La Marmotte 2013
Discussion
I thought it would be good to have a thread dedicated to the Marmotte sportif in July, where we can discuss training, logistics and hopefully good accounts after the event.
This will be the first time I've taken part, indeed my first time riding roads in the Alps. I spent a week mountain biking in Morzine a couple of years ago so don't really have an idea of climbs of such magnitude as the Galibier or Alpe d'Huez.
I have been riding fairly regularly for 2 years and last year took part in the Fred Whitton. Mileage did slump over the winter but I've been doing a couple of turbo sessions and a long weekend ride per week for the past couple of months.
Still need to refine my training as it's probably not optimum. I'd be interested in hearing training advice from people who have ridden the Marmotte before. Reading numerous forums and blogs basically suggests losing as much excess weight as possible, do increasingly long weekend rides and also try to develop ability to ride near threshold for extended periods.
This will be the first time I've taken part, indeed my first time riding roads in the Alps. I spent a week mountain biking in Morzine a couple of years ago so don't really have an idea of climbs of such magnitude as the Galibier or Alpe d'Huez.
I have been riding fairly regularly for 2 years and last year took part in the Fred Whitton. Mileage did slump over the winter but I've been doing a couple of turbo sessions and a long weekend ride per week for the past couple of months.
Still need to refine my training as it's probably not optimum. I'd be interested in hearing training advice from people who have ridden the Marmotte before. Reading numerous forums and blogs basically suggests losing as much excess weight as possible, do increasingly long weekend rides and also try to develop ability to ride near threshold for extended periods.
We did the route without the final climb up huez last year whilst we were there - to be honest we didn't train properly, and we did stop for food on the way a couple of times.. - It is bloody hard work, but a great ride..
Strava dload here:http://app.strava.com/athlete/calendar/2012#Jul
Strava dload here:http://app.strava.com/athlete/calendar/2012#Jul
Rolls said:
We did the route without the final climb up huez last year whilst we were there - to be honest we didn't train properly, and we did stop for food on the way a couple of times.. - It is bloody hard work, but a great ride..
Strava dload here:http://app.strava.com/athlete/calendar/2012#Jul
Link doesn't work. Takes me to my Strava page! I think you need your athlete number in the URL.Strava dload here:http://app.strava.com/athlete/calendar/2012#Jul
okgo said:
Yes, your last sentence sums it up. Good luck.
Weight loss - I'm 63kg and 5'8" so probably don't have much more to lose, possibly 1 or 2 kg. Long weekend rides won't be a problem and I have a couple of hilly sportives over the next couple of months which give me some intermediate goals (Lakeland loop and the Fred Whitton). The area of uncertainty is upping my threshold ability. I've been doing two turbo sessions per week using the 2x20 format, but not sure if I should be extending these either to 3 or 4 sessions per week or increasing their length, e.g. 2x30 or even doing 1x60.Well, have a look and see how long the climbs are and I think you may find that sadly you have to do workouts that mimic that to a degree. So knowing some of the big alps are well over 40 mins you need to at least try and get some longer sessions in, or at least be doing the 3x20 with small rest periods (you really have to work in that 3rd set for the longer climbs imo) and go from there...
Its difficult because most of the UK where I'm from only has 5 min climbs, so you find guys who can batter them, but are s
t on a 20 min climb, so just work those longer sessions in. Ideally you'd want to be doing 3-5 hour rides and working in a 3x20 at some point and doing a lot of tempo stuff too. Ultimately anyone can ride up these things, its just if you want to do it quick, so you will get out what you put in
Its difficult because most of the UK where I'm from only has 5 min climbs, so you find guys who can batter them, but are s
t on a 20 min climb, so just work those longer sessions in. Ideally you'd want to be doing 3-5 hour rides and working in a 3x20 at some point and doing a lot of tempo stuff too. Ultimately anyone can ride up these things, its just if you want to do it quick, so you will get out what you put inI'd maybe try a long 100 mile sportive in a month and see how you get on. Build up the mileage throughout the week.
I can't wait for it this year, I've ridden the Etape for the past 2 years (Alps and Pyrenees) and they were great events, a brilliant experience.
Doing the Etape too this year, day after the Marmotte...
I can't wait for it this year, I've ridden the Etape for the past 2 years (Alps and Pyrenees) and they were great events, a brilliant experience.
Doing the Etape too this year, day after the Marmotte...
okgo said:
You have to be honest with yourself with how long you think it will take you. I'd do Galibier in 60-80 mins looking at that strava list, so could probably get away with your current training, but only you know how good a climber you are!
I am a pretty decent climber, both the short sharp efforts you get in the UK and also the longer but less steep gradients....although the biggest climb I've done in terms of length is Cragg Vale, which is about 900ft over 5 miles. I'm not going to be able to practice alpine like climbs before the event so will have to make do with UK hills and intervals on the turbo.I'm planning a trip here in the next month:
http://app.strava.com/segments/732824
Janosh said:
Does anyone else have a start number in the early pen? I'm start number 15xx and all my mates are behind, so i'll be on my tod... Even better if you're aiming for a ~9 hour ride
I have no idea how the numbers were assigned. I registered about an hour after it opened on-line, and I've ended up with close to 5400 !Gradually starting to ramp up my mileage. Managed two rides (50 and 60 miles) over the Easter weekend and did a quite hilly solo 80 miles yesterday. Felt pretty good at the end too. Had a few moments where was energy was dropping so obviously didn't fuel myself properly along the way. A quick coffee and ice cream sorted me out for the last 20 miles!
http://app.strava.com/activities/47491680
http://app.strava.com/activities/47491680
3 guys I used to work with did it in 2011. 1 is pretty decent rides at least hundred miles a week. Far, and away better than most people I know. The other 2 are maybe a step behind him in terms of ability. But still ahead of most riders. not sunday riders by any stretch.
Only the best guy of the 3 finished the whole event without assistance. It's very, very tough.
Only the best guy of the 3 finished the whole event without assistance. It's very, very tough.
Edited by Rich_W on Monday 8th April 19:23
Did three 2x20 sessions on the turbo last week and did a tough ride on Saturday. The headwind/crosswind made the first 40 miles effing hard work on my own. Found myself in bottom gear (34-27) on only moderate climbs.
http://app.strava.com/activities/49701308
I'm riding from Edinburgh to Leeds over 3 days next weekend. Looking forward to a more leisurely pace, but will still be getting some decent miles in (80, 90, 50).
http://app.strava.com/activities/49701308
I'm riding from Edinburgh to Leeds over 3 days next weekend. Looking forward to a more leisurely pace, but will still be getting some decent miles in (80, 90, 50).
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