La Marmotte

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:30 pm

I'd love to complete La Marmotte in July 2011. What are your thoughts?

I am currently riding ~8hours a week, with a confident K ride or lone 60 odd miles at least once a week.

I understand it would take a very large amount of training and commitment, but do other club members think this would be realistic?

Thanks in advance

Arthur · Post by **Arthur** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:16 am

Go for it. That's plenty of time to get fit enough and it'll motivate you over the winter. If you haven't seen my write up of it, I did it in 2004

http://www.cliftoncc.org/challen/challe ... motte-2004

Andrew G · Post by **Andrew G** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:00 pm

I've done it a couple of times - 2007 & 8. It's a brilliant day out in stunning scenery and definitely a challenge worth setting yourself. There is no reason you can't achieve it. The relief and exhilaration of reaching the end at the top of Alp d'Huez is enormous. You'll have to get some long miles in and some long climbs. There's plenty of advice around on training for sportives such as this - I was doing 200+ miles a week leading up to the event including one long ~100 mile hilly ride at the weekend.

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:17 pm

Thanks guys, you've definately made me feel a bit more confident about it.

I will have to think about it, as it takes place a week after my A level exams.

Cheers,
Andrew

mal · Post by **mal** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:24 pm

Ditto Arthur and AndrewG. I tackled it in 2005, about 18 months after taking up cycling again (after a very long break of almost 40 years). All I can suggest is get in lots of miles, lots of hills and, if at all possible some experience of alpine climbs. If I can get from, more or less, scratch to the Alpe D'huez via glandon, telegraph and galibier so can you - and you'll have a fantastic day.