Marmotte 2013

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  • caledonian1
    caledonian1 Posts: 62
    I entered twice...never saw my name on the list for a week then all of a sudden there was my name twice. i have looked again and now it appears only once. has this happened to anyone else and do they know if there is an automatic refund given for the additional entry. I did not mean to enter twice as I failed to get confirmation of the first entry and assumed it had not gone through.

    I have now booked a flight to lyon..anyone know of the best way to get myself and bike to Borg D'Osians?

    Any help welcome
  • millster
    millster Posts: 209
    caledonian1 wrote:
    I have now booked a flight to lyon..anyone know of the best way to get myself and bike to Borg D'Osians?

    I went independently and on my own last year, trying to arrange travel from Lyon to Bourg was a nightmare! As it's the off season for the resort, travel routes were greatly restricted. From what I remember there is a train/bus option which would have taken ages so I decided to turn up to the airport with nothing planned and try to tag along on one of the operators minibuses if they had a spare space. Luckily, I managed to get in one and ended up paying around £50 with a lift back to the airport on Sunday as well.

    Of course, this depends on what time your flight gets in-most operators' transfers aim to pick up between 12-2pm on the Thursday and drop off by around the same time on Sunday.

    Good luck.
  • Leroy42
    Leroy42 Posts: 78
    Easiest option is to hire a car. It is pretty straight forward drive from Lyon Airport to Bourg, should take around 2 hours. If you want to ditch the bike box there is a conceirge service at the airport which will store the bike box for you. I inquired about it last year (but didn't use it in the end) and I think it was about £10 per day.

    Another option would be to try to tag along with someone else and split the costs, plenty of people of on this thread will be arranging it themselves. Maybe contact some of the tour companies closer to the time so ask about space. Not sure they would agree, but maybe they will have some space and would rather a few extra quid than not!

    What dates/times are your flights?
    So this little yellow braclet makes me a better cyclist?
  • caledonian1
    caledonian1 Posts: 62
    Thanks Millster and Leroy...2 decent suggestions that I will weigh up and consider.

    I arrive at 1605 in Lyon on Thurs the 4th and return on the 1640 on Monday the 8th (although fancy a night oot in Lyon on the 7th)
  • Leroy42
    Leroy42 Posts: 78
    Just checked the website and the numbers seem to be being sent out (I checked the registration section).

    Strange thing is that me and the other guys got numbers 5600 - 5602. No idea where they got those numbers from, I had my registration all done by about 1 am! I know the event is timed from the point you cross the mat but having done it before the further back you are the more hold ups etc you get. The 1st year I did it we were in the 2000's and there was big holds ups on the Glandon, not to mention the porblems at the feedstops.

    Really pissed that after staying up and putting up with the fu3king crap of a website that we get given such crap numbers.

    Yes I know we get to sleep in a bit, but without sounding too arrogant I am hoping for a sub 7.30 time and starting so far is going to make that much more difficult.

    Rant over!
    So this little yellow braclet makes me a better cyclist?
  • manxshred
    manxshred Posts: 295
    The group I organised my entry though has asked for the medical certificate to be in by the 31st Jan due to the organisers requiring it. I'm not sure if anyone else has seen this but it might be a good idea to check they haven't changed the rules for this year.
  • kfinlay
    kfinlay Posts: 763
    I'm flying to Geneva (due to bad advice/planning from a mate) and plan on getting a hire car. Anyone know if I MUST use the French side for the car hire or should it be okay to use the Swiss side? There is a significant difference in price and I'm try to save money as costs just seem to be going upwards!
    Kev

    Summer Bike: Colnago C60
    Winter Bike: Vitus Alios
    MTB: 1997 GT Karakorum
  • kfinlay
    kfinlay Posts: 763
    Oh, and any recommendations for insurance?
    Not worth going without as there is too much risk of getting caught up in some crash etc that is caused by someone else.

    And I'm number 7080 :( looks like I'll need to seriously consider my food/drink strategy and any hope of trying for a fast time (for me) is out the window!
    Kev

    Summer Bike: Colnago C60
    Winter Bike: Vitus Alios
    MTB: 1997 GT Karakorum
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    kfinlay wrote:
    I'm flying to Geneva (due to bad advice/planning from a mate) and plan on getting a hire car. Anyone know if I MUST use the French side for the car hire or should it be okay to use the Swiss side? There is a significant difference in price and I'm try to save money as costs just seem to be going upwards!

    I used to work right next to Geneva airport for 4 years. No problem using either side, if you're coming in from the UK you should come out on the Swiss side anyway. Swiss cars will have the Swiss motorway sticker on them too, so if your stray onto Swiss motorways you won't get stung for 50 Euros or so.

