DIY - L'Etape 2013

at1withmyself

Mods - I hope this is ok to post here. Based on interest level I would then remove to pm.
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Wondering if there is much interest in getting a group together for this. I don't mind taking care of organising Hotels and car etc..

Thinking something along the following

Fly from Dublin to Geneva on the Friday
Stay in French hotel about 20 km West of Geneva for 3 Nights
Drive (rental car(s)) down to L'etape village on the saturday after a morning ride (about 75 km)
L'Etape on the Sunday
Fly home on the Monday

Price for the above would be about 500 Euro per person which would cover Flight / Hotel & Rental Car contribution. Actual price is what you'd pay and until an agreement on Hotel / Flight etc.. can be agreed an exact price is not possible. For me comfort and location would be more important then luxury so 2 or 3 star Hotel would be sufficient. As you can imagine most Hotels in the local area are already booked out.

Price does not include Bike transportation with flight or ticket to L'Etape. Transportation of the bike in France would be in the rental car but the flight part might add to the cost so please keep that in mind.

I'm open to alternatives - few more days etc.. different hotel location but just seeing the interest level first.

For me I done this last year so have an idea of how they run things, I've participated in many group tours as well but this isn't a group tour more along the lines of a group of cycling nuts getting together. There will be no schedule other then the Saturday but even that will be plus / minus a few hours so that we make sure to register on the saturday. Registration opens on the 28th November so no booking anything until registration is gaurenteed.

Any takers?? Please indicate if you can drive or not.

Consey

Hi, have flights booked to Geneva with Aer Lingus from Thurs 4/7 to Mon 8/7 with another chap. We don't have our entries, transfers or accommodation sorted and we're considering operators so could be interested. Only thing was we are strongly considering doing the Marmotte on Saturday also. Maybe we're mad? I know it's a 3 hours transfer from Alpe d'Huez to Annecy which makes it tricky even if we're physically up to it which is debatable!

Leroy42

Hi Consey, how do you intend to get the registration for the Etape done if you doing Marmotte. As far as I can see on the website numbers etc can be collected on either Friday or Saturday. Well Marmotte is on Saturday so thats out, and I don't reckon a 6 hour round trip on the day before (Friday) Marmotte is the best idea.

Would think of doing both myself (maybe its just lack of sleep at the moment is making me insane) but can't see how logistically it will be worth it.

at1withmyself

Last year various people were registering at L'Etape for others so that's an option. I'm not sure if that was specifcally tour organisors but would be easy to find out.

For me I wouldn't be up for the double but would consider staying somewhere between Huez and Annecy and take on Huez on the Friday if flying out on the Thursday. I've been looking at various routes on Garmin and plenty of nice ones available, might be more driving to / from the airport but I wouldn't see that as an issue.

Like I say nothing is set yet and until I get registration for L'Etape I'm open for anything, I suspect Hotel prices will start to rise post registration so my plan is to have accommodation sorted by Christmas.

Consey

Hi Leroy, yep to have a hope of doing both it would need to be with an organised tour, as they would sort out the Etape registration whilst you glide gracefully up Alpe d'Huez. Looking at the logistics, even doing the Marmotte in a very strong time would suggest finishing in Alpe d'Huez in or around 5. Waiting for others, getting outta there, transfers, checking in, eating, recovering will take time and it would be very early start on Sunday morning. Looks like a tall order due to locations of both. Was more doable last year it looks. Anyone here do both?

A1, my main motivation in considering both I must admit was that I was a wee bit disappointed with the Etape stage chosen. Not because it isn't tough of course it is, but I was hoping to scale Alpe d'Huez at done point, probably to do with watching it on TV in the 80's.

Your idea though of doing it on our own steam as part of another route Friday is a great one and something I had discussed with my friend earlier this week. I'd definitely be interested in that, can share driving etc etc.

As you say, first part is trying to secure Etape entry next week which will require luck !

at1withmyself

Hi Consey, been looking over some maps and accommodation and its pretty reasonably priced so now I'm thinking of going for long enough to cover 3 good days riding so head over on Wednesday / Thursday and back then on the Monday / Tuesday. Would like to get to ride Heuz and possibly 1 or 2 other big climbs over there.

I'm completely open so will see if there is any more interest as it would be good to go with a group. Roll on Wednesday!

at1withmyself

Got entry so my ideal trip now would be for 3 days cycling days, 1 for the L'Etape and then 2 other days to cover the Marmotte route so thinking something like:

Fly on Thursday, cycle friday, register saturday, L'Etape Sunday and cycle on Monday, Fly home then on Tuesday.

Grenoble or around that area looks like a reasonable location but I'm still looking around and so long as I can get the Galibier and Alp D'Huez climbs in alongside the L'Etape I'll be happy.

If anyone is interested let me know...

oflahero

Consey wrote: »

Anyone here do both?

You rang, sir? Any excuse to brag... :-)

Yep, seems like a hundred years ago now as I type this with a broken collar bone, but managed the double earlier this year. It was atrociously hard. Fantastic in hindsight, but you just have no idea of the amount of logistics involved with registration and transport until you're there, doing it.

Went with a tour company (On Your Bike) and have honestly no idea how it would be practical without such support. The Marmotte requires you to register on top of the Alpe, for one thing! Unless you're staying in Bourg, or on the Alpe itself, that means a trip over either the Glandon or the Galibier just to get there. Just to register! For one event!

The real killer is the lack of sleep. Even with tour group support and transport, I got all of three hours of sleep between the Marmotte and the Etape.

2 Wheels Good

oflahero wrote: »

You rang, sir? Any excuse to brag... :-)

Yep, seems like a hundred years ago now as I type this with a broken collar bone, but managed the double earlier this year. It was atrociously hard. Fantastic in hindsight, but you just have no idea of the amount of logistics involved with registration and transport until you're there, doing it.

Went with a tour company (On Your Bike) and have honestly no idea how it would be practical without such support. The Marmotte requires you to register on top of the Alpe, for one thing! Unless you're staying in Bourg, or on the Alpe itself, that means a trip over either the Glandon or the Galibier just to get there. Just to register! For one event!

The real killer is the lack of sleep. Even with tour group support and transport, I got all of three hours of sleep between the Marmotte and the Etape.

That's some achievement to be fair! Well done!

oflahero

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

That's some achievement to be fair! Well done!

Ah thanks, but really, it was just a lesson in masochism rather than any great achievement. It sucks a lot of the fun'n'relaxation element out of the holiday. I'll be restricting myself to one big event per trip in future!

ford2600

Did this last year in late May, great event.
http://www.sportcommunication.info/web2010/images/profil/profil58.gif

Tough but not impossible. Should avoid mid summer heat also. We did.
Event was on Sunday, cycled Thursday and friday, rested Saturday.
Very relaxing holiday.

Have seen a lot of France, but Vercors National Park is stunning with very quite roads for cycling.

at1withmyself

So getting flights was not as easy as thought so I'm flying out to Geneva on the Thursday and returning the following Wednesday. Have booked Hotel on the outskirts of Grenoble and booked a car for the duration. Wokring out about 650 for the 5 nights in total (flight / car & Hotel).

Plan is big cycles every second day - Friday / Sunday (L'Etape) / Tuesday taking in the big alpine climbs in the area so if anyone else is heading over during the time and interested in tagging along then let me know.