Etape du Tour 2015

Tree Scape

Looks a beaut!

http://www.sportive.com/etape-du-tour/515512/etape-du-tour-2015-route-analysis-saint-jean-de-maurienne-to-la-toussuire?source=email

Any takers?

2 Wheels Good

I stayed in La Toussuire when I did the 2011 Etape. It looks a tough course, plenty climbs to sap the legs. It's a tough enough spin up to La Toussuire, I only cycled the last 5k just to loosen the legs when I got there. Tempted to do it, it's a stunning part of the world.

GoTilUBlow

Dunno, still warming up after finishing last years.

loinnsigh

I'm considering this - it's a beautiful region. Stayed nearby in Chambery when I did the 2013 Etape. Two weeks left to talk myself into it.

sbs2010

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

I stayed in La Toussuire when I did the 2011 Etape. It looks a tough course, plenty climbs to sap the legs. It's a tough enough spin up to La Toussuire, I only cycled the last 5k just to loosen the legs when I got there. Tempted to do it, it's a stunning part of the world.

Whats La Toussuire like to stay in?
Is there much for family to do/see if I'm off cycling for the day.

at1withmyself

Looks pretty much identical to part 1 in 2012 except for the first climb, all I remember is how evil the Glandon is!!! Although this time the route is a loop so no need for transfer to / from the start / finish which is always a bonus at these events.

Might give it ago as there is beautiful cycling in the region outside of the etape itself.

Pinch Flat

at1withmyself wrote: »

Looks pretty much identical to part 1 in 2012 except for the first climb, all I remember is how evil the Glandon is!!! Although this time the route is a loop so no need for transfer to / from the start / finish which is always a bonus at these events.

Might give it ago as there is beautiful cycling in the region outside of the etape itself.

The glandon is a killer, but no madeleine. Oth er than that it looks very like 2012

2 Wheels Good

sbs2010 wrote: »

Whats La Toussuire like to stay in?
Is there much for family to do/see if I'm off cycling for the day.

Lovely scenery and hiking if you're into that. As for things to do think west Cork in the middle of winter, it's pretty much closed up until their big season comes around again, it's really just a ski resort. From what I remember there was a bar, cafe and a couple of souvenir shops open. It may liven up as it's hosting a TDF stage but I can't see it being too exciting.
The other issue with it is it's about a 30 minute drive up from the town at the bottom so a bit of a commute to go anywhere.

Johnny Jukebox

Tough enough Etape after the relatively benign 2013 and 2014.

Should be a great day out.

del_boy13

Very tempting to give this a go. Will need to bring it up gently with the missus first.

2 Wheels Good

del_boy13 wrote: »

Very tempting to give this a go. Will need to bring it up gently with the missus first.

It's a great part of the world. You're next to Italy as well so plenty to do outdoors wise for a week.

Pinch Flat

del_boy13 wrote: »

Very tempting to give this a go. Will need to bring it up gently with the missus first.

I dropped it in gently with my missus in 2011 when I was planning it for 2012. "Hey, you fancy going somewhere different next year for holidays?". "Oh look, they do this cycle quite close by - would love to give that a go". We rented a place in the juras north of Geneva. It worked out well - we hired a car so I drove to chambery on the Saturday, stayed there then did the event on the Sunday, driving back to where we stayed on the Monday.

SuperSean

This is definitely something I'd love to do, maybe 2016 though!
Do you have to organise this through a company and get a package or can you just register for the ride and make your own way and get your own accommodation etc ?

del_boy13

Pinch Flat wrote: »

I dropped it in gently with my missus in 2011 when I was planning it for 2012. "Hey, you fancy going somewhere different next year for holidays?". "Oh look, they do this cycle quite close by - would love to give that a go". We rented a place in the juras north of Geneva. It worked out well - we hired a car so I drove to chambery on the Saturday, stayed there then did the event on the Sunday, driving back to where we stayed on the Monday.

Thats a possibility for a holiday option around this (have 2 small kids so need to factor that one in as well). Might be an easier sell than just buggering off by myself for a few days.

Pinch Flat

del_boy13 wrote: »

Thats a possibility for a holiday option around this (have 2 small kids so need to factor that one in as well). Might be an easier sell than just buggering off by myself for a few days.

Yeah we have a young lad as well. We stayed in a nice mobile home in the juras - remote but plenty of lovely walks and day trips to be had

Johnny Jukebox

SuperSean wrote: »

This is definitely something I'd love to do, maybe 2016 though!
Do you have to organise this through a company and get a package or can you just register for the ride and make your own way and get your own accommodation etc ?

You can do it solo but it requires a lot of logistics, not least arranging a drop off to the start and a pick up from the finish. Its a challenging enough event without the hassle of organising everything yourself.

I've gone with Trailseekers for the last few years; you just rock up to Dublin airport and they take care of the rest... happy days.

