I tested an electric mountain bike session in Méribel for you!
Hi, I’m Anouk, Oxygène’s community manager, and today I’m sharing my first mountain-biking experience with you.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been a keen cyclist.
I started cycling regularly when I was in the Netherlands, but let’s face it, the drop is a bit different.
I was lucky enough to take my first mountain biking lesson with Adrien, a mountain biking instructor in Méribel. With my helmet firmly screwed on my head, I’m taking you along with me on this mountain bike outing in our beautiful Alpes!
I meet Adrien at around 9:00 a.m. to pick up my mountain bike and get a few pointers before setting off. He introduces me to the different modes of electric assistance: Eco, tour or turbo! He advises me not to hesitate to change the mode depending on the gradient. A little help on a steep track never hurts, does it?
Departure from the Chaudanne parking lot ➡ towards the Altiport
The electric mountain bike outing begins on a steep path. Objective: anticipate gear changes. I’m grateful for the electric assistance, which prevents me from getting into too much trouble.
The landscape is incredible. Between forest, alpine pastures and mountains, it’s a feast for the eyes!
Now I’m not laughing anymore, I can see downhill turns that worry me a little. Adrien reassures me and takes the opportunity to explain just how to approach the turns and tackle the trajectory. The secret? Keep your eyes focused on the exit of the bend while moving forward. If you stare at something you’re afraid of (like a tree), you’re more likely to run straight into it !
A little bonus : on a mountain bike, you can enjoy the scenery for longer than you would in a car or on a motorcycle. And, thanks to electric assistance, you don’t have to exert yourself too much. You can cover more ground than you can on foot for the same amount of time.
After a steep climb, we arrive at the Méribel golf course. It’s really impressive to see the resort in the summer and to recognise the slopes that we ski in the winter. Adrien then suggests that we go for a picnic in his favorite spot. The water is clear, and I can see the pretty trout dancing gracefully in the cold water. This break really does us good, we feel like we’re on holiday.
I try to apply the advice Adrien gives me: be flexible on my legs, brake before the turns, let my bike go in the turns. The advice he gives me most often is to be relaxed, which isn’t easy for a first-time mountain biker. On the descent, the sensations are there, and I’m having a blast while gaining confidence.
Still, I managed to scare myself by narrowly avoiding a tree in my path. In fact, I’m so focused on the ground and the fear of roots that I don’t look ahead. More fright than harm, I now know where I must place my eyes at all costs: right in front of me!
It’s time for me to go home! Tired, but very happy with the experience! I realize that the mountains are magnificent in summer. The colors, the peaks overlooking the valley, the flora and fauna… It’s incredible to walk in the middle of nature! I’d like to thank my instructor Adrien for giving me a solid grounding and confidence on a mountain bike. I never thought I’d be able to do all this, and I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved. ☀️
