Less than 10 days to 2016 L'Etape
Discussion
So, 9 days to go before the event, how are you feeling?
I'm feeling fairly well prepared, certainly better than last year. I've managed to avoid illness, and I've done a fair amount of training. I crashed about 3 weeks ago, and I'm all healed except for my shoulder, which doesn't bother me if I stay in the saddle. I've lost a lot of weight this year, down from 68kg to 61.5kg (last year I got to 64kg). The last time I was this light I was 17 and doing a lot of middle distance running. It actually feels very odd.
Power wise, and I don't have a power meter, I would say I am around 5% stronger than last year, so I should be a bit quicker up the hills.
So I'm looking forward to it, still nervous though.
I'm feeling fairly well prepared, certainly better than last year. I've managed to avoid illness, and I've done a fair amount of training. I crashed about 3 weeks ago, and I'm all healed except for my shoulder, which doesn't bother me if I stay in the saddle. I've lost a lot of weight this year, down from 68kg to 61.5kg (last year I got to 64kg). The last time I was this light I was 17 and doing a lot of middle distance running. It actually feels very odd.
Power wise, and I don't have a power meter, I would say I am around 5% stronger than last year, so I should be a bit quicker up the hills.
So I'm looking forward to it, still nervous though.
I'm supposed to be doing it this year but not feeling as prepared as I would like! I'm a heavy 110Kg so never going to be racing up the hills. Unfortunately I wrote my good bike off so I am on a 400Euro stop gap whilst I wait for an insurance replacement. I have just done 1000Km across france which I hoped would sort me out but the hills still hurt!
I'm 50/50 whether to do it or not to be honest!
I'm 50/50 whether to do it or not to be honest!
NorthDave, do it.
You may not set the fastest time of the day but if you settle into a rhythm you'll get up the climbs. None are super steep, they're designed for cars to drive up in the snow after all, but they just go on. Absolute worse case you can climb off at a feed station and get in the broom wagon. But you won't let yourself do that, will you?
You may not set the fastest time of the day but if you settle into a rhythm you'll get up the climbs. None are super steep, they're designed for cars to drive up in the snow after all, but they just go on. Absolute worse case you can climb off at a feed station and get in the broom wagon. But you won't let yourself do that, will you?
SixPotBelly said:
NorthDave, do it.
You may not set the fastest time of the day but if you settle into a rhythm you'll get up the climbs. None are super steep, they're designed for cars to drive up in the snow after all, but they just go on. Absolute worse case you can climb off at a feed station and get in the broom wagon. But you won't let yourself do that, will you?
A mate of mine did 6 Cols in the same area, when he looked at the Joux Planes profile he said it was way worse than any of he did for steepness.You may not set the fastest time of the day but if you settle into a rhythm you'll get up the climbs. None are super steep, they're designed for cars to drive up in the snow after all, but they just go on. Absolute worse case you can climb off at a feed station and get in the broom wagon. But you won't let yourself do that, will you?
His route took him up Telegraphe, Madeleine, Galibier and Alp D'uez. All were longer and less steep.
The Joux Planes is a quick link between Samoens and Morzine, not a primary route to Morzine.
Shush, you'll put him off!
Seriously, that's towards the end and NorthDave can always break it down, feed stop by feed stop. If he's entered and paid for it he may as well give it a go. The feed stops are the bail out options and doing 1/2, 2/3rds or 3/4s will be so much more rewarding than not even starting.
Besides, Joux Plane is still only 8.5% average. It's not that steep, less than the gradient on short sharp UK climbs.
ETA I'll be there, Dave, bib no. 11421. Say hello as you power past me up the first climb.
Seriously, that's towards the end and NorthDave can always break it down, feed stop by feed stop. If he's entered and paid for it he may as well give it a go. The feed stops are the bail out options and doing 1/2, 2/3rds or 3/4s will be so much more rewarding than not even starting.
Besides, Joux Plane is still only 8.5% average. It's not that steep, less than the gradient on short sharp UK climbs.
ETA I'll be there, Dave, bib no. 11421. Say hello as you power past me up the first climb.
Edited by SixPotBelly on Friday 1st July 11:32
SixPotBelly said:
Shush, you'll put him off!
Seriously, that's towards the end and NorthDave can always break it down, feed stop by feed stop. If he's entered and paid for it he may as well give it a go. The feed stops are the bail out options and doing 1/2, 2/3rds or 3/4s will be so much more rewarding than not even starting.
Besides, Joux Plane is still only 8.5% average. It's not that steep, less than the gradient on short sharp UK climbs.
ETA I'll be there, Dave, bib no. 11421. Say hello as you power past me up the first climb.
Not trying to put anyone off, it's an epic ride, which I'm sure you'll enjoy :-)Seriously, that's towards the end and NorthDave can always break it down, feed stop by feed stop. If he's entered and paid for it he may as well give it a go. The feed stops are the bail out options and doing 1/2, 2/3rds or 3/4s will be so much more rewarding than not even starting.
Besides, Joux Plane is still only 8.5% average. It's not that steep, less than the gradient on short sharp UK climbs.
ETA I'll be there, Dave, bib no. 11421. Say hello as you power past me up the first climb.
Edited by SixPotBelly on Friday 1st July 11:32
Show me how many UK climbs are 6.5 miles long at that average gradient?
