Les Cognées Skidder Race

[monkeybusiness]

 

I have a cousin who lives in Morzine in the French Alps (not a tree guy, he runs a cycle tour company). A couple of years ago he told me about a redneck show (his words) he’d been to in the neighbouring town - Les Gets. I instructed him to let me know when it was next on as it sounded right up my street - it just was and it didn’t disappoint!... 

 

It is called Les Cognées and it’s a skidder race (surely the greatest idea anyone has ever had?!) held over 2 days every other year. 

 

 

A couple of colleagues and I blasted out on a motorbike road trip and had a right laugh. Unfortunately my phone died at the event so I didn’t manage to get loads of pics but there are a few below that should give a bit of an idea of what it’s all about - they have trade stands too, and a whole world of beer to ensure everything is nicely lubricated. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[htb]

Ace

[monkeybusiness]

Some interesting kit on show

 

 

Ultimate root ripper!

 

 

One for PeteB and Jase Hutch

 

 

[monkeybusiness]

Couple of vids

 

 

 

[monkeybusiness]

 

[slack ma girdle]

It would make the APF even more interesting, and better than moving a few wooden blocks around.

[monkeybusiness]

For added French craziness, the following day there happened to be a motorbike hill climb (that really doesn’t do any justice to how extreme it was - the hill is enormous, uneven, loose and too steep to climb!) half an hour away in ski resort called Bernex. 

 

 

Basically it it was like real life Mad Max - I couldn’t tell if there were any rules as to machinery beyond having two wheels and a massive engine. Nitrous oxide and bonkers home-made spiked tyres were the order of the day, along with rivers of beer and enormous testicles. 

 

 

Failed attempts (99%) had the bike recovered by a full on forestry skyline! They weren’t playing at it - this was a very professional event with amazing live video footage and instant replays on a monster screen.

 

 

[monkeybusiness]

 

[monkeybusiness]

 

[s o c]

Sounds and looks amazing!

Would like to go to that next time