Etape mountain stage in France - wots it like...?

physiosteve

Hey Roadies as an avid MTBer feel a bit wierd in your skinny tanned shaven legged company. Interested to hear who's done Etape in French Alps. Wots it like how hard, and good prep rides.

I mean i know its gonna b fuck hard but how hard is dat...?

Wots a good taster to do b4 ...?

And any tips...?

mozwyn69

You will need to be able to comfortably cycle 100 mile plus hilly rides in this country. Do a few of the tougher UK sportives as warm up rides.
On the Etape day expect to spent somewhere between 8-10 hours in the saddle and be prepared for extremes of weather (on the 06 Etape it hit over 40 C on Alpe Du Huez). Get use to climbing as you will spend half the ride going upwards, hills are not that steep (compared to the UK) but go on and on....
There is also a broom wagon chasing your ass so keep time spent at feed stops to a minimum as time spent there is 'dead' time.
Etape is great but there are loads of other continental sportives which will be much easier to get a place on and a lot cheaper (though probably not closed roads)

oldwelshman

I did Pinarello in Italy, beautiful also Marmotte in France.
The physical side is easy to prepare for, just cycle a lot and make sure you can cope with 8 hours.
Forget the climbing, it is mental as much as physical There is no where in UK with climbs like that so just as well practice long distances and when you hit the climbs, imagine your on the flat into a headwind
Nothing like climbing Alpe D'Huiz after 102 miles and just been up Gallibier !!

jhop

I have ridden 5 etapes du tour rides and think that coping with the heat has been the hardest thing to prepare for. 40 C on Alp de Huez being the worst for me although hanging around in the freezing cloud on top of Hautacam before descending in a state of extreme cold ran it pretty close this July!
If you can ride 200k hilly Audax rides in 8hrs and get Silver standard on UK Sportives you can cope with survival in Etape but silver standard does require quite a bit more training and fitness.
Long descents and bunch riding are also aspects that need to be addressed in preparation as do eating and drinking strategies.
Given due repect not fear or unrealistic awe the etape can be a great day out.
It is becoming / has become a valued part of my cycling year and having a week cycling in some of the most amazing regions of France with friends whilst following the tour on TV and sometimes in real life takes some beating. I have never gone with a tour company and have not heard of any 'added value' offered from them despite the extra cost; we have always arranged our own trips.

physiosteve

gr8 advice fellas really up for doing it...!