Etapes 2012

willy b

skippa76 wrote:

Any one else had their training compromised/adjusted because of the terrible weather? Or are you all hardcore... riding the UK roads come rain or shine?

It's only a bit of water. Training for other events and commuting means that even if it's raining i'll go out, and tbh I quite like riding in the rain. Certainly 100% more than I like riding a turbo!

In other news I went to see my Doc teh other day and he signed my form and didn't charge a penny, top chap as well and really interested in the Tour, so that helps.

proto

Bit late in the day to be worrying about this, but I'm down for Acte 2, never ridden in the Pyrenees before (or Alps for that matter), and I'm wondering whether to fit lower gearing or not.

I did the Dragon Ride two weeks ago, long route, on a 50/34 & 12/27 combo, and although not very speedy (about 9.5 hours) got round okay. I know there is nothing as steep as Devil's Elbow, but would I benefit from a 12/29 on the back?

Advice please. Thanks.

proto

Also, it turns out I'm in pen 8 (of 9). How long does it take for each pen to roll out? I was supposed to be riding round with two mates, one is in pen 3 and one is in pen 7.

I am the god of hell fire

Dont blame me if you blow up however I reckon your current gearing should be fine
Its exactly what Im planning to use to drag me round the Marmotte

As for riding with mates yes you start in different pens but dont actually trip the timing clock till a big obvious gantry at the official start line

The question is would they be prepared to wait at the side of the road, just before the start mat, for you to come through thus losing a big chunk of time to keep ahead of the sweep?

cheers

hatone

50/34 & 12/27 will be fine assuming you are of a reasonable fitness...

I can get round the Alps on a 53/39 & 12/27 but I do sometimes wish I had an extra cog or so!

dandrew

thank to js14 & divider re accomdation suggestions. The stuff on the Etape site has actually gone. I also need something in Albertville itself, thanks though

oneof1982

proto wrote:

Also, it turns out I'm in pen 8 (of 9). How long does it take for each pen to roll out? I was supposed to be riding round with two mates, one is in pen 3 and one is in pen 7.

They'll spread the start over the hour, (7-8 a.m.) so you can work out approx. how long it will take them to get through, i.e. about 6 minutes between each pen. Faced with the same situation last year, we agreed to go at our own pace and meet up at the end. You'll do well convince them to wait for you!

canoas

proto wrote:

Bit late in the day to be worrying about this, but I'm down for Acte 2, never ridden in the Pyrenees before (or Alps for that matter), and I'm wondering whether to fit lower gearing or not.

I did the Dragon Ride two weeks ago, long route, on a 50/34 & 12/27 combo, and although not very speedy (about 9.5 hours) got round okay. I know there is nothing as steep as Devil's Elbow, but would I benefit from a 12/29 on the back?

Advice please. Thanks.

50/34 - 12/27 is perfect. I mainly take this combo, however I can get buy on a 50/34 - 11/25 most of the time and have used this later combo before in the Alps. La Marmotte last year I used 27 a tiny bit....Mortirolo off on on over the climb from Mazzo. Its always good to have the 27 if you need it, better to be safe than sorry!

alywbwfc

OK I'm getting nervous now! As a first timer to the Etape would someone mind answering my questions below? I'm doing Act 1 btw

Is the avg speed needed to beat the broom wagon 10-11mph? Can someone check this file that I put together from the timing sheet and Ron's Etape website and see if it looks right http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/403/etapetiming.png/

Are the feed stations well stocked (so even the stragglers get fed)?

What types of food/drinks is at the feed stations?

Probably a stupid question but is it likely to be very windy on the climbs? Whats the general consensus as to the best clothes to wear? I am planning on bib shorts, cycling jersey and lightweight windproof jacket that I can easily take on/off

Anyone have a GPX file of the route?

How long do you have to wait in the pens before starting? I am bib number 8000 and something

proto

Thanks for replies and advice.

So I'll leave me gearing alone. Have to live with my start time, the chances of my chums waiting for me at the start are very slim indeed. I wouldn't wait for them!

gavinbay

Did this route - can either download as tcx/gpx http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course. ... rse=420946 first km of so maybe not too accurate as could not work out all the junctions.

I've gone and developed bronchitis (nasty cough) and blocked sinuses, due to having spent too much time in the sea inhaling salt water due to being submerged and dragged through the ocean whilst learning to kitesurf these past three weeks, prior to that was pretty fit :x

My preparation this week is Bikram Yoga (super hot yoga), three 90 min sessions, as my issue on long rides is that I cramp up and have found Bikram to be really good at helping me over long rides, and few last minute 40 milers will not help that much anyway.

And forecast has changed yet again, as hoped for, and this is a much better scenario, though in forecasting terms still too early to be sure

js14

The French sports newspaper also has a video of the Act 1 route on its site: http://video.lequipe.fr/video/cyclisme/cyclisme-tour-les-alpes/?sig=b85e2ee7ec0s. And Act 2 is here: http://video.lequipe.fr/video/cyclisme/cyclisme-tour-l-etape-du-tour-acte-2/?sig=e504b24dadbs.

cyclingsheep

To anyone (guy or girl) heading out to do Etape Act 1, good luck to you all and I hope you have great weather and a fantastic day.

cyclingsheep

Oh and if anyone is flying BA and using a Bike Box Alan to transport their trusty steed please let me know if you have any hassle with the airline.

oneof1982

Hi Ho Hi Ho......It's off to France we go . Leave Thursday evening, group of four of us plus a driver. Across to Paris, and then onto Chambery, Friday. Sign on for Acte 1 Saturday then 20 miles leg stretch to the base of the Madeleine, and then the biggy on Sunday. From Monday a few days by the Med coast r&r (pan flat so no temptation) 8) , then off to Pau, Friday staying in Lourdes (will need a miracle by then) and Acte 2 next Saturday. Drive home Sunday. Can't wait.

