Etape Du Tour 2015
Discussion
Not this one but I did do the Pyrenean stage back in 2012. Plan carefully for the logistics - getting to/from the start, moving the bike around and sorting accomodation is a bit of a task unless you're a seasoned veteran of these events (I wasn't!).
Good luck. What is the route this year - is it in the Alps?
Good luck. What is the route this year - is it in the Alps?
Seriously considering it along with my usual Alps riding mates. Except one, who is in intensive care after an horrific accident when a car driver pulled out in front of him, so there may be a charity element.
The middle climb up to Col du Glandon is rather epic, and the descent from Croix de Fer is bonkers.
The middle climb up to Col du Glandon is rather epic, and the descent from Croix de Fer is bonkers.
I'm signed up 
Did it for the first time this year and loved it, even though it rained and the descent from the Tourmalet was painfully ccccccold.
http://www.letapedutour.com/ET1/us/the-route.html
I think it's only approx. 20km downhill from finish back to start which is much more convenient this time
Did it for the first time this year and loved it, even though it rained and the descent from the Tourmalet was painfully ccccccold.
BalhamBadger said:
What is the route this year - is it in the Alps?
Route info here...http://www.letapedutour.com/ET1/us/the-route.html
I think it's only approx. 20km downhill from finish back to start which is much more convenient this time
Longers said:
Route info here...
http://www.letapedutour.com/ET1/us/the-route.html
I think it's only approx. 20km downhill from finish back to start which is much more convenient this time
Looks like a good one. It terrible conditions for the one I did - I had no idea just how cold you could get on those looooong descents. Quite a few blokes chucked in the towel, shivering wrapped in space blankets after reaching the bottom of the Tourmalet.http://www.letapedutour.com/ET1/us/the-route.html
I think it's only approx. 20km downhill from finish back to start which is much more convenient this time
Yep. A mate and I are doing it. We've never done it before so not sure what to expect. He strong, me less so. I know how to suffer on a bike though having completed the Ventoux three times challege and spent a week bagging cols in the Pyrennees last autumn. I've since gotten quite squidgy.
We have a 4-person room/apartment 20km away along the valley in Orelle so if anyone gets really stuck for accomodation, give me a shout.
We're on the 06.36 Eurtunnel on Friday 17 July then driving all day and arriving that night in Orelle. We're staying until Friday 24 July to bag some cols.
Then we're driving to the Nurburgring for Rad am Ring on the Friday and taking part that weekend (25-26 July) before finally driving home on Monday 27 July for a well earned rest.
We have a 4-person room/apartment 20km away along the valley in Orelle so if anyone gets really stuck for accomodation, give me a shout.
We're on the 06.36 Eurtunnel on Friday 17 July then driving all day and arriving that night in Orelle. We're staying until Friday 24 July to bag some cols.
Then we're driving to the Nurburgring for Rad am Ring on the Friday and taking part that weekend (25-26 July) before finally driving home on Monday 27 July for a well earned rest.
BalhamBadger said:
Looks like a good one. It terrible conditions for the one I did - I had no idea just how cold you could get on those looooong descents. Quite a few blokes chucked in the towel, shivering wrapped in space blankets after reaching the bottom of the Tourmalet.
my mate, who is a seasoned Etaper, pulled out at the bottom of Hautacam. made so sense to me cos at this point it was considerably warmer than coming down Tourmalet.the weather robbed us of a pretty epic descent.
It was brutal. I was caught up the Glandon massacre and got swept up by the broom wagon at the summit after missing the time cut off. There were people collapsed at the side of the Glandon with drips in their arms. I saw people vomiting and laying in the shade from sunstroke.
I reached a new low. Sat in a mountain stream half way up the Glandon with an old lady pouring water over me.
Starting so late and not as prepared as I wanted to be, I was doomed to fail. My mate made it though which was great. They extended the finish by an hour and he blocked the timing car for the last couple of kms up to La Toussaire.
We're still here and pride made me ride up the Glandon and Croix de Fer the next day albeit in late afternoon/ early evening to avoid the heat.
I reached a new low. Sat in a mountain stream half way up the Glandon with an old lady pouring water over me.
Starting so late and not as prepared as I wanted to be, I was doomed to fail. My mate made it though which was great. They extended the finish by an hour and he blocked the timing car for the last couple of kms up to La Toussaire.
We're still here and pride made me ride up the Glandon and Croix de Fer the next day albeit in late afternoon/ early evening to avoid the heat.
velocgee said:
Shame you got swept up. But yes - unless you have a decent starting time and/ or a pretty accomplished cyclist - that route, on that day, was a big ask.
good that you stayed around and took on the climb again. will you be doing l'Etape again?
As much as I didn't particularly enjoy it, yes. I have unfinished business.good that you stayed around and took on the climb again. will you be doing l'Etape again?
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