L'etap 2010

[CAB]

Can anybody advise when the letap normally falls each year?

For example is it always on the monday following the 2nd or 3rd weekend?

Edited to add i can see no pattern - seems to range from early to late july.. although it normally falls on a monday.

Assume the next one will be announced sometime in October?

Thanks CAB.

Edited by CAB on Tuesday 21st July 15:45

[anonymous-user]

would they not need to confirm and publish the route first?

[Exige46]

I just think they pick what looks like a classic stage from the Tour route, then run it the weekend / week before. Loads of stuff about the Etape on Bikeradar.

[Crippo]

The Etape is normally announced around November time with the French press releasing details and opening teh booking around Jan. Basically if you aren't French then you need to get on one of teh Sporting Tours websites otherwise you have no chance of getting in. I have done 4 now and they are absolutely brilliant, however they are becoming expensive and very crowded upto 9000 riders which means if you are starting near the back, which tyou generally will be with a sporting tour from the Uk then there are lots of sections that are potential walks as people in front get off and push, leaving you with no option to do so also.

[CAB]

Crippo said:

The Etape is normally announced around November time with the French press releasing details and opening teh booking around Jan. Basically if you aren't French then you need to get on one of teh Sporting Tours websites otherwise you have no chance of getting in. I have done 4 now and they are absolutely brilliant, however they are becoming expensive and very crowded upto 9000 riders which means if you are starting near the back, which tyou generally will be with a sporting tour from the Uk then there are lots of sections that are potential walks as people in front get off and push, leaving you with no option to do so also.

Thanks - so if you have a french address you can apply directly?? Assume from what you have said applying from the uk is a waste of time??

I understood that it was normally held on the first (??) rest day, trying to guide some mates who are getting married around that tine :-)

Def' doing it next year .... need to start thinking about the training plan and get the sportives booked

CB

[anonymous-user]

could we not organise our own thing? sure we might have to contend with a bit of traffic but i am sure our collective minds could organise a trip to some prestigious location and devise a circular route taking in a great big hill or two along the way. happy to chip in with ideas and some of the paperwork if required?

[Matt H]

pablo said:

could we not organise our own thing? sure we might have to contend with a bit of traffic but i am sure our collective minds could organise a trip to some prestigious location and devise a circular route taking in a great big hill or two along the way. happy to chip in with ideas and some of the paperwork if required?

Loving this idea. Of course we will need a few "training" w.ends..........

[CAB]

Attraction of letap for me is
- roads clear of cars
- enough people (perhaps too many) to allow you to ride at your pace

Think a PH event would be tough to generate sufficient interest

[anonymous-user]

9000 people sounds like my idea of hell.... especially as i would be devasted if i got off and had to push due to the speed ahead of me decreasing....

[CooperS]

Colleague at work has done it and said never again.

He's a very strong cyclist but being put in the back behind all the bloody French with varying level of abilities made getting to time checks impossible.

Although completing it, he wouldn’t bother with it again, and would just go and do his own thing in a group.

[SydneyPom]

Was toying with the idea of doing the Marmotte double next year... if we did something independent we could do them as back-to-back days

[anonymous-user]

cant see how something independant would be too hard to organise. using somewhere like grenoble as a base then dependant upon numbers and desire, plan routes accordingly?

[CAB]

Thoughts on timing...??

Having watched TDF today i may need to spend a little more time on the bike....

CAB

[anonymous-user]

whenever its convenient for the majority if its a go-er i reckon? will have to avoid july/aug so may, jun or sep?

[CAB]

Anybody know whether as a brit you can apply direct via velo magazine??

Thanks CAB

[Marcellus]

my 2penneth!

IIRC to apply for the Etape not via the UK companies you need a French Address, not sure if you need to prove residency, if anyone wants to try then by all means you're free to use mine.

WHilst yes the roads are closed so it's clear it is so very different riding in France from the UK so not really an issue.

With the shear numbers like the London Marathon it can take you well over an hour to cross the start line and then you are an hour closer to the broom wagon.

I keep debating whether to do it or not and then I go out for a ride with some friends and ride a few of the classic climbs in a circular route at my own pace and decide not to.

So that takes me onto the "Let's do a PH stage" idea........ I'm more than happy to organise it..... last week I had a PH group out and we did the following over 2 days;
> Col de Joux Plan
> Col de l'Encranaz
> Col de Ramaz
> Col de Joux Verte
> Col du Corbier
> Col de Montets
> Col de Romme
> col de Colombia
> col de Aravis
> col de saisies
> col du Pre
> col de Roseland
> col de petit st bernard

plus threw in the Fantasticable at Chatel and White Water RAfting in Samoens!!

Could easily be done again, or changed to suit.........

[CAB]

Marcellus said:

my 2penneth!

IIRC to apply for the Etape not via the UK companies you need a French Address, not sure if you need to prove residency, if anyone wants to try then by all means you're free to use mine.

Might need somebody in october to translate Velo to establish the rules......

Up for some prep rides early next year once the snow has receded - sounds like a plan Marcellus although given where you live you may need to allow the rest of us to start 2-3 hours ahead of you!.

CAB

Edited by CAB on Tuesday 11th August 12:42

[CAB]

Anybody got a feel for how often Velo is published (weekly, monthly etc) and which publication normally includes the application?

Thanks CAB

[CAB]

From the official website for this year

Quote
Étape du Tour 2009 - Non-residents in France

The official entry form will be published in the french magazine "Vélo Magazine". It will be very difficult for non-residents in France to buy this magazine and send back the entry form by post on time to be selected.
Registrations are closed in 4 or 5 days by post mail.

So, to enter the event, non-residents should book an entry in authorised travel agencies. These agencies have been working with our organisation for many years.
End quote

So if we could just get our hands on several copies we should be sorted....

CAB

[anonymous-user]

Marcellus said:

my 2penneth!

IIRC to apply for the Etape not via the UK companies you need a French Address, not sure if you need to prove residency, if anyone wants to try then by all means you're free to use mine.

WHilst yes the roads are closed so it's clear it is so very different riding in France from the UK so not really an issue.

With the shear numbers like the London Marathon it can take you well over an hour to cross the start line and then you are an hour closer to the broom wagon.

I keep debating whether to do it or not and then I go out for a ride with some friends and ride a few of the classic climbs in a circular route at my own pace and decide not to.

So that takes me onto the "Let's do a PH stage" idea........ I'm more than happy to organise it..... last week I had a PH group out and we did the following over 2 days;
> Col de Joux Plan
> Col de l'Encranaz
> Col de Ramaz
> Col de Joux Verte
> Col du Corbier
> Col de Montets
> Col de Romme
> col de Colombia
> col de Aravis
> col de saisies
> col du Pre
> col de Roseland
> col de petit st bernard

plus threw in the Fantasticable at Chatel and White Water RAfting in Samoens!!

Could easily be done again, or changed to suit.........

sounds awesome, would definately be up for that....