Training, gearing, pens, bibs, weather - it's all too late now!

t5nel

cyclingsheep wrote:

Oh and if anyone is flying BA and using a Bike Box Alan to transport their trusty steed please let me know if you have any hassle with the airline.

What is the issue with BBAlan? I am taking one on (sl)Easyjet - do they complain about the size?

cyclingsheep

Technically it is outside the dimensions so that's why I was asking. I've not flown with one either so just trying to see if anyone else has and if there are any problems.

Smirf

Good luck to all doing it. We're leaving at 4.30am tomorrow (yikes)

If you see some dude looking close to passing out with a face gone as white as my Argon 18 then say hello!

oneof1982

Hi bleeppiny Ho!. One hour down the M1 on way to Eurotunnel, rear ended. Three bikes on top okay. Two bikes on back written off. Back home re-booking Eurotunnel. Now no driver, so juggling getting to and from starts of both Etapes and making up 2 bikes from surviving pieces! It can and will be done.

xscreamsuk

Also like to know if I can rely on the feedstations or do I take a huge weight in bars, gels, and powder to get me through? I plan enough for several hours, but hope to get something worthwhile at the feedstations.

mitchventoux

when i did the etape in 09 the feedstations were chaos ,im taking enough food ,gels bars etc to last as long as possible and just using feed stops for water ,any food i can pick up at stops will be a bonus ,also take money for a stop in shops for coke .in 09 the last feedstop halfway up montventoux they ran out of water !! it was 38 degrees with 5 miles to the summit without water ,not good

willy b

oneof1982 wrote:

Hi bleeppiny Ho!. One hour down the M1 on way to Eurotunnel, rear ended. Three bikes on top okay. Two bikes on back written off. Back home re-booking Eurotunnel. Now no driver, so juggling getting to and from starts of both Etapes and making up 2 bikes from surviving pieces! It can and will be done.

:shock: Not good news mate! Hope you manage to get out there in time, what a way to start a holiday!

dodgerdog

oneof1982 wrote:

Hi bleeppiny Ho!. One hour down the M1 on way to Eurotunnel, rear ended. Three bikes on top okay. Two bikes on back written off. Back home re-booking Eurotunnel. Now no driver, so juggling getting to and from starts of both Etapes and making up 2 bikes from surviving pieces! It can and will be done.

That is really bad luck. Hope all ends up going well and that the twunt who rear ended you gets smacked with an effing massive hoick on their insurance when it comes to renewal.

cyclingsheep

So don't leave us in suspense. How was it today?

Duncanandthemachine

I'm going to put this out there...yesterday was Brutal! 36.5 degrees up the final climb with virtually no shade!

mattpage

Started wet. Madeleine seemed to go on forever! Descent was wet, lots of people tottering down.
Reaching the Glandon things started to warm up. Even though I knew what was coming the last 3k was brutal!
Mollard climb wasn't too bad but the descent was pretty wicked!
Climb from St Jean de Mauriene was HOT! I was expecting a water stop half way up and it didn't come.

Surprised with how I did, 6hrs 26min which was 39th overall and that was after the Marmotte the day before. My legs felt like two blocks of lead on the Madeleine so not sure what happened really.

gavinbay

First Etape and was with two guys who have done seven before.

Light drizzle at the beginning was nice, though did think that would make the down hills carnage.

First climb Madeline was good, and descent was great, though did get some lessons on how to descend as people were flying past me. My mate went past me, which was a good sign as he set off two pens ahead of me, so managed to stay with him as we climbed Gladon where in fact we caught our other mate, then at one point all three of us were together.

Legs started to cramp even on the Glandon and a bit of stretching and a rest and I had a second wind, and was cycling well going past people walking towards the top, then over the Croix de Feu and as a great descent down, where I past my mate.

Little climb up to the fourth col had a sting in the tail, but once over that was happy and descent was fast back down to St Jean.

Started the final climb and was not too bad and then body started packing in, major nausea and cramps. This was around 800m so only 800m to go, next couple of kms and 200m I was so bad, I shut my eyes and went straight to sleep I think...... anyway cut a long story short I still had 13km to go and 600m vertical (at around 10:15) and the way I was I reckoned that could take another two to three hours and thought was not fair on the people that would be waiting for me in St Jean and the fact that there was a very good chance I would not make it anyway!

So called it a day.........

Looking back made all the classic mistakes, not enough water, as I didn't want to stop with all the crowds, and I had heard stories about how they run out, so did ration myself.....then was using the new Hi Five Zero Caffeine tabs and that upset my stomach, plus took some gels which I don't usually do, should have just kept to what I do in the UK!

And then there was the heat, low to mid 30's on the final climb, which always does for me, plus did not exactly have the best prep four weeks before with a sleep loosing bronchial cough, now any more excuses

Obviously very gutted having got so close - see on the results that only 4200 finished out of 10000 - bet I was the only idiot that packed so close to the finish!

Both my mates said that was by far the toughest Etape they had done, sub 11hrs and 11:45

Mccaria

9 hr 13 for me. Legs still felt heavy from the Maratona.

It was so hot. Thanks to the lashing rain before the start my pockets were full of rain gear, but no sun cream. How I laughed.

jonginge

I thought it was going to be brutally hot for you guys when I was ambling around Bourg at lunchtime. Seemed hotter on the sunday than during the marmotte.

@mccaria Riemann P20 is awesome. Just put it on at the start of the day and you're done.

Mccaria

Oh I had P20 in my kit bag, but in the last minute scramble for gloves and rain jacket, completely forgot about sun tan lotion ! Silly mistake.