Etape Actes I & II

oneof1982

We are a group of 5, heading off to do Actes I & II this year (4 riders plus driver). We have a accommodation booked in Chambery and then in Lourdes. Current plan is to head for a few days at the sea side between the two stages (Languedoc). Any tips on how active we should be in the in between period? Last year we did Acte II (the bad weather one :x ) and then headed to the Alps. We did the majors (AdH, Galibier, CdF) but were pretty beaten up by then. How active should we try to be in between the two Etapes to keep the legs going but allowing recovery. We are weekend warriors over 50 for which last year's Etape represented a lifetime achievement!

mrc1

Wow - bold move taking on both Etapes for which I salute you.

My two main bits of advice are

1) Make sure you have a post Etape 1 recovery drink/big meal as soon as you can to top up your reserves and if you have a pair, get some recovery tights on as in my experience they work wonders; and

2) Make sure (if possible) you get out on the bike on the day after etape 1 for a light spin as this will help to clear the remnants of the day before from your legs and help free everything up. Doesn't need to be anything too strenuous but not doing anything is likely to lead to your legs feeling dead for a few days afterwards. I don't think there is much point doing anything too long/high intensity in the interim period as you won't get any training benefit from it so it's really just a case of keeping your legs ticking over.

Otherwise just enjoy yourselves and make sure you eat lots and stay hydrated (have at least a few sips of water in between the beers ; ))! A splash around in the sea won't do any harm either!

So that you know what you have to look forward to, have a look at our breakdown of the Etape Act II below:

http://www.ledomestiquetours.co.uk/2011/11/etape-du-tour-act-2-2012-the-cols/

jamespiggot

That is brave, I felt kind of crazy just going for Act II which has over 5,000 metres ascent by all accounts. Should be a great challenge doing them, separated by a week? I would try to go for a spin the day after Act I to stop your legs from seizing up and then see how you feel after that. My take on Act II which includes a link to the excellent article from Le Domestique Tours which is worth reading can be found at http://www.oxfordsportive.com/2012/01/etape-du-tour-2012-act-2-pau-to-bagneres-de-luchon/.

Whatever else you do make sure you enjoy and have a great time!

LeDomestiqueTours

jamespiggot wrote:

That is brave, I felt kind of crazy just going for Act II which has over 5,000 metres ascent by all accounts. Should be a great challenge doing them, separated by a week? I would try to go for a spin the day after Act I to stop your legs from seizing up and then see how you feel after that. My take on Act II which includes a link to the excellent article from Le Domestique Tours which is worth reading can be found at http://www.oxfordsportive.com/2012/01/etape-du-tour-2012-act-2-pau-to-bagneres-de-luchon/.

Whatever else you do make sure you enjoy and have a great time!

Thanks for your kind words James, we've changed web hosts in the last week so hopefully the site should now be working without any problems! But please let me know if you stil have issues.

Cheers

Rob

jamespiggot

Hi Rob, just checked and your website is now working fine, thanks for the update. And thanks for the helpful article on Act II which was very helpful.

Warm regards,
James

clanton

I'm currently looking at camping in Pau for the days before and immediately after the Etape (acte II clearly!). I have found three sites online but am strugglign to work out exactly where they are and which would be most suitable - I'm guessing the municipal one? Anybody know the area and able to help?