Marmotte 2013

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Comments

  • schweiz
    schweiz Posts: 1,644
    ManxShred wrote:
    Does the Marmotte have live internet tracking of the timing?

    I did it in 2009 and seem to remember it was possible for someone to view your times on a route map of the course (it had your splits and your times on each of the climbs). Whether this was updated real time or not, I don't know.

    Saying that I can't see the feature on the SportCommunication website anymore (you could view the data for 12 months). So maybe not!
  • kfinlay
    kfinlay Posts: 763
    kfinlay wrote:
    kfinlay wrote:
    Just organising the last few things so a couple of questions I hope you guys can help with.
    Any recommendations for travel insurance that includes cover for the event?
    Any recommendations on car hire? I need something pretty big (picking up from Geneva Airport) - People carrier for 5, Passat sized estate, maybe a SUV like a Quashqi? Best I've seen so far starts at £320 for a Mazda5 people carrier.

    Any advice appreciated. :D

    Kev

    Wee update and another question I hope you can help with!
    Sorted for a hire car through hirecars.co.uk, good price and cover plus no card fees :)
    Found travel insurance through http://www.cyclosure.co.uk/ that includes sportive participation for about £20 but this policy and any other I find does not include cover for my bike during transit by plane therefore if my bike disappears between Edinburgh and France I'm screwed.

    I don't have it covered through any other insurance as it is kept VERY safe and secure when I'm at home and my house insurance does not cover the full cost of the bike (Colnago EPS as per siggy link) or will extend cover to include the trip.

    Can't find anywhere that provides short term cover for my bike (only annual policies), not so worried about accident cover but more a policy to cover the bike when being transported by plane (min £5k value to replace) so have presumed it would be some sort of bike or travel insurance. Any ideas folks??

    Further update that may help some!

    Managed to find travel insurance that included bike cover for accident, loss, damage etc in transit and during my week's stay in France. Also includes cover for participating in La Marmotte as well as any other cycling I do (so long as it's not a race) along with the usual travel insurance cover. Best I found previously was £195 for a bike value of £5k through JS Insurance but I persevered and continued to search eventually finding VeloSure who would cover any bike value £2k-£7500 for only £45 :shock: I was suspicious but have read the T&Cs and can't find anything untoward. I've no affiliation to the company so this isn't any sort of spamming - feel free to call them if you still need cover.
    Kev

    Summer Bike: Colnago C60
    Winter Bike: Vitus Alios
    MTB: 1997 GT Karakorum
  • dp_1410
    dp_1410 Posts: 168
    I'm planning on riding both the Marmotte and Etape. I am staying in Alpe d'Huez for the days leading up to it with a hotel in Annecy booked for Saturday night. To prevent too much of a rush on Saturday afternoon/evening i'm planning on collecting my Marmotte number on Thursday and driving the 2 hours to Annecy to collect the Etape number on Friday.

    Would any other brave/stupid riders want to come with me to Annecy that are planning the same thing? Help to save costs of tolls and petrol etc.

    PM me if you're interested.

    Cheers
  • richa
    richa Posts: 1,632
    kfinlay wrote:
    ...(so long as it's not a race)...
    It is a race.

    In the UK maybe a Sportive. But in France it's a race.
    Rich
  • kfinlay
    kfinlay Posts: 763
    RichA wrote:
    kfinlay wrote:
    ...(so long as it's not a race)...
    It is a race.

    In the UK maybe a Sportive. But in France it's a race.

    Shhhhh! :oops:
    Kev

    Summer Bike: Colnago C60
    Winter Bike: Vitus Alios
    MTB: 1997 GT Karakorum
  • jsutty
    jsutty Posts: 27
    This has been a favourite page of mine for a couple of months now... http://valloire.livecam360.com/setaz

    It's looking pretty decent compared to a month ago, when the whole picture was basically snowy. So, in terms of snow-melt, there shouldn't be too much more to come, fingers crossed.
  • narbs
    narbs Posts: 593
    Meteo France now showing sun all week for Bourg with Saturday at 20 degrees and the same for Valloire but 30 degrees.
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    I like the viamichelin.co.uk site - it has Bourg D'Oisans hot all week peaking at 32 degrees on the weekend of the Marmotte - get in.

