Avoriaz Activity Review: 21st July 2011

So for once the pedal powered residence had to take a back seat to some very shiny and noisy motor bikes, it’s quite a novelty being outnumbered in what is usually a mountain bike paradise. We had a wander around all the stalls which stretched the full way down the Rue du Bourg. I guess it’s more for the enthusiast but the leather waist coats and big belt buckles were not really my thing, I suppose the Harley lot would say the same about my road biking lycra – each to their own!

There were a number of Balades (organized runs/parades) for the bikers to show off all that polished chrome work and explore the countryside around Morzine. I must be getting old because the noise those things make is ear splitting, ok if a few are riding about but when hundreds are rolling around all day long it got a bit much for my appreciation of the peace and quiet of the alps. No worries though, there is room for everyone to do their thing.

The main event was Status Quo on Saturday night in the central square adjacent to the Tourist Information. Again not really my scene are the Quo but a free gig and a little rocking all over the world potential had everyone out in force for the evening. I got the impression the band were going through the motions for a paycheck gig but then they did try and get a rapport going with the crowd and got very little response, a two way street me thinks. Still they did all the big numbers and a couple of encores which was enough for most people.

Considering there were so many bikers in town it was all a very civilized affair with no trouble and a relaxed atmosphere. I guess the days of sawn off shotguns and bar room brawls are long gone now the Harley demographic is board room boys with enough money to invest in the bikes. Even though not my aesthetic some of the bikes were impressively turned out with custom spray paint and chrome everywhere, not at all dusty easy riders and not cheap I would imagine.

Unfortunately for the shiny bikes the rain returned to resort on the Sunday after a long dry spell, I’m sure the attendees will still be trying to get their bikes clean now! The rain is still with us putting a dampener on the mountain. The temperatures are very low also with snow down to 2000m over the last couple of days. But this is the mountains, it does happen occasionally in summer and one thing is for sure it’ll not last for too long.

Bon Route!