La Marmotte 2019
3Pears
Posts: 174
Hi,
Anyone else entered La Marmotte on 7th July 2019. I'll be returning to do event 10yrs since my first attempt.
Really motivated to improve my time in 2019, as it nearly destroyed me first time around.
On reflection I'd have to admit I was ill prepared for the enormity of the challenge in 2009 (1st European event)
Anyone else entered La Marmotte on 7th July 2019. I'll be returning to do event 10yrs since my first attempt.
Really motivated to improve my time in 2019, as it nearly destroyed me first time around.
On reflection I'd have to admit I was ill prepared for the enormity of the challenge in 2009 (1st European event)
0
Posts
Alpe de Huez comes at 100 miles in to the race, starting with a 10% section, then easing off for the rest of the climb.
The top of the Galibier is 8%+, at 2,600 meters above sea level, so an easy gear to spin up there is massively helpful.
I ran a 50/34, 11-32 and used all the gears at 74kgs, but my power profile is probably very different to yours.
Checked strava - at the end of the Marmotte the Viell Alpe segment (think that is the full thing) I'm doing about 6.4mph but I actually think when you are exhausted pushing a lower cadence can be better rather than trying to spin.
Very disappointing performance. Need to do it on fresh legs. Heading out there in 5 weeks time. Will give it a bash. Want to get under the hour. Your never going to do it justice at the end of the Marmotte. Especially if it’s hot.
Agree the heat makes a huge difference - last year I did was the notorious changed route year - it's always been hot when I've been over but this was extreme - strava says I climbed it in 1:15 which includes several stops to fill up bottles but I remember that was the fastest ascent of the 10 or so club riders I was over with including a young 2nd cat who beat me by a good 20 minutes plus overall.
Cocked up fueling last time, didn't drink enough and forgot electrolytes in the chalet. AlpD was about 1hr 35 in 32 degrees heat.
We also rode to the start from LDA and planned to ride home, was a long 215km day with about 5500m climbing, staying at the finish this year which should help. Hopefully won't break PM day before.
That seems to be the case for the Fred Whitton too.
PBP and LEL are booming... I think the keywords now are "adventure" and "ultra". It's not uncommon to have more people entering a 400 km Audax than a 200 km. The number of 1,000 km+ audax events is ballooning...
I think there are two populations growing: the virtual cyclists, who do most of their miles on Zwift and the Ultra cyclists, who aspire to do RAAM, TCR, TAW, LEL etc... as they grow, they chip into the traditional 100 mile sportive market
Low cost long distance is one way of doing it, but don't think for a minute it's the only way of doing it. Many overnight Audax have sleeping facilities, although basic, In RAAM people bring full support and I am told at the PBP controls there is a hoard of campervans and motorhomes waiting for the wealthier riders who want to do it in style.
He is riding an ultra endurance race from Vienna to Barcelona. 2,000 km over eight days although he somewhat optimistically (his view) would like to target six days :shock:
EDIT: Here we go https://bikepacking.com/event/three-pea ... race-2019/
There are more and more of these endurance long distance races, inspired by Mike Hall's TCR. I can see the lure, I'm probably not there mentally (yet)... I kind of enjoy a very long day, but I am still unsure about multi day with 300 km + a day.
I have a guaranteed entry for LEL 2021, but I will probably volunteer to help instead... it's kind of more fun