Marmotte 2013

Leroy42

Cert times are based on the total time less the neutralised section. cannot vouch for the limit of 30 minutes though as I was quicker than that!!! but it would seem very small window. I stopped to get some water and put on jacket and descended and it took my in total 28 minutes between the two mats (not the fastest descender in the world but neither am I the slowest) so a cut off of 30 minutes would seem very tight and wouldn't make sense given they are trying to get people to take it easy on the descent.

Actually scrap all that, just looked at a mates times from last year and the total time from the top of Glandon to the end of the neutralised zone was 37 minutes and he had all that taken off his time, so it would seem that the total time of taken off and not limited.

I am the god of hell fire

My own time between the mats was 45 mins

We were riding as a group and decided to ride the Maurienne Valley in formation so the first to the Gladon summit (me) waited for the others then we descended as a group and rode to the base of Telegraphe together too

nevman

Just checked my 2011 cert .and 36 mins were either added or subtracted for the neutralized section.That would be about right.Either way its a lot safer.

itisaboutthebike

One of our party has dropped out and I've found a replacement.

I've emaield Sportcommunication (several days ago) to ask how entries can transferred , but in typical style had no reply back yet.

Anyone know whether the above is possible and what the protcol is ?

I also have my entry for the Vaujany Master (110k ride) and Prix de Rousses(wed morning) available if anyone wants them - again you'll need to transfer, as I'm now only doing the Marmotte.

jzed

itisaboutthebike wrote:

One of our party has dropped out and I've found a replacement.

I've emaield Sportcommunication (several days ago) to ask how entries can transferred , but in typical style had no reply back yet.

Anyone know whether the above is possible and what the protcol is ?

I also have my entry for the Vaujany Master (110k ride) and Prix de Rousses(wed morning) available if anyone wants them - again you'll need to transfer, as I'm now only doing the Marmotte.

Doubt a transfer is possible but just turn up at registration and pick up the start pack. They don't check. If you want to try and get a response from Sportcommunication, I found using google translate to get a french message actually got a reply, the english didn't.

itisaboutthebike

Thanks Jezd

What does the guy do about medical form ? Our dropout hasn't uploaded his medical form.

bernithebiker

itisaboutthebike wrote:

Thanks Jezd

What does the guy do about medical form ? Our dropout hasn't uploaded his medical form.

I would imagine he could just bring it with him.

If you want a French reply let me know, Google translate isn't great.

itisaboutthebike

Hi
But the replacements guys medical form will be for a different name

itboffin

Well just the flights left to book now, what a ball ache this whole process has been so far.

manxshred

How much water is available outside if the main food stops? I'm not worried about the food, especially at the first stop, so if there is more water between the first and second food stops, I won't need to stop at the top of the glandon.

nevman

There should be a water station at the foot of the Telegraph-and friendly locals will assist.Its quite an event for spectators as well.

Tom Butcher

itisaboutthebike wrote:

Hi
But the replacements guys medical form will be for a different name

Yes chances are they break the rules and ride in someone elses name or the entry goes to waste.

Personally I think the organisers should allow transfer - up until recent years you could enter a few days before when you turned up so it's not impossible - and if they don't then they must know that people will not always ride under their real name.

As they accept a racing licence in lieu of a medical form I'm not sure they are that bothered about sticking to the rules themselves - afaik most French sportives wont take a BC licence because it doesn't require a medical.

Marik

What's everyone doing re rest days prior to Marmotte? I'm going out for annual hol and will be there from Monday before, had thought of cycling a col on Monday and Tuesday then just trying to get adjusted to the heat for the rest of the week - sitting in cafes, short walks, and perhaps a couple of very short & flat spins on bike - or is there a wiser plan?? Should you lay off the bike completely? Never done anything like this before :?

stanthomas

Marik wrote:

What's everyone doing re rest days prior to Marmotte? ... Should you lay off the bike completely?

I would definitely recommend you keep riding but shorter rides at an easier pace. Relax on Monday then ride an hour or two every day. Perhaps the Prix de Rousses on Wednesday to check out the competition. A ride part way up the Glandon, to Le Rivier perhaps, will give you a taste of what's to come. Finally an easy spin out to Lac du Chambon on Friday with an early night.

ju5t1n

One of my clubmates wrote a really good guide to the Marmotte, it’s in 6 parts on Word docs. These docs are on our club’s Facebook page. Let me know if they don’t work - otherwise enjoy...

https://www.facebook.com/download/47415 ... p%202.docx
https://www.facebook.com/download/40466 ... t%203.docx
https://www.facebook.com/download/16721 ... p%204.docx
https://www.facebook.com/download/56822 ... p%205.docx
https://www.facebook.com/download/38222 ... 0tips.docx

marathon50

Anyone taken part in the Prix De Rousses,the Wednesday before Marmotte.
Out there the few days before Marmotte and was going to do the course on
the Wednesday less AdH. Have now come accross this race and wonder is
it worth doing.

