La Marmotte 2017

Kyran7

Right, who's up for it? Entry out on Monday. Flights booked, accommodation booked, bikes hired and in the process of hiring a car/van.

This will be my fourth year attempting this route, second time attempting official event that's if I get my entry on Monday. Don't know if I have it in me but I'll give it a lash anyway. So, here's to La Marmotte 2017.

Kyran7

Signed, sealed and delivered, booked the entry this morning.

kilns

No single entries available yet, they are selling their bundles first it seems

Kyran7

Yes, we checked this morning. 4 of us booked a bundle this morning in order to guarantee entry. Not ideal I know, but at least we are now guaranteed entry. We took the cheapest bundle available. Had a quick chat about it and then just went for it.

Kyran7

Anyone register for 2017 edition?

marathon50

Eight of us entered. Single entry opened Sunday night at 11pm, no problems took
me about 25mins to complete the 8 entries. This is my 5th year to do it.
missed out last year did the Pyrenees version instead. Enjoyed it had a good time but just not as epic as the original, plus the end of August is a bit late.
If you are out there for the week next year make sure you do the Prix des Rousse
on the Wednesday before the Marmotte. Its a great spin its only 45km but will shock the legs in to climbing mode fairly quick.

Kyran7

Marathon 50, would like some advice. Did the official event 2 years ago, 2015, the year they changed the route. It was ridiculously hot that year. I was in the last wave out in the morning, and got to the bottom of the Alpe at 6:47, seventeen minutes outside the cut off. I felt ok, but was disappointed that I was outside cut-off. I was on my own that year and managed to talk myself out of going up Alpe D'Hueze and finishing as I had my Campervan at bottom of Alpe.
Went over again last year with 3 other lads. Again, got to bottom of Alpe and had enough. What do they say, "sign of a stupid man is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". As you have done it so many times, would love to know how you get ready for it. What kind of a Training plan do you have, what weight do you think is ideal etc., etc. Thanks, and hope to bump into a few Irish lads there.

07Lapierre

Kyran7 wrote: »

Marathon 50, would like some advice. Did the official event 2 years ago, 2015, the year they changed the route. It was ridiculously hot that year. I was in the last wave out in the morning, and got to the bottom of the Alpe at 6:47, seventeen minutes outside the cut off. I felt ok, but was disappointed that I was outside cut-off. I was on my own that year and managed to talk myself out of going up Alpe D'Hueze and finishing as I had my Campervan at bottom of Alpe.
Went over again last year with 3 other lads. Again, got to bottom of Alpe and had enough. What do they say, "sign of a stupid man is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". As you have done it so many times, would love to know how you get ready for it. What kind of a Training plan do you have, what weight do you think is ideal etc., etc. Thanks, and hope to bump into a few Irish lads there.

I've done the Marmotte a few times..
heres the tread from 2014 which has a lot of info/links to training etc.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057044244

Next time...park your campervan in Alpe D'huez!

Kyran7

Kyran7

calhansla

Got signed up on Tuesday night 5 of us heading over first time doing it. Need to start getting the miles in and start shedding some timber.how hard are the climbs in the marmotte it's all very daunting reading and looking at the videos.

07Lapierre

It's a tough event, but very doable!... the climbs are long! .. Glandon 26k, Telegraph 14k, Galibier 18k and Alp D'huez 14k. Much longer than any climbs we have in irl.

A compact chainset (or a triple) is essential.

calhansla

07Lapierre wrote: »

It's a tough event, but very doable!... the climbs are long! .. Glandon 26k, Telegraph 14k, Galibier 18k and Alp D'huez 14k. Much longer than any climbs we have in irl.

A compact chainset (or a triple) is essential.

Ya there's nothing like it in Ireland been cycling for a good few years have done all the major sportives in the country and raced for a couple of years so decided to do a new challenge. We have hired bikes for the weekend take the stress out of it. The bikes have a compact and a 12 ×32 on the back so there's loads there hopefully.

Burkie_Fi

Anyone advise on accommodation surrounding this event? Was hoping to make a family holiday out of it for a few days on either side. Is Grenoble best place to base out of? Preference will be a rental house as there'll be 2 friends flying in for just the weekend of the cycle so be handy if they could stay.
All advice welcome.

calhansla

Burkie_Fi wrote: »

Anyone advise on accommodation surrounding this event? Was hoping to make a family holiday out of it for a few days on either side. Is Grenoble best place to base out of? Preference will be a rental house as there'll be 2 friends flying in for just the weekend of the cycle so be handy if they could stay.
All advice welcome.

