Marmotte 2013

GJTheunisse · July 2013

I'm staying in Alpe D'Huez but not arriving till Friday afternoon (not ideal, I know). Does anyone know if there's anywhere there that I can pick up some C02 canisters? Perhaps at the registration? I'm flying with Easyjet so not sure whether to risk trying to bring some...

Leroy42 · July 2013

GJTheunisse - It all depends on what time you actually arrive. there are loads of cycling stores that set up tents at the registration centre as well as a number of cycling shops both in Alpe D'Huez and Bourg. Just be careful as they shut down at 7pm (same time as registration closes) so if you are going to be late then stop in Bourg. If you need CO2 then my advice would be to stop in Bourg on the way and get it there.

Don't worry about missing the registration on the Friday, I arrived late on Friday last time and yu can still register on Saturday morning at the base of Aple D'Huez (the tent is in the feed station) and apart from having to go a bit earlier it was very easy.

TheStone · July 2013

I've put a couple of CO2 cannisters in the bike box. They seem to have stopped asking and making you take them out.

Rob Somerset · July 2013

Some people need to lighten up a bit. If I can get to the Alpe by 6 that will be a big success for me. Not everyone wants to be a serious racer, if I did, I probably wouldn't be wanting to do this event. There is a lot of us here for a good day out and to complete a personal challenge. I've put in a lot of effort training to make this an enjoyable day but I don't feel the criticise others and what their aspirations are.
Anyway I got a low start number so you will all be queuing behind me up the Glandon

GJTheunisse · July 2013

Thanks for the responses. I think we're getting to ADH early afternoon so hopefully should have time to sort it once there.

gavinbay · July 2013

07:00 at 1400ms temp was 10 degrees - think by the weekend temps will be warmer overnight.

I left home just in a cycling jersey for a quick descent into Briancon before cycling up Col D'Izoard, temps were fine. And I was not at all chilly on the descent from 2365ms.

So at worst if cycling down from ADH go with the newspaper, and I don't think jackets will be needed.

Glandon and Croix de Feu are not as high as Izoard, and by the time you ascend Galibier and summit it will be later in the day.

Few pointers if coming out a couple of days earlier. If possible try to get above 2,000ms for some acclimatisation, better to walk around for a while say at the top of Lautaret or actually go for a hike from ADH up the GR549.

Above 2100 is where you really start to notice the lack of oxygen (and that's where the trees thin out) and it comes as a bit of a kick, and that 500m or so towards the summit of Galibier is where you will really notice it.

For some being at altitude for the first couple of days can be a bit like having a hangover with a dull headache, and with others it affects their ears and some their stomachs, but I put that down to French bread and Amstel

Tomorrow they close the Col de l'Echelle to traffic but that only tops out at around 1770, then on Thursday they close Galbier from Lautaret though I'm not too sure where on the other side, probably Bonnenuit.

ransos1 · July 2013

Rob Somerset wrote:

Some people need to lighten up a bit. If I can get to the Alpe by 6 that will be a big success for me. Not everyone wants to be a serious racer, if I did, I probably wouldn't be wanting to do this event. There is a lot of us here for a good day out and to complete a personal challenge. I've put in a lot of effort training to make this an enjoyable day but I don't feel the criticise others and what their aspirations are.
Anyway I got a low start number so you will all be queuing behind me up the Glandon

+1. I've also got a low start number so we can chug up the Glandon together!

richa · July 2013

TheStone wrote:

I've put a couple of CO2 cannisters in the bike box. They seem to have stopped asking and making you take them out.

As I understand it you are allowed to fly with them as they are small, and therefore below the max size for gas canisters.

E.G. BA

Restricted items needing no notification
The following list covers all items that may be carried on British Airways flights but are still restricted to specific limits on quantities or dimensions:
•Non-flammable, non-toxic gas cylinders - e.g. for operation of mechanical limbs, bicycle tyre inflation devices (max. capacity 50ml)

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagrest/public/en_us

MBCaad8 · July 2013

GavinBay wrote:

07:00 at 1400ms temp was 10 degrees - think by the weekend temps will be warmer overnight.

I left home just in a cycling jersey for a quick descent into Briancon before cycling up Col D'Izoard, temps were fine. And I was not at all chilly on the descent from 2365ms.

So at worst if cycling down from ADH go with the newspaper, and I don't think jackets will be needed.

Glandon and Croix de Feu are not as high as Izoard, and by the time you ascend Galibier and summit it will be later in the day.

Few pointers if coming out a couple of days earlier. If possible try to get above 2,000ms for some acclimatisation, better to walk around for a while say at the top of Lautaret or actually go for a hike from ADH up the GR549.

