Few days to ride in Europe, where to go?

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Wraslin Pete

Likes Bikes
So I've got a work trip in early August to Estonia (of all paces) and my boss has given me the opportunity to fly home from anywhere in Europe, and take some time off after I've finished the job.

So, Im going riding! But I don't know where. I could be googling the wrong words, nothing seems obvious at the moment. Does Europe have a Queenstown or Whistler? I figure four days riding and drinking and I'll be shattered and happy to come home. I'll need to hire a bike there. Preferably just want to lift access trails and hang out, and It wouldn't hurt if the locals were friendly!

Cheers!
 
O

ojc

Squid
Morzine is probably the closest you'll get to a Queenstown or Whistler... I've been there twice - it's quite DH oriented but there are AM/enduro trails if you know where to look. Great apres-bike scene, lots of bars and life and plenty of bikers there from the UK so you'll have no trouble. Morzine is part of the Portes Du Soleil group of resorts so your pass covers you to get into neighbouring resorts too. Check out this event to give you an idea: http://www.passportesdusoleil.com/passportes-2015-edition.html

For accommodation, look for operations who run biker accommodation out of the ski chalets. They're often run by UK bikers, or else there's lots of basic hotels. Finally Morzine is only about 1h30m from Geneva by cheap shuttle bus so it should be simple to organise your journey back to Oz.

That said lots of Alpine ski resorts open up for biking in the summer though so it's worth asking around on some of the UK or European forums for ideas. Just beware of the Swiss resorts... They're great but you'll need to bring ALL your money if you go there... The Swiss Franc makes it ferociously expensive.
 
Haakon

Haakon

has an accommodating arse
I'd be packing the roadie and heading to the Stelvio Pass! Or maybe the French Alps.

Worth doing just for the novelty of being able to ride the roadie in a place where people in cars are not actively trying to kill you...

Stelvio.jpg
 
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Flow-Rider

Flow-Rider

Burner
Heaps of spots to MTB in Europe, the scene is way bigger than here. Even the side of an active volcano.


[video=youtube;Dq7tAMsADIw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq7tAMsADIw[/video]
 
W

Wraslin Pete

Likes Bikes
ojc said:
Morzine is probably the closest you'll get to a Queenstown or Whistler... I've been there twice - it's quite DH oriented but there are AM/enduro trails if you know where to look. Great apres-bike scene, lots of bars and life and plenty of bikers there from the UK so you'll have no trouble. Morzine is part of the Portes Du Soleil group of resorts so your pass covers you to get into neighbouring resorts too. Check out this event to give you an idea: http://www.passportesdusoleil.com/passportes-2015-edition.html

For accommodation, look for operations who run biker accommodation out of the ski chalets. They're often run by UK bikers, or else there's lots of basic hotels. Finally Morzine is only about 1h30m from Geneva by cheap shuttle bus so it should be simple to organise your journey back to Oz.

That said lots of Alpine ski resorts open up for biking in the summer though so it's worth asking around on some of the UK or European forums for ideas. Just beware of the Swiss resorts... They're great but you'll need to bring ALL your money if you go there... The Swiss Franc makes it ferociously expensive.
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Solid advice dude, thanks a bunch all.
 
W

wilso1

Likes Bikes
Lucky bugger.
While your question about Queenstown-like riding suggests you're after DH stuff, you haven't said what type of riding you are after. Estonia is as flat as a pancake (there is a reason those guys specialise in XC riding & skiing), but your contacts in Estonia may be able to put you in contact with someone there. Also, being August, you will have maybe 20hours of daylight which might be worth exploiting.

Others have mentioned Morzine which I can vouch for, although I was doing kiddy DH (with my 8yo son) and road climbs (without kids). Most European mountain resorts will offer both road & mountain so your choices are numerous, but there will be some on this forum who can give advice on individual resorts. My main advice would be if you are doing road climbs, make sure your accommodation is at the bottom of the mountain so that it is easier to bail-out and head home!

August is peak summer for Europe with virtually everyone on holidays, so book earlier rather than later. That may mean the more popular places are taken. Don't forget there is skiing in Slovenia, Czech republic etc and those countries will most likely be cheaper than the French alps. Cheaper, but the research will be harder. Language will be about the same.
Good luck.
 
W

Wraslin Pete

Likes Bikes
wilso1 said:
Lucky bugger.
While your question about Queenstown-like riding suggests you're after DH stuff, you haven't said what type of riding you are after. Estonia is as flat as a pancake (there is a reason those guys specialise in XC riding & skiing), but your contacts in Estonia may be able to put you in contact with someone there. Also, being August, you will have maybe 20hours of daylight which might be worth exploiting.

Others have mentioned Morzine which I can vouch for, although I was doing kiddy DH (with my 8yo son) and road climbs (without kids). Most European mountain resorts will offer both road & mountain so your choices are numerous, but there will be some on this forum who can give advice on individual resorts. My main advice would be if you are doing road climbs, make sure your accommodation is at the bottom of the mountain so that it is easier to bail-out and head home!

August is peak summer for Europe with virtually everyone on holidays, so book earlier rather than later. That may mean the more popular places are taken. Don't forget there is skiing in Slovenia, Czech republic etc and those countries will most likely be cheaper than the French alps. Cheaper, but the research will be harder. Language will be about the same.
Good luck.
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I can't see myself riding up any roads! Queenstown is a fair comparison because you can do anything there, gondolas touring, heli biking, xc, freeride whatever. Booking early seems like a fair thing.
 
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