Haute Route 2015

Grifteruk

Im thinking of entering one week of the three week Haute Route 2015 but frankly at the moment the cost is putting me off a bit. I can afford it so thats not the issue, rather a nagging doubt as to whether it would be as good as it is sold to be.

anyone here done it? (im planning on doing it solo rather than with friends) and if so would be nice to hear experiences and any advice.

cheers

DavidCr

A friend of mine has been employed as their Lantern Rouge for the past 2 years and we crossed his path a couple of times this year when they on the Alps event. In the past I have always thought of it as a very expensive event because it is a very expensive event but credit where it is due, they were extremely well organised. In the Tarentaise valley the leaders had a police escort bike, and each side road had a marshal controlling the traffic. We saw the support lorries and coaches on Mont Ventoux, ready to transport the riders and bikes back to Dignes les Bains after the stage, it was clearly more than your normal sportive event.
I think if you can afford it you would not regret it, there really is no other event like it for amateurs.

Grifteruk

Thanks David - I get the impression that it would be a great event and as close as I would get to a week long stage "race". If I wasn't carrying all the expense of getting married in April 2015 then it would be a no brainer - as it is I just need to balance it up. Having said that 2015 is likely to be the last time I am likely to be able to do this event with the type of fitness which would not only be required but which to my mind is an essential part of undertaking such an event. I am 90% decided that I will do it, thanks for the input.

wavefront

Hi,

I decided to enter the Alps route next year, after speaking to a number of different riders who've already done it. They all share the same concensus - It's the best weeks riding they've all done, with the event being extremely well run and very 'pro' like with closed sections, support cars and motorbikes, photographers.... the list goes on. It does cost alot, and I'm sure many would rather the cash funds new kit or the like, but it sounds like once you have done it once, the only way of bettering it, is to do it again!

Really looking forward to it, but I'm under no illusions to how difficult it will be. This years Alps route is supposed to be the hardest yet - I just read this and scared myself despite that I love climbing!

http://alpinecols.com/haute-route-alps-2015/

I'm already 7 weeks into my training for the HR - it's a great motivator for getting up at 6am and heading out into the rain for a few hours. These next 9 months will fly past.

Go for it! I'll see you there? Which one you thinking of doing?

Grifteruk

Hi Wavefront, yes ive entered the 2015 alps as well. I decided it was next year or never and as soon as I did so I knew it was the right decision. Already booked my flight out on the friday before but not sure on flight back just yet

I chose the alps cos I know a few of the climbs in the middle of the week which I am hoping will help when the legs and mind are tired. Also ive done the pyrenees and prefer the alps.

Am really looking forward to it although dont know anyone else whose done, or is doing, the event. Im also 7 weeks into base training which is odd for me cos normally I start in Jan for a July event. Base training is hard in going slow but im told itll pay dividends. Cant face the diet just yet but I reckon only got about 8lbs to lose so should be capable of sorting that once I start in Jan.

htsw5

I've signed up for the Alps to celebrate a significant birthday. Spoke to a guy who'd done it twice who convinced me to go for it.

Slightly worried I've bitten off more than I can chew though...I've no experience of alpine passes and the height gain does seem impressive.

I did a big ride on Sunday with 2,500m, which was tough and I felt okay afterwards, but... when you look at the route, day 1 is 3,750m and another 4,250m on day 2, which completely dwarfs it, so I'll need to be uping the climbing to get ready.

Have borrowed a mate's turbo, and now need to work out a training plan. Anyone know a good site to get ideas?

Grifteruk

Personally I think that most people who've entered will be thinking they've taken on something thats too big for them, me included. Having said that the motivation to train will no doubt be of benefit. As mentioned above i started base training about 7 weeks ago to build up early, as no doubt at some point there will be a dip in training/form.

alpine climbs are all about continious effort and being able to suffer for long periods. I did most of this years training for a week in the alps on my turbo and if you search the training forum for the etape or marmotte youll find loads of good threads. Whilst ive never been a heavyweight I really did notice the benefit of having lost 7lbs this year to last year so the diet is something ill be pushing come the new year. 8 months to lose 10lbs should be possible given the extra training ill be doing.

sounds to me like the potential for a bikeradar team ?!!

hatone

I'm flirting with the idea of doing the Triple Crown challenge, all three events back-to-back. Effectively it'll be a 3 week holiday riding in three countries - France, Italy and Switzerland. The real road block is the cost, which isn't cheap... :shock:

Dodger747

I'm doing the Dolomites event. I did the 2012 Alps, and the Dolomites looks significantly harder than that!

If you've never ridden up an Alp before [or any long mountain] it is an experience, I can tell you that... :shock:

gyorgyigabor

Hello !

The following pass, Col du Granon (2413 m) will be one of the most beautiful climbs of the Haute route 2015.

I recorded it for video few months ago, when I cycled up.

I suggest to visit this beautiful climb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M38iV3NBmNU

My facebook site with adventures, rides abroad (ALps, Pyrenees, mainly) more than 40000 kms with 650.000 m heightdiff. :
https://www.facebook.com/cycling.high

Best regards,
Gábor

htsw5

Thanks for sharing - great video.

I'm looking forward to Col du Granon, mainly as it is the shortest climbing day. Just got to survive days 1 & 2 first though.

htsw5

Haute Route Alps just got harder...

Stage 4 was Briancon - Lauteret - Serenne - Les Deux Alpes.

Now Briancon - Galibier - Telegraphe - Croix de Fer - Les Deux Alpes :shock: :shock:

Kind of reverse Marmotte in the middle of a week in the mountains.

Will be a long day in the saddle... hope I make it.

thegreatdivide

Two guys from our cycling group are doing it this year. Doug is doing all three and Steve is doing the Alps. Look out for a Canadian (the triple crown nutter) and a skinny Scotsman from Newport.