DREAM RIDES

Close your eyes, open your mind, and imagine a sliver of singletrack scratched across an Alpine pasture framed by a cluster of snow-capped peaks. You’re speeding along, cool mountain air rushing over your body, aboard a top-of-the-range carbon frame, freehub buzzing, tyres pressing into the soft dirt, sun glinting off the golden fork tubes and brakes burnished a rainbow of shades from relentless use. When we came up with the idea of taking the ultimate bikes in search of the ultimate trails (yeah, it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it), this is exactly what we imagined. And during four days of riding in the Swiss Valais region, aboard three carbon superbikes, those dreams became reality.

VALAIS — WHERE SINGLETRACK DREAMS COME TRUE

With 41 bespoke mountain bike routes designed to suit all abilities, and six bike parks, the Valais region is bursting with riding potential. And the obliging folk at the tourist board have mapped out all the options for you, with details of elevation, public transport and facilities, all on tap at visitvalais.ch/mountain-bike. Even with four days’ riding booked in during our trip, we could only scratch the surface of what’s on offer. Here’s where we went:

LUNGII BIKE, EISCHOLL

• 1,200m descending

Contort yourself into the cupboard-sized Eischoll cable car (four bikes max)