I Finished the World’s Craziest MTB Race WITHOUT A CHAIN – Megavalanche 2025
The Megavalanche is a mass-start downhill mountain bike race held annually in the French Alps, most famously on Alpe d’Huez. It’s one of the most iconic and extreme races in the world of enduro and downhill biking.
Key Features:
Start Location: The race begins high up on the glacier of Pic Blanc at over 3,300 meters (10,800 feet) elevation.
Mass Start: Hundreds of riders (sometimes over 1,000) start at the same time from the snow-covered summit.
Varied Terrain: Riders descend about 2,600 vertical meters (8,500 feet) over a ~20–30 km course, transitioning from snow and ice to rock, gravel, alpine meadows, and forest trails.
Finish Line: Ends in Allemont, a village in the valley far below the glacier.
Race Highlights:
First held: 1995
Notable for: Chaos at the start, with riders slipping and crashing on snow and ice
Endurance + Technical Skill: It’s not just downhill — there are sections requiring pedaling, stamina, and tactical decisions
Amateurs and Pros: Open to a wide range of riders, though extremely challenging
Stoked to finish even after snapping my chain 5 min in! I will be back next year for sure!
2 Comments
That was incredible. Amazing job. Bravo!
Love the effort and dedication you put into the race in spite of the hardship!