Silly Commuter Sportives

itboffin

Just completed the New Forest tour, beautiful day but killer windy blowing in all directions but behind, good to be in the company of Attica again, all round a most enjoyable day, bar the wind of course.

150km in 5hrs 16min moving time, so lots more speed to be had next time, wind permitting.

Did I mention the wind?

ketsbaia

Marmotte. Phew. Bit tricky that one, eh? Bimbled around in 12h 14m. Could probably have gone quicker, but was too busy admiring the view.

Managed the Glandon and Telegraphe in one go (save a dropped gilet on the 'ramp' of the Glandon, which doesn't really count as a stop in my book). Needed a comfort break at Plan Lachat on the Galibier and had two small breaks on the Alpe, including at the water stop where the hosing down was extremely welcome.

Great day out and a fantastic event, despite what the Sammy Sanchez wannabes are saying over in the Road section of this here forum. Will I do it again next year? Not sure. If you'd have asked me halfway up the Galibier, I'd have told you to do one. Having finished it, I'm sort of considering doing it again to post a proper time.

Hope everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did.

Edit: Just checked the official timing and apparently I did it in 11h 20m. So much for my cheap cycle computer!!!

jonginge

Just got back from a few days easy cycling in the alps. Hang on, no, that's not right, the Marmotte was extremely tough.

Felt really good to start with but took it steady on the valley road and up the Glandon. The descent off the Glandon was a blast. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

It all started to go wrong on the valley road towards the Telegraphe. Chris and I (and a Dulwich Paragon rider) found ourselves towing a large group who didn't do any work into the headwind. Grrr.

Then my legs started to complain and some inner-thigh muscles started to cramp a bit. I don't normally get that and I'd been drinking and eating quite a bit on the ride. I'm just not used to 35+degree heat!

The climb up the Telegraphe was ok but there was not much shade by that point. The feed zones at the top and at Valloire were much needed.

Then began the Galibier. 17k of purgatory. I couldn't get out of the saddle because my legs were threatening to cramp whenever I did so. Had one full right thigh lock with about 6km to the summit. I stopped to sort it and after about 20seconds stationary someone crashed into the back of me *sigh*. Pushed on to the top, grinding away and was very relieved to hit the summit at 2619m altitude. Probably stayed too long at the feed zone there but it was needed.

The descent off the Galibier and the Lauteret is, on fresh legs, a stunner but I just had no force and accelerating out of corners was impossible. We missed hooking up with a good few groups of riders, which would have been invaluable for the valley road into a headwind on the way to bourg.

We stopped again at the feed zone at the foot of the Alpe, getting gels, bananas and coke down. Didn't help much.

The Alpe was a furnace. High thirties centigrade and little shade. The sun's warmth reflected off the tarmac and the stone walls and it was almost unbearable. The hosepipe rigged over the road by one resident (in La Garde, I think) was great. All water was gratefully received. The water stop at Huez was interesting. Chris had a bit of a meltdown and shed helmet and base layer. I had a leg-calf cramp which eased when one of the Army guys dumped a bottle of water over it (will remember that one).

We pushed on to the top, our speed rarely troubling 7mph, and were briefly cheered when we spotted our Kingston Wheelers support crew at 4km to go. I was in a bad place: I couldn't push to hard or my hamstrings threatened to cramp; out of the saddle my thighs and if I eased it was my calves. I just had to keep a steady tempo. Consequently, the last 10% ramp up into the town was actually easier than the 'flat' run into the finish.

CJ and I did most of the ride together helping each other through the rough times. We clocked a not too bad long 8hr35mins, which was just good enough for gold

I am officially wrecked. Stupid 60 miles of cramp!

There's already talk of next year...

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/39233855

jonginge

ketsbaia wrote:

Marmotte. Phew. Bit tricky that one, eh? Bimbled around in 12h 14m. Could probably have gone quicker, but was too busy admiring the view.

Managed the Glandon and Telegraphe in one go (save a dropped gilet on the 'ramp' of the Glandon, which doesn't really count as a stop in my book). Needed a comfort break at Plan Lachat on the Galibier and had two small breaks on the Alpe, including at the water stop where the hosing down was extremely welcome.

