Marmotte Granfondo Alps Sun 5Th September 2020

Marmotte Granfondo Alps Sun 5th September 2020

We Take Care of the Logistics

You Ride the Cols!

Official Marmotte Tour Operator e v i t r o p

S Ride the Toughest Alpine Sportive!

Ride your Tour de France s Marmotte 174 kms, 5000 m climbing

p Riding the French Alps is every cyclists' dream. The region is iconic in the l cycling world, not least because the most popular bike race of all time, The Tour de France, uses the French Alps to test the limits of the

A professionals. Riding Marmotte Alps gives you an opportunity to

experience the challenge and exhilaration of riding this mountain range, and experiencing the grandeur of riding in a big cycling event. e t t As part of a 7500 strong peloton, you will ride the legendary cols of Glandon, Télégraphe, Galibier, and Alpe d'Huez. The high altitude ride will o test your limits both physically and mentally. Nonetheless, as you hear the chain ring, breathe the mountain air, ride the ascents and descend into

m valleys, you cannot fail to be inspired by the event and the spectacular

r beauty of the French Alps. You will ride the ride of your life.

a You will not only ride the cols used in the Tour de France you will be supported like you were a pro rider. On the day we use three back up cars in the event. The cars carry spare parts, your personal items including M food, changes of clothes, money, everything you need to complete the event. You will never be far away from a support car or rider.

You’ll not ride the sportive alone and be left stranded halfway up a mountain. Ride the Sportive Feel Inspired The Challenges of Marmotte Granfondo Alps!

Climbing

Climbing is the main challenge. There is 5000 metres of it and hors category gradients to ride. Your legs will feel it, and you will need to pace yourself to cross the finish line. The peloton of thousands and the awe inspiring views will give you the inspiration to cycle this amazing sportive, but focus will still be needed to keep your pacing on point.

Altitude

Riding at high altitude also brings challenges. The air becomes thinner the higher you ride, and this takes a little getting used to. As part of our Marmotte Alps package you will be able to ride at altitude before the sportive to help you acclimatise. Pacing

It cannot be overstated how important good pacing is to completing Marmotte Alps. It is very easy to believe you have more in the tank than you actually do and this can and does lead to issues towards the end of the sportive. It is very easy to get lost in the big event feel. Be mindful of your pacing from the start and you will cross the finish line.

Distance

The sportive is 174 kms of ride. This is a long way and should not be underestimated. Again, pacing is key to completing Marmotte, and this demands focus and endurance.

You will not have to worry about mechanical issues as we have your back. All you have to do is focus on riding the sportive.

Peloton

Riding in a peloton of over 7000 riders is fantastic. It gives you the big event feel, and if you can use the peloton correctly, you can save a considerable amount of energy as you ride the demanding climbs. That said, peloton riding demands focus and attention. Mistakes can and do happen and this can cause accidents especially if you are riding with people you do not know.

Climate

The temperature can range between 5 – 30 °C during the sportive. The higher you go the colder it gets, and the lower you go the hotter it becomes. We recommend you prepare for the cooler side of Marmotte, and don’t forget rain is not uncommon in July in the French Alps. As such bringing leggings, arm warmers, gilet, long sleeve wind/rain jacket, light long finger gloves, and overshoes is a good idea. Descending

The cols are steep and hard to climb and the descents are thrilling, but they do demand focus to avoid collisions. Unless you have ridden the sportive before you may not have experienced descending of this calibre or with so many other riders around you. It is best to think of the descents as an opportunity to recover.

The Cols of Marmotte Alps

You will ride four major alpine passes in one day. Col du Glandon, Télégraphe, Galibier, and Alpe d'Huez. All regularly feature in the Tour de France and provide the challenging elements of the Sportive. You will start to climb Glandon just 12 kms into the sportive. Glandon – Tour de France First Appearance: 1947 Elevation: 1924 metres

From the start line in Bourgd'Oisans you will soon reach Col du Glandon. This col will test your limits in every way. It is a 32 km ride to the summit, and although the gradients are a steady 5% for the most part, some can reach 11.1%! Save your energy as more is to come and ride it at a steady pace.

Télégraphe Tour de France First Appearance: 1911 Elevation: 1566 metres

After you conquer Glandon you can enjoy the descent into SaintÉtiennedeCuines. Your legs can rest and rejuvenate and you can prepare for col du Télégraphe. The ride through the Maurienne Valley is long and steady. It is important here to ride it in a peloton to save your energy for the first climb at St Michel de Maurienne. This is where the ascent of Télégraphe begins. Stay in the peloton to save your energy and let others take the strain.

Télégraphe has an average gradient of 7.8% but as you approach the summit it will hit a testing 9.8%. Keep focused and be mindful of those around you. There is a nice recovery descent to look forward to before you take on Galibier. Galibier Tour de France First Appearance: 1911 Elevation: 2645 metres

As you cycle over the summit of Télégraphe you will start your decent into Valloire. It is only a short descent but it will help your legs recover and you can enjoy your surroundings and get ready for Galibier. From Valloire the ride to the summit is 18.1 kms. Gradient average is 6.9% but approaching the summit they exceed 10%.

This is a particularly scenic part of the sportive, so savour what you can see and hear.

