Etape du Tour 2013

Boleynboy

JS14 wrote:

boborange wrote:

yikes im number 12580.

can anyone beat it?

It makes me wonder what criteria are used to allocate bib numbers. This year I have a sub-6000 number which is virtually the same number as for last year's Albertville Etape, for which I managed an ignominious "Did Not Finish" result. For both entries, I declared just one qualifying, long-distance performance: a 125 mile sportive in 2011 with a last-but-two-or-three finish. Does this means that anyone who has actually managed to finish a previous Etape gets a sub-5000 number? And what is the lowest number obtained by someone who didn't declare any previous cycling results?

It is quite random, I have finished the last two etapes and I am behind you with a 7000+ bib, odd?

markwb79

I am in an organised group and staying in Gites de Pontgibaud. From what I can tell this is about 20km from the start, all along the lake.
The group are leaving by bus at 530am. I am in the first pen and would like to get towards the front if possible.
Do you think its possible to get to the front or is the bus leaving a little late to make that?
My other options is to ride the 20km, any one done this route? and whats it like and how long might it take?

Thanks a lot and cant wait to be at the event!

inseine

willy b wrote:

For the past two years my friend has printed the medical certificate off and then made a doctors stamp from staples (think you can buy individual letters) and then signed it, I personally would have been a bit uneasy about doing this, but he was fine and got in both years.

Your other option is a British Cycling Race License, which will be accepted at both events (got an email today saying this) Although this might not arrive in time!

56mph - Just finishing last years Act II was a major achievement. Although I think I was top 300 ish.

You can easily forge the medical, but your family might not thank you if you have an accident.

markwb79

inseine wrote:

willy b wrote:

For the past two years my friend has printed the medical certificate off and then made a doctors stamp from staples (think you can buy individual letters) and then signed it, I personally would have been a bit uneasy about doing this, but he was fine and got in both years.

Your other option is a British Cycling Race License, which will be accepted at both events (got an email today saying this) Although this might not arrive in time!

56mph - Just finishing last years Act II was a major achievement. Although I think I was top 300 ish.

You can easily forge the medical, but your family might not thank you if you have an accident.

How do you do the doctors stamp though?

Revis

velonomad.com wrote:

Revis wrote:

Haha yup it was pretty chilly right! I remember one of the feed stations jam packed with people wrapped up in heat blankets. I don't know how many started but I was led to believe about 9500 and just checked the site and 3800-odd finished. Think I'll make a pilgrimage to Ventoux this year and try 6 ascents. Fun fun fun :P

How on earth can you fit six in ? I did Les Cingles - http://www.velonomad.com/trips/2011-velonomad-trip-day-27-the-ventoux-3-peat-les-cingles/ - and it was a long day.

Well an ascent + descent with a refuel break was about 2.5 hours at 97kg so I'm hoping I can get down sub 90kg and that'll bring that down closer to 2 and make it feasible in daylight. This year though time to run up

willy b

Markwb79 wrote:

How do you do the doctors stamp though?

Apparently you can get them made at Staples.

markwb79

willy b wrote:

Markwb79 wrote:

How do you do the doctors stamp though?

Apparently you can get them made at Staples.

Thanks, will have to search out an equivalent over here then.

Someone said they accept race licences? I thought that was on for French ones?

56mph

Markwb79 wrote:

willy b wrote:

Markwb79 wrote:

How do you do the doctors stamp though?

Apparently you can get them made at Staples.

Thanks, will have to search out an equivalent over here then.

Someone said they accept race licences? I thought that was on for French ones?

The French language version of the Etape website says they (only) accept French race licences (Federation Francaise de Cyclisme) and other French race licences (FSCF, FSGT, UFOLEP or FF Triathlon) as I believe these require a medical in order to obtain the licence; British Cycling hands them out to anyone hence a BC licence won't work.

bernithebiker

I wonder.....if you're a doctor, can you write your own medical certificate...? Perk of the job?

markwb79

56mph wrote:

Markwb79 wrote:

willy b wrote:

Markwb79 wrote:

How do you do the doctors stamp though?

Apparently you can get them made at Staples.

Thanks, will have to search out an equivalent over here then.

Someone said they accept race licences? I thought that was on for French ones?

