- learning the roots -
Our guests Mike and Steve were about to see what a holiday in the Alps was all about. We decided to use out legs to get us to the tops of the mountains today as we’ll be using the lifts the majority of the rest of the week. The first climb was short but gave us a great descent into Scheffau along paths that swoop down along side the river. For such a short climb the downhill is more than a just reward and had our adrenaline pumping before we took on the first main climb.
This one was going to test the South Downs riders, as it was a 300m climb that starts on tarmac, quickly changing to rocky fire roads and ending with steep technical singletrack. Our chatty, friendly guests became a little quieter as the climb continued but taking in a couple of rest stops and we continued onwards and upwards.
The climb was worth it as we arrived at a turquoise blue alpine lake with the sounds of cow bells ringing in the distance. Not to mention the paths that twist and turn around the lake. Mike and Steve learnt a bit about climbing, getting the right saddle position, starting on a slope, tucking the elbows in to get a bit more control. So with dogged determination we headed onwards, the goal of warm food 
and good beer in our thoughts.
At the top, a hearty bowl of goulash was devoured along with a side order of home produced cheese, meat and bread. After a good rest and a stroll to a view point with an impressive vista of the local mountain ranges we embarked on our descent.
Along with comments of “so the front brake is important?” and “I’ve never written with my ar$e hanging over the back of the bike” we had a techniques stop to understand the basics of some of the steep rooty descents in the area. Control with confidence is important and it was great to see the rapid improvement from the (erm?) first attempt to the sections that we were completing towards the end of the day. Choosing your line (near and far), taking on roots and small drops were a few of the mountain bike skills that we looked at.
Mike and Steve definitely learnt a thing or two today which will be great for the rest of the weeks alpine riding.
Their photos from the holiday are available in our guests gallery.
