Etape du Tour 2017

2

Comments

  • Toks
    Toks Posts: 1,143
    This Recce suggest it's gonna be s long tough day https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dKhpIik8HYk
  • gavinbay
    gavinbay Posts: 144
    Yesterday I road 126km of the stage - it was a national holiday here in France but I was the only cyclist out!

    I parked up some 27km from where the start is in Briancon by Mont Dauphin - I'm still not exactly sure of the detailed route from where I parked up to Embrun but pretty sure I got it right.

    I've cycled around Lac Serre Poncon a few times but had never cycled to Barcelonnette and on up to Col de Vars.

    The route is undulating with a small climb up around the lake. From the end of the lake it's a steady drag up the Ubaye valley to Barcelonnette and it's after Jausier where the gradient starts to increase, but still not too bad.

    It's at St Paul sur Ubaye where it starts and in the last 6km there are two section at 9% and 10% which was tough but there again I've done a fair bit of riding and socialising in the last two weeks so not in the best of condition to tackle a 5hr ride!

    Descent down from Vars is always good and this was my fourth time and after returned to where I parked up.

    After Vars you then have the long haul up the Queyras. I've cycled this around 5 times and driven it a fair few so know it well, and what to expect !!!!

    Strava Route https://www.strava.com/activities/762746072

    and RElive https://www.relive.cc/view/762746072

    Initial thoughts are that in the right paced group should not be too bad until the bottom of the Vars climb - then again get in a chain gang for the haul up through the Queyras before the final climb.
    Cycling Routes in the Hautes Alpes Serre Chevalier Briancon
  • nunowoolmez
    nunowoolmez Posts: 867
    I did both sides on a ride a few years back. We began in Briancon first, so not sure which side this is? Its the one with the café on the latter part of the climb before you reach the top...

    Anyway, its a great descent down & through some villages before you hit a main road. Coming back up the other side was tough as by that time the heat was full on, which made the climb a lot harder! Then descending back into Briancon the heavens opened up & it then made for a pretty sketchy descent!

    It is almost a stage made for someone like Bardet, Nibali, or even our very own G, virtually flat until the end when time came be made in-between each climb, or someone who attacks from the early break.

    If I were to do the Etape, I would have to train specifically to ride at pace on the flat & have strength to tackle the climbs & get a good time, although I reckon most would probably have the same plan.
  • djone101
    djone101 Posts: 29
    Just signed up for this - what's the ride back from Izoard to Briancon like? Looking at the map only looks like 20km or so and mostly down hill. Was thinking of parking in or near Briancon before the ride and riding back to the car after the event which will give me more options for accommodation - sound feasible? (other ideas welcomed)

    Dave
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    I'm putting together a video training series for the Etape this year if anyone's interested;

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

    Tips on training drills, gearing, cadence, nutrition, race tactics, climbing, medical certificates, etc. etc. Hopefully there may be one or two tips to pass on......
  • djone101
    djone101 Posts: 29
    Thanks for that - subscribed!
  • markwb79
    markwb79 Posts: 937
    Hey,

    Has anyone got their start numbers yet?

    Or even logged in to see their account?

    Getting a little nervous. There used to be a site with the history of all your l'etape rides etc. I cant find it anymore?

    Cheers
    Mark
    Scott Addict 2011
    Giant TCR 2012
  • gavinbay
    gavinbay Posts: 144
    Same here no numbers or anything yet!

    I live in Serre Chevalier in the winter and summer months - apart from two guides to road routes and off road routes in our area, I also do a daily ride blog.

    Yesterday I cycled the Boucle D'Izoard 115km 2,300m which obviously takes in the Izoard and from the direction we'll be doing on the Etape.

    Didn't seem to bad yesterday, though doubt I'll be saying that on the 16th

    http://stylealtitude.com/serrechevalierweathercam.html
    Cycling Routes in the Hautes Alpes Serre Chevalier Briancon
  • markwb79
    markwb79 Posts: 937
    GavinBay wrote:
    Same here no numbers or anything yet!

    I live in Serre Chevalier in the winter and summer months - apart from two guides to road routes and off road routes in our area, I also do a daily ride blog.