The French language version of the Etape website says they (only) accept French race licences (Federation Francaise de Cyclisme) and other French race licences (FSCF, FSGT, UFOLEP or FF Triathlon) as I believe these require a medical in order to obtain the licence; British Cycling hands them out to anyone hence a BC licence won't work.

Not very clear then! I thought it was only French licences. Although I needed a medical for my race licence (Dutch). When you look at the questions part, it says the following:


WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO GET MY RACE NUMBER?
You must have your medical certificate (or licence), your registration confirmation (printed from the runner’s list) and an identity document with you.


Think I might try with my licence first, and if I dont succeed then go back with a medical cert, although I need to find a staples equivalent then!

Boleynboy

Markwb79 wrote:

I am in an organised group and staying in Gites de Pontgibaud. From what I can tell this is about 20km from the start, all along the lake.
The group are leaving by bus at 530am. I am in the first pen and would like to get towards the front if possible.
Do you think its possible to get to the front or is the bus leaving a little late to make that?
My other options is to ride the 20km, any one done this route? and whats it like and how long might it take?

Thanks a lot and cant wait to be at the event!

If where you are staying is on the West side of the lake you will be fine to ride, as I have already mentioned in a reply to a previous post, there is an excellant cycle path that runs the whole length of the lake (it actually goes all the way from Albertville to Annecy), that brings you into the centre of Annecy without touching the road route. It is flat so 20k will be a good way to warm up!

Barca1

Thanks to those who replied to me. I emailed the organisers about my doctor refusing to provide a medical certificate as it's against their policy and this is their response;

"This is really an obligation, if you can explain that it's a law in France regarding the organisators,

it's an obligation for us to get this medical certificate as you can read on the link below,"

So my options are to either plead with my doctor to sign the form (doubtful), try http://www.sportsmedicalcertificates.co.uk/en/ and hope that they can provide one in time or option C - fake a certificate.

Very frustrating either way when this is an event where probably 99% can enter without any problems and bureaucracy is causing some doctors to refuse to sign a document. I know I am fit and able to participate. Taking option C would invalidate any Insurance as well. The whole thing is crazy.

beefonabike

Re the medical certificate discussion, can you find a private GP clinic? It will cost money (mine was £60) but at least you are guaranteed getting your certificate (assuming you are indeed fit and healthy). A friend of mine has had to go to the British Olympic cardiologist to get signed off, as he previously had form of heart disease (now cured thankfully). My experience last year was that there was a cursory look at the certificate on registration - I would be more concerned about the insurance implications of a fake certificate if god forbid anything went wrong (I assume they do keep them on file).

beefonabike

http://www.yr.no/place/France/Rhône-Alpes/La_Féclaz/long.html
http://www.yr.no/place/France/Rhône-Alpes/Annecy/long.html

Looking favourable!

Barca1

I have asked one local Private GP if they would sign it. So far my best quote is £135. If I can find someone nearer £60 I would be happy.

As you say, it's more for the insurance I feel the need to get it done properly.

Simon_Rhino

Receptionist at surgery wanted £40 but when I got to see the Doctor he said he felt embarrassed at them charging me to tell me there was nothing wrong with me he gave me a tenner towards any charity of my choice :shock:

although I begrudged paying £40 I do now know for a fact I'm healthy(ish), have the bit of paper I need to ride L'Etape and have had my faith in humanity restored by the doc

itboffin

Wow i'm surprised any UK doctors is allowed to charge, I popped along to my GP last week and she suggested because of my age and family history of heart problems that i should but didnt have to have a full NHS health check, yes NHS you know the thing we pay for in our NI contributions, anyway seems i'm as fit as a butchers dog on EPO with only a 1.1% chance of any heart related problems in the next 10 years according to their voodoo machine.

My point is its not unreasonable to ask your GP for an annual health check, its pretty much only here in the UK we think its weird to go to the docs when there's nothing obviously wrong, preventative maintenance, catch issues before they become life threatening.

Crazy stuff

xscreamsuk

I photoshopped mine last year. No bother. I'm a healthcare professional and would never dream of charging for anything like this. My GP wanted a fee, I can understand that, but I'd rather not pay for red tape, so did it myself.

