Etape 2009

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  • doc917
    doc917 Posts: 6
    would i be right in saying that i should be trying to get to the foot of the ventoux at around 2pm at the latest so as not to be eliminated :?:
  • TheStone
    TheStone Posts: 2,291
    doc917 wrote:
    would i be right in saying that i should be trying to get to the foot of the ventoux at around 2pm at the latest so as not to be eliminated :?:

    Hopefully the schedule is out soon. Last year it started at 7, lasted 10h20 and allowed 2h10 for the final climb. Ventoux is much bigger, so 3h20 wouldn't seem far off, which will mean 2pm at the foot.

    .... but just guessing at the moment
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  • jhop
    jhop Posts: 369
    edited June 2009
    TheStone wrote:
    6432. Not so happy, but could be worse.

    Anyone seen a schedule for this year? It was out late April last year. Would like to know how long we'll get.

    How's everyone's training going? I had a good May (1200km including 5 sportives), but don't seem to have improved much.

    I think May is a key month and 5 sportives is impressive. I've also managed 1200k but only 4 sportives. For me the benchmark is 5000k between Jan. and July and I should achieve that ok.

    With the etape being a bit later this year when are people riding their last sportive before heading to Montelimar? The last few years I have wound things up with the COTC June 21st but I feel I need another one early July so have entered a shortish Trailbreak one at Wantage to keep me ticking over.
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    I'm only doing two other sportives as prep: The Pyreneenne on 13th June and the Cotswolds on the 21st June. Last year I eased up about two weeks before the Marmotte, which in hindsight was a mistake. This year I'm planning to keep the intensity and volume up to a week before and then cut back on volume.
  • lochindaal
    lochindaal Posts: 475
    Got my number at last - 3875 - so pretty happy.

    I'm with cyclemundo so all those that have been waiting on them could be worth a check
    Tri Coaching
    https://www.h3otriathlon.com
  • whiteboytrash
    whiteboytrash Posts: 594
    APIII wrote:
    Last year I eased up about two weeks before the Marmotte, which in hindsight was a mistake. .

    Why do you say this ? Do you feel you eased off too much ?
  • Road Red
    Road Red Posts: 232
    I seem to be ok on mileage completed. May's total is around the 1,200km mark. Possibly a bit short on sportives, did the San Fairy Ann 118k and Castle 100m in May. I'm doing the Dragonride in June, which is my last sportive. Will have at least one hilly 110m with cycling buddies after that.

    I'm a bit unsure on when and how to wind down though. Interested to hear people's view on tapering.
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    whiteboytrash wrote:
    APIII wrote:
    Last year I eased up about two weeks before the Marmotte, which in hindsight was a mistake. .

    Why do you say this ? Do you feel you eased off too much ?

    Yeah, we hear a lot about tapering, but I was never doing more than about 10 hours a week, 12 maximum and I don't think tapering is necessarily a good thing when you're only putting in modest mileage. I only speak from my own experience though. On the day of the Marmotte I felt bad from the very first climb whereas a few weeks before I'd managed 85mile rides through the Pyrenees on a training weekend a lot more comfortably, with normal training the week before.
  • astonandon
    astonandon Posts: 4
    Hi There,

    I'll be doing my first etape this year and am getting nicely nervous about it all, have a got a few stupid questions for those who've done it before.

    Obviously wearing a cycle helmet is mandatory, does this have to be worn for the whole race or are riders allowed to take them off, for example, like when climbing the little hill at the end of this years etape?

    Also what is the race support like if you end up at the side of the road with a flat tire? Is it advisable to carry pump, spare tube etc or hope for a bit of support if it all goes wrong (I know just writing this is akin to sticking a poker in the p fairie's eye, but having ridden a pair of the mighty Continental GP 4 Seasons all winter without a single, errr, loss of air, I'm tempted to leave the pump and spare tube at home)

    Any advice would be much appreciated as I'm getting quite scared now!

    Cheers
  • crown_jewel
    crown_jewel Posts: 545
    You are supposed to wear your helmet at all times while riding. As to support, there will be Mavic cars along the route and at the rest stops for mechanical issues, but you are expected to fix your own flats.
  • jhop
    jhop Posts: 369
    Crown Jewel wrote:
    You are supposed to wear your helmet at all times while riding. As to support, there will be Mavic cars along the route and at the rest stops for mechanical issues, but you are expected to fix your own flats.

