LA MARMOTTE GRAN FONDO - THE HARDEST RIDE YET

In this episode, I show my experience at the Marmotte Gran Fondo Alpes 2023 which I took part in on 25 June. Without a doubt this was the toughest ride I've ever done. 186km with 5560m of climbing ending off the day with Alpe du Huez which averages 7-8%. Coming from a flat and small country it was like throwing myself into the deep end of the pool.
1. Looking at the footage I filmed has brought back a lot of memories. It has been a while since I completed the event and my mind has been given the time to digest it. I would be interested in take part in the 2024 edition if given the time and opportunity.
2. Having included some of the famous climbs done at the Tour de France, the event has given me a newfound appreciation of the pros abilities. My TdF viewing experience this year has been much more meaningful as a result. The pros on TV always make the climbs look so easy as they dance up the slopes, but having done it myself - and as the footage of amateurs climbing will show - it is crazy how they are able to climb up that quickly. Just for instance, on a section that I am doing 8-10kmh peddling squares, they are doing 24-30kmh.
3. This will be a trip I will never forget.
Check out the route we did: / strava
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Oldham Breakfast Club: / oldhambreakfastcc
Me: / thewinsty
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A lot of you have asked about the various equipment I use, so here goes:
Filming stuff
My action camera for filming (main): amzn.to/3QbMkPC (GoPro Hero 9)
My primary drone: amzn.to/3IEVVOr (DJI Mini 3 Pro)
Fly More Kit: amzn.to/3YLGERv (for DJI Mini 3 Pro)
My secondary drone: amzn.to/3BcSWc6 (DJI Mini 2)
How I film without hands: amzn.to/3emdc23
Tripod for GoPro: amzn.to/3cLKqHE
GoPro battery (you’ll need it): amzn.to/3KQ1yIM
Memory card: amzn.to/3cQrVBZ
External SSD: amzn.to/3CXl2cC
Cycling kit
My helmet: (Giro Aether Spherical MIPS)
My sunglasses: amzn.to/3ASPH8m (100% Hypercraft)
My cycling shoes: amzn.to/3RkT3rL (Sidi Ergo 5)
On the bike
Cycling computer: amzn.to/3QgWFKe
Power meter: amzn.to/3BfqUwP
Heart rate monitor: amzn.to/3RjyOLb
Front lights (mount sold separately): amzn.to/3KRmMq2
Direct-drive trainer for Zwift: amzn.to/3cO97TO
Soft-case bike bag for travel: amzn.to/3HWZ4aR
Wheels: www.ascent-bikes.com/product-... (QUOTE "THEWINSTY" FOR 20% OFF)

[@kennethstewart5778]

Fantastic video, doing this year 11yrs ago I did it and remember the pain to finish but incredible day out ! Thanks for KZbin

[@shauninnc]

Absolutely awesome!

[@goatsontheclif1725]

Mad.. these views on 4k is just nuts.. thanks for representing us SIngpaorean amatuer cyclists in such an awesome place :D Best part is that this video is a good ass 18mins.. time to sit back and relax bc city boys and girls like us are living the dreams through the vid

[@thewinsty]

Thanks for the support as always :)

[@vodizzzle]

Awesome man!!!

[@truem0bile]

Thanks for sharing your Marmotte experience! Congrats on completing it. Somehow YT just surfaced this video of yours so it’s probably a bit late. I appreciate this video a lot because it brought back memories from my experience completing it back in 2013. Especially so because I’m also from SG and thoughts that you shared resonated with me heaps. Hope you get to do it again (this year?) and maybe invite your subscribers from this channel to join you! I think it’ll be a totally different experience! 😂

[@andrewhall127]

Chapeaux! I was there this year as well - brutal brutal ride but the feeling when I finished was amazing. Worst for me was the Telegraph believe it or not - that's where I was most likely to throw in the towel - by the time I was on Galibier I was just determined to push on! Same with the last push up ADH...... had to finish! Well done again and a great video.

[@simonworsley8631]

I agree, the Telegraphe is always the worst climb of the 4 on Marmotte day. Always hot, deceptively steep, a long way from the finish and hard to get a rhythm again after the flat section

[@Jinnyboy]

well done! congratulations nonetheless! raeally enjoyed watching this one

[@winstoncat6785]

the nightmare of a tubeless puncture on one of these events....you know the trick of putting the hole in contact with the road surface so sealant flows there to a maximum? It doesn't always work anyway. Well done!

[@ColdeGranon]

Well done! I also did it. The hardest ride but the descent from the Galibier to the bottom of Alp d'huez was worth all the pain...So hot in the valley though, my tanlines lasted weeks.

[@bradleyleeper9517]

HELL YEA!!!! Huge congrats, that was awesome, thank you for bringing us along

[@thewinsty]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it

[@VincentForDesign]

3:15 they have their partners, but you have us! 🎉

[@patrickparisienne1917]

What an awesome achievement! The smiles at the finish said it all! You’ll be back!!

[@VincefromItzig]

Congrats for finishing this epic race. Loved your video !!! How many kms have you cycled before going to the race as part of your training ?

[@BQS1234]

Congrats Winston! Definitely something you should be proud of and will look back on fondly despite the suffering in the moment. Thanks for bringing such cinematic viewing of the location and the race, it was mostly calming despite your watching you suffer. Keep up the great work!

