Postcard from Les Gets

Dear All

Weather great, apartment fine, beer expensive, riding superb. That about sums it up. Arrived in darkness, woke up next morning, pulled back curtains to find myself in Heaven; a cable car laden with bikes hauling past our apartment, which is situated between the bottom of the Chavannes downhill run and the top of the 4x track. This place is really geared up for the benefit of us cyclists, plenty of marked trails with a tourist -friendly map to guide you around them, cable cars to cut out the climbing (well, most of it) and the three finest words in the French language, Interdite Aux Pietons - no walkers allowed. Although saying that the European variety of rambler tends to stand aside offering encouragement, allez, allez as you cycle past; the ones who sniff, scowl, obstruct or fail to return your friendly bonjour will inevitably be English.

Les Gets is pretty much geared up toward downhilling, long travel bikes and body armour being predominant around and about but XC bikes are adequate for the majority of the riding, so long as a modicum of restraint is employed. One of the hardest aspects of the riding is concentrating on the track rather than the sublime Alpine views on offer, it's also hot - take plenty of water.

Places we enjoyed.

The K2 Cafe near the Mont Chery cable car station, and opposite Evasion Sports bike shop - fantastic sandwiches, crepes and L'american - a huge baguette filled with hamburger, onion rings, salad and frites.

Bar Bush owned by the ever-helpful Figs, who is quite willing to mark up your map with the less official (i.e. more scary) cycle routes. It's where the downhillers meet every evening to compare neck collars, crutches and slings.

Evasion Sports, the bike shop which is always there when you have trashed a bit of your bike, friendly with quick service.

L'aventure Parc, for the non-riders a journey through the treetops on rope bridges, zip wires and Tarzan swings.

Check out the Les Gets Picture Gallery  

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