• Can you imagine the World Cup in Brazil? Well dream no more because plans are in the works to take the circus down there in a year or two.

•A petition was being circulated to add Short-Track racing to the World Cup XC schedule.

• There's an Aussie hotel in Les Gets called "Le Boomerang," run by a very cool French-Aussie bloke. It became known as "the expo" this week as it was THE meeting point and the only bar brave enough to welcome the rowdy DH crowd. It was rewarded with (mostly) good behavior and the best social scene of the season.

• Days before her race, Katrina Miller (AUS, Jamis) was celebrating the arrival of her trophy from Maribor by drinking a massive margarita from the crystal bowl in said Boomerang.

• Brian Lopes (USA, Fox/GT) celebrated his birthday Saturday by winning the 4X title in front of his wife and parents. Happy Birthday big guy!

• Cellphones have infiltrated the world of mountain biking. Everyone seemed to be using phones this year in Europe to meet for drinks, arrange a rendezvous or make dinner plans. What's next? Race updates to riders' phones, strapped to their handlebars?

• Leigh Donovan was enjoying the relaxing life in Europe after retirement, and told us about her new clothing store in Temecula in So Cal. If you're in the area, search it out - it sounds like a cool shop.

• Who says cross-country riders can't party? Just because they have a reputation for downing a beer and calling it a night, the Canadians proved they could hang when they took over the Boomerang on Sunday night. There was winner Ryder Hesjedal buying drinks for everyone in sight, with Roland Green joining in, and even super-strict Alison Sydor celebrated her birthday in style as her Trek team celebrated winning "XC team of the year." Hat's off the XC stars.

• Global Racing threw one last rider party of the season in their green and white tents Saturday night. This week it was Brazilian themed for Markolf Berchtold, and featured great local food and beer. Thanks to the folks at Global for hosting such a cool event the past two seasons,- we hope it continues.

• Thanks to Be-One for loaning us one of their very cool freeride bikes to test out the local trails. It's called the "Wood Bumble," and has 6" of travel thanks to its Manitou Sherman fork. They're being distributed in the USA by Iron Horse, so track down one of these sweet yellow and black rigs - they ride awesome.

• Thanks also to Thierry at Nevada Sports for loaning us a Vario downhill bike to test some even tougher steeps. He's got a sport shop in Les Gets and plans to stock even better bikes next summer, so look him up in the town center.

• Mike King is a busy guy these days. Rumors of Haro starting a second team, (maybe Chevy-Haro?) had plenty of riders approaching him for rides this week, while he also had to manage the Lee Dungarees team - and race the 4X. Good thing he had our cellphone.

• Come to Les Gets in summer or winter, and you can ride 12 separate resorts for the price of one. It's a network of cooperating resort towns called the Porte du Soliel, and allows people to cover hundreds of kilometers for one lift ticket. The ultimate bike or snowboard (or ski) downhill for sure.

• You may not realize it, but Steve Peat (GBR, Orange England) is a weight-weenie. His bike weighs in around 34 lbs., and features XC items like a super-light saddle and custom frame. Who says DH bikes have to be pigs?

• Anne-Caroline Chausson will end her season this weekend in her adopted home of Andorra, where she'll race the Maxi-Avalanche Cup. Hit www.avalanchecup.com

• Nicolas Vouilloz will announce his retirement from racing this weekend in Grenoble, when he attends an invitational race there. We miss you already Nico.

— Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Correspondent