Sportives: Alternatives to the Etape/Marmotte

bahzob

This year's Etape/Marmotte are now, hopefully, safely over, providing happy memories and inspiration to try something similar in the future.

For those wanting something different I'd suggest checking out this site.

http://www.flammerouge.je/sportives/sportives.htm

It provides a pretty comprehensive list of alternatives to the Etape/Marmotte along with write ups. (Some links are unavailable atm while the site is being updated. That said in my experience the author is very helpful/enthusiastic and will most likely help out if you have questions about a specific event.)

Not on this list but also highly recommended is this

http://www.granfondoguide.com/gran-fondo-giordana
(organised through herehttp://www.gsalpi.com/en/

It was the best sportive I have ridden. 40euros got you a stunning ride on mostly closed roads, lots of freebies/food and you could easily find a hotel room where you could walk to the start. Choice of routes available all starting/finishing same place so good for mixed ability groups (or if disaster strikes mid ride). Its also in a great location for other climbs including the Stelvio.

If anyone has other suggestions from what they have done, please post.

garyspain

There a couple we do every year here is southern Spain, La Sufrida (The Suffering), in Ronda, next year it's on the 31st May, 197km with over 5000m climbing, it's not called the Suffering for nothing! Also a shorter route, around 125km with around 3700m climbing. Both are very challening, on quiet, smooth roads in a beautiful area of Andalucia, only a few hundred people enter these so no massive hoards and great paella afterwards and free beer.
The other is El Limite and La Subida Pico Veleta. Normally around the beginning of July (we were there last weekend). El Limite on the Saturday is around 90km starting and finishing at the ski station in the Sierra Nevada above Granada and well over 3000m ascent, taking in a couple of nasty climbs being used in La Vuelta this year (Monachil and Guejar Sierra), then on the Sunday there is the climb from Granada to as near to the summit of Pico Veleta that can be reached, around 40km finishing at about 3200m above sea level, and there's maybe 500m descent in that 40 odd km and the last 10km on unmade road. Around 80 euros to enter both days with a jersey, fabulous post ride grub and free beer.
Again, small number limits on this one.

Sarah

phreak

I've done the GF Giordana as well and it is a super ride. The Gavia is a smashing climb, the Mortirolo less so

I'd say the Maratona is a better event though. The route isn't quite as challenging (imo), but the whole event is spectacularly well run in a stunning part of the world.

I haven't done this as a sportive, but I've stayed in Trento a few times so have ridden the route a fair bit. It's a nice part of the world, and the Bondone is a challenging climb. What's more, the weekend also comes with a mountain time trial if you fancy it.

http://www.laleggendariacharlygaul.it/l ... ache=1&L=1

Also ridden the GF les Duex Alpes a few times, although prefer the Italian rides if I'm honest. It's a decent challenge on some climbs you probably don't see as often in that area.

http://www.sportcommunication.info/web2 ... rophee=161

Tom Butcher

I"d love to do the Maratona but being a ballot entry means it's not a great option for a club trip or group of mates. - same goes for the Quetabrehuesos (ok I guessed at the spelling). At least with the Marmotte if you are willing to stay up late and spend an our trying you can pretty much guarantee an entry.

Are there any other big events -4k plus riders say - same ballpark toughness or harder than the Marmotte but which you can all get into if you want? Anyone done the GF Sportful - would that fit the bill ?

phreak

You can get guaranteed entry to the Maratona via Cycling Weekly, but it does make it more expensive.

bahzob

Tom Butcher wrote:

I"d love to do the Maratona but being a ballot entry means it's not a great option for a club trip or group of mates. - same goes for the Quetabrehuesos (ok I guessed at the spelling). At least with the Marmotte if you are willing to stay up late and spend an our trying you can pretty much guarantee an entry.

Are there any other big events -4k plus riders say - same ballpark toughness or harder than the Marmotte but which you can all get into if you want? Anyone done the GF Sportful - would that fit the bill ?

My guess would be most would fit that category, if its not already a familiar name chances are it will not need limits on numbers.

Pretty sure the GF Giordana is one contender. The long route is definitely in Marmotte territory, not quite so much climbing but the two main (Gavia/Mortirolo) are both brutes and the last one is tough after so many miles in your legs.

