Lifts are a contentious issue with bikers. On the one hand you have your full-on downhiller, who needs the lift because you can't ride a half-ton sofa up a hill. And on the other, the purists who say that being at the top of a hill isn't worth anything if you haven't ridden there.

In reality, nearly all of us are somewhere in between. We can't deny that the satisfaction you get from getting to the top of a big climb is something special, but at the same time, you get other rewards from just hammering trails. And lifts let you hammer all week long.

I've been out to Morzine twice now (check the article for full details) and even though I know better trails elsewhere, riding in a lift area is something else. You can just spend an entire week riding downhill. You can set the bike up in no-compromise style - saddle right down, short stem, wide bars, single chainring - and just enjoy it.

Using Lift Areas

There are a few things worth bearing in mind when you visit lift areas, which aren't necessarily obvious before you go.

1. If you have V-brakes, take spare brake pads. You'll be doing a lot more descending than you normally would. I got through a set of rear V-brake pads in three and a bit dry days. In the wet you could destroy a set in under a day. Since the weather is changeable in the mountains, you'll probably get wet at some point. So carry some spare pads with you.

2. If you have disc brakes, carry V-brakes as a backup. Sounds daft? Maybe. But it can be tricky to get hold of disc spares in most of these places. On my first ride I bent a rotor, and fortunately I managed to hammer it back into place, because no-one in Morzine was selling disc bits. Many places will cater for bleeding and refilling hydraulic systems, but you'll have trouble finding spare pads and rotors. Check your brakes before you leave home, and if you reckon you'll need spares, take them with you.

3. Get insurance. The potential for busting yourself is pretty big in these spots, and when you can ride the same descent over and over again you'll be tempted to push yourself.

4. Be prepared to feel like you have a crap bike. Most people who visit lift areas have serious kit. I turned up as the proud owner of what I considered a pretty fine new bouncy bike, and basically I had one of the crappest bikes in the joint (as far as bounce and expense goes anyway). Still, who cares, just get on and ride.

5. Don't ride too much. One of the days I was there I was on my own, so I wasn't stopping and waiting for people. This meant a lot more riding, and because you're not doing much (if any) climbing, you feel like you can ride forever. You can't. Late in the day I had to opt for a road descent because my arms were so knackered I was risking a big stack on the pistes.