La Marmotte 2011

[iandv]

Andy R has suggested a thread dedicated to la Marmotte to use as an inspiration through the winter months as we build towards next July.

Good idea... to get you started go to www.photobreton.com, select la Marmotte 2010 and key in race number 777. This should reveal the torture I went through this year.

Also, check out the advert for a second hand bike in cycling weekly this week, some bloke is trying to flog his Marmotte bike, including walking shoes!

CW also has a one pager on La Marmotte experiences this year.

rgds

Ian D

[bennyburrito]

Right Folks,

Thought it was about time we tried to get a bit organised. Having had the usual Marmotte conversation with Ian on our Sunday ride we thought it would be a good idea to try and put together the first stages of a training plan. Nothing to organised initially just thought we could start of with a monthly 5-6 hour ride in Derbyshire trying to find as many hills a possible.

Personally i think we should be aiming to start increasing the distances and amount of climbing we do after Christmas, with the aim being a 8 hour ride by April 2011. However i am new to all this so i look forward to hearing your thoughts.

I am aware that some of you are still racing at weekends so I propose that the first weekend we aim for is October 2nd or 3rd, if any of you do fancy bringing this into September just put your dates down on the forum and we can try and arrange something.

I have been meeting up with Ian at 7.00am every Sunday at Braithwell we try and get a a good 2.5 hours in before the club run. Ian is away racing for the next 4 Sundays so if anyone fancies it just let me know.

Hope that this leads to setting a date for our first Pre-Marmotte training ride, look forward to seeing your comments soon.

Ben

[andyr]

How do!

I'm all for the peaks rides. I know one or two routes that we can use to rack up the climbing mileage. The Phil n Friends route that some of the guys did a bit back is near perfect for our needs. We shouldn't restrict ourselves to the Peaks tho'. Why not loads up the cars & head out to the North York Moors for instance? Here you can find mindbendin, cranksnappin, chainstretchin climbs about an hour or so away. I know where the good cafes are too.

I'm racing into October so will miss a few rides (maybe?) but will join up shortly thereafter. We should also consider signing up for some UK Sportives next year. The Cumbrian Killer is in April & offers the delights of Hardknott & Wrynose Pass. The Etape du Dales follows in mid May, this is a 110miles route over very tough terrain. Again, great prep for La Marmotte.

I'm kinda already working things out for next year, my intentions are to go away in Feb to Mallorca but follow this up with another trip in April too. Here's where I'll find the 30min+ climbs that I'll need in my legs.

Andy R.

[iandv]

Andy,

I like the cut of your jib! I am somewhat restricted on time what with having 3 kids an all that!! but I am really keen to get some big miles in through the winter. I think that was where I slipped up last year and despite a great ride to the bottom of the Alp, it is a long, long, long, way to the top if you are not 100% ready.

I will write up a fairly graphic account of my experiences which will help set the scene soon.

Before we get too excieted there is the small matter of 4 more BC races this season, starting on Sunday with 16 laps ( 60 miles ) round Stainton.

see you there

Ian D