La Marmotte

pechacheli

Evening

I'm looking into doing the La Marmotte this year and wondered if anyone who has done this in the past could offer me some advice on how best to get there with a bike.

I would be looking to get to Lyon and am not sure I can take the bike on the train?

It looks as though I can get a bike on a plane (in a box) however wondered who was the best/cheapest to do this with?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

P

dandrew

http://www.sportcommunication.info/web2 ... ortive.com Enter here
BA flights come with luggage allowance which includes a bike box. Other airlines e.g. Easy jet charge £50-75 per box.
As for accommodation you'll need to google.

pechacheli

Thank you... With BA do you have to pre-book a bike or just turn up? I've never travelled aboard with a bike so all new to me!

1KmtoGo

You could get the train from the station at Lyon Airport to Grenoble with the bike in a bike box and a taxi or coach from Grenoble to Le Bourg d'Oisans or Alpe D'Huez.

With BA you can take the bike on the plane as your nominated piece of hold luggage without formally telling them (though it does need to comply with BA's rules on carrying bikes) but if you are taking an additional piece of luggage with you for kit etc. then you should buy the extra allowance online if more than one hold bag is not included in your ticket price. Easyjet also fly to Lyon and is another option to look at.

I have been looking this matter myself and have been using a website called UrbantoAlps which covers points like these about travelling to European sportives (www.urbantoalps.com)

pechacheli

Thanks for the great advice and the link...

I've booked my flights with BA as this worked out cheaper than Easyjet if taking the bike box. I just hope I can load up the box with kit so it's under the 23kg weight and then take the rest via hand baggage.

Fingers crossed it all works out!

cedargreen

For information on taking the train, check out www.seat61.com -the France page has information on taking your bike on Eurostar and on trains within France.

A few years ago I rode the 'Ardechoise' which starts near St Etienne and looked into flying and taking the train but both seemed quite laborious, since neither will get you all the way to your destination. The train ought to be easier but French Railways (including Eurostar, which is basically a French operation) are not as cycle- friendly as you might imagine.

I ended up driving to avoid being at the mercy of airport baggage handlers etc. Cross channel ferries are quite cheap and roads in France are generally much quieter than the UK. It took a couple of days to get there, partly because I took a scenic route but mainly because I was driving a 1973 Vauxhall Viva. In a modern car you could probably do it in a day, though you would incur motorway tolls.

Alain Quay

another option

http://www.veloventoux.com/?c=tour3

pechacheli

Thanks cedargreen. I wish I had the time to drive as this would be my preference. Perhaps next year Flights are booked with BA as this was the cheapest option.

Asian quay - I wish I had seen this as this would have been the easy option! Oh well, signed up now so no going back

Leroy42

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I'll give it a shot.

I have a spare entry for Marmotte (mix up with booking etc) for sale. Sell it at cost €85 and there is insurance attached to it. Bib number is in the 3rd wave (5600 or something).

stanthomas

Leroy42 wrote:

I have a spare entry for Marmotte (mix up with booking etc) for sale. Sell it at cost €85 ...

If this is a direct entry then it's not transferable:
Article 13: L'inscription est personnelle, et irrévocable. Elle ne peut être ni échangée, ni cédée, ni remboursée.


While I'm here, does anyone know how to link the two Marmotte topics?
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40007&t=12985296

Leroy42

Correct, it is not transferable. You will technically be using my details.

But it is an entry number will get you into the start pens and give you a finish time. You need a bib number and a timing chip on the course, they don't ask your name.

Not technically within the rules, but no doubt plenty of people do it as people have to drop out closer to the time and get a replacement.

pechacheli

Perhaps some who did it last year could tell me how the timings work. I've read that if you don't reach the bottom of l'alpe d'Huez by 6:15pm you essentially fail to finish?

If you set off in a later wave does this not reduce your chances? Given the 1,000's of people that do this I can't see anyone rolling over the start line at their respective start time...

DeVlaeminck

Yes you start in waves but you cross a timing mat so your time doesn't start until you cross the start line. You are correct that the later starters have less time in which to finish but realistically unless you are quite old or have a disability that makes it more difficult you really should be getting to the foot of the Alpe well before the cut off time. I know many people don't but then many people enter without preparing. The cut off is there because you need to be able to get off the Alpe in daylight and I suppose so those running the event can go home.

Another part of the timing is that the descent of the Glandon is neutralised - they use a timing mat and stop the clock as you enter the feed zone and it doesn't restart til you cross the mat in the town of St Etienne de Cuines (or something like that) at the foot of the descent.