Also if you drop Tony (at Flamme Rouge) a note saying the sort of thing you are after I am pretty sure he will come up with a few suggestions.

pan280

I did the "tour of cyprus" last april http://tourofcyprus.com/en/ and thought it was great.
This year it coincided with the easter holidays so it was a nice holiday.
The entry fee is good value (in 2013 if you booked early it was 70 euros for three stages).
Roads were not totally closed but cars and motorbikes stopped the traffic as we went along so very safe.
It is a small event around 150 riders. A lot of british riders from the army bases there and plenty of brits and germans came from Dubai. I plan to do it next year too!

shropshirelad

Novi Coli in May - 9 hills (not mountains) but they come thick and fast on the 200km route and with 12,000 starting you are with people the whole way around. I blogged about all the hills - http://rideventures.blogspot.co.uk/p/novi-coli.html

Gran Fondo Eddy Merckx - progressively tougher hills near Verona in June with lots of support/sponsors. I reviewed it for Cyclosport - http://www.cyclosport.org/26-Jun-2013/e ... eview.html

Gran Fondo Sportful - my review of this one is up on the Cyclosport website at the moment - http://www.cyclosport.org/03-Jul-2013/e ... eview.html

Maratona - people use "spectacular" to describe all sorts of things but the scenery of the Maratona shows you what the word really means. Absolutely remarkable views - http://rideventures.blogspot.co.uk/p/ma ... recon.html

La Pina - Pinarello sponsored July event starting from outside their Treviso shop (4,000+ cyclists) with excellent support. http://rideventures.blogspot.co.uk/2012 ... armin.html

And finally my favourite - the Prosecco Cycling Classic through the vineyards and foothills of the famous wine - 120km in September with Prosecco and seafood served on the final climb. There's still time to get into this one.

airwise

It very much depends on what you are looking for.

Many Brevet/Randonees exist which offer a better ride IMHO but no timing chip. The B.R.A yesterday for instance was longer and higher than the Marmotte, with far less idiots on the road, and all round a better experience (i.e no neutralised sections).

If you must have a timing chip and a medal, then the Giordana will hurt your legs, the Alpen Brevet will really do some damage and the Oztaler Rad Marathon will easily eclipse the Marmotte.

Others that are really worth a go are the Sportful in Feltre, the Maratona (which is IMHO the best GF in Europe bar none) and Ardechoise (for sheer atmosphere).

So many options out there. Think outside of the box and you will be rewarded.

Tom Butcher

For me I like the mass participation element, the idiots on the road if you prefer! I can ride in the Alps on holiday - but not with 7000 others.

Timing is preferable just to give a bit of focus to the ride, unless it's genuinely so hard just completing it would in itself be a challenge, like say a PBP or the like.

airwise

Rather depends on how you define "mass".

Yesterday there was about 900 riders. For me that means not having to dodge idiots who can't descend or having to get off and walk when the road narrows.

As for timing, with Strava and a Garmin I see little point in being timed on an event but understand why people want it. But then, some of those same people get times of over 10 hours for the Marmotte etc which rather suggests they were in survival mode anyway. But timing doesn't hurt - I just wouldn't personally place it at the very top of my agenda.

3Pears

Maratona dles Dolomites gets my vote, done both an Etape and Marmotte.

Closed roads, stunning scenery, the best organisation, unbelievable goody bags containing kit etc etc :P

Tom B, re entries the last 2 years we have taken parties of over 14 riders each year via Holimites.com the official tour operator. You wouldn't believe how reasonable it is

heliphil

Oztaler Radmarathon from Solden ( Austria thru Italy and back down to Solden) 238km 5500m of climbing on closed roads - really nice

ronnierocket

I did this one 3 weeks ago, organised by the same people as the Marmotte. Think there was about 600 taking place as a mass start. Very well organised and sign posted. They use spray paint on the road instead of signs, worked well. All the major junctions were marshalled as well. The food stops were well stocked if a little bit different from home, first time I had seen camembert at a food stop, lots of dried fruit as well. It's only an hour from Geneva and my friend and I did it as a weekend trip. Route was good, quiet roads finishing with the Col de Joux plan, a TDF favourite - brutal end!

http://www.sportcommunication.info/web2 ... rophee=133