Etape 2009
Comments
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does anyone know if it is possible to use someone else's place where they are not able to compete i.e. are the numbers transferable or do competitors have to show their identification when they register on the day itself0
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Number 30 - Chris Boardman
He mentioned he was climbing Ventoux while covering yesterday's TT. I wonder if they'll do a piece on it for the ITV coverage? They've done it in the past, but I didn't see anything last year.
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Some more numbers I spotted;
2- Laurent Brochard
5 - Alain Prost
8 - Cedric Vasseur
19 - Ukyo Katayama (ex F1)
402 - Dermot Murnaghan
57 - Florian Rousseau
7218 - James Cracknell0 -
two weeks!
we must be able to get a long range weather forecast now? Anyone know of a good site for France?
Feeling a little better now. I missed the 3 counties but did a short ride around home. Felt pretty good. Just trying to take it easy, eat good food, drink lots, not do too much housework (any excuse) and get completely recovered.
Who got butterflies watching le tour yesterday???0 -
Closest I can find is Carpentras. Weather looks good, but fairly meaningless this far out:
http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/eur ... ionID=17080 -
You could try www.meteo.fr but at the moment you are too far out to see what the weather is like. The Observer ran a feature on Sunday and it was 42 deg C on the slopes!. We were in the Alps last week and in the valleys it was approx 30deg C. the 50km climb of the Iseran from Bourg was thirsty work and the Beaufort > Albertville road was like a hot air hand dryer aimed at you. Remember every village has a fountain where you can fill up (it will generally say 'eau potable') so take every opportunity to do so. You can even duck your head in the trough as I did on the Madeleine. Pour water on your neck and body to lower your core temp if getting too hot (remember those fountains)M.Rushton0
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I was thinking of taking some "Magicool" to spray over myself!
Anyone got any idea when we'll know what the standard times are :?:0 -
The Observer ran a piece on the Ventoux in terms of cycling or in general? If it was cycling specific did they say anything of value or was it more of a newbie pitch?When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.0
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So there is - my husband bought the observer for the free spanish cd!
Online version here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/j ... -de-france
going off to read it now0 -
So what does everyone carry on the day. Here is my list
Lightweight waterproof.
Arm warmers
Small suncream
2 inner tubes, levers, glue and patches
Chain and spoke tools.
Pump
Credit card and Euros.
6 energy bars, 8 gels and 4 energy drink refills.
Throwaway camera.
L'Etape number #8286
Cheers
Joe0 -
Waterproof
Inner tubes x2
Chain tool
Egg & Cress sandwiches (2 rounds)
Energy Bars
Thermos Flask warm tea
Tartan Blanket
Elastoplast (x2)
Dr Pangloss's Patented anti chaffe cream
Condoms (x2)
Euro's
Euro plug 2-pin adapter0 -
http://www.meteogroup.co.uk/uk/home/wea ... static_pi1[cityIDuse]=33X2655&tx_mgcityweatherstatic_pi1[t]=14
Looks hot, but at present the forecast is a touch cooler than next week.If I can feel the pain in my arse, I mustn't be hurting my legs enough.0 -
popette wrote:Sparklehorse wrote:
On a different note, is there any sense in having the route in a garmin - Im thinking of leaving mine behind as I can't believe there will be any point at which I am lost! Guessing it the route will be blindlingly obvious - especially with thousands of others to follow.
I prepared a route for my Garmin - it's not about avoiding getting lost (who could?) but I have put in coursepoints with information about where I need to be and when. Feed stops, elimination points etc. The profile view might also come in handy if I'm getting desperate and want to see how much longer I've got to go on a climb.
I did the Marmotte last week with a Garmin, for the same sort of reasons as you. I found it really helpful to switch the screen on the climbs so it just showed time elapsed for the climb itself and the elevation. I could then work out how much more height I had to gain before each summit. For me, it was much more motivating to think in terms of height and total time on each climb than in terms of how far I had travelled up each climb - the latter didn't seem to count down as quickly as I would have liked!
I also set the total time elapsed counter so that it didn't auto-stop when I was in the feed stops - that way it gave me a constant nag to stay above my target time!0 -
chris2109 wrote:does anyone know if it is possible to use someone else's place where they are not able to compete i.e. are the numbers transferable or do competitors have to show their identification when they register on the day itself
Last year at Pau we had to show passports as ID when we collected our transponders. These were already programmed with our names. Numbers may be transferable though - check with the organisers0 -
topcattim wrote:popette wrote:Sparklehorse wrote:
On a different note, is there any sense in having the route in a garmin - Im thinking of leaving mine behind as I can't believe there will be any point at which I am lost! Guessing it the route will be blindlingly obvious - especially with thousands of others to follow.
