Etape 2010
Comments
-
gumball3000 wrote:Ramping the training up to around 300 miles a week at the moment. Have struggled to get to any Sportives this year as work has got in the way. Seem to be going ok, but not as happy as I would like to be.
On the plus side, I finally got my number through. 935. Marvelous!
**********
Blimey, I'm doing half that milage and am about 7000 places behind you. I dont think I will be saying hello on the day.
Are all you etappers doing that sort of milage? My intention was to get round in a reasonable time and enjoy the day. Should I be worried about the amount of training I have done?
RobHills do make I sweat a lot0 -
Well I for one am not doing that mileage Rob. Around 450 miles per month. June has been a bit slow as I've felt a bit under the weather - only about 300 miles for the month so far.
I've done about 2000 miles this year.
I'm hoping to finish sub-9 hours, hoping for a silver (which for my sex/age is usually about 8hrs 45mins).
If you're doing around 600 a month (half of gumball3000) I would have thought that you would be quite comfortable on the day.0 -
Rob Somerset wrote:**********
Blimey, I'm doing half that milage and am about 7000 places behind you. I dont think I will be saying hello on the day.
Are all you etappers doing that sort of milage? My intention was to get round in a reasonable time and enjoy the day. Should I be worried about the amount of training I have done?
Rob
Are you worried about the amount of training you've done?
I'm currently doing about 200 miles a week minimum (including at least 1 100+ miler). I'm trying not to fatigue my legs too much, so tend to be doing 3-4 or so mid week rides, one of which is a recovery ride, one is hill repeats and one Lactic Threshold TT type ride on the flat.
I spent the winter training twice a day, 6 times a week so now it's just about getting technique, recovery times (on the bike) and pain threshold honed
I've got this weekend off the bike and then I'm going back to Wales to re-ride the Gran Fondo Dragon route on the 3rd of July, as it was so awesome.
I'll then have a fairly easy week, followed by one last killer ride the weekend before, before a week of total recovery leading to the Sunday of Doom...
Different people train in different ways and everyone has their own goal. Mine is to complete it but I wouldn't mind a time I'm happy with too
Bring it on...0 -
Blimey, I'm doing half that milage and am about 7000 places behind you. I dont think I will be saying hello on the day.
Are all you etappers doing that sort of milage? My intention was to get round in a reasonable time and enjoy the day. Should I be worried about the amount of training I have done?
Don't worry every year riders with different aims and targets for the day contribute to this forum and it is not always helpful to compare yourself with others, particularly if success for them is Silver or Gold standard times.
To get round reasonably comfortably ahead of the broom wagon has always been my target and 2010 is my 7th etape. Over the years it has become clear to me that to achieve this target I need to be riding around 100 miles weekly from January and that once I can do this at a speed of 25kph or 15mph for hilly UK 200k audaxes or 100 mile sportives (total time including all stops from start to finish) then I am somewhere near ready to achieve my goal.
If you are managing UK 100 mile sportive events at Silver standard then Etape survival is likely, this has not only worked for me but also for others in my group and hotels I have stayed at.0 -
Thanks to the last few posts following my worry post about not doing enough milage. My year hasnt gone as planned. The bad weather in the early months threw me a bit and I dont think I ever got back to my (imaginary) plan. Any way I think im in reasonable shape to complete the event. My milage is in the last few weeks is actaully around 170 a week. I intend to keep this going until the sunday 4 July. From then on work commitments away from home, followed by the drive to Pau will mean there will be little riding, so theres an enforced tail off to the event.Im not sure whether that good or not?
Popette - had a look at your blog, thats not your cycling kit you are wearing in the photo is it ?
RobHills do make I sweat a lot0 -
god, the thought of cycling in that corset and heels - I'd die! I think I'd get a few pushes up the cols though
0 -
Can't get the hang of this quote thing!!
But AlainR I'd be very worried if I were you. A whole weekend off the bike at this stage? I dont think you're taking this thing seriously at all!
As for me, well I've been between 150 and 200 miles a week for a month or more. have done five 100+ milers and wont be doing anymore. This weekend and next will be a 65 mile Sat and 50 on Sun. I intend to wind down for two weeks with reduced volume but maintaining intensity.