    Every year there seem to be numerous riders fixing punctures in the opening 10k or so.

    All riders surely must go equipped and ready to mend / replace damaged inner tubes etc.

    Regarding helmets, I must admit I did take mine off in 2006 climbing Alpe D'Huez.
    40 degree heat and some very slow cycling made it seem the safest / best option for a while!
  • crown_jewel
    crown_jewel Posts: 545
    jhop wrote:
    Every year there seem to be numerous riders fixing punctures in the opening 10k or so.

    I had forgotten that, but you are correct. I don't know if the rain contributed, but there were tons of flats in the early part of the ride last year.
  • TheStone
    TheStone Posts: 2,291
    astonandon wrote:
    Hi There,

    I'll be doing my first etape this year and am getting nicely nervous about it all, have a got a few stupid questions for those who've done it before.

    Obviously wearing a cycle helmet is mandatory, does this have to be worn for the whole race or are riders allowed to take them off, for example, like when climbing the little hill at the end of this years etape?

    Also what is the race support like if you end up at the side of the road with a flat tire? Is it advisable to carry pump, spare tube etc or hope for a bit of support if it all goes wrong (I know just writing this is akin to sticking a poker in the p fairie's eye, but having ridden a pair of the mighty Continental GP 4 Seasons all winter without a single, errr, loss of air, I'm tempted to leave the pump and spare tube at home)

    Any advice would be much appreciated as I'm getting quite scared now!

    Cheers

    Was thinking the same thing about the helmet. I can't remember if people tooke them off for the Hautacam last year, but then heat wasn't an issue. What's the worst that can happen on a closed road at errr 5kph! I can't see anyone having a go at us if we take them off. It's France after all, not known for their rule following.

    Would strongly advise a small saddle pack with a couple of tubes, multitool and a mini CO2 pump (quick and good psi).

    Don't change tyres or tubes or anything for that matter within the last couple of weeks. I'm thinking most of those that puncture early have badly seated new tubes/tyres (some will simply be unlucky).
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
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  • SunWuKong
    SunWuKong Posts: 364
    I'm sure in the notes you get it says to take 2 spares tubes. Make sure f you get Co2 you can get the canisters to France or you buy them there. Last year a lady in front of at the over size luggage area had to open her bike box and remove the canisters. Luckily for me they didn't see mine. There were loads of punctures last year but the rain must have played a part in that.

    As for the helmet I have seen several people being told to put their helmets back on, on climbs by marshals. Not sure if that was true on Alpe d'Huez, but I can't remember much about that climb at all.
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    Instructions for last year were that riders carry a pump and two spare tubes. Guess it's the same this time.

    We hit Hautacam with 150kms and Tourmalet in the legs and it was ok.

    If a little slow and ploddy.
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    Ventoux is signifcantly harder than Hautacam. Hautacam has its steep moments but with ramps and flat bits, Ventoux is consistently hard from St Esteve all the way up, except for a brief rest by Chalet Reynard. Much will depend on the weather, it could be >30oC on the way up. Scorchio!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
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  • freddy2
    freddy2 Posts: 30
    Itinery now posted

    http://www.letapedutour.com/2009/ETDT/p ... eraire.htm

    11 hours to complete (including time lost at the start). They allow three hours to climb Ventoux for slower riders like me. Climbed it last week in 2.5 hours and that was without nearly 100 miles in my legs beforehand. It is going to be tough.
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    phips wrote:
    Yup, totally agree. Having ridden them both, and the Galibier and Alpe d'Huez, I reckon Ventoux is the hardest out of the lot. d'Huez close for starters, but nowhere near as long.
    I agree, although the Galibier is a bit mental once you get beyond Plan Lachat. The steepest part of the Alpe is the long ramp to the first hairpin bend, then things ease up a bit. But Ventoux is steeper than this first ramp and continues like this all the way up, without even a hairpin bend for you to ease up. The only consolation is the forest, you can get some shade.
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    THIS is how you race up Ventoux with 150kms in your legs:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q38Gyjv4EE

    I thought it was speeded up at first. It isn't :(
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    Dombo6 wrote:
    THIS is how you race up Ventoux with 150kms in your legs:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q38Gyjv4EE

    I thought it was speeded up at first. It isn't :(
    It is speeded up, but by the production duo of Ferrari and Conconi :wink:
  • TheStone
    TheStone Posts: 2,291
    freddy2 wrote:
    Itinery now posted

    http://www.letapedutour.com/2009/ETDT/p ... eraire.htm

    11 hours to complete (including time lost at the start). They allow three hours to climb Ventoux for slower riders like me. Climbed it last week in 2.5 hours and that was without nearly 100 miles in my legs beforehand. It is going to be tough.

