Monday, July 7, 2008

A Saturday in Hell

La Marmotte Cyclosportive came and went this weekend.
What is La Marmotte? Well it's an Alpine Cyclosportive based on a classic Tour de France Stage. It's 179km long, has almost 5000m of ascent climbing over The Col du Glandon (1924m), The Col du Telegraphe (1566m), The Col du Galibier (2646m) to a mountain top finish up the legendary Alpe d'Huez with it's 21 hairpin bends.
Months of preparation had gone into this, when I realised I couldn't do paris Roubaix back in June because it clashed with La Ventoux I made La Marmotte my major goal of the summer.
Great preparation for over two months, good results in other sportives and good training rides on Mont Ventoux meant that I was confident. I also had a great dossard number, 34! which meant I was on the front row and guaranteed a flying start with the fast lads on the front.
So at 7am we were off from Bourg d'Oisans. 40kmh to the barrage de Verney at Allemont and everything is fine. Then the first steep bit of the Glandon near the junction to Vaujany. Everything fine as the whippets move to the front. (Just let them go and pace yourself!)
I saw the sign, Sommet 20km and as I know the climb pretty well paced my self up the steep bits and rested well on the descents and bits in between.
Over the top and the fantastic descent to St Marie de Cuines then it was time to eat on the flat 20km to St Michel and the foot of The Telegraphe.
It was here where the alarm bells started ringing. I was working well at the front of a bunch of about 30 but as I came through into the wind my legs died! I sat on the back and waited for the Telegraphe.
The first 2km of The Telegraphe are steep and I was out the back straight away. From now on it was a case of survival. The drink stop at the top couldn't come quick enough but the 17km from Valloire to The Galibier was filling me with dread. (At this point I'd made my mind up to phone Ben at The Alpe to come and collect me in the van from Bourg d'Oisans)
I plodded on up past Plan Lachat then the last 8km of The Galibier at 10%. Then the cramps started - sheer hell - what a welcome sight Guy and Helyn from King Of The Mountains were 2km from the summit. They gave me a banana and some coke which got me over the top.
The 45km descent from the top of the Galibier was so refreshing and I managed to recouperate slightly before hitting the first ramp of Alpe d'Huez.
The first 2.5km of The Alpe are legendary and the 12% gradients hit hard but I managed to plod on upwards. At La Garde the gradient change hit me and I blew!
At bend 13 I'd had enough and sat on the wall to phone Ben and the broom waggon! I was shocked to see that the time showed I'd been riding for less than 7 hours. This gave me added motivation - I could still get under 8 hours which is pretty respectable for La Marmotte.
I carried on upwards, passing our chalet at bend 2 Ben gave me a cheer. I could quite easily have climbed off here just 2km from the finish - I really was done!
I crossed the finish line, turned and descended to the chalet totally uninterested in anything to do with the festivities and party atmosphere at the finish village.
I still don't know my time but estimate about 8h15m.
Have I put you off?