DeVlaeminck

Yes the later starters have less time to finish but it's not an issue if you prepare as the cut off is quite generous. At the start your time doesn't start until you cross a timing mat so no worries about losing time there - there is also a timing mat as you enter the feed on the Glandon and they neutralise the descent stopping the clock there and restarting it at the bottom.

stanthomas

pechacheli wrote:

... I've read that if you don't reach the bottom of l'alpe d'Huez by 6:15pm you essentially fail to finish?

The event page says "18:15 Fermeture de la course au pied de l alpe d huez". But it's a sort of 6:15 - ish; if a group of riders is coming down the road they'll wait a bit longer.
The last rider will be away around 8:30 with the best part of 10 hours to get the the bottom of the Alpe and couple more to get to the top. For reference, the last recorded finisher in 2014 took 13h25 :edit: excluding the neutralized descent of the Glandon, so he was out there for over 14 hours :!:

Rob Somerset

Like the other posts said, 10 hours is plenty to get to the foot of the Alp. If you are doubtful about this then you really should consider whether you are fit enough to do the event.

pechacheli

Thanks for the advice... I will definitely be "finishing" within 10hrs!

rc856

Maybe worth giving BA a call to check about the bike.
My club went to Italy a couple of years ago, when we phoned up individually we were given mixed messages about wether the bike had to be confirmed.
Luckily I work at an airport so spoke to BA staff I know. They checked all our bookings and even though the bikes were booked and paid for, a lot weren't confirmed on the system as bikes somehow :?

hypster

I went through the cut-off point at the bottom of l'Alpe d'Huez just after 6:30 last year and they waved me through. I'm not sure how many they let through after me but the way they were waving looked like they were getting ready to shut up.

pechacheli

Thanks for the advice RC856. I did call BA before I booked the ticket just to be sure and they confirmed the bike in a box could go on as baggage. Lets hope that's still the case on the day!

Hypster - Thanks for your note on the cut-off point and glad you made! Any advice on the ride itself?

hypster

pechacheli wrote:

Thanks for the advice RC856. I did call BA before I booked the ticket just to be sure and they confirmed the bike in a box could go on as baggage. Lets hope that's still the case on the day!

Hypster - Thanks for your note on the cut-off point and glad you made! Any advice on the ride itself?

I posted various bits of advice including a chart for target medal times (on page 6) which you might find useful here:-

viewtopic.php?f=40007&t=12946684&start=100

Strangely there are no medal times on the official website for a bronze medal which you basically get for getting through the cut-off time and finishing!

More advice here also:-

viewtopic.php?f=40011&t=12975652

I have ridden in the Alps extensively and never really had much of a problem in the past but got it all wrong on last year's Marmotte. Basically, I followed advice about concentrating on CV training gleaned from various seemingly knowledgeable posters on here. It wasn't their fault but it went contrary to how I normally ride those big mountains so my advice to you is train to your own strengths and riding style including cadence etc. Low gearing will also be useful - better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Hope that helps. If you have any more questions then let me know.

EDIT: Something else which just occurred to me is that if you are aiming for a silver or gold medal then try to keep any stops as short as possible. Timing stops at the first feed station at the top of the Glandon and for that descent but it's amazing how much time you can waste at the other feed stations if you are not careful.

Six of us entered the Marmotte last year and we practised minimising stops on several century UK sportives before the event. Very useful way to hone your feeding strategy as well.

pechacheli

Hypster - can't thank you enough for your advice. I have no idea what it's going to be like and whilst I have signed up for a number of challenging UK events I guess only the day itself will tell.

hypster

pechacheli wrote:

Hypster - can't thank you enough for your advice. I have no idea what it's going to be like and whilst I have signed up for a number of challenging UK events I guess only the day itself will tell.

No problem. The big unknown factor is the weather. It can snow in July on the peaks or be boiling hot (it has been for the last two years - 35 deg C). Do plenty of regular long, hilly rides and you won't go far wrong. Make sure you have a good quality, light rain jacket as well, the two big descents can be cold even if it is hot. The descent of the Galibier especially goes on foreverrrrrrrrrr!

Best of luck.

pechacheli

Having read a number of posts from last years event, weather does seem to be the biggest factor as you say. I'm guessing if it's really hot then plenty of fluids is key. How did you find the feeding stations and being able to re-stock without losing too much time? I'm guessing it's difficult to carry sustenance for the entire ride as well as a jacket, tubes etc...

hypster

pechacheli wrote:

Having read a number of posts from last years event, weather does seem to be the biggest factor as you say. I'm guessing if it's really hot then plenty of fluids is key. How did you find the feeding stations and being able to re-stock without losing too much time? I'm guessing it's difficult to carry sustenance for the entire ride as well as a jacket, tubes etc...