I reckon we are where we are now, just keep it ticking over.
Enjoy!0 -
Road Red wrote:But AlainR I'd be very worried if I were you. A whole weekend off the bike at this stage? I dont think you're taking this thing seriously at all!
I know!! I'm scared I will forget how to ride a bike
This weekend is a weekend of partying, including a bit of a boogie to Stevie Wonder in Hyde Park :shock: I must be 25 going on 40 I reckon...
The last four weekends have included 100+ mile rides, including the Dragon, Northern Cyclone & the Great Western, the latter of which was done at an 18mph average, solo.
I'm sure it's not that interesting to anyone else, but here are my Garmin activities to date, excluding any activities so far this week and a few turbo recovery sessions:
http://connect.garmin.com/explore?owner=latebug
I've only had it for a month but it's been the best thing I've ever bought, for training.0 -
I'm also going to hyde park to see stevie wonder AlainR - can't bloody wait!!0
-
popette wrote:I'm also going to hyde park to see stevie wonder AlainR - can't bloody wait!!
8)
Looks like it might be a pretty warm day too! Last year's Hard Rock was like a bloody oven!0 -
Casbar wrote:How does work get in the way of Sportives , but no in the way of doing 300+ miles a week at the moment
And how the hell did you get such a great number ....Are you sure there isnt a 9 missing at the front :roll:
Have had to work a lot of sundays for the last few months. I also had to take 3 weeks off the bike a while back with a dodgy Sciatic nerve. A lot of my mileage now is based on panic having been behind on last year. I finished last year just outside the first 1000 on my first Etape and was hoping to get inside this year. I have to concede now that that isn't going to happen. I will however give it a serious go.
As others have said, everyone has different training methods and aspirations. I have heard a story this week from inside the trade about a journo with a free entry who has just got his bike last week. He was rather pleased as he can now start training....
As for the number, part luck, part previous result, part corporate!
Good luck to all!
Ed0 -
Dear Mr Gumball - don't start talking yourself of that Top 1000 finish! The quality of drafting you'll be able to do in the first 50km with a start number of 935 is probably worth 15 minutes, alone. Just don't go burning too many of your matches on the M-B & Soulor.
And remember.... I've got a tenner on you with a bookie in Luchon!Between me & Eddy Merckx we've won pretty much everything worth winning on a bike.0 -
Garrigou wrote:Dear Mr Gumball - don't start talking yourself of that Top 1000 finish! The quality of drafting you'll be able to do in the first 50km with a start number of 935 is probably worth 15 minutes, alone. Just don't go burning too many of your matches on the M-B & Soulor.
And remember.... I've got a tenner on you with a bookie in Luchon!
No pressure there then! Am intending to keep it all in check till Bareges and then let rip opposite Pirate Pierres B & B. Probably where Contador will go on the big day....
Am not talking myself out of it, just concerned. Besides we both got dropped by that Aussie chap on the Mur. That was obviously a knock to the confidence....
Either way, new team kit looks well, so even if it goes badly, I will look fast!0 -
gumball3000 wrote:As for the number, part luck, part previous result, part corporate!
Good luck to all!
Ed
You deserve that number and you will still be a lot faster than me....
Good luck
Cas
0 -
Any info on where the feed statuions will be? Just starting to give thought to my nutritional "strategy" ;-)0
-
clanton wrote:Any info on where the feed statuions will be? Just starting to give thought to my nutritional "strategy" ;-)
Have a look on http://www.letapedutour.com/2010/ETDT/presentation/us/fiche_route.htm and then download the PDF by clicking on the link for Télécharger Fiche de route individuelle (.pdf)
3 food stops and 2 water points.0 -
last large ride completed at the weekend, now I'm in semi-taper mode.
Will be spending more time watching the DVD of the route, and in the planning stage. I need to buy a GIlet to keep the cold off of those descents, anyone recommend a good one which folds small ?0 -
I'm heading out to France next saturday and was considering a recce ride of the Tourmalet on Sunday starting at Luz Saint Sauveur.