Above 2100 is where you really start to notice the lack of oxygen (and that's where the trees thin out) and it comes as a bit of a kick, and that 500m or so towards the summit of Galibier is where you will really notice it.

For some being at altitude for the first couple of days can be a bit like having a hangover with a dull headache, and with others it affects their ears and some their stomachs, but I put that down to French bread and Amstel

Tomorrow they close the Col de l'Echelle to traffic but that only tops out at around 1770, then on Thursday they close Galbier from Lautaret though I'm not too sure where on the other side, probably Bonnenuit.

Was a bit chilly if hanging around at the top of Izoard - quite a breeze when I was there. Agree that jackets unlikely to be needed Saturday if the forecast holds true.

TheStone · July 2013

RichA wrote:

TheStone wrote:

I've put a couple of CO2 cannisters in the bike box. They seem to have stopped asking and making you take them out.

As I understand it you are allowed to fly with them as they are small, and therefore below the max size for gas canisters.

E.G. BA

Restricted items needing no notification
The following list covers all items that may be carried on British Airways flights but are still restricted to specific limits on quantities or dimensions:
•Non-flammable, non-toxic gas cylinders - e.g. for operation of mechanical limbs, bicycle tyre inflation devices (max. capacity 50ml)

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagrest/public/en_us

It's been like that for ages, but they still sometimes stop you.
Within the cabin all the lifevests have one!

twotyred · July 2013

Above 2100 is where you really start to notice the lack of oxygen (and that's where the trees thin out) and it comes as a bit of a kick, and that 500m or so towards the summit of Galibier is where you will really notice it.

I wouldn't worry about the altitude, you'll be too knackered to notice it- I know I was

Leroy42 · July 2013

Just a few quick questions. Staying in Bourg so don't have the early morning descent and am in the last group to head off 7.50am.

Would you advise to bring a gilet/raintop or not. 2nd, what time do I need to head down to the start, I want to be near enough to the front of the last batch to go.

good luck to everyone, remember main thing is to keep safe so that you live to tell the tale. Whatever time you do it in, remember that this is one massive undertaking.

Thanks

stanthomas · July 2013

Leroy42 wrote:

Just a few quick questions. ...
Would you advise to bring a gilet/raintop
...
what time do I need to head down to the start, I want to be near enough to the front of the last batch to go.

If the weather is set fair, I'd recommend a light windproof gillet - it's still damn chilly on the upper parts of the descents.

The keen kiddies will be heading to the start from about 5am and if you want to be at the front of your group you need to go down about 6am. But 7:30 is fine for the more relaxed amongst us. Doesn't really matter where you start after the first 1000 or so, the roads and feed stops will be busy regardless.

kfinlay · July 2013

Don't like the look of the weather forecast
Sunny start but rainy with a 60% chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon at Le Bourg-d'Oisans :x

GJTheunisse · July 2013

Looks alright on Saturday, no?
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/L ... e+FRRA0871

kfinlay · July 2013

Hope the one I'm using is wrong

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=world;page=4;loc=766727~le%20bourg-d'oisans,%20Rhone-Alpes,%20FRANCE;sess=#forecast

jsutty · July 2013

Forecasts seem to be a mixture between sun all day, and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Considering it's going to be hot either way I'm not too bothered...a nice thunderstorm would cool us down, no?

bahzob · July 2013

oneof1982 wrote:

Not sure that this is the time or place to be advising people in detail on how to spend their last prep week. It very much depends on what people have been doing up to now. Some will have been following a detailed programme, some will have been a bit more chaotic. Also people have different objectives, and be riding at different levels. The key thing is to feel rested this week, and to not go chasing it.

Sorry but it really is the time and the place, assuming folks doing the event have been training for it, regardless of the method they have used.

The body very rapidly loses fitness. Three days of doing absolutely nothing will switch it from being in training mode to lazing mode. It undergoes a whole series of changes as a result, none of which will make you ride better.

The net effect is that you lose the benefit of some of the hard work you have done while preparing and the event, which is already tough, will feel even tougher. Your body will just be plain confused.

Yes you need to feel rested but not to the extent that your body expects to be sitting on the sofa on Saturday. The way to do this is do some short workouts that get you breathing hard. This will keep your body in training mode. As I said 30-60 minutes at climbing effort is enough

I appreciate this may be counter intuitive especially this is the first time you have trained for or ridden an event like this. But I am afraid it is true and applies equally, perhaps more, if your aim is to just finish as opposed to finish first.

TheStone · July 2013

kfinlay wrote:

Don't like the look of the weather forecast
Sunny start but rainy with a 60% chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon at Le Bourg-d'Oisans :x

Could they stop the race if lightning?
Never quite worked out if it's safe to ride in lightning.