    Yesterday I cycled the Boucle D'Izoard 115km 2,300m which obviously takes in the Izoard and from the direction we'll be doing on the Etape.

    Didn't seem to bad yesterday, though doubt I'll be saying that on the 16th

    http://stylealtitude.com/serrechevalierweathercam.html


    I take it all back, the site is working now and I have my number. Relief!
    Scott Addict 2011
    Giant TCR 2012
  • gavinbay
    gavinbay Posts: 144
    Aaaaah just checked and I too have a bib number - did think that they would email you first to advise ???!!!
    Cycling Routes in the Hautes Alpes Serre Chevalier Briancon
  • djone101
    djone101 Posts: 29
    Any idea where you get the bib number? I have a "Dossard" - but this does't have a number on... I'm new at this.
  • gavinbay
    gavinbay Posts: 144
    djone101 wrote:
    Any idea where you get the bib number? I have a "Dossard" - but this does't have a number on... I'm new at this.

    Not sure what a "dossard" is - when you login to Aso Challenges to your account does it show you have entered the Etape ??
    Cycling Routes in the Hautes Alpes Serre Chevalier Briancon
  • djone101
    djone101 Posts: 29
    Found it - I wasn't looking in the "My Order" tab. So I have Bib number 15610 - probably my finishing position too...
  • Gantry77
    Gantry77 Posts: 2
    Hey all,
    I'm doing L'etape in a few weeks.
    I don't claim to be a cyclist by any stretch and I'm wondering if I have bitten off more than I can chew.
    I have seen the Timing schedule and the cut offs and I'm in the last pen so that doesn't give me much scope for error.

    Im a runner normally (13 marathons and a few sub 3hr so I have reasonable fitness) but this is a different kind of fitness entirely.
    I have done 3 long rides a 90, 100 and 110mile and a few mid-week 40 milers. But that's been about it as I have been running a lot. They were all in the Surrey hills and I took in a few reps of Leith and Box hill but the elevation was no where near what it will be in L'Etape.
    My pace averages about 15mph

    Just wondering what people thoughts are on the broom wagon? Looks like its very aggressive at the start, I was hoping to conserve energy but looks like I might have too go hard enough at the start to make sure i'm not swept up.
    Now pretty nervous that i'll get swept up.

    Any thoughts or advise from previous L'Etape riders are welcome ?

    Cheers

    Gantry
  • PhilPub
    PhilPub Posts: 229
    Gantry77 wrote:
    Hey all,
    I'm doing L'etape in a few weeks.
    I don't claim to be a cyclist by any stretch and I'm wondering if I have bitten off more than I can chew.
    I have seen the Timing schedule and the cut offs and I'm in the last pen so that doesn't give me much scope for error.

    Im a runner normally (13 marathons and a few sub 3hr so I have reasonable fitness) but this is a different kind of fitness entirely.
    I have done 3 long rides a 90, 100 and 110mile and a few mid-week 40 milers. But that's been about it as I have been running a lot. They were all in the Surrey hills and I took in a few reps of Leith and Box hill but the elevation was no where near what it will be in L'Etape.
    My pace averages about 15mph

    Just wondering what people thoughts are on the broom wagon? Looks like its very aggressive at the start, I was hoping to conserve energy but looks like I might have too go hard enough at the start to make sure i'm not swept up.
    Now pretty nervous that i'll get swept up.

    Any thoughts or advise from previous L'Etape riders are welcome ?

    Cheers

    Gantry

    Not that I've done the Etape but I've done some long bike rides off predominantly running training. Seems to me you'll be fine, if I can assume you weren't bonking badly and falling off your bike after your 100/110 mile rides??
    If anything you probably DON'T want to be smashing it in the early stages, because the most likely time for losing large chunks of time is if you completely blow up on the climbs. I think key things will be pacing your effort, keeping very well hydrated and fueled, and making sure you've got adequately small gearing. And draft as much as possible! :-)

    I've got a question for anyone who knows about the medical certificate requirements. I printed out the standard form and took it to my GP, but saw a junior doctor who was adamant on following procedure. She has crossed out "upon examination" and substituted with "from medical records" to say that I'm OK to participate in cycle competition, but then also included my BP/SATS numbers (thereby showing that there was indeed some sort of examination!) It's signed and stamped. Will this do??
  • djone101
    djone101 Posts: 29
    I think I'm probably at about the same level of fitness/practice you described. I don't doubt that I'll struggle but I don't expect the broom wagon to be that much of a problem. The "contestants" on Tour de Celeb completed the (admittedly shortened) event last year after all. I'm sure the organisers want everyone to complete if possible if only to simplify logistics.