    Nice find.

    10h55 is quite good. Should be at least 10h30 for most riders. Personally I'd like to have more than 3 hours spare when I get to Ventoux. (took me 2h30 a few years back on it's own - wasn't too fit at the time).
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  • skiingsimon
    skiingsimon Posts: 18
    Great to see the itinerary. Makes it all seem real now! My hands are shaking and my stomach is grumbling - excitement or nerves, I'm not sure. God knows how I'll feel on the day?!
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    You'll feel excited at riding a TdF mountain stage with 9,000 other riders.
    Your heart rate will look like it's off the scale for the first 10-15 minutes until you settle into a rhythm. Crowds will be out in force to cheer you on your way, especially on the hills. Their enthusiasm will urge you on. You will ride faster than you ever thought possible, and when it's all over you'll feel relieved, exhausted, elated at what you have achieved.
    Enjoy it. It's a great day out on the bike.
  • TheStone
    TheStone Posts: 2,291 
                 Distance                   Time          Speed
             Total  Sect  Climb  Cutoff Total  Sect   Total Sect

MONTELIMAR     0.0   0.0         07:25  00:00  
COTE CITELLE  13.1  13.1   220   08:15  00:50  00:50  15.7  15.7
NYONS         44.7  31.6   120   09:27  02:02  01:12  22.0  26.3
COL D'EYE     70.5  25.8   420   11:00  03:35  01:33  19.7  16.6
F1            78.3   7.8     0   11:13  03:48  00:13  20.6  36.0
COL FONTAUBE  92.0  13.7   300   12:10  04:45  00:57  19.4  14.4
SAULT E1     115.0  23.0   180   13:00  05:35  00:50  20.6  27.6
COL ABEILLES 126.7  11.7   270   14:00  06:35  01:00  19.2  11.7
BEDOIN F2/E2 150.1  23.4     0   14:55  07:30  00:55  20.0  25.5
REYNARD F3   166.0  15.9  1030   16:55  09:30  02:00  17.5   8.0
VENTOUX      172.1   6.1   600   17:55  10:30  01:00  16.4   6.1

    F1 = Feed 1, E1 = Elimination 1 etc
    Climbing is just my estimate - about 3200m in total?
    Based on getting past the start within 25mins.

    Doesn't look so bad when broken down.
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  • popette
    popette Posts: 2,089
    6461 and I was convinced I was going to get a brilliant number like last time.

    thanks for that breakdown TheStone - it seems quite doable when you look at the data. I'm going to use that info and a profile and craig's water info to make myself a little card for on the day with all the vital info.

    I'm not on my usual PC so can't check my mileage but I think its just under 2000 miles for the year so far. I've done 5 sportives so far this year too. I have two more confirmed before Etape - polka dot this weekend and three counties challenge (2 wks before). I might squeeze one more in - we'll see.

    i'm also nicely nervous :)
    http://www.2010etape.blogspot.com
  • crown_jewel
    crown_jewel Posts: 545
    That's almost exactly the number I had last year, Popette. You will be fine, no problem. Good luck.
  • Datameister
    Datameister Posts: 33
    Most pens emptied in about 2-3 minutes last year, so being in pen 6 (at the front) should mean a delay of about 15 minutes, and looking at the breakdown you should be fine as long as you can avoid any crush on the first climb of the day.

    Perhaps more usefully, and if you are anorak enough, you now have a detailed itinerary, which will allow you to plot an accurate route in MayMyRide. Once that is done, you can output a detailed file of altitudes (I recall it was at 300m distance intervals) which will allow you to see the gradient of each small section, and do a "what if" speed analysis. That will allow you to "prove" how long each bit will take, and that you will never see the broom wagon. Thus you can 'relax' and enjoy your etape (at least thats what I told myself last year)

    Seriously though, that type of analysis will stop you killing yourself by going too fast where you don't need to (again, that's what worked for me and I was 66% heavier than many TdF riders, but still got round)
  • crown_jewel
    crown_jewel Posts: 545
    I agree completely with Datameister. I was worried about my number last year and went out hotter than I should have or needed to.

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