MTB (VTT) in France

KENDA Global MTB Team dawning the new race kits... Thanks to Nativo Concept custom clothing!!

Traveling to the Enduro World Series #5 Millau, France

We made our way south through France on secondary roads that were lighter on tolls than the motorways and offered more in the way of local flavor. There were enough traffic circles to bald our tires throughout an endless onslaught of challenging antique streets, but this was really part of the appeal.

Another section of viaduct somewhere along the way in France

We celebrated Mary’s 46th Birthday with an easy day of driving that brought us to a remote camp spot in the middle-of-nowhere. We toured the area by bike appreciating the differences and similarities that are so apparent when you are a speck on the side of the road traveling under your own power through a foreign land.

Next we hit the highways, having used up our buffer of "relaxing time" and needing to get to the races. One more welcome stop to see old friends for a quick ride and to sing a proper happy birthday to Mary and we were onto Millau...

According to the locals, foul weather was unusual at this time of year... but it was bad enough that we pulled off the road to wait for a break in the weather and stayed the night before we finished our drive to town.

The Racing - #EWSMillau

The terrain in Millau is not the most intimidating but it is steep and consequential bearing it's own a special style of narrow tricky technical that is well amplified in wet conditions.

We armored ourselves heavily for both of the practice days that played out over hours of slippery, consistent rain and shuttle lines that added loads of extra wet and uncomfortable chamois time.

Dirty Knees, Look at these! #RideTSG pads and helmets! Great protection by a cool company!

The two demanding days of racing that followed brought the count to a perfect five out of five muddy EWS events this season! Although many grumbled, most riders seemed genuinely stoked to be out and keenly aware of the great chance to be committed to taking part in some brilliant riding that just might not have gotten done if it were not for the structure of the event. Some of the lines here were pretty insane and the conditions pushed us all to be at our best just to get through the day!

VTT Grand Causse - Knotty little trails demanding more effort than flow

Both Mary and I were really happy with the performance of our bikes and our entire racing package: Our Kenda Nevegal 2.2 x 29er tires mounted to our game changing NoTubes Bravo Wheels, HighLine dropper post, Sure stopping Magura brakes, comfort of the ESI grips and all the rest of the little things that came together to make a big difference when the going got tough.

We were so destroyed after the first day of racing that it was almost unbearable to have to wait around soaked at the venue for over two hours until a shuttle showed up to get us back to our vehicle and all that we needed to be ready for the following day.

The bike washing, recovery and preparation kept our two person operation up past midnight. Luckily we were able to take advantage of our RV and camp right at the race start/trail head to give ourselves the best shot at a good night sleep.

Racing with a Braun Reismobile RV is an advantage at every event!

It took a hearty French Press of Jim’s Organic Coffee to stoke the fire and get me out the door well prepared and in time for a stormy 8am mountain top start. The second day of racing was again narrow, steep and just on the border of manageable -with thick muck, consistent rain and consequences.

Some of that Lovely French single track!

Challenging transfers kept us pedaling consistently thru thick sticky mud or pushing the bikes up the sheer limestone cliffs that surround the River Valley of L’Tarn and La Dourbie.

Riders were allowed a single practice run per track, and this was a blessing as there is no doubt that it helped preserve Millau’s radical trails for the racing and more importantly for the long term!

Finishing up the demanding event safe and successful left both Mary and I shattered and buzzing with the adrenaline that had seen us through the effort! The Millau EWS was a truly challenging experience! It put us to the test as it introduced us to some of the best lines in the forest playground that makes this a area a premier Enduro riding location.

We are both very grateful for the continued safety and success in our enduro endeavors! Stoked to have Mary continuing to build on her lead in the masters women and me moving up to second overall in the masters men.