2001 Chamonix trip

Garry, Kathryn, Simon, Liz, Tut, Jane, Tom, Roy and Craig spent an epic week at the end of July based in Chamonix checking out and riding the local mountain bike downhill courses. The boys managed 3 days riding the World Cup courses in Morzine and Les Gets and by a miracle (and thanks to loads of body armour!) didn't get too beaten up.

Si managed to paraglide virtually every day, partly because of the ace weather and also because of the superb lift systems in all the places we visited. The Paragliding World Cup was being held in La Clusaz when we arrived so the flying was even more interesting than normal. Our mates Ali and Allen at The Last Resort are living there too - contact them if you ever want accommodation or activities organised.

Jane, Kathryn and Liz blitzed loads of miles XC on their mountain bikes and shamed us by riding a couple of the downhill courses with no namby pamby boys body armour!

The boys managed to take one day out to do some climbing on the Aguille Index above Flegere which was stunning. Then it was straight back to downhilling again - it's safe to say we're well and truly converted!

Tom Braithwaite gave us all a taste of the success he's bound to enjoy soon by taking third place in the race at Metabieff, France. Attaboy Tom - we knew you could do it!

Night time action was mainly in the Office Bar at Argentiere where Tom's new girlfriend Molly was a big hit with everybody. Like most funny stories we can't put this into print but you could always ask one of the Braithwaites if you're feeling brave

Postscript: Tom has gone from strength to strength in his downhilling career. Currently (2007) he's fully sponsored by Giant and a World ranked elite rider.

(Picture courtesy of www.descent-world.co.uk)