Cycle Sportives

I presume you're doing the etape? Depends on how much of this sort of climbing you've done in the past. Like Hippy said, not so much the steepness but the sheer duration that gets you. By the time you get to Plan Lachat on the Galibier you will (apart from a short descent into Valloire) have been cycling uphill for a very long time and then you hit the top of the valley and the road goes up the valley wall to the pass itself, some bits at that point are at 10%ish and you're now at 2,500m above sea level so you get a little bit of altitude effect as well. Oh, and it could be cool as well, last year on the Marmotte the top of Galibier was 16 degrees and overcast, Bourg D'Oisans was over 35 degrees and brilliant sunshine. But then you get the descent, especially after you join up with the Lauteret - it is awesome (except one or two of the tunnels!). A 34x25 on the Alpe at 80rpm avg cadence will get you from bottom to top in under an hour - you need to judge for yourself whether you think you will have that in you at the end of a long day in the saddle (that would be some ride). The 27 was my friend at the end the Marmotte, and I had a compact. There's nothing macho about small cogs and standard doubles when you're walking your bike up!

This ^ (apart from Plan Lachat being at 2500 metres, it's just below 2000 metres, you gain the best part of 700 vertical metres in the 8 kms from there to the summit).

I've done Alpe d'Huez after a 15 min warm up, and at the end of the Marmotte and it's a very different proposition for the latter.

Thanks both, I think that I will need the 27 or 29 in that case. Better to have it and not use it than not have it and need it. In response to your question TheCatMan, my experience with climbing outside of this country is basically zilch - the only time I've been to the Alps outside of the ski season was riding downhill in the summer - which is all uplifts.

Aside from my training here, and going to my Mum's in Wales - I'm going to try to get out to the alps for a 3-4 day break in the time between now and July as I think it would do me some good psychologically to get a few big climbs under my belt before I go to the Etape and do 3 in one day.

Anyone doing the Endura Lionheart this weekend?
Goes past the lion enclosure at Longleat! I am doing the 100k run wth a mate who lives out there. Hope for better weather than the Spring Onion, as I've only just finished cleaning my feckin bike.

Wanted to make a weekend of it with the gf but didn't get my shit sorted quick enough. Might still be time but unlikely.

Aside from my training here, and going to my Mum's in Wales - I'm going to try to get out to the alps for a 3-4 day break in the time between now and July as I think it would do me some good psychologically to get a few big climbs under my belt before I go to the Etape and do 3 in one day.

If you can do this I recommend it, as having an idea of what you're facing on the day is helpful (although it can be intimidating too). Plus it'll allow you to get some training in on the terrain you'll be riding on the day. Don't forget to work on your descending too, what goes up, must come down. :-)

I'm not sure I'll be able to go do those specific climbs - but maybe. A friends parents own a couple of flats in Meribel and as they're keen cyclists they've offered to lend one of them to me - which makes it affordable. I guess I could get the train to Bourg from there.

I would definitely like to try to get those climbs in before - I hate climbing unfamiliar stuff, i always get caught out... Yes to the descending too - would like to get some under my belt before doing it with 4000 other people.

good luck dan.. 27 is good even with a compact :) you need a steady rhythm that's for sure, remember to enjoy too, its not a race. and will be over before you know it.

..nothing like being on the tarmac with all that cycling history..

enjoy
al

2 Attachments

• galibier2009.pdf
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its not a race, but there is a broom wagon :)

I'm not sure I'll be able to go do those specific climbs - but maybe. A friends parents own a couple of flats in Meribel and as they're keen cyclists they've offered to lend one of them to me - which makes it affordable. I guess I could get the train to Bourg from there.

I would definitely like to try to get those climbs in before - I hate climbing unfamiliar stuff, i always get caught out... Yes to the descending too - would like to get some under my belt before doing it with 4000 other people.

I wouldn't worry too much about riding the specific climbs, especially as the Telegraphe/Galibier double is probably a bit much for a first go. Just having an idea of what it takes to climb in the Alps is good preparation, especially if you've got free accomodation.

thanks Andy, great advice as always. I have to buy you a pint one day

andyp's far too concerned with his weight.

Best let the DS drink it for him and let him know how it tastes.

<--- You can find him here

dan you are welcome to join us for a spin around the chilterns on saturday.
pm me for details..

Would love to but I am time-crunched this weekend and don't wish to incur the wrath of my girlfriend while she is actually in London for once. I will have to make do with an early morning Richmond session on Saturday and a run on Sunday.

Thank you for the offer

Richardson's Rumble next weekend, and also signed up for the May Flyer.

Did the Iain Rennie 75 mile ride day. Really nice day out with good signage and loads of volunteer marshals to point out the way even directing / holding traffic at some points. I'll be doing it next year for sure.

http://www.irhh.org/sitehome/fundraising/ChilternsCycleChallenge/ChilternsCycleChallenge.html

anyone doing the little lumpy?

http://www.littlelumpy.co.uk/

Nick and I are doing the epic. Did it last year, it's ace. Will scroll back to find relevant posts...
there we go

cool.
i did some of it on friday, as i live right near the route. Blackdown right at the end is nasty.

anyone doing the little lumpy?

http://www.littlelumpy.co.uk/

Challenge route was enough for me last year - really enjoyed this one. And yes, the last few miles are sadistically fun :-0

Is anyone else planning to do this the Pro VO2 Longest Day on 10.04.11? I'm down for the 180km (there is a 90km route too), but do not know anyone taking part. Looking to do this at a modest 15-16mph, but would like to find a like-minded group.

http://www.f3events....id=22&Itemid=16

^^ possibly - may have a big Saturday which isn't the ideal prep, but tempted, will let you know as the pace is about right for me.

^^ possibly - may have a big Saturday which isn't the ideal prep, but tempted, will let you know as the pace is about right for me.

Great, Jock. Good luck with the Saturday thing.

BoJo wants to do an Argus size sportive around London in 2013

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23938502-boris-johnson-wants-to-host-cycling-marathon.do

Anyone else happen to be doing the 'New Forest Spring Sportive' next Sat?

will anyone call the police if I turn up at the start with you?

I will!