to practice. Back on the ski lifts for me to meet him at Oz Station. After a few runs, Steve was a bit done in – it was very hot and not much fun with all that body armour. Decided to go back to camp for a bite to eat. Later that afternoon we decided to follow one of the VTT routes which took about 1 1/2 hours. Back to camp – nosh and an early night ready for qualifying tomorrow.

Our Lift to Oz Steve on a practice run for qualifier

Saturday – the day of qualfication. A bit of background info on how it all works …

There are about 1400 riders in all and you can’t really send 1400 riders down a mountain at the same time – it’s dangerous enough as it is. So they put roughly 200 riders in rows of about 25 into a paddock. The riders go off in groups of 200 every 10 minutes and they repeat this until all the riders have had a run. When you enter the event, you are allocated a number. The riders are simply called out in number order so first wave of 1 to 200 go off and so on. It is pot luck where you end up on the grid, depending on the number you are given when you signed on. If you happen to be number 199, then you are at the back of your group of 200. To qualify for the main event – the MEGA Race – the first 58 finishers from each group are put into the main race. The next 50 from each group are put into a second race called the Mega Promo and then the rest are sent down to ride in the Mega Affinity in whatever order they like – just turn up and ride. This ensures that everyone gets to ride the MEGA. So depending on your number allocated, you may be a bit unlucky and end up starting right at the back of your group which makes it harder to qualify. So it’s quite feasible not to qulaify in your group but for someone else who was slower than you to qualify in theirs because they had a better grid position – still with me?

We watched some ridrs first

We started out early to ensure that we got to the qualifying start line on time. It’s pretty much a logistical nightmare trying to get everyone up the lifts and we had to queue for about 30 minutes until we could get into one. We finally made it to the top with about 40 minutes to spare, so we sat and had a cuppa and watched some of the other groups go. Finally Steve was due in the next group so we got him kitted up and he sat ready to go. Steve’s number was 1274 and as luck would have it, ended up about 4th row in his group. I watched him line up then got back on the lift to drop down Oz to see him at the finish.

Us having cuppa at top Steve is next to go
I sat in the glorious sushine and waited. Finally he got down but he wouldn’t know what qualifying time he did until later that afternoon. There was free lunch for all racers so we got his grub and sat watching and listening to everyone’s story of their run. It had been a long day so far and we headed back to camp to get refreshed. Later that afternoon we had to go back up to Alp d’huez to see what the qualifying times were ready for the big day. Trawling through the lists, we found Steve and he was 2 seconds oustide qualifying for the Mega Promo. Not disappointed with this as it’s his first downhill, he got down in one piece and of course there were other people who qualified in other groups but were slower than him! We collected a small chip which is stuck to the bike and this records the time for your run on the big day. Back to camp for food and kip – it’s an early start tomorrow.
Sample of descent! Will be at the top tomorrow
Sunday – the day of the big event. I decide to drive Steve up to Oz station as it would save q’ing for the buses and ensure that we got on the lifts in plenty of time. We had to make our way up 4 stations to get to the top. At the 3rd station, the queue had grown and all the participants were patiently waiting to get to Pic Blanc. I decided not to wait to get to the glacier so after taking some pictures, I set off back down to Oz and then back to Allemont where the finish would be.

Decided not to wait in this Q! Steve on Glacier before descent
I got back to the camp site and just down the road the event finish was in full swing. The Mega Avalanche and Mega Promo riders were already coming in. I sat and waited for what seemed like an eternity looking for Steve to arrive. He was due to start around 11.15 but because of the queues for the lifts to Pic Blanc I felt sure he would have started late. Rider after rider appeared, some intact, others with bits missing off bikes and running, determined to finish. Some were even holding hands over the line – the atmosphere was great. Then finally, there he was – I gave a great cheer as he crossed the finish line in one piece of course. A big smile across his face.
What a relief, down in one piece!

The downhill course is approximately 35 km long and the fastest guy down was 48 minutes! Steve managed it in a sensible 1 hour 33. Again it was free nosh for he riders so we collected his lunch and sat in the park. Watched as all the riders came in one by one. Finally it was all over and we took a look at the times which were posted for all the riders. It was quite good fun working out what position you would have been if you had done the main event. Steve had done a very respectable ride. Looking at all the times together he would have been 5th in his age category. Not bad for an old bloke with a dodgy shoulder!

We made out way back to camp and decided to stay another night before travelling home on Mondy morning. It was so hot and it had already been a long day.
If you want to see what it’s like to ride the glacier, you can see a video clip here. Note this is only the glacier part, they had another 1hour of riding after it!