Day 10 Monday Mountain Kart by Ste H
Serre Chevalier Vallée
Mountain Cart and scooter experience https://www.serrechevalier-pass.com/fr/mountainkart
On a day off, 6 of us decided to head up to Serre Chevalier, up the valley through Briançon and try some downhill summer sports, namely Carts. 3-wheeled contraptions with big rubber tires and a cloth seat. Independent brakes and footrests. What could possibly be more fun?
On arrival at the base of the cable car, we purchased our tickets to take us up to the top, where we were kitted out with helmets, goggles and shown a safety video. The staff were great. Then we were fitted for our carts S, M, L & XL. At 6’2”, in was very comfortable in my Cart. We rolled them down to our next form of public transportation, chair lifts. If you’ve never been on one, they are great. One cart is attached to each Chair with 3 riders on each. Soon at the top, we kitted up and rolled to the start of the easier of the 2 runs. One at a time trundled down the start of the hill. The next 4 km was a blur! Quite literally the most exhilarating adrenaline rush of sharp turns, dust, grit, skidding around corners and vibration I’ve ever experienced. You can dictate your speed, and there is plenty of room to pass or be passed by other carts. As the writer found out, weight and nerve on the downhill section make up time, and despite starting 2nd and making a hash of a corner, resulting in being in 4th for a spell, the front runners were reeled in until a slow cart blocking Sarah enabled an F1 overtake and a win!
Sadly, run 2 on the hard course was not as successful. Roy took a scooter option on this run and had a great time standing up on the red track. However, my dreams of a second victory were dashed by an out-of-cart experience on a sharp left-hand bend, OUCH! Gravel rash be damned, this is brilliant, and we were all on a high that day. Thanks to Sarah for spotting the opportunity, and Dom, Jackie, Roy, and Stuart for making it a fantastic event. Well worth the fee.
Stephen Hitchen