Etape 2004

[David Lombari]

Hi All,
Who's up for having a go at the Etape next year? I'd love to do it but don't want to spend the best part of £700 doing it through a sporting holiday company. Anyone fancy trying to do it "on the cheap" and as a group? Ajay has expressed an interest any maybe Maria could help us get registered.
David.

[richv]

Im planning on doing it again this year and would be interested.

Accommodation is going to be fairly tricky - basically hotels in Limoges seem to be booked up already. Ive booked a hotel room in a place called Oradour sur Glane which is about 12 miles outside Limoges for the moment but have been thinking about other options like trying to rent a holiday appartment/villa or camping (there appears to be a campsite in Limoges itself).

Assuming I get a place (entry forms are out on 28th January and have to be returned almost immediately if you want a place) im thinking about going out for the week leading up to the etape to do some riding in sunny france.

[Maria David]

When I did the etape this year I based myself near the finish town, meaning that after slogging it out all day through the mountains I wouldn't have the hassle of travelling a long way to get back home. I travelled up from Biarritz to Pau by train the day before the race and stayed at a hostel (pre-booked) in the centre of Pau so I wouldn't have far to travel to the start on the morning of the ride.
This set-up worked out ok for me.

I am hoping to do something similar this year too. I really would not want to be based in or near Limoges because with the course being especially long (238km) and there not being a fast road between St Flour and Limoges it will take ages to get back to base after such an epic ride. I would rather be based nearer to St Flour and use the energy I have on the Saturday to travel up to Limoges than use the energy I don't have on Sunday evening to try to get back to Limoges !
Anyway, I'm up for staying in a rented cottage/gite. I am currently looking at options and I was looking to stay in a town like Murat (which is quite picturesque) or Aurillac, which are near the Cantal volcanoes and make a good base for exploring the national park and the various "Puys".

What do you guys think ? Who else is up for this ?

P.S. David L what's your postal address ? I still haven't paid you your Ballbuster sponsorship money. You can email me on mod56uk@yahoo.co.uk

[Gavin]

Anyone doing la Marmotte ?