We booked through Airbnb rented a chalet for 3 nights really good value. You would need to book soon as nearly all of the accommodation on the alpe and in bourg d'oisans was nearly gone we are just outside about 12k away from the start.

Burkie_Fi

Realistically what is too far to travel that morning? Don't want a long drive and then have to park far out. I,m looking at Air BnB now - thanks! Will be ideal to store bikes and kids

Kyran7

Bourg D'Oisan is probably ideal. This year we are staying near Les Deux Alpes, arounf 15km from the town. Couldn't get anything in or near the town so it will have to do. All I can say really is the closer the better to the start line. Thing is you may not have a choice as it appears to be selling out fast. We've hired bikes from Rocky Sports at the top of Alpe D'Hueze, collecting them on Saturday evening.

Kyran7

Right, so I attempted what I thought would be an FTP test last weekend. Never did anything like it before so just rocked up with an open mind.

Started with a 15-20 min warm up, followed by a few stretches etc. Then, back on the Wattbike. The Coach explained to me that we would first be doing a "balls out" 3 minute blind test. The "blind" meant that I could not see the numbers. We had a good 5 minute talk while I was loosening up on the bike about what "give it everything you have" meant. Do I keep a bit back? Do I just give it everything? How can I give it everything, I will crack after 45 seconds? His reply every time was that I had to give it everything in the tank and had to keep going for the 3 minutes. My brother was in the gym with me as well as my 2 young kids.

So, he covered the screen and my HR monitor and counted me in. I gave it everything and begged for time checks. After 45 seconds I was in the horrors, I think it's the most pain that I've ever felt, heart, lungs, legs, everything. At the half way I almost said f### this but the 2 lads pretty much told me that I wasn't getting off until the 3 mins were up. Finally, I got there. I almost fell off the bike at the end. I just wobbled off and wandered over to the open door to get some air and then I just slumped to the floor where I stayed for the next 7 minutes. I just gave the lads the thumbs up to let them know that I was ok.

Then for the next part of the test. The Coach explained that he had calculated my average power for the 3 minute test and next up was to maintain 80% of that for 20 minutes or as long as I could. I knew when I was getting back on the bike that this wasn't going to happen. I had already talked my way out of it. After about 9 minutes of maintaining 344 watts I said f### this and got off, in bits.

My avg power for the 3 min test w 433 watts. I had never done this test before and I'm not sure if I want to do it again. He has sent me on some data and I will be having a chat with him tomorrow. I will be back again in 6 weeks time for the 20 min test (not the 3 min ball buster).

LeoD

calhansla wrote: »

Ya there's nothing like it in Ireland been cycling for a good few years have done all the major sportives in the country and raced for a couple of years so decided to do a new challenge. We have hired bikes for the weekend take the stress out of it. The bikes have a compact and a 12 ×32 on the back so there's loads there hopefully.

Bring your own saddle (and pedals if you like). When we did it a few years ago we brought our own bikes but after riding both the Glandon and Alpe d'Huez in the days before, we decided to rent bikes with triples (softies) for the weekend. We swapped over our saddles, wheels and pedals so my rented bike was no different my own really (Giant TCR for a Giant Defy - 2010).

fat bloke

Kyran7 wrote: »

I will be back again in 6 weeks time for the 20 min test (not the 3 min ball buster).

SIX weeks time? Why so long?

Sure is that not the info you need right now - so you can calculate your training zones and be...y'know.... training! :pac:

Kyran7

fat bloke wrote: »

SIX weeks time? Why so long?

Sure is that not the info you need right now - so you can calculate your training zones and be...y'know.... training! :pac:

Yep, I got my Training zones from first test. Work on those and test again in 6 weeks to show progression and possibly adjust training zones again.
By the way, I think 6 weeks between testing is pretty standard.
But I am open to any suggestions.

fat bloke

Kyran7 wrote: »

Yep, I got my Training zones from first test. Work on those and test again in 6 weeks to show progression and possibly adjust training zones again.
By the way, I think 6 weeks between testing is pretty standard.
But I am open to any suggestions.