At 2645 metres, this col is often the highest point of the Tour de France.

Once you have conquered Galibier enjoy the 40 kms descent into Bourgd'Oisans!

Alpe d’Huez Tour de France First Appearance: 1952 Elevation: 1860 metres

Once back in Bourgd'Oisans your ascent of the famous Alpe d’Huez begins. This is the last hurdle before the finish line so check your pacing. Alpe d’Huez is a hard 13.8 kms of climb featuring 21 hairpin bends. The gradients are challenging averaging at 8.1% but reaching 13% in some places. It is not uncommon to see some riders stumble on this col. If you have your pacing right, you will have enough in the tank to reach the top.

Crossing the Finish Line

Marmotte Granfondo Alpes is the toughest alpine sportive in Europe. It is possibly the hardest amateur sportive you can ride. Finishing it makes you a rider of note, and is an experience to be savoured. Together with Mont Ventoux and Geneva to Nice, Marmotte Alps is one that you will want to ride more than once. Supported Tour de France Style! Ride fully supported with SportActive! Three Backup Cars and Insportive Riders!

Three Backup Cars

Our backup cars are on hand to help you ride the French Alps, and carry spare parts to deal with issues should they arise. Our expert logistical handling, mechanical know how, and experience, all combine to keep you in the event.

You are in good hands when you ride with us.

InSportive Support

Martin, our expert professional cycling coach has ensured that you will get the best in sportive support possible. Our cars are stationed at key points in the sportive for easy access. After you have passed them, they will keep moving with the riders to be as close as possible should an issue occur.

Martin’s teams are well drilled and know the Alps well. They are only a phone call away.

Ride Marmotte Like a Pro! Granfondo La Marmotte Map Ride 174 kms • Glandon • Télégraphe Climb 5000 m • Galibier • Alpe d'Huez General Information

Your Marmotte Alps Schedule

Thursday Arrival in Lyon Airport

You will land at Lyon St Exupéry airport and transfer by private coach to our Hotel in Alpe d'Huez. The bus will leave Lyon at the arrival of the Dublin flight at 15:10. Should you travel from a different airport please make sure you arrive at Lyon St Exupéry no later than 1 hour after the Dublin flight. Friday A Spin up Alp d'Huez!

Time to build the bikes, explore the area, test some hairpins of Alpe d'Huez. You won’t ride all of them to save energy, but you will ride enough to acclimatise to the altitude.

Saturday Prepare!

Another day to get used to the altitude and get your legs in shape for Sunday. We'll have an information meeting in the morning and give you your registration bags with the race numbers. Prepare your bikes, get your bags ready for the backup cars and have an early night.

Sunday Ride Marmotte Alps!

You "free wheel" down to the departure in Bourg d'Oisans (16 km). Race start time will be 7:30 for the SportActive group. During the Sportive, you can manage your own ride (feeding stations available ; details will be provided) or you can stay with the SportActive coach pacing the group up the first climb. Our two backup cars for support will be on the course; you will have telephone numbers to call the drivers.

At the arrival in Alpe d'Huez, a warm meal is served to the riders. This features a starter, pasta, cheese, dessert, and drink. Our hotel is situated very close to the finish: what better incentive to ride Alpe d'Huez to the finish line!

Monday Flight Home

Private airport transfer to Lyon St Exupéry airport. Bon voyage! See you next year! Your Hotel

The perfect place to prepare for Marmotte Alps!

You'll stay in a 3 star hotel in Alpe d'Huez, close to the finish line. The hotel offers very nice and spacious ensuite rooms with typical mountain decor. We book B&B with welladapted breakfast menus for cyclists (even porridge!). On Saturday morning breakfast will be served from 5:00 am.

Alpe d’Huez offers a wide selection of restaurants in walking distance for the evening meals and lunches.

525 € Ride Marmotte! Test your Limits!

Package Price 2020 (per person sharing) 4 Nights Thur 3rd Mon 7th Sept 2020 Early Bird*: 949 € Regular Price: 999 € At a Glance *Early Bird Discount: Book before 30/9/2019 Price Includes: Registration to the Sportive Transfers airporthotelairport for you and your bike. Single suppl: 42 60 €/night according to room type Check details SportActive bike mechanic for assistance when assembling your bike How to Book Secure bike storage High pressure pumps and tools To ride Marmotte Preevent information meeting Three backup cars for assistance Phone Martin: 4 nights’ B&B in 3 star hotel in Alpe d'Huez, based on 2 people sharing room ; very nice & comfortable large en 0044/(0) 28 71 36 5997 suite rooms Optional Extras Email : Single supplement: from 42 € to 60 € / night depending on room [email protected] Private medical & travel insurance. Travel insurance. See www.worldwideinsurance.com Visit : Registration to "La Grimpée de l'Alpe" (Time Trial on Sunday morning departure 9:00 from Bourg d'Oisans); http://sportactive.net/ if you wish to register, please ask us. Third Party Bike hire: available in Bourg d'Oisans. Ask us the name of the service provider. Book your place before it sells We carry inner tubes and spare tyres for purchase out! Not Included Flights Private expenses

SportActive Cycling Holidays and Camps 28 Gelvin Gardens, Trench Road, L/Derry, BT472DQ Northern Ireland