The guide's notebook
What happens out on the trail, the lines we open, what we learn riding and fixing. Written by Christian, between two shuttle days.
38 articles published
Riding the first snow: the ridge with two seasons on it
Dry rock on one side, fresh powder on the other. What the first snow really changes on a mountain trail, and the moment to turn round.
Putting your bike away for winter without wrecking it
Washing without a pressure washer, chain, fork seals, tyre sealant and above all the battery: what to do before a mountain bike or e-bike sits all winter.
Which mountain bike gift for which rider: a short guide
Beginner, tinkerer, traveller, solo rider: which riding activity to give depending on the person, and how much to put on it. All year, not only at Christmas.
Guided shuttle or self-guided uplift: which one is for you
Guided at CHF 95 or self-guided from CHF 45: what a guide really changes on a shuttle day, and the cases where the bus on its own is enough.
E-Bike Transalp: 277 km from the Simplon Pass to the Ferret Valley
A seven day e-bike Transalp from the Simplon Pass to the Ferret valley: 277 km, 17,000 m of descent, alpine passes and nights in mountain huts.
Riding the Valais on your own: what to know before you go
Shared paths, seasonal restrictions, protected areas, bisses, herds and parking: what a visiting rider needs to know to ride the Valais without trouble.
The five things that block most riders, and how to fix them
Eyes, position, braking in corners, switchbacks and steep ground: the five blockers we see most often on our courses, and what actually unlocks them.
A week of mountain biking in the Valais: what the days look like
One base in Orsières, a different valley each day, mountain refuges at lunch and dinner cooked in the house. How a week in the Valais actually runs.
Who clears the trails after winter? We do, with a chainsaw
Every spring the snow lays trees across the Valais trails. We go up and clear them, chainsaw on our backs, sometimes by e-bike. And what you can do too.
Reading is good. Riding is better.
Everything told here happens on our shuttle days, our courses and our trips.
The articles before anyone else
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