Etape du Tour - How's it going?

pedylan

So that's a month gone out of the six in this year before the Etape. I was wondering how those who are doing it feel their training's going and where their programme is at.

The good and bad of my month are :

Good - did a couple of metric centuries; covered twice the road miles as last Jan, reached my target weight (give or take a kilo) and abstained from alcohol for whole month. Went to gym twice per week.

Bad - turbo trained once (once!!), definitely don't feel structured enough, worried about junk miles.

In Feb I'll step up miles and attempt to run longer and longer at TT type paces. More power over longer periods is (I think) key to finishing the climbs. Oh, and I'll drink but only to excess.

So what's the feeling? Confident? Concerned? Unable to function due to panic attacks?

daowned

For me it's too soon, when you talk to other guys that have done the Etape you are reminded of the conditions that will come in July in particular the temperature and the climbs and how hard it is to really prepare yourself in the flat and cold UK.

If I could I would like to get in a week or so in a training camp overseas just to see what kind of heat to expect and to get some real hill climbs done with quality riders by my side but I cant really afford to do that which is a shame.

For January I have been abit more disciplined in my eating with virtual no rubbish junk foods/soft drinks than at anytime in my life but still would like to lose some weight as do we all, as for the cycling it has been mostly 150 miles per week Wednesday/Sunday one week, 70 miles Sunday with 2 mid week turbo sessions Tuesday/Thursday the next week.

At the moment its just a matter of waiting to it gets a bit lighter because just now realistically you have from say about 9am to 3pm to get some miles in before it gets dark and thats pushing it and with the weather we are having at the moment it doesn't help much.

I think for myself its possible that I will beat the broom waggon if I keep the training going, as July draws near I will be giving it my best effort to get out and trian come rain or shine and I am confident that the effort and work I put in will be enough.

Rich.H

Compared with last year, I have had a pretty good January all told with 20 hours on the bike - a mix of 1 hour road / turbo sessions and 4 longer rides (55 miles max).

Last Feb, I only managed 6 hours in total so I see this as a key month for me.

In terms of a plan, its built around UK Sportives in the run up to the Etape, with a few club 10's and circuit races if I can fit them in around work / family. I'll continue to mix up the shorter harder sessions with longer weekend rides around the above.

I have entries for the following;

Cheshire Cat - 30th Mar
Forest Of Dean - 4th May
Grand Fondo Cymru - 25th May
Polka Dot - 1st Jun
Dragon ride - 15th Jun
Sunday Cycles Peaks ride - 22 Jun (tbc)

I am also planning to ride the route of the Etape on the 7th / 8th Jun in an attempt to avoid any surprises on the day itself. Whilst I have been riding UK Sportives for the last 3 years, this is my first Etape and I have not ridden in the high mountains before....

Good luck

Rich

normanp

Don't be depressed daowned - do Audaxes at week-ends! I think these give perfect early to mid season training with the pleasure of routes that you would never find for yourself. Last week-end's Primrose Path 100k was very challenging and continuously interesting (1955m of climbing) - added to this very friendly with excellent food! 100k on your own feels tough - but it becomes fun on an Audax. The wind & cold will make you resilient...just what's needed for the etape. Use a fairly robust bike with mudguards & tough tyres (eg Stelvio plus). You will have the pleasure of getting on a light bike when the weather improves. Don't worry about training camps - just ride lots here building to several 200ks.

Rich.H I wouldn't ride the route - where's the fun on the day of seeing new scenery if you have seen it before? I would go anywhere else if I had the money and see something new. How about riding last year's route - now there's a challenge...

Rich.H

normanp wrote:

Rich.H I wouldn't ride the route - where's the fun on the day of seeing new scenery if you have seen it before? I would go anywhere else if I had the money and see something new. How about riding last year's route - now there's a challenge...

I have considered both points of view on this - visiting the Alps just to ride in the high mountains or the route proper. Current thinking is to just ride the Etape 08 cols on separate days which will then give me experience of the descent from the Tourmalet...

jhop

normanp wrote:

Don't be depressed daowned - do Audaxes at week-ends! I think these give perfect early to mid season training with the pleasure of routes that you would never find for yourself. Last week-end's Primrose Path 100k was very challenging and continuously interesting (1955m of climbing) - added to this very friendly with excellent food! 100k on your own feels tough - but it becomes fun on an Audax. The wind & cold will make you resilient...just what's needed for the etape. Use a fairly robust bike with mudguards & tough tyres (eg Stelvio plus). You will have the pleasure of getting on a light bike when the weather improves. Don't worry about training camps - just ride lots here building to several 200ks.

Rich.H I wouldn't ride the route - where's the fun on the day of seeing new scenery if you have seen it before? I would go anywhere else if I had the money and see something new. How about riding last year's route - now there's a challenge...

The Normster has it right yet again!!!

Glad the Primrose Path went well and I guess that come The Corker that you will be unstoppable!!!

100k Audax building up to some 200k's next month/April and then the full programme of Sportives come May and June is my plan to beat that old broom wagon but as others have said nothing in the UK can prepare you fully for the heat we had in 2006 and 2007.