I prepared a route for my Garmin - it's not about avoiding getting lost (who could?) but I have put in coursepoints with information about where I need to be and when. Feed stops, elimination points etc. The profile view might also come in handy if I'm getting desperate and want to see how much longer I've got to go on a climb.
I did the Marmotte last week with a Garmin, for the same sort of reasons as you. I found it really helpful to switch the screen on the climbs so it just showed time elapsed for the climb itself and the elevation. I could then work out how much more height I had to gain before each summit. For me, it was much more motivating to think in terms of height and total time on each climb than in terms of how far I had travelled up each climb - the latter didn't seem to count down as quickly as I would have liked!
I also set the total time elapsed counter so that it didn't auto-stop when I was in the feed stops - that way it gave me a constant nag to stay above my target time!
did you press your lap button at the start of each climb then? or did you have this programmed in somehow?0 -
popette wrote:topcattim wrote:popette wrote:Sparklehorse wrote:
On a different note, is there any sense in having the route in a garmin - Im thinking of leaving mine behind as I can't believe there will be any point at which I am lost! Guessing it the route will be blindlingly obvious - especially with thousands of others to follow.
I prepared a route for my Garmin - it's not about avoiding getting lost (who could?) but I have put in coursepoints with information about where I need to be and when. Feed stops, elimination points etc. The profile view might also come in handy if I'm getting desperate and want to see how much longer I've got to go on a climb.
I did the Marmotte last week with a Garmin, for the same sort of reasons as you. I found it really helpful to switch the screen on the climbs so it just showed time elapsed for the climb itself and the elevation. I could then work out how much more height I had to gain before each summit. For me, it was much more motivating to think in terms of height and total time on each climb than in terms of how far I had travelled up each climb - the latter didn't seem to count down as quickly as I would have liked!
I also set the total time elapsed counter so that it didn't auto-stop when I was in the feed stops - that way it gave me a constant nag to stay above my target time!
did you press your lap button at the start of each climb then? or did you have this programmed in somehow?
well, it was a borrowed Garmin, and I'm not an expert in it, so what I did was simply reset my ordinary bike computer at the start of each climb. But as you say, it must be possible to reset the lap button at the foot of each climb, but I didn't know how to do that.0 -
With things to take with you just a note on the numbers. They are very sticky and lots of people have found it very difficult to get the glue off afterwards. I always use safety pins for mine.
Sparkelhorse I hope you have a wicker basket for that lot, much easier than putting it all in your pockets.0 -
Does anyone know what is provided at the feedstops? Specifically, do they give you Hi5 or some equivalent, or only water? Definitely don't want to go low on electrolyte0
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Does anyone know of any transport off Ventoux ? Either trains or buses ? Trying to get back to Orange but can't seem to find any. Would you need to go into Bedoin ?
Thanks.....0 -
Waterproof
Inner tubes x2
Chain tool
Egg & Cress sandwiches (2 rounds)
Energy Bars
Thermos Flask warm tea
Tartan Blanket
Elastoplast (x2)
Dr Pangloss's Patented anti chaffe cream
Condoms (x2)
Euro's
Euro plug 2-pin adapter
:shock:0 -
Your bike?whiteboytrash wrote:Does anyone know of any transport off Ventoux ? Either trains or buses ? Trying to get back to Orange but can't seem to find any. Would you need to go into Bedoin ?
Thanks.....
