Words by Phil Shucksmith / Pro Ride MTB Coaching
Photos by Trans Savoie

I’m pretty sure like me, many of Dirt‘s readers have been inspired by the epic multi-day enduro format that has been evolving in various forms over the past few years. More than likely getting increasingly tempted to get involved. When I saw the plan for the 2015 Trans Savoie I was sold.

When I got into dirt jumping and downhill as a spotty teenager I would have laughed if you had said I would do a 300k race across the alps.

This year the Trans Savoie crew are pushing it. 300km on the bike with almost 30,000m of downhill, significant mechanical uplift and all taking place in 20+ stages over 6 days across the amazing Savoie region of France. Whats not to like?

I think at the point of applying for a place, in my head I had images of shredding endless trails with effortless precision, roosting every turn like I’m riding a never-ending version of the 40-second trails in the Surrey Hills in the UK.

Stepping off the coach into the campsite on Day 0 surrounded by the intimidating mountains of Val d’Isere I have to admit I started to feel nervous. The enormacy of the challenge ahead set in. What is my body going to feel like after 30,000m of decent..?

It’s cool to be part of an evolving sport and try new things that you never set out to do when getting into mountain biking. When I got into dirt jumping and downhill as a spotty teenager I would have laughed if you had said I would do a 300k race across the alps. I imagine that is probably the case for many of the riders sitting in the TS campsite on the eve of this big event. Here we all are, pros and amateurs alike sitting round the campfire ahead of a mammoth adventure.

Your guide for the Trans Savoie 2015 is Phil Shucksmith of Pro Ride Mountain Bike Coaching, a seasoned veteran of the Elite downhill and enduro scene.