Anyone else heading out early and fancy meeting up?Tri Coaching
https://www.h3otriathlon.com0 -
There's really nice aerial route "fly-through" on the Guardian's site today.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/interactive/2010/jul/02/tour-de-france-2010-interactive-guide0 -
not sure about really nice, I felt a little sick afterwards. Similar to google earth.
Anyone know anything about the facilities at La Mongie ? will I be able to get a beer afterwards or will it be carnage ?0 -
Last time the Etape visited La Mongie in 2008 it was a feed station (as we climbed The Tourmalet from that side). It was wet, cold and very misty and I remember putting on every bit of clothing I had with me. However by the time we reached the actual summit I had warmed up and the cloud and mist lifted for a great descent. Sadly by the time we reached the top of Hautaucam it was again cold, damp and miserable. The subsequent descent made most of us as cold and as near to hyperthermic as we had ever been. (We certainly were not looking for a beer!) Last year the Heat on Ventoux was the problem and there was no shade to be had at all.
What you want at the end of the etape varies tremendously, but usually there is plenty of scope to get food and and drink. Of course those who have parked at the botom of the Tourmalet will have a long descent, and if it is like last year those who park at La Mongie will be stuck for ages trying to drive down the mountain.0 -
so what would you take to wear given your previous experience ?
I was planning on a normal cycling shirt and a Gilet (folded up in my rear pocket). I'd have to stop to unfold and wear it, but thought that should suffice ?
Will also have arm coolers on, and normal bib shorts. If it rains it will be interesting, I didn't plan on taking any shoe covers for either wind or rain, is that being shortsighted ?0 -
I'm planning to cycle down and meet my wife on in Bagneres de Bigorre. I've never done this before but was going to go the same route as you Boondog, otherwise I'll be taking a rucksack with me :shock:0
-
Arm warmers, waterproof top/ 'race cape', over shoes, gilet, light gloves are usually advised. However accurate race day weather forecasts in the etape village the day before at registration give a fairly good idea of exactly what is advised.
I think that the extreme weather conditions (high heat / wet and cold / ?) pose possibly the greatest challenge of the etape. Success and enjoyment on the day does depend on coping not only with the long climbs and descents but also with the conditions.0 -
I would pack the whole range of kit, including winter kit with overshoes and winter waterproof top, and then decide on the Saturday what to wear on the day The weather in the mountains is very changeable; e.g. Ventoux last year was an oven with temperatures in the high 30s and Tourmalet two years ago was 2 degrees and sleeting at the top (wish I'd followed the tip of wearing a bin-liner at the long wait in the pens at the start when the heavens opened).
How's the tapering going? It's tempting not to ride at all now but am sure that would be a mistake.....0 -
good tip with the bin bag, thx for that. will be packing everything.
Tapering is hard, normally I commute but Ive stopped that after last weekends big ride to recover, it's a dilemma every morning. Either tonight or tomorrow I will do a 1 hour time trial, then after that it will be just a couple of shorter spins, and slow commutes.0 -
flix23 wrote:There's really nice aerial route "fly-through" on the Guardian's site today.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/interactive/2010/jul/02/tour-de-france-2010-interactive-guide
That's fantastic! Although now I really don't think I've put in the miles to get me over those climbs.
It doesn't help that I'm number 9800 and something.0 -
I did Burgess Hill 1066 last weekend and thought that I would leave it at that, but will be heading of to france next week and visiting friends in Marseille. Was thinking of going up a 2nd cat climb there on the wednesday before the etape, but not sure if its a good idea, it would be a 70 k round trip and I wouldn't be dreaming of doing it quickly either.
Any thoughts!? should I do it or should I just rest up!!0 -
70km with a big climb taken easily would still be about 3 hours, a bit more than I would want to be doing by that Wednesday.
Depends a bit I suppose on how much you ride in a normal week, but for reference all I'm planning for that week is 2 x 32 km round trip commutes, before flying out on the Friday...0 -
thx for this, normally I ride a saved course, no no virtual partner or elevation data, where do you store a tcx file, and how do you follow it ?malcolmfrost wrote:For anyone interested, I've put the route onto BikeRoute Toaster for download. I've adjusted the speeds to give an estimated time of 11:11 which should give you some idea of where the broom wagon is if you load it into a 705 as a TCX and use Virtual Partner. Use with caution though!!
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=1415160
