back to getting wet

Been a while, not sure where to start as we have done quite a lot. So I suppose first off we went back to the Lac de Serre Poncon to have another go at wakeboarding. Scott and Adam have never done it before and excitement and nerves where both equally high. Scott went first.

I think his snowboarding skills helped him out as he had no difficulties at all getting up and going. After a few enemas later he was loving it but his go was up.

Next up was Adam. I actually think he had done it before, cus the bugger just stood up

and turned with no difficulties what so ever. He even got a jump on the go as well. He was loving it and then he got a little bit cocky and pulled out the best slam of the day.....

Then it was my go. The water was a very still compared to the last time we did it so I progressed quickly and finally managed to jump the wake. Loved it, something I think I could get into.

From the lake we drove further into the mountains. Found a camp site and went out to a restaurant that was run by the French version of Peter Stringfellow. After Adam and Scott feverishly searched the restaurant for further rooms with poles in them and disappointingly found nothing we went back for an early night as the wakeboarding had exhausted us.
Next Day up with the sun, and set off for Les 2 Alps for a day on the bikes. The sun was shining and it was shaping up to be a great day. Another great day was had on the bikes, Lara was flying

(me chasing the wife) and I even got a go at some of the smaller jumps.

Might try and build up my skills and confidence for some of the bigger ones. Think I need to eat some of Adams brave biscuits as he went straight for the big one and nailed it. Hats off.
Now we are in Alp D’Huez getting ready for the mega avalanche....... Gulp

More DH action

So woke up this morning with my body aching, obviously the crash from yesterday had taken it a bit out of me. So I decided I was going to take it easy today on the bike and take some pictures of people. So off we went to Orciere Merlette and up the chair lifts. When we got to the top of the chair lift, Lara took a while to work out that she had forgotten something.

So down once she had gone and collected her bike, we were off. Lara really improved today and was really flying down the hill. I think it could be something to do with chasing Scott and Adam down the hill.They even did the odd jumpA great day was had, and my body was soon feeling better by the end of the day so I think I shall be out riding again tomorrow.

PS my vote would is for the ninjas! They are well 'ard!

Adams Arrival and poor bike handling skills

So as more and more friends arrive, this must mean the fast approaching date of the Mega Avalanche. The big race of this summer on the mountain bikes. So yesterday Adam arrived.

He arrived in some fancy party gear that i think he had been wearing to a 'Specialist' club the night before.

So off we went to Les Orres, as we have not ridden there yet. Was great to get out on the DH bikes again, the tracks were great. We all got on really well and speeds and confidence improved as the day went on.

Above is me on one of the drops on " No4 Black". I slightly over cooked this one, came into it with way to much speed and completely missed the landing ramp and flat landed it. Due to this, I then decided it was time to crash in spectacular fashion and Adam (who took the picture above) very nearly got taken out. If it was not for his cat like reflexes and his ninja like roll I would have got him a treat. Thankfully I was not hurt due to the amazing amount of skill compensator's that I was wearing!

A great day. Following on from yesterdays photography motivation, we had a brilliant thunderstorm last night. So I thought I would have a go at capturing some lightening. So I got all my camera stuff out and set it up. Then the storm just abruptly ended. Bugger. Next time

Time to be a Do'er rather than just think about it.

So I have decided that I need to play more with my camera, I spend a lot of the time on the Internet looking at pictures and thinking about photography so it is time I actually did some of it rather than think about it.

So tonight, I give you my first attempt at macro photography and water droplets.

This is just a starting block, but I really enjoyed doing it and have some more ideas for different takes on this time old classic of Macro photography. It will take some time, as this one took some time to set up and to actually capture!

Passporte De Soliel

After being in Chamonix, we headed over to Champery in Switzerland to take part in the Passporte de Soliel. Which is a ride that entails us riding around the whole Porte de Soliel region.

It is about 75km long in length, but thankfully most of the climbing is done by these:Lara and friend Rob on one of the lifts. It was a great day, the weather was kind to us, it was threatening to rain all day but stayed dry. With just under 6000m of descending it really gave the forearms a work out and was great to ride the trails in this region, which went from tiny alpine single track to world cup downhill tracks. Lara " shredding" it. Screams of "WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" Could be heard all over the valley!

An event i would thoroughly recommend to everyone.

Climbing in Chamonix With Chris and Rowie

So we headed off to Chamonix to meet up with Chris and Rowie. Was great to see them again, and they were both on very good form when we met up with them in a bar late on Wednesday night. Unfortunately we had a little too much to talk about so had to stay int eh bar a bit longer.

Waking up Chris said he felt like death. So what better to do than go climbing in hot sun.

So we went to a little crag called Le Joue in the Chamonix Valley. Lara set off all eager and energetic,I set off all energetic and eager. Then the sun really came out and it resorted into some of this type of thing and type of thing. As the day got hotter and the hangovers properly kicked in, we spent what turned out to be a lovely day relaxing and doing the odd bit of climbing.On the top of one route, i saw something in the far yonder distance. I pointed it out to everyone, but they said I looked like a nonce.....

Arrival of the Lodger

We felt bad leaving him behind in Aberdeen so we have shipped him over here.