I am the god of hell fire

itboffin wrote:

Wow i'm surprised any UK doctors is allowed to charge.......

Crazy stuff

You misunderstand that GPs may look like cuddly cardigan wearing NHS humanists, however in reality they are hard nosed, self employed business people contracting their services to the local health authority which explains why some ask you to pay for a non essential appointment slot for your certificate

^^^^^ And thats not too tongue in cheek either

itboffin

Another benefit of living in the countryside

js14

itboffin wrote:

Wow I'm surprised any UK doctors is allowed to charge, I popped along to my GP last week and she suggested because of my age and family history of heart problems that i should but didn't have to have a full NHS health check, yes NHS you know the thing we pay for in our NI contributions

Totally agree with the itboffin's sentiment about the outrageous amount some doctors are charging in the UK. By the way NI contributions don't pay for the NHS any more than vehicle tax pays for the roads. Both are financed from general taxation that everyone pays (including visitors to the UK who are paying VAT).

Personally, I can't agree with the others who suggest forging a medical certificate, however easy it seems to be. Those who do it are inviting the ASO to make much stricter checks on all overseas entrants in the future where they might perhaps cross-check the doctor's name against official lists of medical practitioners or possibly ask for the certificate in advance to contact the doctor's practice, etc. They should also realise that they might be committing a criminal offence in France, which carries a sentence of up to 1 years imprisonment or a 15000 € fine.

Article 441-7 Code Penal "

Indépendamment des cas prévus au présent chapitre, est puni d'un an d'emprisonnement et de 15 000 euros d'amende le fait :
1° D'établir une attestation ou un certificat faisant état de faits matériellement inexacts ;
2° De falsifier une attestation ou un certificat originairement sincère ;
3° De faire usage d'une attestation ou d'un certificat inexact ou falsifié."
The three acts prohibited are creating a certificate knowing that it is factually incorrect, altering a certificate which was originally true and using a false or inaccurate certificate.

The idea of getting a medical done in France on arrival might work if you can find an English-speaking doctor or if your French is good enough to explain your medical history but I suppose if 5000 people try the same thing in Annecy, you won't be able to get an appointment anyway.

Boleynboy

Do feel sorry for all the people on here having so much grief with the medical certificate. Over the last three years several different doctors in my local surgery have signed with no fuss, no fee and a cheery good luck.

VilanovaRider

Etape Start Times - have you seen this --> http://www.letapedutour.com/ET1/us/starting_areas.html

"New for 2013, staggered start times based on your number"

white_cannondale

I ended up using http://www.sportsmedicalcertificates.co.uk after I was told by the GP's receptionist that they have a 4 week turnaround time on issuing certificates. They emailed me a scanned copy of the certificate on the same night and the actual certificate arrived in the post 2 days later. Having said that, luckily there's nothing in my medical history that made it complex. Not sure what they do if that's not they case? Perhaps they would ask you to come in for a consultation and maybe go for tests?

Mick100

PM me if you're interested.

Sorry, I can't PM you, I just joined! I need to get to Annecy too after the Marmotte. I'd like to chip in if you have found anything! -Mick.

Mick100

That was meant for dp_1410. I need to get to Annecy for the Etape after the Marmotte. Could anyone help???

js14

VilanovaRider wrote:

Etape Start Times - have you seen this --> http://www.letapedutour.com/ET1/us/starting_areas.html

"New for 2013, staggered start times based on your number"

Something got lost in the translation as they get it right on the French version of the site. What they meant to say, was that this year pen closing times are staggered. In previous years, everyone had to be in their pen 30 minutes or so before the first riders set off at 7 am. The new system makes sense as the last riders to go won't have to hang around for 2 hours or so getting cold. It might also help with the traffic problems.

I am the god of hell fire

ive honestly looked but can find no mention of medal times on the ASO website

are they posted in advance or decided on the day???

bernithebiker

Looks like it's gonna be hot, damn hot;

http://france.meteofrance.com/france/me ... 07120000LE

Maybe pack some salt/hydration tablets and your lightest, whitest top.....

56mph

I am the god of hell fire wrote:

ive honestly looked but can find no mention of medal times on the ASO website

are they posted in advance or decided on the day???

Not sure they are doing medal times any more; they didn't last year. But they are timing everyone up the main climbs....