Etape 2010
Comments
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Bib numbers starting to appear. They up to 5000 and I'm still not on!0
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Don't worry about the numbers yet. The fact that they are in the 5,000s doesn't matter. They are currently allocating all the French names, I presume these are all the Velo lottery winners.
It will probably be next week before thay start on the international names. They have a range of high and low numbers allocated to the authorised agents. That's not to say you will get a low number! I reckon the agents allocate them according to how much you spend. If you are on a package you have a better chance of a lower number than if you are entry only. La Fuga charge extra for lower numbers.0 -
Surista - just wondering how you managed to sign up for the shuttle service the day before, to take you back from the finish and into Pau? I need to do that too. Thanks!0
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Just wondering if anyone knows of a thread for Marmotte 2010.
Without wanting to sound negative, I am v keen to find out what the cut off time for the broomwagon is. Can't find on Marmotte website or any of blogs I've searched.
Any ideas?0 -
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Marmotte doesn't have a broomwagon. Instead the roads are opened but cars were not a problem. I did it last year and loved it.
Doing the Etape this year, third time, 07, 08.
Jan0 -
At the Marmotte they DO have a cutoff at the bottom of L'Alpe d'Huez though, they won't let you through after a certain time (can't remember when that was thiugh).0
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Just back from the Pyrenees and managed to take in the 3 climbs as well as a large part of the route. On the evidence of a couple of days this is going to be a very tough etape. Probably as difficult as my first one back in 2007 which had 5 serious climbs.
Marie Blanque is very tough for the last 4 kms and then followed by a tough last 12km on Soulor. Although the latter may not have the gradients of the first, they are consistently around 8-9%. That makes it a slog. Tourmalet speaks for itself but it was tough after a night’s rest never mind with nearly 100 miles and some serious climbs already in your legs and on what is a bit of an undulating course in between. It is going to be tough.
At long last I have finally got my bib number today. So to make matters worse I am in the 8500-9000 pen!0 -
Many other people had their numbers? - no sign of mine yet...0
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they don't seem to be in a rush to do the numbers. Is it always like this?0
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no sign of mine either. Not worried, but would be nice to know.0
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They are usually done by end of April so it is very slow this year. They have also normally published the route with cut off times by now but again.....0
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freddy also just back from the pyrenees and went up Marie Blanc twice, both sides of Tormalet and Solour...not all on the same day
gonna be a few shocks for people out there as there are a couple of steepish 2-3 mile climbs before anyone hits the first 'real' climb...and what a climb...Marie Blanc is the toughest of the 3...the last 4kms go something like 11%,12%,13%,12%...not nice..and quite enclosed so likely to be hot.
Solour is a lovely climb but will add to the tiredness before the big one....there's gonna be some carnage this year!!0 -
you were smiling when you wrote this, right ?
so you say there are a couple of climbs before we hit Marie Blanc ? (or did I read that wrong?)
4 miles of 12% sounds nasty, got to try and recover after that somehow.
is the 8500-9000 pen the last one to go ? so does that mean you'll have lots of riders in the way ?0 -
boondog yes I was smiling in a :twisted: sort of way
anyway, although we can't be sure we did the 'exact' route (as I don't believe the exact route has been announced yet) if you look at the course profile you will see some 'bumps' prior to Marie Blance....they almost get lost next to the 3 biggies but I can assure you that by UK standards they are proper 2-3 mile steepish hills!!
Marie Blanc is 12k long, the first 7-8k are fine, its the last 4k that is brutal.0 -
Didn't cycle what is being forecast as the first part of the ride but drove it. There are a couple of stiff climbs as onthefells says that will wake us all up from the slumber of what should be a mass group ride.
Nice descent after the first climb boondog so you can recover on that and prepare for the next climb! The 8500-9000 pen is the penultimate one I believe but either way loads and loads of others ahead of me.0 -
Numbers up !
4919. Better start training0 -
I've got a weeks training starting Sunday morning in the South of France
small 70km ride with +-2000m should hopefully get me into shape quickly, and hopefully do 2 loops of that before the end of my hols.