Ahhh. Course yeah. Sorry. Makes sense if you're re-testing. Thought 6 weeks time was at to be your first test.

2old4this

For those that have done the marmotte before, is the Wicklow 200 too close at June 11th or is it worth doing for training?
Thanks

07Lapierre

Definitely do the WW200! and I'd also suggest doing another descent spin (150K with 2000m climbing) the weekend before the Marmotte.

Kyran7

The Mick Byrne 200 is also on May 28th, with 2790m of climbing

Red Belly

Last year I did:
the MB200,
a flat 100k sportive in Westmeath,
The WW 200,
the 1.5 ride (a "mountainy" sportive in Bunclody),
and a flat 100k Sportive in Wexford

on the 5 consecutive week-ends leading up to the Marmotte. Did my usual training spins in between and a few short (i.e 10-20k) spins around Alpe D'Huez in the few days leading up to the event just to get a feel for those alpine climbs.

On the flat sportives I went as hard as I could and on the more mountainous ones I aimed for steady but challenging efforts on the climbs. That worked well for me and my legs were nice and fresh for the big day.

The WW200 is good day to practice things like your choice of gear; taking a drink on a steep gradient (we can usually avoid that here but in the Marmotte you'll need to be comfortable reaching for the bottle on a 10% grade in a big group-I for one needed to practice that); and controlled pacing on the climbs, (bearing in mind that they are NOTHING like the Alpine climbs for which nothing can really prepare you). The only way the WW200 would be too close to the Marmotte would be if you went eyeballs out race effort for the whole thing. Imho.

RB

2016

So this is on the Sunday this year, not the traditional Saturday?

paulie gaultieri

2old4this wrote: »

For those that have done the marmotte before, is the Wicklow 200 too close at June 11th or is it worth doing for training?
Thanks

God no MB200 and WW200 should be part of the training. I did the WW200 in preparation with a standard crankset and an 11-25 cassette - it was a great test.

Kyran7

Lads,

Couple of questions regarding Marmotte if anyone knows:

1. What kind of food is at the food stops?
2. Can you register the night before?
3. If you are scheduled to leave in a particular wave, can you chose another, is anyone going to stop you?

Thanks

07Lapierre

Kyran7 wrote: »

Lads,

Couple of questions regarding Marmotte if anyone knows:

1. What kind of food is at the food stops?
2. Can you register the night before?
3. If you are scheduled to leave in a particular wave, can you chose another, is anyone going to stop you?

Thanks

1. Didn't really use the official food stops, but from what i could see they had Banana's, Ham and cheese rolls, Orange's (slices) and water.
2. yes registration is usually open in Alp D'huez the day before and I believe you can also register on the morning of the event in Bourg D'Oisan.
3. Offically NO. The marshals will direct you into your appropriate Pen.

paulie gaultieri

My experience of the food was it was very poor - I wouldn't rely on it at all again if I was doing it. Registration is from Thursday afaik in Alpe D'Huez.

Regarding start times you given a number and 1-2000 go at 7am. 2000-4000 go at 7.30 and the remaining virgin riders go at 8am.

Tbh though Just muscle your way into the starting pen regardless of your number. Starting at 7 and hopefully avoiding the serious afternoon heat (IF the weather is good - it P1SSED rain last year) is the way to go imho.

Kyran7

We are flying in to Lyon at 4:30. Have to drive down and collect bikes on top of the Alpe. Then have to drive to Les Deuxe Alps for accommodation. Any idea what time reg closes at on the Saturday night? And cheers for the info.

paulie gaultieri

Are the bikes going with shipmytribike?

Kyran7

Nope, renting bikes from guy on top of Alpe D' Hueze. have used him for past 4 years. They are 2017 Lapierre Sensiums.

Leroy42

It takes roughly 2 hours to drive from Lyon Airport to Bourg. Reg closes at 19.00 I think. But reg will be open on the morning if you miss that. Down at the roundabout for Alpe D'Huez, where the final food stop will be. Opens at 6am I think on Sunday morning.

mp2012

Kyran, could you let me have the details of the shop you are renting from please, one of our group still hasn't sorted out their bike yet.

Thanks

07Lapierre

Best of luck to everyone taking part this year! enjoy!