The first feed station at the top of the Glandon is absolutely manic although thankfully timing is suspended at that point so you can take a bit of time to get what you want. The next stop is some ways outside of Valloire which seemingly catches some people out but I had done the Marmotte some years previously so knew what to expect. That and the next one at the top of the Galibier are a bit more accessible because the field is a bit more strung out now so I had no problem getting food or water and moving on quickly. There is a final feed station at the bottom of l'Alpe d'Huez as well in case you are flagging at that point.

I don't know if this was a function of the temperature last year but there were also several unscheduled water stations along the route - on the climb of the Telegraphe and a couple on l'Alpe d'Huez that I used mainly to try and cool myself down!

I carried a lot of energy products myself, mostly in liquid or gel form and picked up solid food like bananas or bars at the food stops. There is quite a range of food on offer but some may not be to your taste. One mistake I did make was I thought the Power Bar kiosks were so well stocked and presented I thought they were selling their products so passed them by. It wasn't until I got to the top of the Galibier that I found they were giving it out for free so if you like those products take them. They also have energy drink that they were handing out as well.

I suggest you experiment on the long sportives in this country to hone your refuelling strategy and find out which foods agree with you, solid and/or liquid. One thing you will need to bear in mind is that the Marmotte will require more energy than probably the hardest sportive in this country so manage that accordingly. Don't be tempted to bolt down too much at once as well, that will surely lead to gastric problems which could severely curtail your ride. Little and often (right from the off) is the best way and take liquid with solid food.

cc78

Great advice Hypster, thanks very much.

DeVlaeminck

Get two big bottles, not 500ml, I actually used 2 one litre bottles but you need the right cages and maybe a big frame for that. In hot conditions I'd drink a litre on the way to the first feed on top of the Glandon, top bottles up there and eat. I'd then carry on to Valloire - if you wear a gilet/jacket on descent of Glandon remove it well before the timing matt so you don't lose time doing so and to give yourself a chance to get in a group for the valley. Do not do too much work in the valley.

I would probably eat small amounts in between the feeds so have some bars with the packets open - nothing that will melt!

In Valloire I'd stop again, eat at the feed (which os after the town - you will worry you've missed it but really you can't so just keep going til you see it) and top bottles up, then I'd top them up again at the top of the Galibier and I've always ridden from there to the finish without stopping again but note I am using litre bottles and if it is hot on the Alpe a bottle of water just to pour over your head would be helpful!

Don't go mad on the food, I'm putting a weak solution of powder in my bottles, eating at 3 feeds and then maybe a couple of bars and a couple of gels - by all means take a little more but don't make yourself sick.

If the weather is cold and wet the ride will be awful but all 3 times I've done it it has been hot - the Alpe faces the sun and late afternoon can become like an oven.

Rob Somerset

Some good advice from DeVlaeminck, but I would disagree on the use of two 1 litre bottles, that looked like a lot of water to be carrying around, especially on the climbs. I had 2x500ml bottles and never found myself short at any time, but it does mean stopping a bit more often, but I always do that anyway. Have a look at the water stops, Glandon, Bottom Tele, mid Tele, Top Tele, Valloire, Plan Lachet, Top Galibier Bot Alpe and Mid Alp and plan ahead as to what will suit you best. And yes, in late afternoon the Alp climb is hot use the village water stop half way up and if necessary use the occasional roadside stream to cool you. Have fun, I did!

pechacheli

great advice all round, thanks so much for all your input... i'll be doing the Wiggle Dragon in June as warm up so will put my feeding/water strategy to the test there. Doubt it will be as hot but at least it will give me a good idea in terms of food...

DeVlaeminck

Apart from the Galibier we probably ended up carrying the same amount of water up the climbs - I took a litre to start (left one empty), had probably a litre left coming into the Telegraphe and a litre coming into the Alpe. Swings and roundabouts - you either stop more or you carry bigger bottles - the main thing is don't run out of juice on a hot day with half the Galibier to climb!

caledonian1

dandrew wrote:

http://www.sportcommunication.info/web2010/inscription.php?langue=2&source=sportive.com Enter here
BA flights come with luggage allowance which includes a bike box. Other airlines e.g. Easy jet charge £50-75 per box.
As for accommodation you'll need to google.

BA may not charges for bikes but they didnt deliver my bike until after Marmotte last year...despite my flight arriving on the Thursday and being told it was on another flight to Lyon the next morning. I managed to find another bike to use (and shoes, clothes etc) and completed the course but was still furious with BA and their incompetent service...and useless customer services........might be best to pay and make sure the bike gets there (lufthansa for example are very reliable)