any cyclists out there ever done the marmotte race?

[mattieoo]

hello all, today i sent of to enter the marmotte race in the french alps. Is there anyone out there who has braved this 180 odd miles of alpine racing? any tales? any advice?

 

[Carrot Cruncher]

I once ate 6 pieces of toast and marmite very quickly.

I appreciate that this is no help whatsoever, so all I can do is wish you the very best of luck (and eat plenty of high carb foods).

 

[Stat Brother]

Sadly no.
Making any advise from me not great, and this is my last post for a week.
(Still not being to helpful)

I'm sure I'll pick this up on my return, in the meantime, what's your riding like now?
(How far, what do you ride, how hilly, what's the longest you've ever spent in the saddle, ever riden Alpine/Pyreneean (sp) before, what's your training schedule between now and then).

All I know about this bad boy is, if you aren't 'proffesional', you won't get round. It's not the London2Brighton x3.

Try my second home Road Bikes, Bike News, Bike Reviews, Bike Gear, Bike Routes - BikeRadar

 

[k2bluesky]

Go your own pace, that's very important, don't go too hard at the start - steady, easy pace on the climbs using a triple or compact chainset depending on your ability, (you are using a road racing bike I hope) - regular refueling/water/energy gels breaks - hope you've done LOTS of hill training!! Finishing is more important than the time, 180 miles is a bloody long way over mountains.

 

[greengull]

I'm entered for the Burgess Hill Rumble CycloSportive in March - thats enough hills for me- 55 miles of them to be precise. I would have thought a couple of these events would be a good warm-up. Ok there arent any long hills in the SE, but they tend to be able to find all the hills to do, one after another.

 

[London Calling]

Consider warming up on the south downs way, I thought I was fit until I did that, afterwards, I was probably at the peak of my fitness.

Some great climbss all on chalk, flint or grass.

 

[skipper734]

According to my niece, who's rather good at Iron Man and Triathlon. She once did a cycle race up and down Alpe d' Huez. It was the racing down that was hardest, her hands cramped up from working the brakes so much.

 

[Pantani]

My advice for what it is worth.

Train round here two or three times a week throwing yourself repeatedly over the Downs, it is boring going over the same roads repeatedly but you must get used to riding uphill a lot.

In addition a few training trips to the peaks, Wales etc. Also if the Dragon ride in Wales is a reasonable amount of time before the Marmotte, can't remember the dates of either, ride that too. It is probably the toughest british sportive and will stand you in good stead for the monster that is the Marmotte.

Good luck

 

[teaboy]

Have a look at the 'Hell of the Ashdown' sportive too - sometime in Jan/Feb (?).

Time in the saddle and miles in the legs will be most important. Learn to eat on the bike, and know what you can keep down when your heart-rate's pushing 180bpm.

Find yourself a local club and ride with them.

 

[mattieoo]

i live in the midlands so the downs are out of the question but i do try and to repetitive climbs and descents of the bigger hills. ive even found a hill with a hairpin bend for all its worth! however i think its going to be a mission as i am only 17. However not being cocky or anything but i am pretty good for my age and have one many races even if they have been relatively short and for sprinters mainly. i have set myself a target for 11 hours based on what i have read.

As for the advice on entering other cyclosportives i have looked at entering the Dragon but its bang in the middle of my a-level exams so that may be tricky! i'm tempted to make a few trips to wales and scotland perhaps maybe just to ride the courses and mountains even if they are mole hills in comparison to the alps.

 

[Stoichkov]

Good luck, the Marmotte is a true one-day epic

This might be useful as an insight to what its like?

Evans Cycles | DVD The Trilogy Vol 3 - La Marmotte France | Online Bike Shop

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I can't be the only one disappointed to learn this appears to be a cycle race and nothing to do with marmots?

 

[mattieoo]

Good luck, the Marmotte is a true one-day epic

This might be useful as an insight to what its like?

Evans Cycles | DVD The Trilogy Vol 3 - La Marmotte France | Online Bike Shop

yes i had a peak at this! looks like a pretty good guide! doubt i'll remember it when the adrenaline is pumping