by Maria David » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:03 pm
Marmotte report :
Tamar and I represented the elegant sex for Addiscombe on the day.
7.30 start outside the Mairie de Bourg d'Oisans. Loads of cyclists from all over Europe (and beyond). Good chatty ambiance.
Rather chilly, but things warmed up on the 16mile climb up the col de Glandon. Steady climb with a couple of 10% ramps and the odd descent to give respite.
Lots of London based riders to say hello to (Norwood Paragon, London Dynamo, Pearson, Old Ports), though few ladies around.
Got held up at the top of Glandon for over an hour due to a nasty accident. Sobering thoughts led to careful descending down the steep twisty inclines.
Lots of wheels to follow/ down to St Michel de Maurienne.
Steady climb up the Col de Telegraph with lovely views over the Ecrin Massif. Began to get rather hot and some people suffered on the 8 mile climb.
Wholesale suffering took place on the dish of the day, 11mile climb up to col de Galibier - gradient started at about 6%, then got steeper and steeper, and bleaker, with no more chatting just personal battles going on. No respite on the gradients - the last couple of k's were purgatory. Many had to walk.
Long (cold) descent from our 2645m summit down to La Grave via col de Lautaret.
Hot sunshine during the 14k climb and 21 hairpins up to L'Alpe d'Huez. Lots of people on their knees, walking, stopping to rest at each bend. Others (myself included) twiddling small gears all the way up.
Dutch guys seemed to race up there like nobody's business !! Lots of support from the crowds, especially at Dutch corner (hairpin 7 I believe).
Finally crossed the line 12hrs 13mins later (with about 2hrs lost in stoppages). Apparently I got silver. Not bad for a pootle through the mountains.
Tamar enjoyed her ride too, and we all went home tired but happy.
Good to see other ACCers out - Marek, Max, Dave F, Hal, Richard, Paul T (who was supporting).
Definitely recommend this event, as well as the preliminary races during the week - Vaujany, Trophee des Grandes Rousse (which I did) and the Grimpee de l'Alpe hill climb. (incidentally the Dutch seem to win all these races.)
Real cycling village atmosphere, with around 5,000 cyclists milling around.
Great place for bonding/watching the Tour de France.
And for next year I need to find me a nice Dutch guy who can share with me his secrets of successful hill climbing !
Maria