Kyran7

Sure,
 

[img=225x168]file:///C:/Users/gfoley/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif[/img]

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Kyran7

I'll try that again, it didn't paste in

Kyran7

ROCKY SPORTS sports.rocky@wanadoo.fr
The owner's name is Berni, just send him a mail with your info.

fat bloke

My experience of the food was very good. You're not going to get Ring of Kerry hang 'n egg sliced pan but there were baguette cheese and ham things, pastries, lots of sweets and jellies and bananas and stuff. A couple of the stops also had powerbar style stands with loads of shots and gels and bars.

Kyran7

Any last minute advice? What to do, what not to do over the next 2 weeks in the run up?

07Lapierre

Kyran7 wrote: »

Any last minute advice? What to do, what not to do over the next 2 weeks in the run up?

Don't taper down your cycling. Get another 150k spin with 2,000 meters climbing) in next weekend. It's warm at the moment, so wear arm warmers and a cap! Get used to heat!

fat bloke

Kyran7 wrote: »

Any last minute advice? What to do, what not to do over the next 2 weeks in the run up?

I'd be spending the next two weeks standing on my weighing scales and crying.

2 Wheels Good

Kyran7 wrote: »

Any last minute advice? What to do, what not to do over the next 2 weeks in the run up?

Will you have a chance to get a col or two in before the event when you're there? It's good to get out to acclimatise to the altitude and heat.

07Lapierre

If you're bringing your own bike, now would be a good time to replace the tyres/tubes and brake pads. If you've been doing a lot of training for the last 6 months, then they probably need to be replaced anyway. How old are your gear/brake cables? if they're a year old or more, I'd change them. The last thing you want is a mechanical problem on the Galibier! Look after your bike and it will look after you!

I'd also have a look at your cleats on your shoes. if they're worn, replace them now. This will give you two weeks to iron out any niggles.

2old4this

As long as your scales aren't in the kitchen, it just might work :-)

Leroy42

Kyran7 wrote: »

Any last minute advice? What to do, what not to do over the next 2 weeks in the run up?

Don't get stressed about it.

Whatever you have done is what you have done. Nothing in the next two weeks is going to make any massive changes to the outcome.

In saying that, there are, IMO, certain things you can do/not do that will help maximise the day for you.

As 07Lapierre said, now is a good time to get everything done to your bike. New types, brake pads. If you plan on using a different cassette/chainring combo make sure that is on. The cycles over the next two weeks will bed all these in. Make sure you are happy with the indexing, the braking performance etc

Same is true for any clothing etc that you intend to wear. Not a good idea to wear a new pair of shorts on the morning. Could be ok, but could end up with 10+ hours of chaffing! So if you haven't tried them out on a longer ride now is a good time. Even something as simple as socks can be a PITA on the Marmotte. The event is tough, so small things tend to amplify themselves.

Don't taper too much. You have two weeks left (well 1 1/2 now I guess) which is plenty. Get a long ride in this weekend. Plenty of climbing. Depending on how long you expect to do the course in something over 6 hours would be good, although not essential to do that long. But again, a long ride gives a great test of the eating/drinking strategy. How you react to gels early/late in the day.

Try to familiarise yourself with the course. There are plenty of youtube videos showing all the different parts of the course. The pens at the start, the fast blast to the bottom of Glandon etc. Basically anything you can do to reduce the level of stress and nervous energy leading up the rollout, as you will need that energy for the bike. Don't fret about the smaller things. If you didn't lose the weight you wanted, if you didn't get to train as much, if, if, if. Doesn't matter now. You ride what you have.

I usually flew out on Thursday afternoon, and would do my last long cycle on the Sunday before, with a few short but intense cycles during the week, with a short (50 min) TT (early morning so traffic wasn't an issue) on the Thursday morning before final packing.

If you are over there and get a chance to ride a climb defo do it but keep the intensity down or at least limit it to a short part of it. One great part of climbing is the chance to experience what seemingly endless climbing is like. It also lets you get a sense of the descents. You can get a great sense of Alpe by just descend (if you are staying in Alpe) 5km or so down and climbing back up. Do what you feel works for you. If you are staying in Bourg maybe climb the 1st 4km of Alpe or maybe head over to the Glandon to spec out the start.

