Red Bull X-Alps

Well, we made it. Working on the Red Bull X-Alps was an experience we'll never forget.

For those of you who didn't know, I have been working on this project since about December: it was basically an adventure race that starts on the Dachstein Glacier and finishes in Monaco. The athletes travel by either paragliding or hiking. www.redbullxalps.com has all the details. It took about 17days and we were on the road that whole time, drove a few thousand kilometres and camped in some pretty neat parts of the Alps.

Anyway, we got to follow the race in a camper and travelled with a couple of photographers and tandem paragliding pilots: Vitek from Czech, Olivier (France), Ralf (Austria) and Felix (Germany).

Overall, it was great, although a lot of work and we are still trying to catch up on sleep. We saw a lot of the Alps, met some very cool people from all over the world and we swam in the sea in Monaco, which was nice and warm. Highlights were the Swiss Alps and some very memorable drives through the night.

We crashed with Olivier at his chalet in Chamonix for a couple of nights of guitar playing and general merriment.

As for the camper van, well, we had more than a couple of little bumps, mainly my fault, I admit..

Ralf sleeping in his car

Our camper near Mont Blanc - the damage is on the other side

Katie on one of the many beautiful mountain passes in Switzerland

The view from where we free-camped in Monaco

Martin Müller, the third placed athlete landing near the beach in Monaco

Me on the beach in Monaco, looking a bit tired

These three are just a few of the 'official' photos, taken by the guys with the tandem pilots' help. This one near the Eiger, Switzerland and probably my favourite shot from the whole event

Chamonix valley

Olivier flying near Mont Blanc with his fisheye lens

Back in the UK

Spent the weekend near Bristol at the NASS - a sports and music festival. The event itself was a bit grubby. There was rubbish everywhere and the toilets were like some kind of apocalyptic scene. But the BMX competition that I was working on went off and the level of riding just amazing.



And we got to stay in a neat little village pub in a tiny place called Nunney with an ancient castle in the middle. Hanging out with two German filmographers Dominik and Thomas and the Dutch photographer Rutger was great. I'm really beginning to appreciate central Europe and all its quirks and cultures. I think they were slightly blown away at getting to crash in this perfect slice of English countryside.

More cycling fun

Yep, more cycling related activity. This time the Glockner Koenig mass bike ride/ race. Basically an uphill race 27km long, with 1800m climbing, the steepest section being 12% and incorporating 14 hairpins. In other words: world of pain!

This ride has been on the cards for a while since Mum and Dad did it a few years ago. Me and Dad rode this year and what a challenge! I managed to finish in 1hr 38min about 20 mins behind the winner and in 87th place out of 2020, and was felt totally spent. Dad wasn't too far behind in 3hr 13min.

Last few metres. The finish was amazing - 2445m above sea level with a fantastic view, way above the treeline.

Two knackered cyclists about to start a 27km descent.

Giro!

Vai, vai! Well we went off to watch the Giro d'Italia and it was bella!


Although it rained a lot and was pretty freaking cold, we still had fun, saw the stars and I bumped into old university friend too. We were on the Tre Croci on one of the toughest mountain stages of the race and many of the cyclists looked pretty tired and cold.




But there is definitely something great about cycling when you can just rock up by the side of the road with a couple of million Italians and watch the best professionals race past. Forza Italia!

Montpellier

Spent last weekend down in Montpellier, France for the Nokia FISE festival. I was working, but it was still a pretty neat couple of days and I got to hang out with some real nice folks.

Montpellier is a beautiful town, lots of typically French alleys and cafes to explore


The BMXing was absolutely amazing - best I've ever seen live for sure.


I was working on the Braun cruZer Tour part of the festival. Excellent competition and you can check the videos here: Daniel Dhers from Venezuela was my favourite. Super smooth and he should have won if you ask me..