Some ideas are obviously bad from the start. Others are only apparent with the luxury of hindsight. Today held the latter.
I awoke blissfully unaware at 7:45 am, 30 minutes later than the day before. We had left ourselves far too much time before mountain biking and were determined not to make the same mistake.
Breakfast this morning:
The fresh Charlevoix baguette is vastly superior to the home fries, so I opt for a breakfast sandwich instead.
Back up to the room to get ready for mountain biking. We arrive perfectly on time only for my daughter to remind me that we had forgotten our gondola passes. I dash back to the room to collect them, while she joins the line for equipment. She had still not reached the front by the time I return.
My spot in Level 3 is confirmed, and our daughter once more joins the 11 to 13 group – there are more kids this morning so they will be splitting the groups in addition to running a group for 8 to 10 years olds as well. My previous instructor Ariel reminds me that Level 3 will be challenging, and suggests I go down the hill in ‘economy mode.’ I agree wholeheartedly.
A few minor hiccoughs as we get underway – my rear tire is low on air so the mechanics need to pump it up. I’m surprised that they use a hand pump. Apparently it doesn’t happen often enough that they need an air compressor. Regardless, I’m topped up and on my way in a few minutes.
While yesterday they had split the Level 2 riders into French and English speakers, this time there is only one Level 3 group – which is predominantly Francophone. The instructor is initially thorough about instructing in both French and English, but gets progressively less thorough as the session winds on. Thankfully some of my fellow guests take pity on me and offer brief translations as needed.
Level 3 starts off at a faster pace, though we still start with a run down the pump track:
Hard to see beyond the grass, but there are just a few turns and optional ramps – an easy starting point for those learning to mountain bike
Nevertheless, I manage to take one of the wooden obstacles at the wrong angle, and end up flat on my face in the mud. The GoPro seems to take most of the brunt of it – but it doesn’t seem terribly worse for wear. Most of the damage is to my pride.
I then notice that my front shocks are set to very soft – I firm those up so that it’s more consistent with the biking I’ve done in the Atacama.
Up the hill we go:
I never tire of that view…
As we pass the midway station, I notice that they have shifted some of the railings that were responsible for knocking the bikes off the gondola cabins yesterday. Progress!
Once at the top, we do a round through the longer pump track – which I actually remember to film this time around:
It’s time for our full ride down the mountain. But first – a lengthy briefing in French from our instructor, followed by a succinct, “Slow down before you get to the corners, and wait on the right hand side of the trail when we stop” en Anglais.
And we’re off:
I can understand why my former instructor suggested ‘economy mode’ – this is a significantly tougher challenge compared to yesterday’s ride. There are bridges, rocks, logs, and every other obstacle under the sun – plus muddy trail conditions to boot.
It’s also phyiscally demanding – like holding the push-up position for minutes on end.
The ride’s format is logical, however. We ride for somewhere between 2 to 4 minutes then pause to ensure everyone has caught up. Then we set off again. Our instructor has a radio in case help is needed, but thankfully we all manage to pull through.
For those looking to retrace our route, here’s the map:
We spend most of our time on Easy Rider. There’s a brief detour to Whipette, which – despite being a black diamond – boasts rolling hills. Six Pack then links into Route Suisse (blue square) and Basilic (green circle) before we return to Club Med.
But it’s not until we’re halfway down Basilic – and the heavens open up – that my unintended mistake comes to light:
I brought my own helmet. It’s open to allow airflow – but it’s also allowing rainflow, too. The water has soaked through my hair and is now pouring into my eyes.
There’s nothing for it, though – after a close call, I simply let the other riders pass and stop regularly to wipe my eyes. And I make it down in the end.
Looking at the helmet it seems perfectly obvious:
But that’s the luxury of hindsight. (And the forecast that only called for 30% chance of less than a millimetre of rain didn’t help either.)
Anyway – I make it down in one wet, bedraggled piece, and I’ve had a great time. As did our daughter, who is learning how to stand up on her bike when going down hills and how to cross jumps and obstacles.
Will I try for another full descent? I’m not sure. I think I might head back to Level 2 for a bit to hone some skills, and give my body a break.
The complete descent for those interested:
Back to the room to rinse the clods of mud off of my clothing, and then off to lunch:
Flank steak, ribs, and chicken – all good, but it’s the green beans that steal the show.
Well, that and the dessert:
Back to the room to get changed, and then off to the pool:
Photo Credit: Club Med Charlevoix
I alternate between the loungers and the steam room. Tough life, but someone’s got to live it.
Eventually I manage to fully steam-cook myself, and head back to the room to spend a bit of time reading, editing the morning’s video, and watching the St Lawrence:
And the children? Wait, do we have children? It’s easy to forget here, as the kids are reading, painting, or hanging out at Teens’ Club. Today is no exception.
Off to dinner. The food tonight is some of the best we’ve ever had at a Club Med.
We start with beef carpaccio:
Then move on to orange beef:
And then on to trout on black olive tapanade and foccacia with smoke salmon bacon:
Finished off with a range of desserts:
Dark chocolate cake pop, black forest cake, dark chocolate cake with strawberries and a St. Honoré pastry – which is what steals the show
Back to Le Chalet for a ‘snow lover’:
Vodka, Irish whisky cream, cacao cream, coffee liquor
Meanwhile, the kids have opted to take in the GO Talent show. (I don’t have video to share by the publication deadline, but I will add that in later – time permitting.)
It’s another late night, but they have a great time.
But soon it’s time to head to bed. We should get to enjoy a sleep-in – followed by an afternoon of canyoning, so long as the thunderstorms hold off.