    One little tip for the winter; always hire Swiss side - by law they have to have snow tyres, French cars don't. Will make a massive difference if there's snow.
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    Leroy42 wrote:
    Just checked the website and the numbers seem to be being sent out (I checked the registration section).

    Strange thing is that me and the other guys got numbers 5600 - 5602. No idea where they got those numbers from, I had my registration all done by about 1 am! I know the event is timed from the point you cross the mat but having done it before the further back you are the more hold ups etc you get. The 1st year I did it we were in the 2000's and there was big holds ups on the Glandon, not to mention the porblems at the feedstops.

    Really pissed that after staying up and putting up with the fu3king crap of a website that we get given such crap numbers.

    Yes I know we get to sleep in a bit, but without sounding too arrogant I am hoping for a sub 7.30 time and starting so far is going to make that much more difficult.

    Rant over!

    I fear much the same thing for the Etape du Tour, especially as we're looking at over 10 000 riders. I think there' s alot of luck involved - I was right up the front last year, but it was my 1st one!

    Hopefully they'll space out the starts, leaving a good time gap between each 500 or so.....fingers crossed....
  • steerpike
    steerpike Posts: 424
    Can I ask where you got the number from? They like to make it difficult to find I think.

    I can find a 4 digit number under a column of 'ASK FOR CHANGE' after finding myself through Registrants. Is this my number?
  • mpd62
    mpd62 Posts: 71
    OK.... I have found my number 5893( way back in the field by all accounts), It allso states that my registration is incomplete and untill they see the doctors cert I am registered as a Randonneur( no time), Now my question is if my pace is going to be obstructed whats the point in paying my Doc £30 when I could still ride and time myself. Can anybody tell me the pros and cons of being a Randonneur, ie would I keep my number or have to start at the back ?. cheers
  • Leroy42
    Leroy42 Posts: 78
    Steerpike,

    Go into registrations page, go to the bottom of the page and enter you name (I think you have already done this!).

    You are then asked for DOB and this gives you the confirmation page which will have links to your confirmation letter, rules and a red box at the top of the page which is looking for you to upload doc cert/race licence.

    Dossard number is the number. It will also be on the confirmation letter if you download it.

    mpd62 - my understanding is that it makes no difference on the day itself. It only counts it terms of ranking of your time. based on number I got (5600) I won't be bothering.
    So this little yellow braclet makes me a better cyclist?
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    mpd62 wrote:
    OK.... I have found my number 5893( way back in the field by all accounts), It allso states that my registration is incomplete and untill they see the doctors cert I am registered as a Randonneur( no time), Now my question is if my pace is going to be obstructed whats the point in paying my Doc £30 when I could still ride and time myself. Can anybody tell me the pros and cons of being a Randonneur, ie would I keep my number or have to start at the back ?. cheers

    This shows how ridiculous the whole medical cert. thing is.

    So a big fat guy who smokes 20 a day and had a hard night on the town can turn up, be a 'randonneur' and try and crack 9 hours on his own Garmin, without a certificate and run a serious risk of killing himself.

    But a fit and healthy cyclist who turns up wanting to just do a nice day's ride and be timed must produce a certificate.

    mpd62 - don't bother with the £30, just knock one up using Word.
  • steerpike
    steerpike Posts: 424
    Leroy42 wrote:
    Steerpike,

    Go into registrations page, go to the bottom of the page and enter you name (I think you have already done this!).

    You are then asked for DOB and this gives you the confirmation page which will have links to your confirmation letter, rules and a red box at the top of the page which is looking for you to upload doc cert/race licence.

    Dossard number is the number. It will also be on the confirmation letter if you download it.

    mpd62 - my understanding is that it makes no difference on the day itself. It only counts it terms of ranking of your time. based on number I got (5600) I won't be bothering.
    Leroy - thanks for this but it's still not totally clear. I get a page with a 4 digit number on it and 3 columns: Races / Ask for Change / Tour Operator. Under 'Ask for change' there is a 4 digit number. I don't hav e 'Dossard' listed but there is a link to a PDF titled 'Reglement'. Is this what I'm after? Could they make it anymore difficult?!
  • mpd62
    mpd62 Posts: 71
    I dont know what a Docs cert would look like to copy? has anyone got one they have used before?. :D
  • millster
    millster Posts: 209
    I've got a copy of the one I used last year which was provided by an operator. I can edit it and people can have it no problem.

    I don't think people should be worrying about the doctors certs and having them checked. Last year there was a sprinkling of kids aged 10-14 i'd say that couldn't speak much english. They just checked the name on the doctors cert and handed over your pack with number, chip, goodies etc in.
  • Road Red
    Road Red Posts: 232
    Relax everyone F.F.S.