Great day out and a fantastic event, despite what the Sammy Sanchez wannabes are saying over in the Road section of this here forum. Will I do it again next year? Not sure. If you'd have asked me halfway up the Galibier, I'd have told you to do one. Having finished it, I'm sort of considering doing it again to post a proper time.

Hope everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did.

Edit: Just checked the official timing and apparently I did it in 11h 20m. So much for my cheap cycle computer!!!

Chapeau, sir!

The timings are a bit odd coz the descent off the Glandon was, officially, neutralized so they took the time off between the mats at the col and the foot of the descent.

Yeah, the "Sammy Sanchez" over on road is annoying. If he was fast enough he would have been in the early start group and wouldn't have to ride with the brits

ketsbaia

Chapeau to you too, sir.

I know the timings are a bit off 'cos of the neutralisation, but it didn't take me 54 minutes to get to the bottom of the Glandon. I know that for certain. .

Still, first Alpine sportive and getting round in one piece was the aim.

Know what you mean about the furnace of the alp. It hadn't stopped baking by the time I got there. The water curtain at Garde was immense, as was the army guy at the water stop with the hose.

Did anyone else see the guy with one arm and one leg doing it? Inspirational. I passed him on the way up the Glandon and gave him a bit of a tow at the bottom towards St Jean de Maurienne. The man's an absolute star.

Good to chat to a few people out on the road - all very friendly. Am also already talking about doing it next year. Clearly I've forgotten the pain of the Galibier.

Best bit was the view from near the top of the Telegraphe down into the valley below. Amazing to see how high you'd climbed.

Rich158

Chapeau guys, that's awesome. Reading the report I wish I was there to share the pain, next year then

jonginge

Rich158 wrote:

Chapeau guys, that's awesome. Reading the report I wish I was there to share the pain, next year then

You'd really enjoy it, I suspect

Despite my troubles, it was a great ride. The scenery is stunning on the ascents (when you drag your gaze up from 6ft in front of your bike) and the descents are 'awesome'. That word was said many times on the ride

londonlivvy

Sounds like quite a day! Well done to all of you who finished it!!!


I think I may find myself doing the Vaujany / Marmotte combo next year...

jonginge

Just had another look at the photobreton pictures from the ride up Alpe d'Huez Chris and I did on Thursday. The marmotte pictures from saturday will be posted up on tuesday. I'll doubt we'll look so fresh

www.photobreton.com
CJ: AVXC8571
JG: SVXC0055

jonginge

londonlivvy wrote:

Sounds like quite a day! Well done to all of you who finished it!!!


I think I may find myself doing the Vaujany / Marmotte combo next year...

Doooooo eeeeeeeeet!

Looks like the Vaujany route goes past the hotel where we were staying. The roads over the col de Sarenne were freakingly steep and the surface was not great :shock:

Clever Pun

Rich158 wrote:

Chapeau guys, that's awesome. Reading the report I wish I was there to share the pain, next year then

See now reading that, while being very impressed.. when the goat is not troubling 7mph it just screams pain cave at me... good god no

suzyb

Chapeau to all who took part

bigmat

Clever Pun wrote:

Rich158 wrote:

Chapeau guys, that's awesome. Reading the report I wish I was there to share the pain, next year then

See now reading that, while being very impressed.. when the goat is not troubling 7mph it just screams pain cave at me... good god no

The worst bit is when you think "only 5 miles to go!" then realise that at the speed you're going, that's almost a whole hour of more pain.

Alps on Saturday for me, planning to do 300km / 7500km over 4 days, with a bit of le tour thrown in for good measure!

ketsbaia

JonGinge wrote:

The roads over the col de Sarenne were freakingly steep and the surface was not great :shock:

Was a bit rough, wasn't it? Had a quick leg-turner over there from Alpe d'Huez on the Friday and thought I'd stumbled across a mountain biking route. Good climb, though.

ketsbaia

*fear*

gabriel959

Hi guys,

Any of you doing the BikeRadar sportive this saturday? I know it doesn't compare to the Alps but I bet some of you Londoners might be riding it.

