'This mad holiday activity combines near-death experiences with cheese and wine'

When our tour guide asked me if I fancied trying an e-bike – and mentioned that we’d be stopping for cheese and drinks en route – I didn’t need asking twice.

On holiday in the French Alps,staying in a stunning chalet above Lake Annecy, it sounded like a perfect way to spend an afternoon. I pictured myself pootling along flat, leafy trails, taking breaks to marvel at the dazzling, turquoise water or nibbling local cheese while I sipped a glass of wine.

I was heading out with a group and a guide, and after a quick e-bike tutorial – I’d never ridden one before, but our instructor made everything clear – we set off, making our way to the centre of La Clusaz, a charming Alpine villagefamous for its winter skiing and summer sports.

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So far, so good. This terrain was pretty easy, and I figured that once we left the town behind, we’d start enjoying some cheese and chilled-out cycling vibes. But as our guide zipped through the streets, I realised we were heading to some kind of registration point. When we got there I was given a number to pin on my back and I thought I heard someone say something about ski lifts.

Looking around I noticed a timed finish line, info points and billboards covered in printed route maps… and realised, like an idiot, I’d signed up for what looked suspiciously like an Alpine mountain bike race.

Before I could worry or ask for more details, we were on the move again and heading up, up, up towards the mountain. I live in West Yorkshire, in a valley known for its rugged landscape and killer hills – but even by my Pennine standards, this was steep.

The e-bikes handled the gravel and incline with ease, though, and in a few minutes, we were having our bikes hauled aboard the ski lift and gliding towards the 1500m-high summit. Making our way to the start line, we passed a lot of serious-looking cyclists, checking their smart watches and adjusting their designer shades.

My Aldi cycling shorts and Zara vest were holding up well, but looking down the town seemed a long way away and we were all feeling a bit out of our depth. It was at this point that one of our group revealed that the last time she tried mountain biking she’d fallen off and injured herself, leaving her traumatised, another mentioned she’d not been on a bike of any kind for 20 years.

Our lovely guide reassured us that there were a few races that day and we were joining, the Rando 3 Fromages, a relatively easy 12km version and we could stop or walk whenever we needed to.

As he said, we’d spend a couple of hours making our way downhill, stopping off to fortify ourselves with local cheeses, provided by artisan farmers. Held every year for the last four years, the Rondo is the easiest part of a dedicated biking and mountain sports weekend, the Bélier VTT.

It’s one of several that take place here as the region pushes to extend its tourist season, tempting visitors to explore its picture-perfect Alpine villages in the warmer months too. A summer trip is definitely something I’d recommend.

We stayed in an amazing, luxury chalet, perched in the mountains, just above the popular ski base of La Clusaz. Less than an hour’s drive from Geneva airport, we woke every day to crisp fresh air, endless blue sky vistas and the soothing sound of cattle bells.

The popular town of Annecy – dubbed ‘the Venice of the Alps’ – is a short drive or bus journey away too and the weather was perfect. We visited in mid-June. It was glorious, a sunny 27 degrees most days but pleasant and cool in the evening and with no shortage of things to do.

This is a sporty place, where residents and visitors like to keep fit so if biking, hiking, water sports or trail running appeal, you’re in the right place. And today we were joining the Alpine sports crew.

As we hit our first downhill track, littered with giant rocks and with a sheer drop to our left, it’s fair to say we were all absolutely terrified. Our instructor had told us how to tackle these steep inclines – stand up on the pedals, keep your legs straight, use one finger on the sensitive brakes (any more and you’ll fly off) and don’t avoid the rocks, go over them.

There was a lot of wobbling, some swearing and I definitely said a prayer or two – but I followed his advice, and amazingly, it worked. After the first few terrifying descents, I started to find my rhythm and actually embrace the thrill of flying down a mountain on two wheels.

All around us were scenes of vast, panoramic beauty as we rushed past towering pines and delicate alpine blooms, watching farmers herd goats and nudge cattle across the peaks. After a few miles we hit our first cheese station wolfing down freshly cut bread and goat’s cheese, served by local producers.

There was more cheese and more twists and turns on the way down. We crossed gentle streams and lush fields before cycling through a blast of welcome rain on our final, gnarly descent back to the registration point.

I crossed the finish line in just over two hours. I was soaked to the skin, full of the best cheese I’ve ever tasted, covered in mud but somehow still in one piece and beyond elated. It was a high-octane Alpine experience I’ll never forget – and now that my legs have stopped shaking, one I might even repeat next year.

Book it

Find out more about the race weekend: www.france-voyage.com/events/belier-vtt-202.html

La Clusaz e-bike hire: https://www.alpesaventures.com/laclusaz/

OVO Network offers seven nights at Chalet Bleu Infini in La Clusaz, in the Annecy Mountains region www.ovonetwork.com/en