Leroy42 · July 2013

Accuweather is giving a much better outlook for Saturday. 29C, sunny and low chance of rain.

however, weahher in the Alps is very difficult to forecast and we really haveto wait until Friday to get any real sense of it.

If there is rain, I just hope that it holds off until I am down off the Galibier, or at least the Lautaret. It's not going to effect you climbing, but don't fancy the Glandon decent on wet roads!!

Then again, it's not like we aren't used to the rain, and rain at 20C is very different from rain at 5C!

oneof1982 · July 2013

Leroy42 wrote:

Then again, it's not like we aren't used to the rain, and rain at 20C is very different from rain at 5C!

I descended the Galibier 2 years ago in the rain, in July. it was 4 degrees!

My light rain jacket will be in my back pocket, regardless of further forecasts!

TheStone · July 2013

I'd prefer rain to 30C !
Even rain and 30C sounds ok.

willy b · July 2013

Doing the Etape last year in July was very cold and raining. That wasn't even 1% fun.

Anyway i'm sure it will be fine this year

notsoblue · July 2013

Does anyone have a GPX route for this years Marmotte?

Leroy42 · July 2013

The course is perfectly laid out and clear and with so many others you won't need directions.

however, if you do want to load the file all the main map sites, ridewithgps.com, mapmyride.com, strava.com etc have plenty of Marmotte courses.

Simply log on and do a search and you can download from there

On my phone so can't get a file for you here

caledonian1 · July 2013

willy b wrote:

Doing the Etape last year in July was very cold and raining. That wasn't even 1% fun.

Anyway i'm sure it will be fine this year

Acte 2 in the Pyrenees last year was very decent weather for cycling - around 15-18C and only very light rain on the mountain tops (a wee bit cooler further up too but far better than much of the weather at home that i trained in). i would love similar weather....although the low cloud precluded you from seeing around. i am petrified of 30C plus as I have never even laid on grass at that temperature let alone cycled 108 miles and 5200m climbing.

bernithebiker · July 2013

caledonian1 wrote:

willy b wrote:

Doing the Etape last year in July was very cold and raining. That wasn't even 1% fun.

Anyway i'm sure it will be fine this year

Acte 2 in the Pyrenees last year was very decent weather for cycling - around 15-18C and only very light rain on the mountain tops (a wee bit cooler further up too but far better than much of the weather at home that i trained in). i would love similar weather....although the low cloud precluded you from seeing around. i am petrified of 30C plus as I have never even laid on grass at that temperature let alone cycled 108 miles and 5200m climbing.

I'm guessing you're from Scotland? (which my French friend recently described as 'like Mordor'!!)

I was so damn cold on that Etape 2 last year, I reckon it knocked years off my life. Never again! Bring on the heat and sun!

manxshred · July 2013

Well, on my way to Manchester, then Geneva tonight. Hope I haven't forgotten anything.

oneof1982 · July 2013

bernithebiker wrote:

caledonian1 wrote:

willy b wrote:

Doing the Etape last year in July was very cold and raining. That wasn't even 1% fun.

Anyway i'm sure it will be fine this year

Acte 2 in the Pyrenees last year was very decent weather for cycling - around 15-18C and only very light rain on the mountain tops (a wee bit cooler further up too but far better than much of the weather at home that i trained in). i would love similar weather....although the low cloud precluded you from seeing around. i am petrified of 30C plus as I have never even laid on grass at that temperature let alone cycled 108 miles and 5200m climbing.

I'm guessing you're from Scotland? (which my French friend recently described as 'like Mordor'!!)

I was so damn cold on that Etape 2 last year, I reckon it knocked years off my life. Never again! Bring on the heat and sun!

I loved the little Mavic video that they sent you. On top of the Tourmalet, you couldn't see a bleeding thing. I'm saying to she who must be obeyed: "and that's me just there!"

Having said that the week before on Acte 1 it was 30 degrees going up La Toussire. Just at the moment my stomach decided not to process food or water.

caledonian1 · July 2013

Just checked on Weather Wunderground and it was 16c in Pau at the start and a little warmer for the rest of the day other than at the top of Tourmalet etc. yes, I am from Scotland and yes, I would rarely have cycled in 16c+ in 2012....will accept anything under 25c on Saturday

http://www.wunderground.com/history/air ... atename=NA

Anyone know how easy it will be for a spectator to drive to Bourg D'Oisans from Alpe D'Huez during the day...to meet me before the last climb....and then drive up the alpe again in time for me to finish (are there other roads up the Alpe?)

Marmotte 2013

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