    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • kramark
    kramark Posts: 8
    Has any of you ridden the Marmotte route on a day other than the actual event date? I'm going to be staying near Alpe d'Huez when the Tour comes through, and am thinking of attempting to ride the route on Wednesday (17 July), but am nervous about doing it solo/unsupported since I'm not from the area and speak almost no French...
  • NUFCrichard
    NUFCrichard Posts: 103
    I have ridden the route of the marmotte more or less. We did the Croix de Fer instead of the Glandon and left out the Alpe at the end, but the route was essentially the same. If you want to try to do it as fast as possible, then it probably isn't ideal to be unsupported, but if you just want to do it for the fun of it, like we did, then it is fine.

    We stopped for coffee at the top of the Croix de Fer, lunch in St-Jean-de-Marrienne, another drink and snack in Valloire and to warm up at the top of the Lauteret! It took basically all day but was a great day out.
  • shazzz
    shazzz Posts: 1,077
    Its certainly worth doing and is a pretty popular route for cyclists in that area. Also worth taking the Croix de Fer detour as it only adds a few kms of climbing but cuts out some of the Maurienne valley (which isn't a highlight!). There's plenty of cafes and water points along the way for refuelling but you should have an emergency plan (as always!) in case of major mechanical failure.
    Enjoy it!
  • oneof1982
    oneof1982 Posts: 703
    Defintely worth doing anytime. the whole area is a cycling mecca. Plenty of cafes at strategic points along the way. That doesn't negate the fact that it is in the high mountains, so care needs to be taken. Are your riding alone? If so you need to ensure someone knows where you are.

    During the tour the area will be busy with literally thousands of cyclists in any case.

    Would agree with point re Crois d Fer. Carry on up past the Glandon turn and go over the top. You could also add the Mollard on the way down if the Marmotte is not enough!!
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    Anyone have a link to any GPS sites with decent rides from Bourg? Planning on doing a few rides in the area pre Marmotte.

    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • nevman
    nevman Posts: 1,611
    Good starting point here
    See you down there Tom

    http://bike-oisans.com/
    Whats the solution? Just pedal faster you baby.

    Summer B,man Team Carbon LE#222
    Winter Alan Top Cross
    All rounder Spec. Allez.
  • MBCaad8
    MBCaad8 Posts: 127
    nevman wrote:
    Good starting point here
    See you down there Tom

    http://bike-oisans.com/

    Cheers for this - was posted a while back but I couldn't seem to find it.

    Can anyone tell me, are any of the descents on the Marmotte route worth doing in reverse, or are the climbs on the route the better climbs?
  • kramark
    kramark Posts: 8
    oneof1982 wrote:
    Defintely worth doing anytime. the whole area is a cycling mecca. Plenty of cafes at strategic points along the way. That doesn't negate the fact that it is in the high mountains, so care needs to be taken. Are your riding alone? If so you need to ensure someone knows where you are.

    During the tour the area will be busy with literally thousands of cyclists in any case.

    Would agree with point re Crois d Fer. Carry on up past the Glandon turn and go over the top. You could also add the Mollard on the way down if the Marmotte is not enough!!

    I'll be riding alone, my wife and the rental car will be up at the top on Alpe d'Huez... How is the mobile phone reception there in the mountains?

    Regarding the Croix de Fer detour- what's the best way to get back the the normal Marmotte route?

    Edit: This, perhaps? (found in a random search) http://app.strava.com/activities/22255236
  • oneof1982
    oneof1982 Posts: 703
    kramark wrote:
    oneof1982 wrote:
    Defintely worth doing anytime. the whole area is a cycling mecca. Plenty of cafes at strategic points along the way. That doesn't negate the fact that it is in the high mountains, so care needs to be taken. Are your riding alone? If so you need to ensure someone knows where you are.

