The Trophée Des Montagnes: an extraordinary canicross competition
Today my dear Wouafer's, I'm going to tell you about a world famous canicross competition and recognized. It's a race of canicross in several stages and over several days which takes place around theAlpe d'Huez. a canicross competition intense and incredible in which participated Celine and her pack.
Live a sports experience in the mountains, at a time unbelievable et intense, alongside his dog is always a guarantee of great memories as well as transcendence. We want to go the extra mile for our dogs and they want to do the same for us. Often, we understand each other in a single look and just this exchange gives us the strength to continue.
It is about this crazy experience that our Dog'Reporters Céline, Rhea and Balto who lived and conquered the Mountain Trophy !
The floor is yours !
Contents of this article 100% dogs and holidays
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IN SHORT, WE PARTICIPATED IN THE MOUNTAINS TROPHY: A CANICROSS RACE IN SEVERAL STAGES
Le Mountain Trophy, What is that ?
A series of races each harder than the other montagne, in the region ofAlpe d'Huez. There are 10On 9 days, More precisely.
- 10 days competitions with various stages and even a night ;
- 65 kilometers ;
- 2927m negative elevation;
- To 3646m of positive elevation;
- Opportunity to participate with one or two dogs ;
- But above all emotions that cannot be quantified.
Le Mountain Trophy is a international challenge incredible that brings together crazy canicross pairs around the world in the same vein: excel as a team.
Le Mountain Trophy not intended for untrained dogs. It's a canicross competition which requires rigor and which is tiring. Nevertheless, it can be accessible to everyone because it is possible to participate in only one or more stages. And since this year, the Mountain Trophy is even open to hikers ! Whether Medor is a seasoned sportsman or a Sunday guy, there will necessarily be a solution that respects his well-being. The organizers ensure this with a veterinary team at the top of the top and races adapted to the weather conditions.
Le CT ou Mountain Trophy is at canicross What this'Mont Blanc Ultra-Trail is on the trail, we did it, and we tell you how we experienced it.
Before leaving for a sporting adventure with your dog, you obviously have to be well equipped. I'm talking to you today about harness that we chose with Musher for our outings canicross. This is the harness Canicross X-back phoenix by I-Dog which suits him well! Be careful, however, to respect needs et morphology of your dog when you choose his equipment : not all harnesses fit all dogs according to their race or temperament ! And good equipment is the start of a great adventure. If you have shoes that hurt, you won't get far. It's the same with your dog. If the material chosen is not well suited to your animal, it risks injury!
THE MOUNTAINS TROPHY: A TIMELESS CHALLENGE
It was our first participation in the Mountain Trophy. I registered with Rhea et Balto. It is indeed possible to provide a team of 2 dogs in order to be able to rest his main athlete on certain events of his choice. Rhea is young and full of gnak. Balto more experienced, is motivated, or not at all. It depends on which paw he got up.
The first steps are going well. I take the start of the mythical stage of “the alpine pasture"With Balto.
Second race of the challenge, it accumulates 700m of elevation gain in only 5km. What a pleasure to reach the top after 54 minutes of ascent.
The 3rd step, the tour of the lakes, begins by taking the cable car. The course is located on the heights and offers magnificent views. A succession of small winding, very stony paths. A real trap for the ankles. What an advantage to have a small build as a pair on a stage as technical as this!
So far so good. I'm in good shape, quite confident. Steps that are not made for us follow. Long light climbs that never end, descents all steeper than each other. On the mythical night stage, Balto would have preferred to hunt the marmots and does not start running until the big descent at the end has arrived. I waste all my energy staying on my own two feet. This step was the most followed by the public and it is understandable. What a nice show that headlamps for the public. An S of lights coming down the mountain. If you pass through the region during this period (1st week of August in Auris en Oisans), it is not to be missed.
Tips from Musher and Sophie: “If you also want to try a sports getaway once the sun has set, I advise you to read our article for run at night with your dog ! "
After this night stage, it gets hard…. Get up every day 5h in the morning to feed the dogs, start very early to avoid the heat, sometimes after a race late the day before... And the temperature, very (too!) high this year, overwhelms us in the afternoons, and is getting more hard to bear.
The accumulation of physical effort is felt. Although fortunately, I have no injuries or pains to deplore. And the dogs are in good shape, it's so important. I suffer the 8ème and 9th race. Literally. I can't stand my dog pulling me on the descents anymore. I made the mistake of don't teach him to run after me (this is not so necessary in Belgium). I'm at the end of my rope, my strength leaves me a little more each time I cross a finish line. But you have to hold on until the end. My only concerns: recuperation. Sleep, eat a lot, combine massages, stretches and arnica, and save my efforts outside of shopping.
When you are at CT, nothing else matters, you don't have to worry anymore, you're like in a bubble, outside spatio-temporal space.
AN EXPLOSION OF EMOTIONS FOR THIS LEGENDARY CANICROSS RACE
Then comes the last canicross race. I have no idea where to find the resource to complete this challenge with dignity. But I'm off to a flying start. I don't know what's going on but my brain goes “off”. And I go. I'm drawing as far as possible on the energy I have left to finish this Mountain Trophy. I give everything. I fly over the last steep climbs, and I let go of the brakes on the descent. I have nothing more to lose on this last race.
And I cross the line. In tears. What an incredible sporting moment. Probably the strongest.
It's over, we've done it. 10 days so intense. I went through all the emotions, and they were like tenfold. When you finish the CT, you have the impression that something has stopped. That it's the end of a story, of one of your most beautiful stories. And you wake up the next day with a pit in your stomach. Reality seems bland and insipid compared to what you have just experienced. I was told, there is a before and after the Mountain Trophy. And one thing's for sure, it won't be our only one CT.
And maybe we will have the opportunity to share a few strides with you Wouafer's !
Tips from Musher and Sophie: “If you too would like to try the adventure of the Trophée des Montagnes with your dog, or simply want to visit the Alpe d'Huez region alongside him, here is a small selection ofQUALIDOG accommodation in the surrounding area."
Wow! What a wonderful adventure lived by Céline, Rhea et Balto during these ten days of self-transcendence and effort. Impressive !
If you also want to get started in the pulling sports such as canicross alongside your dog, do not hesitate to consult our many articles on the subject! Ski, bike, canicross, scooter and so on, there is something for everyone and for all seasons! Sensations and fun guaranteed!
To discover also
And if the great adventures full montagne interest you and animate you, here some other getaway ideas to live with your chien : the GR20 in Corsica, the tour of Mont Blanc or a trek in the Pyrenees ! Notice to our Wouafer's adventurers!