Booking La Marmotte

clanton

Bunch of us are talking about going back to do the Marmotte again - done it once before in 2008 when we booked it ourselves and will probably do it this way again.

How far in advance do we need to commit - ie does it sell out way in advance like some others?

DeVlaeminck

It went through a phase of selling out within a day, people were waiting up for entries to open etc. I think last year it didn't sell out so fast and you had weeks maybe even months to enter, maybe the change to a Sunday event or maybe just people looking for new challenges, however I'd err on the side of caution and get most of your group to enter on the first day as you never know.

clanton

Thanks for the advice. Do you know when entries usually open?

DeVlaeminck

I think it's Autumn, October - Nov but not sure beyond that.

rpherts

Early November I think

de_sisti

DeVlaeminck wrote:

,,,,,, maybe the change to a Sunday event or ,,,,,

Which year did the event change to a Sunday?

rpherts

De Sisti wrote:

DeVlaeminck wrote:

,,,,,, maybe the change to a Sunday event or ,,,,,

Which year did the event change to a Sunday?

2017

PeakDistrictO

Does anybody have a link to the official website where places can be booked for La Marmotte. There's loads of sites, and I want to make sure i'm booking the through the official one and not a dodgy or travel company. Thanks.

rpherts

These are the people who run it:

http://cyclingclassics.sportcommunication.info/

PeakDistrictO

rpherts wrote:

These are the people who run it:

http://cyclingclassics.sportcommunication.info/

Thank you for this. I am considering just booking up with an operator as it seems much easier (that's what I pay extra for I guess) and a guaranteed place.

cush123

Sports Tours are advertising packages stating the date is Sunday 8th July. Official Marmotte website has date to be confirmed soon. Do tour companies normally publish the event date before the operator?

I was hoping it was going to be Sunday 1st July.

timotie0612

It's definitely confirmed for the 8th July, all of the tour operators have changed their dates from the 1st so I'm guessing they've had the nod from the organisers.

rpherts

Yes, has changed, we have had to change our flights.

narbs

As it's the same day as the Etape I'm guessing flights are going to sell out quite quickly.

narbs

Entries now open fully. I’m in.

bendertherobot

Moi aussi, naturalement.

defride

Also in along with a group of club mates.

Had assumed there'd be some sort of allocation of pens based on ability/anticipated finish time. Nothing to that end when I registered. Seems like pays your money get lumped at the back despite registering within 10 mins of it opening. This is just based on a bib no. of 5k odd and not knowing how the start process works.

Anyone know how it works on the day and whether it's possible to start closer to the front?

narbs

They're quite strict now with the pens. Numbers are coloured and you're directed down different routes to the start depending on your number.

I really wouldn't worry about it.

bendertherobot

narbs wrote:

They're quite strict now with the pens. Numbers are coloured and you're directed down different routes to the start depending on your number.

I really wouldn't worry about it.

I have to ride without you? You didn't say. I'd have done it last year as well If I'd known that.

narbs

bendertherobot wrote:

narbs wrote:

They're quite strict now with the pens. Numbers are coloured and you're directed down different routes to the start depending on your number.

I really wouldn't worry about it.

I have to ride without you? You didn't say. I'd have done it last year as well If I'd known that.

Bastard

bendertherobot

Tried my best to get out of this by faking heart issues but looks like my health is improving.