I am asking because I have lost my two clubmates for it and would like to ride it with someone else as 106 miles on your own can be painful!!!

Cheers

itboffin

Rich158 wrote:

Chapeau guys, that's awesome. Reading the report I wish I was there to share the pain, next year then

Have you forgotten about Sept....?

cjcp

JonGinge wrote:

Just had another look at the photobreton pictures from the ride up Alpe d'Huez Chris and I did on Thursday. The marmotte pictures from saturday will be posted up on tuesday. I'll doubt we'll look so fresh

www.photobreton.com
CJ: AVXC8575
JG: SVXC0055

Fixed that - that was a good ride; JG needed to calm me down a bit on the first couple of hairpins (see my sig.).

Anyhoo, awesome day .

Everything about it was such an amazing experience - the scenery, the atmosphere, the length and difficulty of the climbs, the descending, and even (in an incredibly perverse way) the oven-like temperatures on the Alpe.

Really, really enjoyed the climbs up the Glandon, Telegraphe and the Galibier (although the last couple of km of the latter were tough, tough, tough). Had a bit of an iffy stomach around Plan La Chat on the Galibier, but fortunately recovered.

The descent off the Glandon was just the absolute business. There was also a twisting descent in the middle of the climb (before it ramps up again), and got an odd look from a Dutch chap when I said, "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" on the way down it. .

Big thanks to the Dulwich Paragon rider for sharing the work on stretch to the Telegraphe. Shame that the others (in a big group) didn't do the same.

Descending the Galibier and then the Lautaret was an odd feeling, because it was getting gradually warmer. As a clubmate described it the night before, it was like easing your way into a hot bath - I was roasting by the time I'd reached the flat stretch into Bourg and to the Alpe.

Started the Alpe feeling ok-ish, but then the picture started to go a little fuzzy and the speed dropped.

"Meltdown" is an accurate description - I was suffering in the heat, so stopped to take off the summer base layer and helmet, take on more water and electrolytes and drench myself in water. I can't really remember where that was on the Alpe - the link between the eyes and brain was experiencing a disruption in service and the legs were feeling wobbly. But there was a soldier pouring water over people and the man deserves a medal.

Body temperature instantly felt better when we got going again - there seemed to be a bit of a breeze, but, as JG said, the speed rarely hit 7mph and it was tough going. Met up with another club mate and rode with him to the finish. One of the lads brought along his girlfiend and the cheer somewhere around 3km to go was much needed 8) .

Was a bit of a mess after crossing the finish line. Had to lie down in the shade for a while. A Dutch chap lying (not sitting) next to me was on the phone to his loved one saying, "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God."

Awesome event. Thoroughly recommend it.

Bassjunkieuk

Clever Pun wrote:

Rich158 wrote:

Chapeau guys, that's awesome. Reading the report I wish I was there to share the pain, next year then

See now reading that, while being very impressed.. when the goat is not troubling 7mph it just screams pain cave at me... good god no

+1

Well done for completing it guys but as CP says, if our resident ibex is having problems then it doesn't bode well for us mortals! Maybe one once the mini-BJUK's have flown the nest, or want to join me, I'll give it a crack :-)

Looking at that picture tho does make me want to hop on my bike!

cjcp

ketsbaia wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

The roads over the col de Sarenne were freakingly steep and the surface was not great :shock:

Was a bit rough, wasn't it? Had a quick leg-turner over there from Alpe d'Huez on the Friday and thought I'd stumbled across a mountain biking route. Good climb, though.

The Col de Sarenne was, um, an interesting drive. I chose not to go back that way...

rjsterry

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

Rich158 wrote:

Chapeau guys, that's awesome. Reading the report I wish I was there to share the pain, next year then

See now reading that, while being very impressed.. when the goat is not troubling 7mph it just screams pain cave at me... good god no

+1

Well done for completing it guys but as CP says, if our resident ibex is having problems then it doesn't bode well for us mortals! Maybe one once the mini-BJUK's have flown the nest, or want to join me, I'll give it a crack :-)

Looking at that picture tho does make me want to hop on my bike!

