6 weeks to prepare for the 2015 Etape du Tour.
Discussion
Do I have a hope in hell of completing the event?
Pros
Not overweight
Don't smoke
Don't drink much
Don't mind pain
Cons
40 years old
Not fit
Bike old and fairly heavy with unsuitable gearing (I think)
Now, regarding the fitness. I did a 60km, 2 hour 40 minute ride the day before yesterday and today, most of it on fine/compacted gravel bike paths(I've recently moved to Germany). Wore a heart rate monitor today, shows my heart rate hovering around 150bpm. I did an experiment to find max heart rate recently, got around 210bpm from the old ticker. Felt fine during both rides..though no real hills on route.
Do I have a snowballs chance? I will buy a more suitable bike if I could realistically finish.
Pros
Not overweight
Don't smoke
Don't drink much
Don't mind pain
Cons
40 years old
Not fit
Bike old and fairly heavy with unsuitable gearing (I think)
Now, regarding the fitness. I did a 60km, 2 hour 40 minute ride the day before yesterday and today, most of it on fine/compacted gravel bike paths(I've recently moved to Germany). Wore a heart rate monitor today, shows my heart rate hovering around 150bpm. I did an experiment to find max heart rate recently, got around 210bpm from the old ticker. Felt fine during both rides..though no real hills on route.
Do I have a snowballs chance? I will buy a more suitable bike if I could realistically finish.
There's a female friend of mine (well, friend of the missus really) in an incredibly similar position. Not enough riding, crap bike, stupid gearing, all things she's been unable/unwilling to rectify even though I and others have been on at her since Christmas.
I'd be looking at previous results to see what the slowest finishing times were to avoid the broom. My friend is determined to finish but I expect will only avg 10mph inc stops and faff.
If you're going to change bike, do it quickly (compact & 11-32) and get doing long hilly road rides on it over the next 5 weeks!
I'd be looking at previous results to see what the slowest finishing times were to avoid the broom. My friend is determined to finish but I expect will only avg 10mph inc stops and faff.
If you're going to change bike, do it quickly (compact & 11-32) and get doing long hilly road rides on it over the next 5 weeks!
on the plus side it's only 140km this year. On the minus side nearly half of that is uphill.
60 km of mountain is a lot of climbing even when you are fit never mind with only 6 weeks of training.
Having experienced 3 etapes I wouldn't be going with so little preparation.
edit to add: if you are going to attempt it then I second the compact + whatever is the biggest rear cog you can fit recommendation.
60 km of mountain is a lot of climbing even when you are fit never mind with only 6 weeks of training.
Having experienced 3 etapes I wouldn't be going with so little preparation.
edit to add: if you are going to attempt it then I second the compact + whatever is the biggest rear cog you can fit recommendation.
Edited by Pachydermus on Wednesday 3rd June 22:47
flinkin blip thats hellish, 1000m of climbing in the first 20kms of the stage then 1500m in 17kms to the summit of Col du Glandon and then another 1000m ascent in the final 20kms to La Toussuire. I cant see compact gearing and a whopping cassette being enough if you havent got the legs but Glandon will be the killer, if you manage that ahead of the broom wagon you will complete the stage.
ker 
So 80km today in 30deg heat...felt ok. One climb about 1.5km, with part at 12%...wasn't easy...out of the saddle for a bit, heart at 185bpm.
On the positive side I may have sorted a new (used bike)...it's light (7ish kg) and comes with a triple ring. This kind of device...
On the positive side I may have sorted a new (used bike)...it's light (7ish kg) and comes with a triple ring. This kind of device...
Edited by Kawasicki on Thursday 4th June 18:55
Amateurish said:
It's the climbing, not the distance that's the issue. 4500m of elevation gain at constant 7+ gradient is a real challenge. Do you have any mountains nearby to cycle up. 2-3 hours on flat cycle paths will not give you a good indication of how ready you are.
Thanks for the advice....I'm taking it all to heart!Yes, I have some climbs near me...while steep (I can barely ride a mountain bike up them) they are too short, so I'm going to give the legs two more weeks of mainly flat rides before I start hitting the mountains. I plan to use the 6 weeks to build a very small, wobbly, fitness pyramid!
As others have said, it's the climbing that'll kill you, not the distance. Think about going back and riding that 1.5km hill another 40 times to give you an idea of the amount you'll be doing ! So the more hills you can fit into your training the better.
Bike with triple chainset is a great idea.
Bike with triple chainset is a great idea.
outnumbered said:
As others have said, it's the climbing that'll kill you, not the distance. Think about going back and riding that 1.5km hill another 40 times to give you an idea of the amount you'll be doing ! So the more hills you can fit into your training the better.
Bike with triple chainset is a great idea.
I have thought about using that hill as a bit of interval training...basically just ride up and down it until I fail (shouldn't take long)Bike with triple chainset is a great idea.
Kawasicki said:
Yes, I have some climbs near me...while steep (I can barely ride a mountain bike up them) they are too short, so I'm going to give the legs two more weeks of mainly flat rides before I start hitting the mountains.
You don't need hills to train for hills IMO. Making an effort on a hill is same as making an effort on the flat. Might also be worth spending time on the bike to get used to being in the saddle for an extended period.
The bike looks spot on, I'll leave this here...
https://youtu.be/aqK9s1epBqw
Just so you know what to look forward to
https://youtu.be/aqK9s1epBqw
Just so you know what to look forward to
jamiebae said:
The bike looks spot on, I'll leave this here...
https://youtu.be/aqK9s1epBqw
Just so you know what to look forward to
cheers!https://youtu.be/aqK9s1epBqw
Just so you know what to look forward to
Allowing yourself a week to rest before 19/7 means nearer 5 weeks prep time
I did the Etape for the first time last year and I know I wouldn't fancy starting from zero this close to the event. I've fitted in as much riding/training on road & turbo since then that work, winter weather and family stuff has allowed... I've done some sportives already this year including toughies like the Tour of the Peaks (even tougher this year in the strong winds)... and I still wish I could have done more!
If you feel up to it then go for it, you'll still be able to sample the wonderful atmosphere whether you finish or not. Personally I hope I can complete the route because I know how crushed I'd feel if I didn't. Actually, the fear of failure is a big incentive for me!
I did the Etape for the first time last year and I know I wouldn't fancy starting from zero this close to the event. I've fitted in as much riding/training on road & turbo since then that work, winter weather and family stuff has allowed... I've done some sportives already this year including toughies like the Tour of the Peaks (even tougher this year in the strong winds)... and I still wish I could have done more!
If you feel up to it then go for it, you'll still be able to sample the wonderful atmosphere whether you finish or not. Personally I hope I can complete the route because I know how crushed I'd feel if I didn't. Actually, the fear of failure is a big incentive for me!
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