SuperSean

Johnny Jukebox wrote: »

You can do it solo but it requires a lot of logistics, not least arranging a drop off to the start and a pick up from the finish. Its a challenging enough event without the hassle of organising everything yourself.

I've gone with Trailseekers for the last few years; you just rock up to Dublin airport and they take care of the rest... happy days.

Cool that sounds good!

I know what you mean re: logistics and it does make sense.
What kinda price did you get from Trailseekers to organise it ?

sbs2010

Johnny Jukebox wrote: »

You can do it solo but it requires a lot of logistics, not least arranging a drop off to the start and a pick up from the finish. Its a challenging enough event without the hassle of organising everything yourself.

I've gone with Trailseekers for the last few years; you just rock up to Dublin airport and they take care of the rest... happy days.

This year the finish is close to the start so no day of the race transfer if you can find accommodation near to either the start or the finish.
Accommodation is probably the main advantage of a package.

El Vino

Very like 2012 although not quite as tough, has anyone worked out the total ascent yet?
wouldn't reccomend la toussaire as a place to spend much time in, when we did the Etape almost everyone stayed in the valley in either chambry or St Jean. if you based yourself there every prior spin would end with a Cat 1 climb (must be very close to HC) I had the family ski holiday there last year and it is pretty soulless.
Valloire is a great place to stay if you are a cyclist, foot of Galibier, top of Telegraph and striking distance of Alpe D'Huez and Madelaine

oconnpad

Johnny Jukebox wrote: »

Y
I've gone with Trailseekers for the last few years; you just rock up to Dublin airport and they take care of the rest... happy days.

What kinda of money (ball park) are you talking to do something like this?

It's something i'd probably like to do at some stage.

AjSp9

oconnpad wrote: »

What kinda of money (ball park) are you talking to do something like this?

It's something i'd probably like to do at some stage.

About €1000 for 5 days! That's excluding flights!

Brilliant trip and worth every cent! Bucket list experience... Check him out, Sean O Leary Trailseekers

2 Wheels Good

AjSp9 wrote: »

About €1000 for 5 days! That's excluding flights!

Brilliant trip and worth every cent! Bucket list experience... Check him out, Sean O Leary Trailseekers

Are col seekers organising a trip??

AjSp9

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

Are col seekers organising a trip??

Ha!! Good name :-) He's in the process of making up the package! There was 42 of us this year.. Great Craic

velo.2010

Anyone know of Irish companies doing a packages for this - Sportactive are Marmotte only AFAIK. I do emember a guy who may have had some association with Orwell who organised a trip..... can't remember either his name or his tour company name.

victor201

velo.2010 that was probably on your bike they didnt operate for a couple of years now,pity as they were very good

velo.2010

Ah yes Victor..... I was trying various spellings of OnYourBike with no joy! I see in the Marmotte thread a guy has signed up with Classic Cycling Tours. Perhaps, I'll check them out. I'd like to try one or the other if things allow!

2 Wheels Good

velo.2010 wrote: »

Anyone know of Irish companies doing a packages for this - Sportactive are Marmotte only AFAIK. I do emember a guy who may have had some association with Orwell who organised a trip..... can't remember either his name or his tour company name.

Trailseekers in Cork will be going. Went with them this year and had an enjoyable week in the Pyrenees!

velo.2010

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

Trailseekers in Cork will be going. Went with them this year and had an enjoyable week in the Pyrenees!

Could you give me an idea of price for the trip. PM me please if you prefer not to post those details on here.


Cheers!

2 Wheels Good

velo.2010 wrote: »

Could you give me an idea of price for the trip. PM me please if you prefer not to post those details on here.


Cheers!

I think it worked out about €930 plus flights (Biarritz this year) and entry €60. I ended up staying on a few extra days which was just hotel cost. Well worth it as we got a stage start and a stage finish (Hautacam) and some decent spins in around the area.
Next years has potential for the same, depending on hotel location.

at1withmyself

I done this in 2012 with Onyourbike and found them excellent to deal with but in 2013 they didn't have a suitable package so I organised myself and stead in Grenoble which worked out at about 800 for 5 nights including Hotel, Entry, Flight & car rental. As its in the same start / finish for 2015 I am doing the same thing although this year I'm gonna head down a bit more south for 2 nights to take in Mt Ventoux,

Doing it solo is handy enough once the start / finish is in the same area and you can rent a car.

simonrooneyzaga

Finally convinced my dad tonight that he has it in him to do it, so I'll be there. Can't wait!

Will be following this thread with interest for hints and tips. Think we'll probably organise ourselves.

at1withmyself

Registration complete

simonrooneyzaga

45 minute wait on the site, so registration almost (hopefully) complete!

Johnny Jukebox

Yay mine too.

Bit more expensive that I'd thought though at 100 yoyo....

del_boy13

Got mine as well. Waiting long enough

simonrooneyzaga

Booked!

simonrooneyzaga

where are people staying? looking into accommodation now.

simonrooneyzaga

simonrooneyzaga wrote: »

where are people staying? looking into accommodation now.