At the end of the day though, it's just another cycle (at least until you cross the line then it revert back to the most epic day that anyone, anywhere has ever done and you are a legend!). Remember to enjoy it (well I never 'enjoyed' it as such, too much time in pain for that) but isn't that what we signed to! But this is the thing you have been building up to for the last few months. Everything will work out fine. Just keep pedalling. If you feel down, simply look around at the amazing views and remind yourself that you are literally in the very heart of cycling.

terrydel

Leroy42 wrote: »

Kyran7 wrote: »

Any last minute advice? What to do, what not to do over the next 2 weeks in the run up?

Don't get stressed about it.

Whatever you have done is what you have done.  Nothing in the next two weeks is going to make any massive changes to the outcome.

In saying that, there are, IMO, certain things you can do/not do that will help maximise the day for you.

As 07Lapierre said, now is a good time to get everything done to your bike.  New types, brake pads.  If you plan on using a different cassette/chainring combo make sure that is on.  The cycles over the next two weeks will bed all these in.  Make sure you are happy with the indexing, the braking performance etc

Same is true for any clothing etc that you intend to wear.  Not a good idea to wear a new pair of shorts on the morning.  Could be ok, but could end up with 10+ hours of chaffing!  So if you haven't tried them out on a longer ride now is a good time.  Even something as simple as socks can be a PITA on the Marmotte.  The event is tough, so small things tend to amplify themselves.

Don't taper too much.  You have two weeks left (well 1 1/2 now I guess) which is plenty.  Get a long ride in this weekend.  Plenty of climbing.  Depending on how long you expect to do the course in something over 6 hours would be good, although not essential to do that long.  But again, a long ride gives a great test of the eating/drinking strategy.  How you react to gels early/late in the day.  

Try to familiarise yourself with the course.  There are plenty of youtube videos showing all the different parts of the course.  The pens at the start, the fast blast to the bottom of Glandon etc.  Basically anything you can do to reduce the level of stress and nervous energy leading up the rollout, as you will need that energy for the bike.  Don't fret about the smaller things.  If you didn't lose the weight you wanted, if you didn't get to train as much, if, if, if.  Doesn't matter now.  You ride what you have.

I usually flew out on Thursday afternoon, and would do my last long cycle on the Sunday before, with a few short but intense cycles during the week, with a short (50 min) TT (early morning so traffic wasn't an issue) on the Thursday morning before final packing.

If you are over there and get a chance to ride a climb defo do it but keep the intensity down or at least limit it to a short part of it.  One great part of climbing is the chance to experience what seemingly endless climbing is like.  It also lets you get a sense of the descents.  You can get a great sense of Alpe by just descend (if you are staying in Alpe) 5km or so down and climbing back up.  Do what you feel works for you.  If you are staying in Bourg maybe climb the 1st 4km of Alpe or maybe head over to the Glandon to spec out the start.

At the end of the day though, it's just another cycle (at least until you cross the line then it revert back to the most epic day that anyone, anywhere has ever done and you are a legend!).  Remember to enjoy it (well I never 'enjoyed' it as such, too much time in pain for that) but isn't that what we signed to!  But this is the thing you have been building up to for the last few months.  Everything will work out fine.  Just keep pedalling.  If you feel down, simply look around at the amazing views and remind yourself that you are literally in the very heart of cycling.

One of the best posts I've read on here in a long time. Great advice.
Off to do the Maratona on July 2nd, totally agree that whatever training you've done up to know, nothing here on in will make a a huge difference. Just keep ticking over til then, get a good long spin in the weekend prior but keep the intensity down as the following week will probably be hectic, what with packing, getting things sorted at home/work etc.
I fly out the Wednesday, I wont cycle the Mon/Tues prior, and plan is to do about 25-km on the Thursday (mostly to try out the rental bike and get used to it). Then do 2 of the climbs Friday (Pordoi being the long one) at a low intensity. Saturday will rest up and get ready. And thats it. Then its just about doing your best. And not missing the cut off point this time!

paulie gaultieri

Tell yourself you are going to finish it and you will finish it.

LeoD

Relax and enjoy the ride. If you start fretting over every detail you will convince yourself something is wrong with you, your bike, your clothing, etc. It's just another cycle albeit a bit more hilly and a bit longer than anything you've ever done before but it's just another bike ride. Enjoy the atmosphere. Stay relaxed and ride at your own pace from start to finish.