Bike/kit all packed up, ready for our train journey tomorrow. Now all I need is a number !
By the way, I'm dropping my car off and catching the shuttle back teh day before, but I wonder how my wife will get to the finish on race day ?(from Pau) , is anyone else in the same boat and can offer me advice on how she could get there ?0 -
boondog wrote:I've got a weeks training starting Sunday morning in the South of France
small 70km ride with +-2000m should hopefully get me into shape quickly, and hopefully do 2 loops of that before the end of my hols.
Bike/kit all packed up, ready for our train journey tomorrow. Now all I need is a number !
By the way, I'm dropping my car off and catching the shuttle back teh day before, but I wonder how my wife will get to the finish on race day ?(from Pau) , is anyone else in the same boat and can offer me advice on how she could get there ?
Yeah I am in the same boat. Sorry can not give any advice but was quoted 200 for a taxi!0 -
Just thought I'd add my name in the mix of entrants. New to sportives and this site so thought I'd get involved.0
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alp777 wrote:boondog wrote:From the finish line there is a shuttle to take you back to Pau, but this dosn't take bikes, how are others managing that ? do you drive there the day before, leave your car and take a shuttle back, leaving you able to drive back with your bike after the race ?
And how does the broom wagon work ?
That's what i will be doing. Driving to La Mongie the day before and getting the shuttle back. You do need a ticket for the shuttle though.
As the name suggests the broom wagon "sweeps" up those riders who don't maintain the minimum avg speed (i think), i would guess that would be around 12mph and also picks up those who have had mechanicals and cannot continue.
Be warned, the broom wagon sets off relative to the offical start time and it's average speed is based on that. If you're in pen 8,000 you'll be approximately 20-25 mins after the official off before you cross the start line, so the broom wagon will have gained that time on you before you even turn a pedal. Worth remembering if you are looking at the average speed on your own speedo timed from when you cross the start line because it won't be the same as the broom wagon's. I met a guy last year who didnt realise this and got swept up after about 50 miles when he thought he was a mile or so an hour faster than broom wagon and wasn't....
You will get details on the website nearer the time with cutoff points for the brrom wagon at various points on the course.0 -
I am trying to workout etape logistics and was wondering if anyone can help. Does anyone know if there is a shuttle bus from the end of the race back to Pau on race day?If not, I guess i need to hire a car and leave it there?0
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Newcrossroadie, no shuttle bus back to PAU on the day. Can make arrangements to leave car at finish day before and get coach back to start if this helps. More info
http://www.letapedutour.com/2010/ETDT/p ... vettes.htm0 -
Just got my number through, 6535 - could have been worse, I suppose as a first-time entrant...0
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Blimey, I thought the numbers only went up to 9,500...0
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I'm number 9690, not good!!
Still, could be worse, not sure how at the moment, but could be worse. Just means more training so I can speed past people on the mountains
Seriously, me thinks the Marie Blanque is going to be a bit of a log jam and being at the back means getting stuck there too. After the Marie Blanque things should spread out, or is that too much hoping?0 -
Looks like I've got lucky - Number 4754
I'm starting to get brown trousers now though!!
Let's see what happens at the Dragon this weekend :shock:0 -
Still no joy for me....
Dragon number didn't arrive yet either.
Starting to feel cursed.0 -
mabarbie wrote:I'm number 9690, not good!!
Still, could be worse, not sure how at the moment, but could be worse. Just means more training so I can speed past people on the mountains
Seriously, me thinks the Marie Blanque is going to be a bit of a log jam and being at the back means getting stuck there too. After the Marie Blanque things should spread out, or is that too much hoping?
If those who mention 3 hills beforehand are correct it may not be too bad. In 2005 there was a log jam on the first hill due to quite a narrow road. It meant everyone caught near the back had to walk for a bit with loads of people worried about the broom wagon. The Marie Blanque was busy with lots of walkers but as long as they stayed on the right it wasn't too bad.0
