If you're out and about on a mountain bike in Champéry, you'll come across one thing in particular: prohibition signs. Mountain bikers belong here on the downhill trails and nowhere else. And even these all end far above the valley floor, with half of the descent riding along asphalt roads - lined with no-biking signs, of course.

Never mind the many no-bike signs if the rest of the mountain bike infrastructure is at least convincing. Unfortunately not in Champéry. The gondola lift symbolizes the region's downright lame offer. Although the cable car transports bikes, there is only one option for mountain bikers on the descent back down to the valley: the World Cup downhill run. It is one of the steepest and most difficult in the world. Those without downhill ambitions end up on the road - lined with no-bike signs, of course.

Mountain bikers take home a lavish collection of photos of prohibition signs from the Champéry region. And the question: Why does a region go from top to flop within ten years? The enormous investments in the 2011 World Championships and the international Bikepark.ch racing team have come to nothing. Champéry is now a mere shadow of its former self as a mountain bike region.

Champéry is a prime example of how a major event generates virtually no sustainability. The region will soon have the chance to take a good look at itself: In 2025, the downhill title competitions will once again be held here as part of the cycling world championships (spread throughout Valais). The region must use this opportunity to turn back the clock and make a solid new start in terms of mountain biking - without bike ban signs.

More blog posts by Thomas Giger

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