Etape 2009
Comments
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LikeUStoleIt wrote:Hi all.
first post here, but this thread has made great reading, so thanks to everyone for some great advice for a first time l'etape-er.
i have seen lots of posts about people swapping places over to others.
how easy is it to do this? do they check for photo ID at registration?
i ask because we now have one spare place after a drop-out from our group.
thanks for any help!
I anticipate issues. Sport Communication are very clear on their website that places are non transferable and non refundable. They specifically warn about this. An incident involving a non-insured rider impersonating another would likely get complicated I suspect.
Apparently you need photo id to get your transponder, but I'm not 100% on that.
So, if you get by that part and don't crash into anyone, you should be ok.0 -
Hi - just received an email update from Etape du Tour/Mondovelo about various things.
Nothing too exciting I thought, except apparently water will only be available at the feed stations in bottles of 1.5 litres, so you can fill your bidons but will need to dispose of the bottle at the feed station. Appears litter has been an issue, and the future of the event is at stake ...
I guess you'll all get this email eventually but thought I'd post as the email is in French and the water bit is tucked away at the bottom. It's my first Etape so I'm not sure, but this seems like a bit of an inconvenience; unscrewing bottle tops pouring one to the other etc not what I'd have chosen to do at an already busy feed station. Much easier either to scoff a smaller bottle there and then, or part scoff and take the rest with you.0 -
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The 1.5 litre bottles may make it a bit quicker to get hold of.
With the heat as it is I am thinking of carrying a 3rd bottle in my pocket. I know it will be early in the morning, which will help, but it is 76km to the first feed station, after that the water stations appear at regular intervals, 37km, 35km and the 16km from Bedoin to CR.
I reckon we will be glad to throw the balance of the bottle over the head anyway!0 -
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Is anyone considering riding tubs?0
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Just got the Cyclefit powerpoint pack on tips for the etape. I'll try to paste the actual link from the mail but I'm not sure if it will work:
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102638259891& ... tRS3yUwQ==
Reader Warning: I've realized with some of my posts that there are some touchy, "I know best" folks on the thread who prefer molly-coddling so please be warned there are some good old fashioned "don't be a ninny" lines from Phil and Julian. Just warning those who like things suger-coated, don't want to get any noses out of joint :-)
Just put the finishing touches on the R3 SL on Sunday and did some pacing around Richmond park to get used to it. I'm breaking *ALL* race rules about riding what's proven but a crash at the Smithfield Nocturne put off it's completion for 2 weeks. I couldn't use my right shoulder to really yard on the BB tool.
Will also pay heavily for my "why bring a chain tool" stance - I unf cut the chain 1 link too short and will have to install 2x Sheit-mano HG pins and add the links back in. This is where it will break on the day, of course, as I shift from the 27 to the 30 while struggling in the pines towards the bottom of the climb.
From a pre-ride in June note that the Col d'Eye has a good 3 kms of 9% in the middle of it. The ND des Abeilles is similarly stepped - not easy but so long as you know it's coming it might be good to warm up the legs.
Talking of warm, it'll be hot hot hot but a 7 pm start should help the issue: http://www.meteorologic.net/meteo-franc ... date_get=7When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.0 -
Road Red wrote:I reckon we will be glad to throw the balance of the bottle over the head anyway!
Agreed! Latest forecasts are for 35C + which is a bit of an unknown quantity to me as far as riding up big hills is concerned, normally I'd run and hide from that kind of heat. I'd certainly prefer it cooler but will just have to cope with whatever it turns out to be
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Just want to get going now ...0 -
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phips wrote:Riding up thru the forest today in 35 degrees felt like I had a hose pipe stuck in my helmet - the sweat was just streaming off me.
Going to be a lot of molten people next Monday.
did you have anything under your helmet? cap or headband or something else?
What about gloves? My husband keeps going on about winter gloves required on Ventoux ( :roll: ) but I'm not going down that route. I had fingerless on the freezing polka dot and I'm sure in those temps you're mentioning, even if it's a bit chillier up top, I'm not going to need full fingers.0 -
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Popette - just read your blog - I am soooo with you on feeling under the weather - exactly the same symptoms - quite sure it's psychosomatic. But is has meant no training for nearly 4 days now and I might just rest completely now.0
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Sparklehorse wrote:Popette - just read your blog - I am soooo with you on feeling under the weather - exactly the same symptoms - quite sure it's psychosomatic. But is has meant no training for nearly 4 days now and I might just rest completely now.
Sparklehorse - I'm so glad that I'm not alone in this. my voice is almost going - kids are driving me nuts and when I raise my voice, it hurts. I'm taking all manner of supplements, resting in the day, going to bed early, sleeping at the weekend, not doing housework etc etc Missed my ride today as I thought it would be better to rest up.
Before a few events, I've had sore throats - I'm sure that it's psychological. Actually, just before my cardioversion I had a really bad sore throat, which meant they had to delay it for a week. Can stress bring on a sore throat? Having said that - I was coughing up chunks of crap today so there is something there more than just me imagining it.
I've got a really important pre-etape job to do tonight - filing my nails right down (in case of punctures & weight saving) and building a subtle golden tan 0 -
Nearly time for me to leave for France (train crossing on Weds and first stop is Arras).
See you all there..!0 -
Caught me out....
...but you're checking on here too.0 -
Before a few events, I've had sore throats - I'm sure that it's psychological. Actually, just before my cardioversion I had a really bad sore throat, which meant they had to delay it for a week. Can stress bring on a sore throat? Having said that - I was coughing up chunks of crap today so there is something there more than just me imagining it.
