La Marmotte Cyclosportive 2010

Saturday July 3 2010

It's over 20 years since the first Marmotte Cyclosportive was held and it's still regarded as the toughest of them all. 2010 will be the 10th consecutive year that we have taken cyclists to ride the event.

The circuit

With 5000m of climbing over a distance of 174 km (110 miles) the course starts at Bourg d’Oisans, climbs the Col de Glandon, descends into the Maurienne Valley, climbs the Col de la Telegraph, then the Col de Galibier, drops down to the Col de Lauteret, then back down to Bourg d’Oisans and, for the grand finale, climbs up to Alpe d’Huez. If you can't face the climb to Alpe d'Huez you can finish in Bourg d'Oisans and be given a time for the 'Marmotton'.

See the Marmotte Description...>

What to expect

In the UK the Etape du Tour has become the most well known cyclosportive and the Marmotte is run in a similar fashion except that the roads are not closed to traffic. The standard is fairly high at the front with many top amateurs and budding pros taking part. In 2009 there were 7000 entries with over half the participants being Dutch cyclists. The winner finishes in about 6 hours whilst the last takes about 14hrs. There are sag wagons for those who drop out. Food and water stations are positioned at strategic places along the route.

How fit do you need to be?

You really need to have a good level of fitness for this one and have at least some experience of riding in alpine terrain. Unlike many of the other cyclosportives there's no easy circuit that you can opt for. It's all or nothing, which all adds the stress of it. Gearing-wise a 39x27/34x23/30x21 is recommended for good climbers otherwise a compact with 34x27/29 or a triple with a 12-25 cassette, or more depending on your climbing proess, or lack of it.

Not only is it a tough circuit but the weather in the mountains is usually one of extremes. 2001 and 2002 the conditions were horrendous with freezing rain, snow and blustery winds to cope with. If it's clear skies, then temperatures might be below freezing first thing in the morning then climb to over 35c on the climbs later in the day. In 2007 and 2009 it reached 39c on Alpe d'Huez during the sfternoon.

All in all , it's not an event to be taken lightly.

The Itinerary

Depending on your time available we can be flexible on how long you stay. Basically there are three main options:

1. Arrive Thursday and depart on Sunday

2. Arrive Thursday and depart on Monday

3. Arrive the weekend before and spend a few days in the Vercors acclimatizing and getting used to climbing and decsending on alpine roads.

Other arrival and departure days can usually be arranged as well.

The full week

At first the full week may seem a bit much considering that there is a tough ride at the end but the four days in Vercors has proven to be a successful primer. In the Vercors National Park the climbs are long but nicely graded. The purpose of the first three days is to ride at a relaxed pace and get used to climbing for an hour or so and get some practice on the winding alpine style roads. Just as importantly, it also helps you acclimatise to the hot summer temperatures. On the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday you can explore the gorges of the Vercors at your own pace and include the Gorges du Nan which is a 1000m climb in 13km which is more or less the equivalent to Alpe d'Huez. On the Thursday morning you transfer to Alpe d’Huez to stay in hotel accomodation close to the finish of the Marmotte. On the Friday we register for the Marmotte, have a relaxing lunch at our favourite pizzeria and generally faff around.

Three and four day trips

Depending on what time you arrive on the Thursday you there's usually enough time for a short ride in the afternoon before dinner. On the Friday you can register and have another short ride before lunch and a relaxing afternoon. On the Sunday, depending on your departure time, you might be able to take part in the Time-Trial on the Alpe d'Huez climb. However, after the previous day's exertions, getting out bed might be a trial in itself.

Joining the Tour

If you're planning on flying out, Lyon or Grenoble airports are the nearest. We can arrange transfers or you can hire a car. If you have your own plane, you can fly direct to the Alpe d'Huez Altiport (please note that there is a limit on the size of aircraft because it is has a short runway).

The train is becoming a popular choice and you can get trains to Grenoble from where we can collect you.

If there are two or more of you, driving may be a feasable option, and it allows you to pack all those odds and ends.

For a more comprehensive guide to travelling out, see Gastrobiking travel section .

Price :

Seven night trip £690,
Three day trip £415,
Four night trip £490.

These prices include dinner, bed and breakfast, entry to the Marmotte (including a 10euro deposit on your timing chip) and any advice on preparation and training you may need.

Transfers will be additional but we try to do these as cheaply as we can.

Transfers from/to Grenoble or Lyon airport £90.

A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement.

Please note that you are required to supply a medical certificate for the entry to the Marmotte. If you need any advice about what is required please get in touch.