etape 2012

[mitch]

ok i know its overpriced and all that but i did it in 09 to montventoux and it was a great day .like the look of act 2 next year in the pyrenees should be a real hard day !!! so whos up for it ?

 

[Monsieur Remings]

ok i know its overpriced and all that but i did it in 09 to montventoux and it was a great day .like the look of act 2 next year in the pyrenees should be a real hard day !!! so whos up for it ?

Yep, already have a place reserved for Acte II.

(oxygen emoticon)

 

[endoman]

So, I know little about this, but realise there are cut off times and they sweep you up. What sort of speeds are we looking at? Would really like to have a bash at this, and it would give some motivation over the winter. Both routes look excellent.

Is there any point using a company to take you there if you are familiar with booking hotels etc in France? I guess they guarantee you a place where you may not get one from the etape official site?

Any other advice appreciated, current level is around 150 -200 miles a week, did mcr 100 in 5 1/2 hrs, ride hilly stuff in peaks every week and will be trying to get out with club over the winter at every opportunity.

Is it really worth it for one day?

 

[mitch]

hi endoman ,you really have to book with a holiday company to get a place ,i used frenchcycling holidays last time and they were great .i trained loads in 09 but nothing in this country comes close to the heat and distance and mountains of the pyrenees .its gonna cost over £1000 in all so its expensive but one of those things you just gotta do once !

 

[endoman]

Mate who I would do it with can only do the Pyrenean leg, looks particularly nasty!

Will start to train as if I am going to do it, and see what happens.

 

[endoman]

Reading a bit more, 12 mph ish overall, 18 or 19 on the flats seem to be the speeds needed, and loads and loads of hills.
Anywhere I should be looking to read more?

 

[mitch]

just google etape 2012 and some sites of use should come up including the official one ,this route could be the hardest etape for a long time and i wouldnt worry about speed on the flat as there isnt any !!!!!!! your either going up or down for nearly 200 km

 

[endoman]

Cheers am looking at all those. Did 60 miles today with 6000 feet of climbing. Am seeking out the hills!

 

[Monsieur Remings]

To all those concerned I have been rather lucky to get some places but this is mostly, I think, down to being quick and having a charity. If you want to avoid doing the package thing then put in Etape Du Tour 2012 on google and one of the first things that will come up will be an organisation called GetKidsGoing...

http://www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=l&a...ttp://www.getkidsgoing.com/letape_du_tour.htm

...there you go. I spoke to these people, very nice too and although I am not going through this route, it may be worth looking in to for those of you at a loose end. You need to have a sponsorship commitment but TBH they are a pretty good charity and having spoken to them, they are not a gimmick.

As for the route...well what can you say. Less of this... in the coming months just so I get used to in the but I might need some of this... to avoid .

 

[Norry1]

I've looked on the sites but can't see anything about the sweepup etc. Am I being blind.

I am considering this - but not decided yet.

Martin

 

[mitch]

there is a broomwagon norry and cut off times but they dont announce the times until much closer to the ride ,sometime next year

 

[Svendo]

hi endoman ,you really have to book with a holiday company to get a place ,i used frenchcycling holidays last time and they were great .i trained loads in 09 but nothing in this country comes close to the heat and distance and mountains of the pyrenees .its gonna cost over £1000 in all so its expensive but one of those things you just gotta do once !

I did the 2008 Pau-Hautacam Etape. Not as tough as this years act II, but the weather was cool and damp, I wore bib-knicks and neoprene overshoes, long sleeve base and short sleeve jersey and had the lightweight rain jacket on for the Tourmalet. Lots of riders without suitable kit were clearly suffering. Also there was a long cold wait to descend from the Hautacam (only one road up so had to cycle back down) which was a painful experience with frozen fingers and tired legs. Moral being don't assume it's hot in the mountains in July!

I went on a coach package with Sportstours. Bike gusranteed to get there in one piece vs. day and a half getting there and back. Sportstours get mixed reviews and although we had a good hotel and everything went well, in know other groups experiences didn't match up. If i was going again I'd try one of the other tour operators, although I'd be loath to take my bike on a plane, especially without a hardbox. I know sports tours do entry only but you need to attend a traing camp or something.

 

[endoman]

Seen a few companies advertising packages and from here, TGV is a great option if they let bikes on it? Next thing to look at I guess. Could rent a hardbox and fly, but the train would be an adventure, might sap some energy though?

Haven't tried to look at hotels in the start area, guess they get booked out v v quickly

 

[endoman]

quick look for hotels in Pau, none available, not surprising, looks like a company if I do it,

 

[cyclingsheep]

Yep, am already well on my way to organising this for myself and a mate. I'm treating myself for my 40th. Have booked a hotel 4km from the start and have organised entry only tickets. Fingers crossed I haven't messed anything up as I'm really looking forward to tackling Act 2. Training starts now