Road Gap Time

The days are getting longer, spring has sprung and young men’s thoughts are turning to.... Road Gaps. In a couple more weeks the Highways Department (Direction Départementale de l’Equipement) will be clearing the various road passed in the Alps in time for summer visitors.

Alchimy Association’s Road Gap Competition

But before the tourists arrive it is time for Alchimy Association’s 2nd Road Gap competition. Organised high on the Galibier road pass that links the Savoie with the Isère departments the competitors will be hoping simply to link the two sides of the road. Snow and weather conditions permitting the skiers and boarders fly some 12 meters above the highway, if they can insert a fakie 360 or a fat mute with tail grab so much the better.

This year’s event, organised by Valloire based Alchimy will be held over the weekend of the 15th-16th of May. The programme includes competitions for the best tricks with slope style, Road Gap, Big Air, Hipe, Slide, best tricks on Big Air Back Country, all with prize money.

There is also a snow skate park, DJ’s, TV, party a skate park and erm… football?

For more information contact:
Alchimy - rue de la Traverse - 73450 Valloire
06 71 21 75 70 - 06 88 39 65 49

http://www.alchimy.net/

http://www.valloire.net/

Opening Dates of French Alpine Passes

There are also some ‘road gap sauvage’ that take place in the Alps and Pyrénées, notably on the Col de Isèran and Petit St Bernard with the Team Blerow. However you risk a fine from the Gendarmes or worse… several months in hospital if you get it wrong. You have been warned.

Posted by davidof on Wednesday, 28 April, 2004 at 11:32 PM

I was skiing in Lech and there was a bridge to Zürs at end of Madloch I think but I tried to keep the speed to cross the bridge so I would not have to push as at the end of slope. There was a tight curve and then 100 meters of path straight right so I flew out of the curve into the road, maybe 7 meter chasm but they had a net and posts I flew into one and broke it off. It was probably 20 cm square but cracked of like a match nearly seperating the pole. I also broke my nose and nearly got lung heart problem.

Anyone trying to voluntarily jump over a road must have a death wish. Also: you can kill others by causing an accident. If you crater, then you can´t move and will be hit by maybe several cars.

Bernhard Franz

Posted by on Thursday, 29 April, 2004 at 03:34 PM

I should point out that the Alchimy Association event is organised in conjunction with the local authorities and that the emergency services will be on hand to take away the injured.

Posted by davidof on Thursday, 29 April, 2004 at 07:13 PM