Ardechoise 2013

badgerbeaver

Anyone doing the Ardechoise sportive or any of the other Ardechoise events this June?

http://www.ardechoise.com/site/


I've entered this, it looks good. Any advice or tips from those who have done it before much appreciated!

bigpikle

I've always struggled to actually understand what the hell the events are in this week, but it seems a new English language blog makes it a little clearer now...I think!

So it looks like a 220km sportive as the key event, with a longer route if you're mad enough, and then various options to add to it to make it a week of more 'touring' style? It actual looks like a great way to spend a week in reality as I always feel like spending 3-4 days around events like the Mrmotte or Maratona etc are a bit of a waste as everyone is looking to stay fresh and not ride too much. This seems to actually mean a good few days full-on riding.

Tom Butcher

Wanted to but couldn't talk anyone into it so heading to the Pyrenees instead. Let us know what it's like - quite fancy it for 2014.

bernithebiker

Bigpikle wrote:

I've always struggled to actually understand what the hell the events are in this week, but it seems a new English language blog makes it a little clearer now...I think!

Never done this before, but looks good, and gets a lot of coverage in French bike magazines.

Let me know if you need any help with the French.

VTTBOSCOMBE

Just finished this, 2nd year running.

Not the sportive (what's the rush guys?); but 3 days, 400kms, 7500m climbing. Luggage transported, great scenery , food etc.
Get's a bit crazy the last days when all courses, including those impatient sportive guys come into St Felicien at the same time.
Great organisation , 13 000 people spread all over the countryside for half a week doing different courses.

What's not to love.

badgerbeaver

I did this at the weekend, specifically the Volcanique route (176km, 3000m climbing).

It was superbly organised and huge fun. I can highly recommend it for all the reasons you would expect;

organisation
challenging course
closed roads
great atmosphere in the villages
good food stops
friendly people
beautiful scenery
good value
sense of achievement

it's really quite something - very happy I did it!

dag_on_a_bike

This is an event that I have, for no apparent good reason, wanted to do for about 5 years now.

For a number of reasons it just hasn't happened.

I'm not young (57). I'm over weight - 97Kg. I've endured one medical procedure after another - BPH, followed by an unfortunate 'off' resulting in a double displaced fracture of the clavicle, and most recently a diagnosis of prostate cancer (but not of any serious concern to me).

I am determined to do the Ardechoise - the 216Km event - if not this year, then hopefully next.

I've seen the event described as 'not flat' - great. But what really appeals is the way that the local communities seen to embrace the event and take it to their hearts in a way that seem so alien to British communities that seem less inclined to welcome sportives.