tonyscp

Hi Marik,

Check out this link

http://bike-oisans.com/

There are loads of nice rides in the area that aren't too taxing. My particular favourite is a trip up to La Berade - fantastic scenery and an amazing road.

oneof1982

ju5t1n wrote:

One of my clubmates wrote a really good guide to the Marmotte, it’s in 6 parts on Word docs. These docs are on our club’s Facebook page. Let me know if they don’t work - otherwise enjoy...

https://www.facebook.com/download/47415 ... p%202.docx
https://www.facebook.com/download/40466 ... t%203.docx
https://www.facebook.com/download/16721 ... p%204.docx
https://www.facebook.com/download/56822 ... p%205.docx
https://www.facebook.com/download/38222 ... 0tips.docx

Thanks for this. Very useful. Will be attempting my first marmotte in a (very) few weeks time. Will be aiming to finish in however long it takes me.

Did both Etapes last year, and the year before did the Etape and part of the Marmotte route in reverse, so have some idea as to what is in store.

In terms of above briefing notes, you mention six parts, but part 1 appears to be missing. Have you got this one?

Tom Butcher

Worth a read but I'd make your own decisions about stuff like water/ feed stops as everyone is different. For example personally I wouldn't want to set off up the alpe at the end of the Marmotte on a hot day with just half a bottle. I'd also carry a light waterproof just in case - even if it's just for the finish - unless the forecast is nailed on hot sun. Worth taking a range ofnexperiences into account though.

oneof1982

Tom Butcher wrote:

Worth a read but I'd make your own decisions about stuff like water/ feed stops as everyone is different. For example personally I wouldn't want to set off up the alpe at the end of the Marmotte on a hot day with just half a bottle. I'd also carry a light waterproof just in case - even if it's just for the finish - unless the forecast is nailed on hot sun. Worth taking a range ofnexperiences into account though.

Definetely. I for one will have two full bottles m ost of the time, and a picnic hamper in my back pocket.

ransos1

I've used one of those top tube feed bags on a couple of sportives this year. They work quite well for eating when on the move, so I think I'll do the same for la Marmotte.

jsutty

This is a long shot, but I don't suppose anyone is driving there from the London area who happens to have a roof rack?
Turns out that finding a bike box to hire is a real ball ache, combined with Eurostar's new bike restrictions.

lee_d_m

Hi,

I know that RM Cycles in Tenterden, Kent will hire you a bike box for 25 quid a week, they are a great shop and worth a call, ask for Roger.

wallace_and_gromit

ransos1 wrote:

I've used one of those top tube feed bags on a couple of sportives this year. They work quite well for eating when on the move, so I think I'll do the same for la Marmotte.

I've got one of those. It's great when riding with a pocketless wind/rain jacket on, as you can eat on the move without needing to reach under the jacket to access pockets. (I am particularly uncoordinated, and find this very difficult.)

Just like Joey's "manbag" in Friends, it is both stylish and functional.

richa

jsutty wrote:

This is a long shot, but I don't suppose anyone is driving there from the London area who happens to have a roof rack?
Turns out that finding a bike box to hire is a real ball ache, combined with Eurostar's new bike restrictions.

Where are you based? There are plenty of places that do bike box hire.

Try these guys fior starters:
http://www.bikebox-online.co.uk/

ju5t1n

There’s lots of good footage from the Marmotte on YouTube. The standard of these helmet mounted cameras has really improved in recent years. Here’s a good one from a Dulwich Paragon rider. I hope the weather’s this good next month. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RtRAWmHm-M

itboffin

Well the UK weather is doing its very best to make sure my training is kept to a minimum, hopefully it'll be freezing cold, windy and wet on the day, i've had lots of training for that :evil:

jsutty

Lee, thanks for the tip, I've now found a bike box, decided its best to fly too.

In response to the last post, how is everyone's training going (I need a confidence boost!)?

lee_d_m

Glad you got it sorted. Training is going ok, managed the Dragon Ride in 8 hours and found it reasonably tough but manageable. It wasn't until I got home that I looked and saw that La Marmotte is another 50% more climbing. I just hope it's not too hot, that's my biggest fear.

Stupidly, my training buddy and I booked ourselves onto L'etape du tour for the following day (seemed like a good idea at the time), not quite sure how I'm gonna cope with that as my legs felt sh*gged for a couple of days after the Dragon Ride.

nammynake

I can't believe how quickly it has come round. I remember back in January thinking I had loads of time to train. I've managed to do a long hilly ride every weekend since February and usually 2 or 3 turbo sessions per week. I am happy with my progress but I have no idea how I'm going to fare on those alpine climbs.

I'm going out the week before to do the Passportes du Soleill mountain bike event in Les Gets / Morzine, then doing a few days mountain biking and road riding. I'll probably just rest on the Friday.