Pic: JM Baud

The just-held Pass’Portes du Soleil is described as the fourth, but the history of the lift-assisted French Alps circuit event goes back much further than that – we rode what was then called the Freeraid Classic quite a lot of years ago. The name may have changed, but the concept is the same – a 75km circuit taking in 12 ski lifts, nine resorts and two countries (France and, briefly, Switzerland).

It’s not just in the UK that the weather has been, to say the least, iffy. But whoever’s in charge of the climate these days is obviously a Pass’Portes fan, for the weather was dry and sunny. Almost 3,200 riders took part, starting from any of the nine resorts and completing the loop back to wherever they started from. Included in their number were nearly 400 riders from the UK, the second-biggest nationality represented (after France itself), which just shows the continuing popularity of the French Alps amongst British mountain bikers.

The Pass’Portes is a unique event. The best way to describe it is as a downhill enduro – the bulk of the climbing is handled by lifts, although there are still a couple of significant hauls by bike. The route takes in some purpose-built DH courses as well as plenty of high Alpine singletrack. And the organisers lay on plenty of food stops so you can top up on cheese and ham baguettes. Oh, and beer.

Les Gets also hosted a bike show to coincide with the event, with 39 exhibitors and 85 brands. Demo bikes could be taken out for free. The Portes du Soleil region is trying hard to push women’s mountain biking – not only were there a bunch of girls-only demo bikes, but professional riders Marielle Saner (Bikepark.ch), Celine Gros (Morzine) and Floriane Pugin (Chatel/Mountain Cycle) led women’s rides over the weekend.

Want an idea of the scale of the Pass’Portes du Soleil? Cast your eye over these handy stats:

• 1 helicopter
• 5 refreshment stands
• 9 resorts
• 12 lifts
• 15 nationalities
• 20 motorbike marshals
• 25 firemen
• 25 mountain rescuers
• 30 junior riders
• 75 km of riding
• 180 kg of dried fruit
• 227 women riders
• 230 kg of ham
• 230 kg of potatoes
• 270 kg of cheese
• 280 kg of chocolate
• 300 marshals
• 400 litres of Rivella
• 600 litres of French beer
• 650 kg of bananas
• 830 kg of oranges
• 1,100 litres of Coke
• 1,600 first-timers
• 3,000 bottles of Swiss beer
• 3,000 bottles of Evian
• 3,200 riders

Whichever way you look at it, that’s a big gig. Like the sound of it? The 2008 Pass’Portes du Soleil will be held on 27-29 June 2008. Head to www.passportesdusoleil.com for more details.