    I'm at the GPs tomorrow morning so will see what they expect of me before signing the form....

    By the way I'm driving down solo from Essex on Monday July 10th, back the following Monday so if any body needs anything taken down/brought back give me a shout.
  • Nevis2
    Nevis2 Posts: 28
    Re Broom wagon & cut-off times - it's always tough for those in the last pens, and no, the organisers do not necessarily want everyone to complete it if possible! They cram in as many as possible and you just have to get on with it - delays due to crashes (riders being stopped) crazy 'queues' at feed stations & toilets, and such like mean the later starters take the brunt of it. But it's a blast, and if I can finish, anyone can :!: Whatever happens, you'll enjoy the experience :D:)
  • Gantry77
    Gantry77 Posts: 2
    @jdone101 - no I wasn't totally bonked after the long rides, no doub ti will struggle at the later stages of L'etape (if I make that far!) Hoping my endurance from marathon running might stand to me a bit. Thanks for the confidence boost.

    @Nevis Yes I think the Broom wagon main concern will be opening the roads and won't be too concerned about those of us who haven't trained enough!
    Hadnt thought about hold up because of crashes, guess there isn't much you can do about that. Did you start from the back pen Nevis?

    I plan on not stopping at the first feed station (have enough food with me) and hopefully the 2nd feed station will have cleared a bit ?
    It's my first time in the Alps so i plan to enjoy it.
  • Nevis2
    Nevis2 Posts: 28
    Hold ups due to crashes was on pretty narrow & steep sections 2 years ago - emergency vehicles travelling against flow of cyclists necessitated stopping the riders - was told "due to the mayhem back up the road they will probably ease up on cut-off times" but they didn't. Three years ago the weather was atrocious and think they allowed anyone still on a bike to finish. You'll be fine with all that endurance training!
  • PhilPub
    PhilPub Posts: 229
    Hmmm... my account on the ASO website shows I'm registered but I've not got a bib number yet. Should I be concerned?
  • gavinbay
    gavinbay Posts: 144
    Did a fair sized chunk (second time) of the first part of the stage, meeting my mate at St Crepin who had cycled down from Briancon.

    Main N94 was the busiest I've ever known it but luckily on the day we will not have that problem only that of watching out for other cyclists!

    Beware the turn-off after around 25km at St Crepin as you cross over the railway but I'd imagine they might put some matting down though are they stopping the trains as well?

    Even though you'll have a descent in the first stage from Briancon down from Queyrières to L'Argentière this is a big wide road with dual carriage way and is not technical however the first technical descent is down from the small village of Réotier to join the main road at Saint-Clément-sur-Durance then it's back along the main N94 till you turn off again before Embrun and ride through Châteauroux-les-Alpes and here watch out for the drainage gulley in the middle of the road.

    The road surface in Embrun is really bad which is quite strange considering they not have the Etape and a stage of the TDF but it's also the departure town for a stage, plus yesterday you would not have been aware that any of this was indeed taking place!

    After Embrun it's an undulating drag to Savines-le-Lac and the stunning ride around the lake and the first small climb up to
    Le Sauze-du-Lac then it's a good descent (a little technical all the way to the end of the lake) and do enjoy the scenery, though you'll probably still have to be keeping your wits about you.

    From the end of the lake up to Barcelonnette it's 26km and you'll climb 340m - yesterday we had a strong tail wind all the way to Barcelonnette and on up all the way to the junction pass La Condamine-Châtelard where a couple ofkm past there is the amazing Fort de Tournoux.

    As we turned off the clouds were looking ominous and we'd made a major school boy error in that did not pack a jacket as thought we'd miss the rain that was forecast.

    So we went from 30 degrees in the valley to torrential rain on the last 8km of the climb up to Col de Vars as temps dropped to 9 degrees in a squally wind, so cold wind-chill. Though as you're working hard you do not notice it.

