Colin McPhee

Website says 1st July 2017. A few brownie points to earn before I commit. Probably though. Some text...
 
For many sportive riders the Marmotte is the ultimate European sportive. Around 7,500 riders take part each year on the first Saturday in July, with the fastest riders completing in around 5 hours 45 minutes and the slowest taking anything up to 14 hours.
 
La Marmotte features three HC climbs over its 174km route and has a total of 5,180 metres of climbing, making it one of the toughest courses of any sportive in the world.
 
La Marmotte starts with a climbs of the Col du Glandon, which weighs in at 27.5km with an average gradient of 4.5% to a height of 1924 metres. From there you drop down (on a route so steep that it is not included in your overall time to try and stop riders from dangerously speeding) to the start of the Col du Telegraph.
 
That leads to the Col du Galibier, one of the most famous climbs in worldwide cycling. The Telegraph/Galibier combination is 35km of almost continuous climbing at an average gradient of 5.48% to a height of 2642 metres. Towards the top of the Galibier the gradient gets up to 15% and on a windy or cold day it is brutal.
 
There then follows a rapid 47km descent to Bourg d'Oisans and the start of a final ascent of the 21 hairpin bends of Alpe d'Huez. For all but the elite riders this is usually a major struggle as the sun will be baking in the early afternoon - the 2013 Marmotte saw riders experience 44 degrees centigrade heat on this climb.
 
Entries for La Marmotte 2017 are expected to go on sale in early November 2016. The date changes every year - as does the timing when it goes on sale - and we suggest you sign up to our newsletter which will alert you to when registration opens. Entries sell out very quickly - last year they sold out in just under 11 hours. Sportive.com alerted our newsletter subscribers within 30 minutes of entries going on sale...so do sign up and keep yourself informed about the Marmotte, Etape and other legendary sportives and gran fondos.

Well done Colin - tough catch to make

Good idea as long as I can devise the macro embedded multi level 3D spreadsheet that Jan uses to allocate points for the summer worlds. I also want to devise the points system in hindsight so I can win or at least make sure that Jesus doesn't.
 
Will see interest, it's a bit awkward track league being a Wednesday and I agree with Andy that Monday is the only real option for those who can't go full gas 2 nights on the trot. Cue age related jibe ! Though short and sharp the track really empties the tank.
 

That's your feverish mind playing tricks on you. Nobody could ever be dropped on the Alpe de Bishy. Imagine! Hahahahaha

Chapeau lads all the best Robbie

Great effort big man

Well done Alan tough course

Last year's survey identified that we would like maps of the Bunch Rides to be avaialable on the website (and also linked to the Bunch) to help new members and those like me with no sense of direction to have a vague idea where the ride goes, the length and climbing profile.
 
I know from the main bunch we have some classic rides we repeat frequently (and not just the trips to the Bagel Basket) and presume its the same for the other Bunches.
 
Can I ask members that are recording their rides on their Garmin, etc to save the ride as a route and message this to me. It will take time, but eventually we'll have a great selection of great route maps on the web to link to bunch ride posts.
 
I hope this makes sense. If there are any techy issues please post and I'm sure some of the more computer literate members can advise (I'm thinking of Jan and Chung!).
 
Thanks for your help.

With the amount of rider's on the deck on the final run it was near impossible to stay on the left side of the road. Craziness. I think I know where the disqualification would of been. The road b4 the final Bend was mental with both sides of the road taken up with cyclist, lucky nothing came the other way.

Just me and Alan McB took the start line for the Wheelers in this one. Started off fast with a few early on attacks none of which came to much. The drag out of Kilmaurs was not too bad with a following wind with the corner causing the usual splutter of riders sprinting at the bottom but easily manageable from my point of view anyway. Sat in most of the way round as was conscious of a few bits of daft manouvering at the front of the bunch which Alan was referring to at the end. Would have done better in the final sprint for the line but had to swerve a bit to avoid a rider on the deck (think it might have been Adrian Dow). All in all reasonably happy just need to improve my big gear power and have a bit more nerve in the run ins 

Bit of a disaster punctured at end of lap 4 so having travelled all way to Stirling got just under 16 mins racing. Have to say weather was rotten and I was a bit nervous at start but shouldn't have worried as cracking circuit and felt I was getting stronger despite elementary mistake of starting at rear and losing front wheels. Ta to Emma mclaren for letting me use her turbo for warm up and ta to jets for letting me shelter under their gazebo. Danny Mulholland was third in his race and Lusia Steele won hers so not all bad for the joansin
Should also say that di2 got stuck in high gear at time of puncture. Probably me twisting bars in anguish.
Mcphee see u chose Kilnaurs race instead. Was hoping u were going to guide me round but well done in your race.
Think was a sharp racing lesson for James but all credit to him he was there till the end. Will let him report

