La Varda Singltrack, Les Arcs, Classic Alpine Descent Rating Options

[torihada]

Like MP I've been doing some editing of footage that's been sitting on the computer for quite a while.

La Varda

From July 2010 this is the epic singletrack descent. From nearly 3000 m and over an hour descending, this is a technical, rocky and remote trail. I'm going to revist it this July as I rode it rather conservatively after the guide told us to tone it down as, if we did come-a-cropper, it would be tough picking us up as we were so far away from any roads or habitation.

[Doug]

La Varda

I see the house has put a fence up to stop riders launching themselves off the drop past their front door at speed.

[Mad Pierre]

Epic trail. Seems ages since I did it. Managed to get all the way down without major incident then near the bottom hit a small rock, straight over the bars and the bike ended up in an old bath tub being used as a trough! There's another old clip I need to find!

[nealmax]

Excellent video,you were'nt kidding about it being technical and rocky were you!!

[Tony F]

La Varda.

Is that French for "sheeeeeit - if I get this bit wrong I'll die. But not until I hit the bottom in about ten minutes from now"?

I'd carry on riding it conservatively - if at all.

But that's me, who contrived to fubar myself on a pootle at Llandegla.

Enjoy your return visit. Hope it goes well

Tony

[torihada]

La Varda.

Is that French for "sheeeeeit - if I get this bit wrong I'll die. But not until I hit the bottom in about ten minutes from now"?

I'd carry on riding it conservatively - if at all.

But that's me, who contrived to fubar myself on a pootle at Llandegla.

Enjoy your return visit. Hope it goes well

Tony

The video doesn't really show how steep and scarey it is in places. The bit where I hesitate and then appear to slide off the bike on a large flat rock; this was due to to the big drop on the left and the rather sketchy rock you had to ride over: hesitation = bad. Most of the time you're so focused on the technicality of the trail up front that you don't notice the edge. Also you know if you look over the edge that's where you're going to end up.

I can't wait for the re-match.

[Tony F]

I can't wait for the re-match.

Like I said - I hope it goes well for you. For the moment (I really mean forever, but still can't quite bring myself to admit it) triumph for me was being back on the bike last week for the first time since December, and managing to complete my old 35k local mixed (easy) route.

Mind you, I'd never have ridden stuff like that!

[torihada]

Like I said - I hope it goes well for you. For the moment (I really mean forever, but still can't quite bring myself to admit it) triumph for me was being back on the bike last week for the first time since December, and managing to complete my old 35k local mixed (easy) route.

Mind you, I'd never have ridden stuff like that!

One step at a time. Glad you're back on the bike. I know a lot of youngsters (by young I mean under 30) who'd have trouble riding 30 k on tarmac. I'm going to stay on the bike for as long as I can, with the intention of going out, head first on La Varda aged 75, no 80, wait a minute maybe I can stretch to 85? Realistically I think I've got 15 years left riding trails like La Varda.

[Gareth]

Realistically I think I've got 15 years left riding trails like La Varda.

Or perhaps the next time you ride it plus the ten minutes fall...
Sitting here ~I'm happy with just a broken wrist looking at that. Saying that if I was there I would probably ride it, others will point out I have a history of riding cliff edges but honestly I think helmet cams make cliff riding look worse, they shrink the appearance of the distance to the edge. They shrink everything but when that's a jump or a rock it makes it look easier.

[brader5]

Wow!