    This was my second ascent up this way and even though from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye at 1,450 to the Col 2,108 is only 650m and if you look at the overall profile it does not look that bad, I reckon in places it's well into double figs though cycling up in the torrential rain my Garmin screen had frozen so I could not see the readings

    Luckily at the top the Cafe was open and we were given the next best thing to a Goretex cycling jacket, a bin-bag.

    I've done the descent around seven times and yesterday was quite hairy given the wet roads but I was ok with discs unlike my mate!

    Video of the route
    https://youtu.be/k728DTXfTBI
    Cycling Routes in the Hautes Alpes Serre Chevalier Briancon
  • PhilPub
    PhilPub Posts: 229
    ^ Nice one! Is that a Vitus you did it on? Interesting gearing? You've got me thinking about clothing again now. Hmmm...

    (Panic over, bib number received.)
  • gavinbay
    gavinbay Posts: 144
    The Vitus was part of an artistic installation in a village celebrating the TDF going through it

    tdf_retro_bikes.jpg

    I'll be keeping a close eye on the weather as I always do and will post on the link below
    Cycling Routes in the Hautes Alpes Serre Chevalier Briancon
  • poweredbyidris
    poweredbyidris Posts: 848
    Re: the broom wagon questions - the timings for the broom wagon are to keep you ahead of the roads reopening, so don't expect there to be any leeway if there's bad weather / crashes / feedstop carnage. These have been pre-agreed with the Gendarmes so they will go ahead regardless.

    If you're of good fitness, then you should be able to slowly build up a buffer to the broom wagon even from the back pens by drafting where possible and not dawdling on the early feedstations. Officials at the feedstations should be able to tell you how far ahead of the cutoff you are if you're worried.
  • Nevis2
    Nevis2 Posts: 28
    Anyone remember the approximate wording of medical certificates? They are not yet available to download and we are leaving tomorrow, need to print out something similar for doc to sign, thanks.
  • Nevis2
    Nevis2 Posts: 28
    Nevis2 wrote:
    Anyone remember the approximate wording of medical certificates? They are not yet available to download and we are leaving tomorrow, need to print out something similar for doc to sign, thanks.

    ...panic over - convocation now available for download :)
  • js14
    js14 Posts: 198
    PhilPub wrote:
    I've got a question for anyone who knows about the medical certificate requirements. I printed out the standard form and took it to my GP, but saw a junior doctor who was adamant on following procedure. She has crossed out "upon examination" and substituted with "from medical records" to say that I'm OK to participate in cycle competition, but then also included my BP/SATS numbers (thereby showing that there was indeed some sort of examination!) It's signed and stamped. Will this do??
    The medical certificate is a legal requirement in France for anyone taking part in competitive sport. So the organisers want to be able to prove they respected the law. At the same time, the people handing out the race numbers are not going to be fluent in every language under the sun, so I think you should be OK as long as they see that a doctor has signed a form with the magic words "cycling in competition" or something similar. It will distinguish you from those "cyclo-touristes" who do 600 km Audaxes without any sort of medical certificate, as an Audax is not considered to be a competitive event :o
  • PhilPub
    PhilPub Posts: 229
    ^ Thanks. Yeah, I reckon the doctor's stamp will do the trick.

    I'm off at 07:52, should give me plenty of cushion to avoid the broom wagon. ;) Feeling pretty fit after 650 miles of cycling in June and a final peak of 85/70 miles this weekend with a few hills thrown in. Will tick over with some shorter rides and a bit of running till next week. Really looking forward to it.
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,114
    JS14 wrote:
    t will distinguish you from those "cyclo-touristes" who do 600 km Audaxes without any sort of medical certificate, as an Audax is not considered to be a competitive event :o

    I thought you were joking but I just checked the BRA, which is like a hard version of the Marmotte and... no medical certificate!
    BASI Nordic Ski Instructor
    Instagramme
  • chrissmith1983
    chrissmith1983 Posts: 4
    Does anyone have any experience of parking at Etape? We are staying just outside the start town. (about 15km)
    I would rather drive to the town than ride, mostly because the ride back after 180km won't be much fun.

    I haven't noticed any info on parking on the website does anyone know the area? is it worth parking there the day before so my car is waiting at the end?

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