Just me and Alan McB took the start line for the Wheelers in this one. Started off fast with a few early on attacks none of which came to much. The drag out of Kilmaurs was not too bad with a following wind with the corner causing the usual splutter of riders sprinting at the bottom but easily manageable from my point of view anyway. Sat in most of the way round as was conscious of a few bits of daft manouvering at the front of the bunch which Alan was referring to at the end. Would have done better in the final sprint for the line but had to swerve a bit to avoid a rider on the deck (think it might have been Adrian Dow). All in all reasonably happy just need to improve my big gear power and have a bit more nerve in the run ins 

Those of you who read the comic will have come across features they do on clubs the length and breadth of the country.
 
I think ours has a story to tell so have been badgering/trolling the editor to do a feature on us.
 
He has got in touch & promised a visit to do a ride and a feature on us in the next 2-3 months.
 
I'll let you know the date once it's confirmed.

First rule of fight club....
 
Anyone fancy doing some sprint drills early friday night? Open to ideas what this might involve - perhaps take it in turns to wind it up / lead out then have the last rider jump and launch their sprint. Regroup then someone elses turn. It wont be a long ride but a few hard efforts with some easy recovery inbetween over an 60 - 90 minutes from about 6 then home in time for the Euros starting.
 
Gleniffer Road going up the Braes is closed for resurfacing at the moment so that road would be ideal. Smooth tarmac and hopefully still closed with no traffic. Up and down the stretch in front of Peesweep - can have a flat sprint but also an uphill drag one too. If the road is open again then same idea but use the APR circuit.

Good luck for the national Paul

Well lasufriDA was monumental. No surprise there
It was hot, it was well organised, it was hard, it was nearly as hot in Scotland this afternoon !
Utterly beautiful Spanish village woke up to bangin music at 0800 Saturday morning and hundreds of keen cyclists.
Rolled out downhill and apprehensive and actually got a bit cold in the first 5k. Lead cars moved on and the keen bunch started to rack up the pace. Only to be halted in their tracks after 10k by lead car and motorbikes keeping the lid on things. Hit the first climb and it was effectively neutralised for the first 7k of the 14k climb. Which was beyond beautiful in terms of views and general "I'm really glad to be alive". At halfway the lead car moved on the lads racked up the pace. Everyone then went up at own pace and over the top for a humidinger descent. About half way down descent I had to hit some serious brakes as the lead car had restricted the pace. And it was held to 16mph for about the next 15k which had a lot of chaps not to content. Boys will be boys and want to get stuck in !
Anyway the plus side was our entire JWCC regrouped before next big climb. On this climb I held tough with big Al and James before saying adios about 1/2 way up. Managed to rejoin with a group of about 10 a short time after the long and incredible descent which must have had about 30 hairpins and the most beautiful views imaginable.
Just after rejoining we hit a long drag which in Spanish terms means 6k of grovelling!
Then hit the Montecorto wall which was only 2k long but had about 300m of 25% in the middle of an otherwise steep climb anyway. Can't really do it justice, there is nothing comparable in bonny Ecosse. So Alan and James flew up and I topped out with LA Guns and we started to work with some others on the flat back to the start town to end the first loop of 133km. Just after the start town where you had to be formally registed to do the next 67km, I managed to catch James on the descent and we worked with some others for 20km or so to the next feed.
Things went significantly downhill for me at this point as I just could not eat as I had stomach issues. Bad move, as immediately after this feed I bid farewell to James and rode on to the next station where I was in a state of 'bonk'. After sitting in a bit of a state for a while LA guns joined me and we became compadres in distress !
Anyway after an incredible calory consumption, and I mean about 10 little cheese and ham sandwiches an energy bar, 2 cups of coke and half a melon just for me, we were both rejuvenated and rode the last 25 miles to the finish. Strava estimated I expended 7800 calories so I guess not to big a surprise if you miss a feed you bonk !
 
Summary. Utterly brilliant. Would not have missed it for the world. Heat really does get to you in the end. My time and LA guns time was 9h24m, my top speed 51.5 mph, average speeds somewhat lowered with the restricted zones was 15mph. Estimated liquid consumption would be 8 bottles plus at least 12 cups of coke and water. And tubs of water poured over us by very helpful people at feed stops. Alan then James finished in front of me and LA guns.
 