And another +1 from me as well. Rather wees all over my trip to Succomb's Hill that's for sure. Chapeau, chaps!

ketsbaia

I just remembered... the tunnel. :shock:

Anyone else get caught out going through that first tunnel on the Galibier descent with their sunglasses on? I have never been more scared in my entire life. I couldn't see where the middle of the road was, where the wall of the tunnel was or what the road condition was. I could feel the latter, though. Must have been doing about 35-40 mph at the time. May as well have had my eyes shut. Worst bit of the ride by a long chalk.

jonginge

ketsbaia wrote:

I just remembered... the tunnel. :shock:

Anyone else get caught out going through that first tunnel on the Galibier descent with their sunglasses on? I have never been more scared in my entire life. I couldn't see where the middle of the road was, where the wall of the tunnel was or what the road condition was. I could feel the latter, though. Must have been doing about 35-40 mph at the time. May as well have had my eyes shut. Worst bit of the ride by a long chalk.

Yeah, good to know about those in advance. Best to go primary through all of them. The first tunnel is dark but pretty short. The lower, larger ones have ped. footways which can be a bit hard to spot if you don't know they're there.

cjcp

ketsbaia wrote:

I just remembered... the tunnel. :shock:

Anyone else get caught out going through that first tunnel on the Galibier descent with their sunglasses on? I have never been more scared in my entire life. I couldn't see where the middle of the road was, where the wall of the tunnel was or what the road condition was. I could feel the latter, though. Must have been doing about 35-40 mph at the time. May as well have had my eyes shut. Worst bit of the ride by a long chalk.

Yeah, they weren't fun.

Fortunately, we did a reccie of the Galibier and the Lautaret in the car the day before as a club mate fancied a crack at the descent (me, not so much, so I did the driving ), so we had advance warning of the tunnels. Still very cautious through them.

Well done, btw. How are the legs feeling now? Did you buy one of those fluffy Marmotte toys? My kids loved them .

Canny Jock

gabriel959 wrote:

Hi guys,

Any of you doing the BikeRadar sportive this saturday? I know it doesn't compare to the Alps but I bet some of you Londoners might be riding it.

I am asking because I have lost my two clubmates for it and would like to ride it with someone else as 106 miles on your own can be painful!!!

Cheers

I am, but only doing the 70 miler. Not sure how the start times work? You probably wouldn't get much help by following me anyway :oops:

And can I add my congrats to the Marmotte crew - after practising up Exedown Hill recently and feeling the pain, I don't know how you do it!

PinkPedal

Well done Marmotteers!

I popped my sportive cherry on Sunday on the 100km Test Valley Tour Challenge. Great fun, if tough at times thanks to what seemed like a near constant headwind.

cjcp

PinkPedal wrote:

Great fun, if tough at times thanks to what seemed like a near constant headwind.

Hate. Headwinds. That's why a lot of the Belgies and Dutch riders are so friggin' strong!

PinkPedal

I tried to remain in the positive "think of it as extra training" frame of mind!

ketsbaia

cjcp wrote:

ketsbaia wrote:

I just remembered... the tunnel. :shock:

Anyone else get caught out going through that first tunnel on the Galibier descent with their sunglasses on? I have never been more scared in my entire life. I couldn't see where the middle of the road was, where the wall of the tunnel was or what the road condition was. I could feel the latter, though. Must have been doing about 35-40 mph at the time. May as well have had my eyes shut. Worst bit of the ride by a long chalk.

Yeah, they weren't fun.

Fortunately, we did a reccie of the Galibier and the Lautaret in the car the day before as a club mate fancied a crack at the descent (me, not so much, so I did the driving ), so we had advance warning of the tunnels. Still very cautious through them.

Well done, btw. How are the legs feeling now? Did you buy one of those fluffy Marmotte toys? My kids loved them .

Legs are fine, oddly enough. Was expecting them to have ceased working by now, but they feel way better than they did after the Magnificat. As does the aris'.

Didn't end up getting a Marmotte toy... went to l'Univers de Bonbon for the kids instead. I know, bad parent and that, but sweets are the only language they understand.

How you doing? Must be ruined after posting such a good time.

Jay dubbleU

Well done all - glad everyone made it in one piece 8)