1. Tyres – Get the biggest thickest tyres you can lay your hands on. Maxxis Minion dual ply 2.5 (sticky 42a on the front & regular 60a on the back), were popular with the bigger guys (ie Me) when I was there. Regular minions DHF single ply or High Rollers single ply if your gentle on your kit.

2. Disc rotors – for a limited cost you can stick 203 rotors front and back and this will really help. You’re going to be going down hill 90% of the time so some extra stopping power will be a real help.

3. Spare disc pads – take double the amount you think you will need. No matter how long your pads last at home you can go through a set in a day in the Alps. I got through 4 sets in our week with the Whiteroom and then had to buy more whilst in Morzine.  I would recommend taking brand new ones in the bike then 6 sets.

4. Take a much shorter seatpost – If you have bike with an interrupted seatpost design take a second seatpost which is a lot shorter than normal. You will spend most of your time moving around the bike and pointing downhill so having a seatpost sticking in your tummy all the time is rubbish.

5. Spares & Repairs - Take a good spares/repairs kit with you. This must include a spare mech hanger – cheap but essential bit of kit. This is a list of kit I took on each ride: shock pump, tyre levers x 3, tyre patches x lots, power links x 3, Topeak alien multi-tool, Leatherman multi-tool, spare pads x 2, spare mech hanger, spare nipples (I replaced 4 in the week, I made the mistake of building a wheel with pimp orange, nipples – they are rubbish and keep braking), inner tubes x 2, spare shifter cables x 2, tyre boots x lots, Crank tension tool for shimano hollowtech II, Thread lock

6. Brake bleed kit – if you have one and know how to use it take it with you.  Inevitably you will boil your brakes during your trip and being able to do a basic bleed/fluid replacement will be really handy.

Cash rich ways to ’Alpify’ your bike

2. Upgrade your brakes. Shimano Saint – hope M4/V2 – Formula ORO all with the obligatory 203mm rotors front and back.  Perhaps even go so far as getting the vented rotor.

3. Get a coil shock to replace your standard air-can.  This can be as simple as a fox vanilla.  This will make a big difference, taking out a lot of the chatter you get with air shocks, make the ride more manageable and reduce fatigue with the shock doing a lot more of the work for you.

Don’t forget to ‘Alpify’ yourself

1. Body Armour – You’re going to be going downhill most of the time. It will be steeper, longer and bigger than anything you’ve done in the UK so buy yourself some body armour. Buy it, get used to it and use it when you’re out there all the time. I ejected from the bike at least ½ dozen times on my trip and any one of them could have been a holiday stopper bar the body armour.

2. Skills Course – Consider doing a skills course before you go so you can make the most of your trip. A more advanced skills course or one that handles drops and jumps would be useful. Greatrock does an Alpine Prep course in Hebden Bridge.

3. Do some training – get fitter and stronger, not just on the bike but in the gym.  Riding downhill all day is a lot more demanding than you may think.

4. Insurance – Make sure you have it. On our two week trip someone broke their collar bone on the first day resulting in surgery and three nights in hospital.  As a minimum you’re going to also need the EHIC health card that gets you the same health care as the locals.  Bare in mind this isn’t going to get you off the mountain or pay for a very expensive life saving helicopter ride.

Enjoy your trip and let us know your comments if you have any other essential tips!