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you just ride to the finish - same as it was in 2000 (no i'm not showing off, i'm just old)
unless you practice bikram yoga forget the arm warmers and shell jacket unless it's pluie or ciel nuageux or orages in the forecast. the last 3 french sportives have been so fricken hot..this is south of france in pleine ete, not yorkshire in march! on second thought, if you're a 70's scouserbring the shell jacket
forget the chain tool unless you break a LOT of chains, this isn't mountainbiking. if you're really worried, ease up a little when you upshift front or back
ok - saved you 400 grams so far...next....
kill the thermos flask unless you plan on enjoying it in the ...gulp....broom wagon. i know i know, what about the fatwa...but had to say it
tartan blanket, i think for the heat a 100% lambswool might be a bit stuffy, if you have a nice light cashmere number that might be more suitable. come to think of it, you can ditch the jimmy hats and just cut strips off the blanket. as recently as WWI we used sheep intestines as protection...
if you bring the 2 pin adaptor you might as well bring 170 kms of extension cord otherwise the portable TV will run out of juice. it's a rest day in tour anyway so between 7 am and 2 pm there isn't a heck of a lot on french TV anyway, so i guess you'll be taking a travel DVD player to enjoy "a day in hell"
enjoyWhen a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.0 -
SunWuKong wrote:just a note on the numbers. They are very sticky and lots of people have found it very difficult to get the glue off afterwards.
Good point, well made. The only thing the glue DOESN'T stick to is the number itself, which rapidly falls off forming a skid hazard for those behind. The glue remains stuck to your (best) jersey for at least 6 manual washes and beyond. Take the safety pin option.
Good luck all, I am officially now holidaying at Camp Envious!0 -
there is a guy on the Beginners board attempting Mt.Ventoux tomorrow:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... sc&start=00 -
Co-sponsor is a sports drink company, Fenioux, so you'll be ok. But don't over-hype things, a bottle of water and a banana or slice of orange should restore your missing minerals.RR75 wrote:Does anyone know what is provided at the feedstops? Specifically, do they give you Hi5 or some equivalent, or only water? Definitely don't want to go low on electrolyte0 -
joesteve wrote:So what does everyone carry on the day. Here is my list
Lightweight waterproof.
Arm warmers
Small suncream
2 inner tubes, levers, glue and patches
Chain and spoke tools.
Pump
Credit card and Euros.
6 energy bars, 8 gels and 4 energy drink refills.
Throwaway camera.
I divide into three:
1. On the bike:
Two bottles*
Pump
2. Saddle bag (tiny Specialized job)
Chain tool
Spare "magic" link
Tyre levers (x2)
Allen keys
Patches
Spare tube (poss x2 on the day - not decided)
3. Jersey pockets:
Inhaler
Phone
Credit card - those Mavic repair boys will take Visa!
Cash (note)
CO2 inflator + 2 cannisters
Energy drink powder (bagged)*
Gels*
Bars*
Unless the weather forecast is that it will be bad from the outset, I'll be doing as I did in 2007: sunscreen on before départ and no extra clothes.
*My significant other will be "watching" in Bedoin, and she have spares for me to stock up with before hitting Ventoux. She'll also have clothes (gilet/jacket/arm warmers) if I need any of them for the Géant.0 -
Talking of spectators, I have my family coming out with me for the Etape and I was wondering what the best point for them to watch. Obviously on the side of Ventoux would be great, but does anyone know of the logistics behind it? If you drive up the mountain in the morning before the road is closed and park on the side of the hill, then I assume that you have to wait until the road reopens at six. Another idea I had would be to drive up one of the other routes not being used on the ride and park at the Ski station.
Does anyone have any info on whats best0 -
My better half is spectating.
Our plan is for her to park up on the outskirts of Bedoin, see me pass there and then drive back round the other way for us to meet up at the finish village.
I reckon trying the other approaches for a position on Ventoux may prove tricky to get back round to the finishing village if that's what you have in mind. At least from Bedoin she's got the couple of hours it'll take me to get up Ventoux to work her way round to the finish village.0 -
TomF wrote:joesteve wrote:
*My significant other will be "watching" in Bedoin, and she have spares for me to stock up with before hitting Ventoux. She'll also have clothes (gilet/jacket/arm warmers) if I need any of them for the Géant.
Sounds like a cunning plan...but how can you guarantee seeing each other? I might do the same with mine.0 -
BMCCbry wrote:TomF wrote:joesteve wrote:
*My significant other will be "watching" in Bedoin, and she have spares for me to stock up with before hitting Ventoux. She'll also have clothes (gilet/jacket/arm warmers) if I need any of them for the Géant.
Sounds like a cunning plan...but how can you guarantee seeing each other? I might do the same with mine.
had a similar thought with mine too. He's doing Ventoux the day before so we could drive to Bedoin and try to pick the spot. I might have to bring the blow up banana so he can wave it about - he could be doing that for a few hours though. Yehhh, great idea - he's bound to go for it
Anyone know how much hair weighs?0
