It's all about MUD....

So far, the weather has treated us quite kindly. The trails were getting dusty and fast, and there were smiles abound. The problem with living in the mountains, is that the weather can change quickly. Also, it can stay the same for days on end. When it's sunny it's good. When the rain starts to pour and doesn't really stop for a while, spirits get dampened.

I think that one great thing about being a mountain biker, especially a British one, is that we are used to a bit of mud. In fact we really rather enjoy it. And when you are on holiday, you need to make the most of your available riding time. So it's great to see Brits out and about on their bikes on days like these. The lift operators think we are all crazy, but I feel quite proud when Brits are the only ones out in all weather conditions.

It's been raining for the past 4 days, with a couple of drier afternoons mixed in. Here are some snaps I took up in Lindarets to get you in the mood.

This is the lovely Alex from Mamo's Cafe, she's the one that cooks the burgers.

And this is Julian, he's the one that serves them up. It may not look like it, but he is very friendly!

Thierry (the happiest lifty in the world) avec une cigarette.

Black and white felt right.

Tyre prints galore.

It can get lonely up there.

Ascending into the mist.

The cows weren't overly fussed by the rain.

MCF Morzine guide, Lionel (I think that's his name!?!).

Moody and misty and muddy.

Still pinning it though.

The sun did actually come through for a wee while.

That's why the sky is so bright here.

Line choice is vital, but with mud like this your tyres sometimes go sideways.

The flowers love this kind of weather.

There are some riders on there somewhere!

Someone needs a wash when they get home.

More foliage.

Sun and mud.

On a more positive note. Serma are digging away, cutting in a new finish section for the 2 reds and the black run under the Lindarets Express lift. The trouble they have in this particular area is bedrock. There isn't a lot of earth on top of the rock, so they have to be quite selective with where they dig. Here are some pictures of the work in progress. It's all very wet at the moment, so no riding until it's finished and dried up!

The new bottom section leads on just after the path that crosses over from Super Morzine. Straight up is this little tabletop.

Then there is another little kicker.

Into this right left switchback, which is pretty boggy at the moment.

It then snakes along for a while before another couple of switchback corners.
 

And that's about as far as they've got. They still need to do a fair bit of work to it before it's ready to ride, but it looks like it's shaping up quite nicely.

This is the weather for tomorrow, it could be a good afternoon if it does dry up a bit.

Bye for now.