La Marmotte Cyclosportive

Saturday July 7 2012

It's over 20 years since the first Marmotte Cyclosportive was held and it's still regarded as the toughest of them all. 2012 will be the 12th 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 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 afternoon.

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

Training

If you haven't cycled in the mountains before, then we strongly advise that you to get some experience beforehand. A long weekend trip to our base in the Vercors in May is an ideal time to practice your climbing and descending techniques.

You should also put together a training plan, no matter how basic, so that you don't find yourself dusting your bike off at the end of April and wondering why your cycling shirt has shrunk three sizes over the winter. We can give you guidance on this and even help you design a schedule.

The Itinerary

Depending on your time available we can be flexible on how long you stay. In previous years we have run a seven day trip with three days based in the Vercors before moving to Alpe d'Huez on the Thursday. However, for 2012, we will be based in Alpe d'Huez for the whole week.

Every year it's noticable that people who have stayed for the full week have had a much more successful and enjoyable day on the Saturday. It gives you time to get a few climbs in earlier in the week, rest and acclimatise before the big day.

If you can't manage the full week then we recommend that you arrive on the Wednesday so that you have time to do a ride on the Thursday and chill-out on the Friday.

Travel

If you're planning on flying out, Lyon airport is the nearest. We can arrange transfers or you may prefer the convenience of hiring a car. If you have your own plane, you can fly direct to the Alpe d'Huez Altiport.

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. With the cost of flying and all the 'add-ons' increasing driving can be a lot less stressful and not much more expensive.

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

Prices:

 

Arrive

Depart

Price

Thursday 5

Sunday 8

£490

Wednesday 4

Sunday 8

£590

Sunday 1

Sunday 8

£750

Reduced rates are available for non-cycling partners and for cycling partners who don't want to take part in the Marmotte.

The prices include:

Dinner, bed and breakfast,

Entry to the Marmotte*
(including a 10euro deposit on your timing chip),

Advice on preparation and training,

Advice on riding the event,

Advice on bike set-up and equipment (choice of wheels, tyres, gearing etc.),

Prices do not include:

Your travel

Transfers from/to Grenoble or Lyon airport can be arranged.

Insurance

Lunches and drinks etc.

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

* If you have your own entry deduct £50.

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.