Marty and I (the beardy one and the little one) thought some of the Viceroys cyclists might like a quick ride report on La Marmotte. 

It’s been our target ride for the year – I think we are both okay cyclists and hold our own in the fast group. Training has, as ever, been hit by life! But we have both worked several other big rides in and a training camp in Spain.

We both stayed at the top of Alpe D’Huez, where the ride ends and the event village is. We went with different companies (happy to discuss if interested) who provided transfers, accommodation, support during the ride and entry (it sells out within hours!)

From 7am, 7,000 riders start at the bottom of the Alpe, meaning a chilly 20 min fast descent. Organisation is very good, and three waves are stacked in the side streets of Bourg D’Oisans.

A quick valley ride leads you straight into the first of the HC climbs – this is not called the hardest sportive in Europe for nothing. The Glandon is over 25km long averaging at 4.5% – and the average includes a couple of down hill bits – it was closer to the steeper bits on Newlands Corner probably nearer 6+%. It’s a nice climb – consistent, but very long!

The back is not timed – it’s a fab descent but on very tight mountain roads with no barriers!

The only long valley section beckons – find a big Dutch Yeoman and hide! I lost time here as my large group didn’t want to work (believe me my 64kg ain’t going to give much draft to anyone, eh Kevin ) and my pulling big turns was not helpful for me. The Sigma boys passed in a flying group but nothing to jump onto!

This gently rises into the Telegraph/Galibier – two hills connected by a 4-5km descent but effectively one long climb of 35km over 5.5% average (inc the mid descent) nearer 6-8% with some ramps up to 15%. In many places this feels like the steep bits of Newlands crossed with the Whitedown ramps (taking out the steep corner). Telegraph is switchbacks through trees (apart from km markers you don’t know where you are). Galibier is a steep valley ride into a series of exposed switchbacks into the permafrost zone. It is absolutely relentless – we both hit the wall physically and mentally. It hurt – a lot! (Ok maybe not as much as childbirth Lucy, but it did hurt!)

Last year it hit 42 degrees; this year we topped 30 degrees. But what you don’t need when you get to the top of Galibier at 2500m is for a storm to come in. A 40km descent in driving wind and rain/sleet in just a wind jacket (touching on 70km/h) left us both with no feeling in fingers or feet. I only knew I was braking by the sound (and the zipps were fine braking in the wet)! The tunnels were no respite as they were like fridges!

This rolls you into the Alp – 13km, 21 famous corners. Each corner is flat, the ramps are steep. They say the first 5 corners are the worst; I couldn’t tell any of them apart. Each ramp looks like a wall, 6-8%+. It’s a good climb, but after 155km it’s an absolute b***h. Riders start falling at the wayside with this strange dazed look!

It took Marty 30 mins longer to get up than riding the Alp fresh. I had a big mechanical at the bottom which blew my times out of the water. Small groups cheer you on at the corners (or helpfully ask if there is something wrong with your bike when you are moving the chain back onto the top cog by hand!) Big crowds greet you at the top – but I can only remember the pain! Free pasta and a big medal await…..Marty managed an excellent 8.11 hrs official time; I ended up just over 9 hrs.

I think we both underestimated how hard this ride is; Surrey Hills cannot really prepare you for it! We had both ridden 25km long Box Hill style ascents in Spain but this was in a different league.

We will both be back – knowing the course and what is needed will make the next attempt better and quicker. Some of it is feeding strategy; some training (working on consistent power over long periods); most importantly what is mentally required – we both agree you have got to ride long hills in preparation.

If anyone is considering this one come and have a chat!

As raced and reported by Nick Collins