At the top the average grade is nearer 11% for the last 3 miles.
It's unrelenting, no flat bits to recover on, once you start, that's it, you're climbing until you reach the top.
The other thing to remember is not just the gradient, but the height gain, 1000m. Again nothing like that in the UK.
The nearest I have local to me is the Horseshoe pass, that's 5% for 3.5 miles and a height gain, 300m tops...
NorthDave said:
I'm supposed to be doing it this year but not feeling as prepared as I would like! I'm a heavy 110Kg so never going to be racing up the hills. Unfortunately I wrote my good bike off so I am on a 400Euro stop gap whilst I wait for an insurance replacement. I have just done 1000Km across france which I hoped would sort me out but the hills still hurt!
I'm 50/50 whether to do it or not to be honest!
Do it! If the weather is hot you'll struggle. Like everyone else. The long range forecast suggests it should be cool. It might be nice.I'm 50/50 whether to do it or not to be honest!
wobert said:
Not trying to put anyone off, it's an epic ride, which I'm sure you'll enjoy :-)
Show me how many UK climbs are 6.5 miles long at that average gradient?
At the top the average grade is nearer 11% for the last 3 miles.
It's unrelenting, no flat bits to recover on, once you start, that's it, you're climbing until you reach the top.
The other thing to remember is not just the gradient, but the height gain, 1000m. Again nothing like that in the UK.
The nearest I have local to me is the Horseshoe pass, that's 5% for 3.5 miles and a height gain, 300m tops...
Thank you for your good wishes. I am familiar with climbing in the mountains. In fact, I was in the Dolomites just the other week, culminating in the Sportful Dolomiti race. Just the medio course, I'm no hero, but with 3,100m climbing over 130km, and a final climb pitching to similar gradients, it was a very similar profile to this year's l'Etape. And I would say it was within the capabilities of any regular rider.Show me how many UK climbs are 6.5 miles long at that average gradient?
At the top the average grade is nearer 11% for the last 3 miles.
It's unrelenting, no flat bits to recover on, once you start, that's it, you're climbing until you reach the top.
The other thing to remember is not just the gradient, but the height gain, 1000m. Again nothing like that in the UK.
The nearest I have local to me is the Horseshoe pass, that's 5% for 3.5 miles and a height gain, 300m tops...
Show you a UK climb that is 6.5 miles long? Perhaps you misread my post. I was saying UK climbs were short and steep, Alpine climbs are long and less steep. It's a different kind of climbing out there, where you get into a rhythm and take your time versus here where you power up in the red.
SixPotBelly said:
Show you a UK climb that is 6.5 miles long? Perhaps you misread my post. I was saying UK climbs were short and steep, Alpine climbs are long and less steep. It's a different kind of climbing out there, where you get into a rhythm and take your time versus here where you power up in the red.
For a similar climbing figure, alpine riding is easier than the UK.But you can easily ruin yourself in the Alps, where as its fairly difficult in the UK.
If you have hills around you that allow you to train for a similar km per m climbed ratio, then you will do fine.
Everyone who climbs in the Alps had to do their first Alpine climb at some point. What better time to do so than on an organised event, with feed stations, water points, mechanical support and a broom wagon?
I maintain that the profile is within the capabilities of any regular rider. It might be testing, sure, but not impossible. I'm sure we all remember the satisfaction we all got from our first mountain climbs. For someone to be put off from taking the start when they've entered and paid would be a real pity.
I maintain that the profile is within the capabilities of any regular rider. It might be testing, sure, but not impossible. I'm sure we all remember the satisfaction we all got from our first mountain climbs. For someone to be put off from taking the start when they've entered and paid would be a real pity.
Don't worry I wont be put off. I've done a bit in the Alps before so i know the approach. I think I've just been put off as loads of my mates have been doing loads of training. I've done a fair bit of cycling but not as much in the hills as I would of liked.
I've done Joux Plane before and found it very tough but it was a very hot day and I didn't get the food right. I'm 13,000 and something so I think I'll see you at the end!
I've done Joux Plane before and found it very tough but it was a very hot day and I didn't get the food right. I'm 13,000 and something so I think I'll see you at the end!
SixPotBelly said:
Shush, you'll put him off!
Seriously, that's towards the end and NorthDave can always break it down, feed stop by feed stop. If he's entered and paid for it he may as well give it a go. The feed stops are the bail out options and doing 1/2, 2/3rds or 3/4s will be so much more rewarding than not even starting.
Besides, Joux Plane is still only 8.5% average. It's not that steep, less than the gradient on short sharp UK climbs.
ETA I'll be there, Dave, bib no. 11421. Say hello as you power past me up the first climb.
I Seriously, that's towards the end and NorthDave can always break it down, feed stop by feed stop. If he's entered and paid for it he may as well give it a go. The feed stops are the bail out options and doing 1/2, 2/3rds or 3/4s will be so much more rewarding than not even starting.
Besides, Joux Plane is still only 8.5% average. It's not that steep, less than the gradient on short sharp UK climbs.
ETA I'll be there, Dave, bib no. 11421. Say hello as you power past me up the first climb.
Edited by SixPotBelly on Friday 1st July 11:32
There's a ramp of about 15% in the middle! I predict a lot of walkers at that point!
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