    During the tour the area will be busy with literally thousands of cyclists in any case.

    Would agree with point re Crois d Fer. Carry on up past the Glandon turn and go over the top. You could also add the Mollard on the way down if the Marmotte is not enough!!

    I'll be riding alone, my wife and the rental car will be up at the top on Alpe d'Huez... How is the mobile phone reception there in the mountains?

    Regarding the Croix de Fer detour- what's the best way to get back the the normal Marmotte route?

    Edit: This, perhaps? (found in a random search) http://app.strava.com/activities/22255236

    Can't recall what phone signal was like. We stayed in St Sorlin (just over CdF) for a week a couple of years ago. Don't rely on it, but you'll find someway to comunicate if needed!

    You have got the route right. The alternative, the Col du Mollard is on the D80. This was the route of last year's Etape. It came up the Glandon and wound round the CdF and down past St Sorlin and turned off on the D80. It also brings you down to St Jean de Maurienne. But if you are doing the Alpe at the end, I'd forget it!

    Finally if your wife is at the top of the Alpe, I'd sweet talk her into having a couple of bottles of Leffe in the fridge... :lol:
  • In reply to MBCaad8 - The Marmotte route backwards is much easier..!..... with the climbs of the Galibier and The Telegraph much shorter. The road from Bourg past La Grave and up the Lauteret is incredibly beautiful and you appreciate the scenery a lot more going up this road as opposed to flying down it. The decent to Valloire from The Galibier is extremely fast coupled with the sight of the poor buggers slogging there way up as you whizz by. The main road through the valley is boring whichever way you go but and we decided to go back over the Croix de Fer instead of going on a bit longer to pick up The Glandon. Tha advantage of doing the Croix de Fer this way instead of The Galndon is that there are places to stop and grab refreshmnents on the way up whereas on The Glandon you really are in the middle of nowhere. The descent from the top of The Croix de Fer / Glandon past the reservoir is breathtaking and its then a nice ride back to Bourg. All in all defintely recommended as a change from the brute of the conventional direction
  • jsutty
    jsutty Posts: 27
    I agree that the weather is looking promising, although I suggest we try and avoid jinxing it.

    What are everyone's tapering plans?
  • nevman
    nevman Posts: 1,611
    Shorter ride on Friday.Otherwise enjoy the scenery via rule 5.
    Or do you mean beers?
    Whats the solution? Just pedal faster you baby.

    Summer B,man Team Carbon LE#222
    Winter Alan Top Cross
    All rounder Spec. Allez.
  • lee_d_m
    lee_d_m Posts: 51
    Riding the Wiggle "Long One" tomorrow then nothing until Thursday. Planning on a ride up La Berarde on Thursday then a drive up to Annecy Friday to sign on for L'etape and then chilling round the pool Friday evening if it's hot.

    Getting exciting now, can't wait !
  • oneof1982
    oneof1982 Posts: 703
    Social one hour ride tomorrow morning. 70 mile steady on Sunday, then not much more until leg spin at the top of the Alpe on Friday. Long drive from Wednesday, stopping at Lens and Greenoble on way to the Alpe.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Well i'm done with work now until after the Marmotte, now its just me bikes, miles and mountains

    bring it :twisted:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • bahzob
    bahzob Posts: 2,195
    lee_d_m wrote:
    Riding the Wiggle "Long One" tomorrow then nothing until Thursday. Planning on a ride up La Berarde on Thursday then a drive up to Annecy Friday to sign on for L'etape and then chilling round the pool Friday evening if it's hot.

    Getting exciting now, can't wait !

