Chris Johnston’s Trans Provence
Arriving at Nice airport it was easy to find our assembly point. With bikes everywhere being put together and riders eagerly awaiting their shuttle north to Camp Zero. Among the crowd there were some familiar returning faces from the previous year and many new faces that were all excited for the adventure that lay ahead.
Each year the route changes to keep it fresh and interesting, this years route was one of the toughest but best yet! The route was 270km in length with 9000 meters of climbing and 17,000 meters descending (thats 17 vertical kilometres, or nearly 56,000 feet) over 24 stages and 6 days of racing. The key to a good week is pacing yourself, ride smooth and enjoy the adventure!
Riders arrive at Nice airport from all over the globe, bikes are assembled and put on the trailers ready for the journey north to camp Zero where the route begins.
Chris and Dylan with number plate – Photo by Gary Perkin
Registered and ready to roll. Day 0 offers a fun stage that is timed and gives riders a chance to warm up before racing begins.
Chris, the view from the top of Stage 0
Chris and Dylan hike a biking up to Stage 1 -Photo by Gary Perkin
Shale slope hike a bike
Riders navigate their way across this shale hillside between stages.The terrain you encounter along the route can be rugged at times. I think this was probably the only part Tracy Moseley didn’t attempt to ride all week!
Day 1 kicked off with a gentle climb and untimed descent into the next valley, unfortunately it wasn’t able to be used as a race stage but I think everyone was ok that this descent wasn’t on the clock. It was a good insight to how steep and technical the riding ahead of us can be. The view at the top was phenomenal.
Chris riding turn one of stage 1 – Photo by Gary Perkin
Riders cruise through the alpine meadows to the first stage of Day 4.
Team Nomads photo on climb
Lunch break and a chance to take in our surroundings.
Chris riding under overhang.
The riding in Trans Provence is raw, there’s no safety nets or fluffy pillows to land on, you’ve always got keep your wits about you. This was a cool section of trail under an overhang along the cliff’s edge. Don’t look down….
The dingo aka Dylan leads Claire Buchar through the grassy meadows. This was the start of Day 3. Riders make their ways across the meadows to the first stage of the day from the shuttle drop.
Red sky at night, Shepherds delight and another hot day peddling in the sun for us.
Day 4, the final stage of the day was a monster with almost 1000 meters of descending. Riders share stories of their adrenaline filled runs, mechanicals and close calls.
Day 4 we descended into this small town. This small bar was open ready to serve riders as they came through. It wasn’t long until there was no beer left…
Riders utilising all hours of the day to make sure their equipment and kit is ready to go for the following day.
The legendary Scott Chapinator from the Santa Cruz factory aka switchback artist awakes from his slumber ready for a new day.
Nosing it in, Gary Perkin capturing the action on one of the many tight switchbacks – Photo by Gary Perkin
Dylan and I cruising down the liaison descent into the town of Sospel at the end of Day 5 – Photo by Sven Martin
The mountain staff are the back bone of the event. First out of bed and last off of the mountain, making sure courses are marked and timing out the riders at the end of each stage. Gentlemen and legends! -Photo by Gary Perkin
Riders wait in anticipation at the end of the day as riders check in and receive a break down of their times for the day and find out where time was made or lost.- Photo by Gary Perkin
Some riders were prepared and carried beach attire with them on the last day, others just chose to stay in their shammy. Everyone enjoyed a well deserved post race swim in the Med.
If you’re in search of an adventure holiday in 2016, TP will not disappoint!
Chris is too modest to mention that he finished this year’s Trans Provence in second place, behind Nico Lau. His teammate Dylan Wolsky was easily in the top 10 with an 8th place finish. Santa Cruz Bikes’ Scott Chapin was an impressive 13th. Check out the full results here…
And here’s the video from Day 6.
Who wouldn’t like to do the Trans Provence? It looks amazing.
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