I just can't stop myself, I'll never learn.
I had to ride the Marmotte route the Monday before - I needed to know what it looked like before the big day. Anyway, if I'm there for a week it's normal I'd want to sample the legendary route at least twice isn't it ?
btw I wasn't the only one recc'ing it. I met a dutch bloke called Egbert along the way. He dropped out though when it began to rain in Valloire. I waited an hour or two and managed to ride up the Galibier with some German guys who were doing the Route des Grandes Alpes. It was a great day out !
Tamar went out the next day (Tuesday) and recc'd the route with Keith. She loved it so much she definitely wanted to do the real thing that coming Saturday too.
Those Marmotte cols are beauties - you can't just do them once !