Can't wait to read other reports as myself and James left early doors this morning for flights home.
 
DA next

another cracking ride today with some great weather - the views over the kyles of bute a particular highlight. C11 is never easy but in the heat it seems a wee bit harder than normal!

After we left you before you guys turned for the C11, Stevie & myself headed towards Glendaruel then Struchor, climbing Hell's Glen from this side (a first for me) it was indeed very hot, at one point my Garmin recorded 31.5 degrees :-0
 
Luckily a water fountain half way up was ideally placed, just like in the continent :-)
 

 
A looong day on the saddle for me - home with 215km & over 2000m climbing, I'm boiling & knackered .........
 
Thanks for posting the run Andy & the wheels/company by everyone!
 
Cheers
 
 

Hope to make it will confirm nearer the time

Magical day toDAy, as good as it gets 😎

Great day good luck to the Spanish contingent no problem to the Joansin

Yes, if you do the course. Alex missed out on some guaranteed points a few weeks ago due to getting a mechanical before the finish though so dont count any chickens in advance
 
The rules (subsection 2c paragraph 4b) allow for a solo rider to join up with the renfrew bunch and still get the points if you are the first wheeler across the line!

Thanks Guys, and thank you Andy for organising the card and flowers. I have to say that everyone was brilliant at keeping me comfortable while the ambulance arrived.
 
As for progress, as Paul reports I had surgery yesterday and things seem to have gone ok, as far as we know at this early stage. They have rebuilt me with titanium, but it's only the 3Al alloy , not the expensive stuff my bike is made from. NHS eh...always cutting corners.
 
They have had me out of bed to day and walking with a zimmer. Didn't feel too bad. Apparently it's 6 weeks or so of partial weight bearing exercise, which may include some light turbo spinning. After that, who knows? But, hopefully I'll see y'all on the road soon. My goal is to be on the bike for August.
 
Cheers
 
Darryl

A Drama begins to unfold.
 
T-5
 
Looking like a brisk Southerly which is perfect. Maybe some showers though.
 
Cometh the man, cometh the hour
 

Sitting tonight with some recovery juice and thoughts turned to DA. In terms of strategy I am thinking as below but welcome other thoughts and suggestions,
 
- single pace line, straight to back just like the pro's do on a long TTT
- pace regulated at SA pace plus a little bit extra from the start
- looking like a decent number so probably about 30-45 secs on front which will mean a spell every 4-5 mins
- important point is do not increase pace, keep it smooth as possible with guy swinging off easing back and going straight to back, no macho keeping the power on to make the next guy work to come through
- if you are having a good moment then go a bit longer on front before elbow flick
- elbow flick is mandatory, we do not want people behind accelerating to get through and do a spell
- be realistic about your personal ability, flick that elbow as soon as you start to let the pace drop or preferably before
- communication is critical. I will take personal responsibility for making the call to up or down the overall pace with the help from my data friend whom I hope will have the last but one single stored for up to the second pace comparison on his Garmin (I will contact you separately Jan to check out your thoughts on this)
- mechanicals, sorry but we all sign up for not stopping, it is just not feasible, I really hope it does not happen to anyone,
- please think about your personal strengths and play to them, obvious examples would be Robbo or James leading on the climbs into the headwind or Jan and Alan doing longer turns on the flat. But, and this is the really important bit, if you are particularly strong at one discipline please remember others are not so ride to the teams abilities rather than your own,
- the best team player will lead the team within their abilities on their preferred terrain but will sensibly pull back when it does not suit them,
- it is very likely most people will have a crisis in confidence or form at some point, it is just fine to either miss spells or roll through for a very short spell
- it is not fine to miss spells without shouting to the team that they should drop in in front of you
- when a single line goes round a corner or makes a descent round a corner the line always stretches with gaps opening, remember the first guy can take the best line and see the pot holes etc but everyone behind cannot, if you are on the front the very best thing to do is hold back for a few seconds to let the line reestablish itself, this is best for the team effort,
- and finally, shout out the pot holes for the team behind,
 
 
Some practicalities
 
- we make a stash about 500m from ferry for spare bottles, food etc, so poly bag or similar with provisions for 2nd lap should be brought along
- the stop time will be about 4 minutes max so think ahead on quick changeover of bottles, food etc
 
Look forward to your comments and additions. I can't wait to give this a bash as I Truly believe that everyone is up for dong whatever they can to make it happen.
 
DREAM IT, BELIEVE IT, ACHIEVE IT