    If your name is on the list you'll get a starting number. Whether its 1,000 or 5,000 it wont stop you from doing 7.30 or any time. There's no real hold up on the Glandon except for a few minutes getting through the feed station at the top. After that its plain sailing.

    Bring the medical cert with you to registration. If you're doing one up yourself just put some doctors name and address on top, write John Doe (your name here obviously!) is fit to enter a cyclng event and put a signature on it. It wont be checked.

    You are enetered into one of the best sportives in the world. Stop fretting about start numbers, websites, medical certs etc.

    Fret about fitness and channel your energy into training.

    Rant over. :evil:

    Happy Christmas everyone. :D
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    Agree with that. If you really are concerned about being held up just get there early and start at the front of whatever start time you are given - though personally I don't think someone aiming at 7.30 is going to find themselves slowed significantly on the Glandon - it's not like you are queuing up or anything.
    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • mpd62
    mpd62 Posts: 71
    Cheers guys, Not panicing just getting all the info I can . thanks for your experiences.
  • stanthomas
    stanthomas Posts: 265
    mpd62 wrote:
    OK.... I am registered as a Randonneur ...

    You will be registered as a randonneur (i.e. you ride it like an audax) until they have your medical certificate. If you submit the medical in advance your status will change, if you hand the form in on the day they will do it after the fact.

    I recommend you follow the rules and have the medical form completed by your doctor. Many GPs will do this free or make a small admin charge (£10, say). If your GP is greedy you might want to consider changing doctors. If you submit a fake medical then you leave yourself open to charges of misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, impersonating a doctor, practicing medicine without a license. And those who have encouraged you to do it on this public forum to charges of incitement and conspiracy.
    And, if the organisers and their insurers get excited about this they might well toughen up the rules, maybe require a medical from a French doctor...
  • narbs
    narbs Posts: 593
    stanthomas wrote:
    I recommend you follow the rules and have the medical form completed by your doctor. Many GPs will do this free or make a small admin charge (£10, say). If your GP is greedy you might want to consider changing doctors. If you submit a fake medical then you leave yourself open to charges of misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, impersonating a doctor, practicing medicine without a license. And those who have encouraged you to do it on this public forum to charges of incitement and conspiracy.
    And, if the organisers and their insurers get excited about this they might well toughen up the rules, maybe require a medical from a French doctor...

    Fair play, this is superb work :D
  • jamescorbridge
    jamescorbridge Posts: 2
    Hi. Can anyone provide a link to registration please, the website only provides links to v expensive tour operators, I am going round in circles!!!
  • caledonian1
    caledonian1 Posts: 62
    Here is the link i used

    http://www.sportcommunication.info/web2 ... p?langue=2

    it is a dreadful website. I couldnt get it to accept my entry then saw that i had made 2 payments...a week later my name apeared on the list twice...now it appears once and i have not received a refund for the additional entry (I will write to them but do not hold much hope)
    I would not have known that i had to confirm my participation if it was not for someone on here. i think I loaded my medical form from Etape du Tour 2012 and it seems to have worked...saying that I think I should get a fresh one made by my doctor in 2013 just in case
  • steerpike
    steerpike Posts: 424
    caledonian1 - can you explain what is meant by confirming your registration? where on the website does it say this? I paid and got an email - that's it so far. I can see my name on the registrants list but I've had nothing by way of confirmation by email. Truly appalling administration.
  • narbs
    narbs Posts: 593
    steerpike wrote:
    caledonian1 - can you explain what is meant by confirming your registration? where on the website does it say this? I paid and got an email - that's it so far. I can see my name on the registrants list but I've had nothing by way of confirmation by email. Truly appalling administration.

    You won't get an email yet. You can normally log into your account to see which races you've entered, download the confirmation letter and upload med form/racing licence but you don't seem to be able to at the moment.

    I wouldn't stress about it. The website's not that great but everything will drop into place well in time for the event.
  • steerpike
    steerpike Posts: 424
    Thanks for that. I'm on the big database/spreadsheet thingy for Gran fondo so fingers crossed. I could come up with a better system in about half a day's work.
  • lucky paddy
    lucky paddy Posts: 23
    Do us all afavour and offer.your services you could be a legend this time next year lol ps can I get a better number next year please
  • chill123
    chill123 Posts: 210
    Sadly i'm not riding this year but am enjoying the buzz of anticipation on this thread.

    I wrote down a few of my experiences and shared some tips here in case anyone is interested:

    http://www.centurytraining.com/training ... -marmotte/

    Reading this thread makes me a little jealous i haven't got that nervous anticipation feeling! Good luck everyone
    Garmin 800 Review
  • lucky paddy
    lucky paddy Posts: 23
    The article by chill123 is very good this will be my fifth marmotte and I am always on the look out for hints and tips.

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