    I would advise against doing nothing for 3-4 days even following a long ride this weekend. If it gets a few days of consecutive idleness the body changes its metabolism in a way you definitely don't want to happen. (By coincidence there is an interesting article in this weeks New Scientist related to this subject http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21829233.200-dont-take-life-sitting-down.html#.Uc6YONgQMoM)

    I'd take a day off after the long ride but then aim to do at least a 45-60 minute at climbing effort per day after that. I'd include the Friday in this if possible. One idea would be to park up on the road leading out to St Jorioz, ride in on the lake cycle path to register (Annecy is very bike friendly and full of traffic so this will most likely be quicker anyway), ride back and do the first climb up to Puget at an easy pace.
    Martin S. Newbury RC
  • kfinlay
    kfinlay Posts: 763
    I'm planning a 95 tomorrow, push a bit on the first hour, then steadier, picking 3-4 longer climbs where I stick to threshold level but mainly use a higher cadence than normal - keeps muscle memory but doesn't fatigue the legs so much. Tuesday will be 60-90mins (prob on turbo as forecast is showery and I'm working late) again keeping higher cadence. Thursday will be a steady ride, possible part way up Galibier from the south side still keeping a lower gear/higher cadence/BP within threshold. Then ready for Saturday. This advice came from a respected GB Pro via a mate of mine.
    Kev

    Summer Bike: Colnago C60
    Winter Bike: Vitus Alios
    MTB: 1997 GT Karakorum
  • MBCaad8
    MBCaad8 Posts: 127
    In reply to MBCaad8 - The Marmotte route backwards is much easier..!..... with the climbs of the Galibier and The Telegraph much shorter. The road from Bourg past La Grave and up the Lauteret is incredibly beautiful and you appreciate the scenery a lot more going up this road as opposed to flying down it. The decent to Valloire from The Galibier is extremely fast coupled with the sight of the poor buggers slogging there way up as you whizz by. The main road through the valley is boring whichever way you go but and we decided to go back over the Croix de Fer instead of going on a bit longer to pick up The Glandon. Tha advantage of doing the Croix de Fer this way instead of The Galndon is that there are places to stop and grab refreshmnents on the way up whereas on The Glandon you really are in the middle of nowhere. The descent from the top of The Croix de Fer / Glandon past the reservoir is breathtaking and its then a nice ride back to Bourg. All in all defintely recommended as a change from the brute of the conventional direction

    Thanks for this. Think I will do La Grave to Lauteret. Also planning on doing Izoard on the day road is closed, AdH just so I know what to expect (!!) and the climb to Les Deux Alpes where we are staying on another.
  • oneof1982
    oneof1982 Posts: 703
    bahzob wrote:



    I'd take a day off after the long ride but then aim to do at least a 45-60 minute at climbing effort per day after that. I'd include the Friday in this if possible. .........


    And here was me thinking I'd do less this week, not more! :lol::lol::lol:
  • jsutty
    jsutty Posts: 27
    I was also planning a lot less this week.
    Last week I did two 200k hills rides (Monday and Wednesday), some core work on Friday, then 1hr intervals today.
    Was thinking Monday 70k (ish) steady pace, then Wednesday 1hr intervals.
    Any advice on how this sounds?
  • narbs
    narbs Posts: 593
    Club ride from north London to Brighton and back tomorrow, off to France on Wednesday and a gentle hour or so planned for Friday morning. Then hope for the best.
  • bahzob
    bahzob Posts: 2,195
    kfinlay wrote:
    I'm planning a 95 tomorrow, push a bit on the first hour, then steadier, picking 3-4 longer climbs where I stick to threshold level but mainly use a higher cadence than normal - keeps muscle memory but doesn't fatigue the legs so much. Tuesday will be 60-90mins (prob on turbo as forecast is showery and I'm working late) again keeping higher cadence. Thursday will be a steady ride, possible part way up Galibier from the south side still keeping a lower gear/higher cadence/BP within threshold. Then ready for Saturday. This advice came from a respected GB Pro via a mate of mine.

    Good plan, though if logistics allow and you are not familiar with the route I would do Glandon Thursday as being familiar with the start is a great help.

    Personally I find doing nothing the day previous to an event very difficult especially if the weather is good. I prefer to do a short 1-2hr ride at an easy pace, enjoying the scenery and the sensation of feeling really on form but not having to push.
    Martin S. Newbury RC