I've got a really important pre-etape job to do tonight - filing my nails right down (in case of punctures & weight saving) and building a subtle golden tan
I shouldn't worry Popette it's probably just.......ARRRGHHH SWINE FLUUUUU!!!!!!! ARRGHHHHH!!!! PANNNIICCCC!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, sorry, just my little joke
A nice tan and I'm sure you'll be feeling right as rain - Vitamin D and all that. I'll tell you what would take your mind off things - how bout making another of those nice Etape profile diagrams - only this time in miles. That'd suit me nicely. I would do it myself but I'm far too busy
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Good luck to all taking part - I really wish I was joining you but I promised my better half I would leave this year out after taking part last year (before i knew it was the Ventoux :roll: ).
Last year was my first Etape and I well remember the excitement (and it was excitement, not nerves) building up in the final few days before leaving the UK.
No point worrying about the prep now. Whats done is done - enjoy the whole experience as much as you can. I watched the Tour on Sunday ride over the Tourmalet and the memories as so vivid a full year later (ironic really, given how dull the weather was on the Etape last year).
Get plenty of sleep over the next few days if you can - you will not sleep much the night before
I look forward to the ride reports this time next week
Rich0 -
I've had a sore throat too for the last six mornings. Been taking things quite easy.
When is everyone off to France? We are going over on Thursday. I was thinking of riding up the Ventoux on Friday, which would give me two days to spin gently/recover before Monday. Don't know if this is madness but think the psychological benefits might outweigh any physical disadvantages.
Anyway, let's all think positive! Hopefully we'll be rid of our sore throats this time next week and we'll be able to enjoy the event.
Thanks for the graph, Popette - I've printed it off and will have it with me.0 -
BMCCbry wrote:When is everyone off to France?
I'm driving down, catching the ferry on Thursday lunchtime, stopping overnight and arriving at my digs Friday evening after a leisurely drive down the A7, if such a thing is possible.
It crossed my mind to tackle the Ventoux on the weekend but decided against it. I did a very hard 40 mile ride over some North York Moors climbs last weekend and I'm going to stick with that for psychological succour; there's nothing on the Ventoux as steep as Rosedale Chimney or the climb out of Castleton to the A171 and I held it together over these climbs better than I ever have.
Besides, with the heat that's anticipated I'd rather not have to deal with the inevitable hydration issues just 2 days before. It's all about rest, eating and drinking for me now and just a couple of very short run outs to keep things ticking over.0 -
Sparklehorse wrote:
I shouldn't worry Popette it's probably just.......ARRRGHHH SWINE FLUUUUU!!!!!!! ARRGHHHHH!!!! PANNNIICCCC!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, sorry, just my little joke
It's no f**king joke when you've been suffering with it for the past week! :shock:
Hopefully I'll have recovered in time for next Monday.0 -
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Heading out Friday - School breaks up half day, so mad dash down to evening ferry, then overnight in Motel near Dunkerque. Blat down to Montelimar Saturday, hopefully arrive in time to register then so can have Sunday to have a spin and mooch around the stalls etc (and eat LOTS of nougat). Maybe drive down to the Geant either Saturday evening/sunday morning.
Anti-hystermines and sudafed seem to be getting my throat/chest clear. Had good rides over the weekend, might throw together one or two climbs out of Bollington in tonight just to check :?
Can't do any more now, just. as was said earlier, eat, drink and rest. Shouldn't be too difficult - Bastille day dinner at school tonight, end of year sports presentation dinner tomorrow then Thursday is leavers dinner for retiring staff! Hmmmm,when does carbo-loading become gluttony? :oops:
Any advice on painting on roads btw???If I can feel the pain in my arse, I mustn't be hurting my legs enough.0 -
Make sure you all go for a ride when you get there. Just a short spin in warm weather will open up the sweat glands a bit and ensure your legs are supple.
It's not legal... so do it at night.altyteacher wrote:Any advice on painting on roads btw???
Like any decorating, aim for a fine thin coat, don't slap on the paint. This way it dries fast, pouring the paint on the road will only see passing traffic make a mess of it all.0 -
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Hope all you ill people are feeling better today!
My other half is coming to watch - any thoughts on parking the hire car at Mont Serein then walking up to the finish? I suspect parking and traffic will be a shocker - how long should she allow?
Thanks0 -
I watched the Cyclefilm Road to Ventoux last night and couldnt help feeling one of the biggest problems is going to be avoiding crashing into people. A lot of the roads looked quite narrow. Some of the towns looked pretty hazardous with some very narrow roads, lots of speed bumps, the odd roundabout and some sharp turns.
Anyone any advice. Is there a general stick to the right unless you are overtaking or is it just a free for all?0 -
RR75 wrote:My other half is coming to watch - any thoughts on parking the hire car at Mont Serein then walking up to the finish? I suspect parking and traffic will be a shocker - how long should she allow?
The latest email update covers this ... its 6km from Mt Serein to the summit so depends how fast she can walk uphill. That's always assuming that she can get parked at Mont Serein which I think will be difficult.
Apparently there is space at Mont Serein for 400-500 vehicles and so they are going to allow parking on the descent to Malaucene, but the car must be facing downhill to facilitate exit. I guess there'll be a parking guy on the hill making sure everyone complies!0 -
joesteve wrote:Anyone any advice. Is there a general stick to the right unless you are overtaking or is it just a free for all?
I'd say the chances of getting 8000+ Frenchmen (oops, French people) to stick to the right unless overtaking are about the same as getting 8 of them to form an orderly queue at a bus stop. Vanishingly close to zero. Add in all us foreigners and there's even less chance of a shared vision of road usage.
I'm anticipating an every man/woman for themselves scenario. They'll be coming from all angles, unless you're always the one on the extreme right hand side which is my working plan but we'll see how it goes.0
