I’ve just come back from one of the best freerides of the year (so far)! The MARCHAUX FREERIDE in France, organized by the Merkuro crew and the FRR association. It was a real big weekend of freeriding near bessançon with a lot of people from many countries. We arrived after three hours of driving and enjoyed some beer on the campground on Friday night. The german guys from Hackbrett were here, the swiss from DTC too and of course lot of frenchies like the guys from The BHM ,It was hard to find a place on the campground! We put the tent and started to take in the atmosphere. Some guys had tried the track and said it was totally fun, with some nice corners and fast straight lines, then at 4a.m it was time to sleep.

On Saturday morning, we got up early with the sun, jump in the leather suit and climb on the trucks to do the first run. We discovered  that this road is not very speedy but technical and fun. A good way to practice all slides – front , back, reverse and learn to ride with others people.

The road started with a flat section you push your ass and quickly you arrive at a left hairpin, for the first run, some of riders are surprised to drift and get out of the corner, because it was very straight. After some meters of tuck position we enter a long right corner where you can stay in tuck and navigate a left with speed. Quickly you arrive at a left handed hairpin where you put a slide to pass it without drifting. Just after,, you tuck into a short left hairpin.

Then you go on the first schuss (fast straight) of the road, who projects you into a short right hairpin where some riders in standup, luge or skull board make the show! And to finish a long line in the forest, which finishes just near the campground which drops into a little left which is very scary on the first run, but so much fun after.

We had a lot of runs during the weekend, 14 on Saturday and 13 on Sunday and the organization was just perfect with good lunch, which was difficult to finish for some riders, lots of water during the ride and the waiting time and of course a very fun party on the Saturday night, under the rain but protected by tents and with some good DJs, I can assure you that the atmosphere was so so hot!

Ok keep this in your mind, if you hear something about the next Marchaux Freeride, don’t wast time – sign up! This is a great event on the French calendar, good road, good organization, good party, very safe and nice sunny weather!

See you next time!

Photos by Michael Para