After a swift 30 minutes hunting, I reckon finding accommodation for this is going to be more difficult than the actual event!!

del_boy13

So far

Booked flight and bike to Lyon for the 17th back on the 20th.

Hired car (may also sleep in car if accommodation is not found)

Accommodation ongoing but might have a plan B as a friend has an aunt who lives/owns a flat in the area he thinks

El Vino

We stayed here last time Etape was in this area , Hotel ibis budget Saint Jean de Maurienne, Route des Grands Prés, 73130 Sainte-Marie-de-Cuines, France

It was perfect, indoor bike storage, those odd french bunk beds where bottom bunk is a double. Right in the middle of some of the best tour climbs - Madeleine, Glandon etc. Walking distance from Train station (we got Train back to Geneva with bikes)

del_boy13

El Vino wrote: »

We stayed here last time Etape was in this area , Hotel ibis budget Saint Jean de Maurienne, Route des Grands Prés, 73130 Sainte-Marie-de-Cuines, France

It was perfect, indoor bike storage, those odd french bunk beds where bottom bunk is a double. Right in the middle of some of the best tour climbs - Madeleine, Glandon etc. Walking distance from Train station (we got Train back to Geneva with bikes)

So perfect that its booked up. Thanks for the name.

simonrooneyzaga

del_boy13 wrote: »

So perfect that its booked up. Thanks for the name.

I know L'Etape are running their own accom packages this year. I'd say between themselves and the tour operators they have everything booked up within 20k! That's the way it looks on the booking sites anyway.

We're going to go the campervan route and then follow the tour around the alps for a few days after.

del_boy13

Looked again today got a studio apartment about 25k away (30 mins drive according to Google). You really need to be careful booking as lots of the sites have nearby hotels as the crow flies which can be a couple of hours by car.

Tree Scape

I'm in, booked Seanie!

Curnode

Well Folks , Christmas has come and gone, so now the serious training plans must start to kick in ..........

Can you please advise of good upcoming sportives for Feb , March and April. These will be essential as interim targets to aim at with a view to developing the stamina and fitness levels required for later in the year.

AjSp9

Hammer and thongs till July!! Plenty climbing for the legs!! Check out Cycling Ireland for a list of Sportives local to you!! Nice long steady rides will elevation thrown in every so often! It'll go along way come Etape time. Best of luck

Curnode wrote: »

Well Folks , Christmas has come and gone, so now the serious training plans must start to kick in ..........

Can you please advise of good upcoming sportives for Feb , March and April. These will be essential as interim targets to aim at with a view to developing the stamina and fitness levels required for later in the year.

Pinch Flat

Curnode wrote: »

Well Folks , Christmas has come and gone, so now the serious training plans must start to kick in ..........

Can you please advise of good upcoming sportives for Feb , March and April. These will be essential as interim targets to aim at with a view to developing the stamina and fitness levels required for later in the year.

Orwell randonee
Mount Leinster challenge
Mick Byrne 200

All the above are hard and will test the legs. Nowhere near the climbing youll encounter on the etape, but climb as many hills as often as you can between now and July:)

bazermc

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Orwell randonee
Mount Leinster challenge
Mick Byrne 200

All the above are hard and will test the legs. Nowhere near the climbing youll encounter on the etape, but climb as many hills as often as you can between now and July:)

+1

Also SERC 3 peaks challenge, starts in Arklow usually around March time I think

at1withmyself

Entries are now open for the Etape Mumhan in Kerry, good tough route with plenty of climbing. Route looks to be the same as last year:

http://register.sportstiming.ie/ps/event/EtapeRasMumhan1

http://www.etaperasmumhan.com/

Make a weekend out of it and take in the Caha Pass and the Priests Leap on the Friday or Sunday for some extra 'torture'

Bre-head

Hi

I wonder could anyone suggest where I might look to book/buy entry to the 2015 l'etape at this late stage? Obviously missed registration by a country mile but looking into it for my husband (40th bday ambition). Have seen entries on some tour operator sites for around €200 but wondering if anywhere cheaper to look.. Or people sell their registrations if doesn't work out for whatever reason? Any advice really appreciated, thanks!

2 Wheels Good

Bre-head wrote: »

Hi

I wonder could anyone suggest where I might look to book/buy entry to the 2015 l'etape at this late stage? Obviously missed registration by a country mile but looking into it for my husband (40th bday ambition). Have seen entries on some tour operator sites for around €200 but wondering if anywhere cheaper to look.. Or people sell their registrations if doesn't work out for whatever reason? Any advice really appreciated, thanks!

Unless you did a package through the Etape themselves for the accommodation which you'll need anyway or talk to one of the Irish travel agents and see if they can do anything for you. Trailseekers might be able to advise, I think they're booked out themselves but may know some options.