66 AMB
TRANS PROVENCE2019 - END OF AN ERA
Since its debut in 2009, Trans Provence has
captured the imagination of riders and race
organisers around the globe. With a week-long
alpine adventure instore, riders share inevitable
highs and lows alongside an amazing group of
mountain bikers. It is this discovery and euphoric
moments linking a few loamy turns, pushing
through pain, solving mechanicals, high fives,
fist bumps and of course the seemingly endless
amounts of singletrack that make this so special.
Its with all these key elements, including the hard
times that adventures are remembered.
Trans Provence is an event that could well
be the origins of what we refer to as Enduro
sparking the mind of 2012 racer Chris Ball “the
father of EWS”. A format which provides the rider
with an adventure by bike which incorporates
technical and fitness elements attracting riders
from multiple disciplines. Many “Trans” events
have popped up globally over the last decade,
showcasing the best trails a region has to offer
and all providing their own unique spin on
adventures by bike.
With growing demand for natural trail, more
organisers cut fresh purpose-built trail and that’s
great. What really set Trans Provence apart is the
history of the trails Ash uncovers that lead us to
forgotten pastures and cols.
While my time at Trans Provence was a fleeting
one, only learning about its existence back in
2013 and finally getting a start in 2015 I feel that I
caught the tail end of what was and could be the
juiciest end of an all-time great. So is this really
the end? “The clock stops, the Donkey carries on”
was this years’ motto, and given Ash’s unique skill
and passion I have no doubts that the team will be
back. Where will the donkey go, another region,
another country, we can only speculate while
keeping close eye on @transprovence.