[@thewinsty]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it

[@ashleyhouse9690]

Well done. I've done it three times (never again!), the last being last year in 42 degree heat which was just brutal. You can't possibly enjoy it in the moment but the satisfaction of the achievement in finishing is something that will live with you forever. 👍👍👍

[@thewinsty]

You’re right. The satisfaction took a few days to sink in

[@charlesmcelroy7413]

Great work....i remember the first time driving up an alpine mountain and thinking about riding it, and being scared too 😂!

[@MegaSixpac]

Nice video my friend. Take care.

[@obi-juan3295]

What an amazing experience you should be very proud of yourself, congratulations! 👍👏🥇

[@i8n00n5]

Thank you for the time n effort to film n document the event! Pls continue to produce n inspire, awesome content. Congrats on completing this tough route!

[@mkche9124]

Well done and a pat on your shoulder from 🇸🇬

GREAT EFFORT FOR A GREAT RESULT. BRAVO

[@dannyswallow6769]

Well done, and thanks for posting. Amazing video

[@lightray255]

Probably one of the best video content so far too! Super nice

[@samtan6966]

Wow.. your videos was always inspiring.. and that amazing scenery! Simply awesome! Congratulations from Singapore 🇸🇬 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽😁

[@lx425]

Wow! The views are just stupendous.

[@leongiese2349]

The holey grail for so many riders!! Good to see you were a bit nervous, who wouldn't be. Well done.

[@monfelmateo6868]

Congratulations! Thank you for sharing.

[@michaeldelargy4684]

That is an AWESOME achievement & congratulations! There are so many amazing European events every year, I hope you will go back to try some of them, even if not the Marmotte again. Thanks for the superb video and again, congrats!

[@AzaiKyou]

Was anticipating this video ever since I saw the instagram posts! Amazing view, crazy route but I'm sure it was a lot of pain and fun! Awesome video!

[@thewinsty]

Multiple instances of writer’s block along the way but I’m happy to finally release the video :)

[@leightondavies8884]

Loved the video Lee! I’ve been out there a few times , done all the climbs on their own but never as part of the marmotte. Hats off and kudos to you !!! The last 10 k on the Galibier are type 3 fun 😂 brutal for sure

[@darthchin888]

Massive achievement well done 👍 majestic views. The pain part not so good, you earned it man.

[@Tipperarymike]

Outstanding video and achievement.

[@JFomo]

Awesome work there my dude, wish I could have been there with you, looks fun 😅

[@eechinglee7310]

We’ll done mate!👏👏👏 You did Singapore proud👍

[@SashenGovender]

You are amazing, well done on your achievement! The content is always great to watch.

[@SingaporeUntold]

Amazing views ❤

[@AKG77]

I just went bikepacking the French alps in july. These places have to cycle slowly and enjoy the scenery. I went up places like Col de Vars, D'Izoard and de Sarenne which is not far from d'huez. Stayed a couple of hours at each point to fully soak in the views. Really beautiful. And the climb is no joke. I really feel you as I suffered as much. But reaching the top always felt an achievement. Congrats!

[@makan7]

Fantastic view

[@andrewsugden1215]

great work mate! what an experience

[@Y3riel]

Nice! Congratz! Quite the feat! 🎉

[@moonman110]

Congrats Winston! Looks like it was no joke, but you made it! Bravo!

[@kubrabenelli9117]

Congrats 🎉🎊

[@mark_nz]

Been looking forward to this and really enjoy your content mate! fellow seal-level dweller here (New Zealand) and have been toying with the idea of something like this myself so great to get your perspective. Looked like an epic and challenging day

[@gardino71]

Congratulations, great effort. I also did the event for the 1st time and every feeling and emotion you felt I also felt as did two of my friends who also did it. Chapeau 👏🏼

[@razakrisah7830]

Well done! mate. Incredible effort.

[@mervynkwan9903]

Congrats!

[@raymondjoseph9282]

Congratulations!!

[@stephentaylor3787]

well done dude!!!!

[@nordie2370]

great effort Lee

[@MikeAntoni1]

Great achievement, great video!

[@JulsCeasar]

Congratulations!

[@johannesmellak]

Good vibes and nice video!

[@PlattyNumm]

Well done..great ride

[@javierfum4692]

man these vids are bomb asfff

[@peerapachliewatanakorn3055]

Awesome video ride safe bro

[@vijayramachandran3559]

Very strong well done.

[@ShadzBlack]

Congrats and welcome to France ! 🇫🇷

[@thewinsty]

Merci :)

[@markedington7171]

Well done! I did L’etape last year which was virtually same route in reverse.. also ending up Alpe D’Huez..I also just wanted to complete.. I did.. but it was DEF type 2 fun as you said!! I finished 40mins before time cut and it took me well over 10 hours 😂 these events are hard.. usually due to heat..

[@joeboxer82is]

Your video is really inspiring! Well done & congratulations bro!

[@thewinsty]

Cheers man!

[@digamondvonn]

Nice ride man!!! Amazing views too!

[@thewinsty]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it

[@thedietersprocket]

Great video - well done?

[@chrisquayquay]

Good job Winstyyy ♥♥

[@thewinsty]

Thankies

[@eddiemonnier9949]

Nicely done video and good on your to finish! Did you end up doing it again? I'm doing it this year and very excited. Definitely thankful that I live in an area with mountains. I cannot imagine how hard that must have been for you. Impressive!

[@vodizzzle]

Good luck tomorrow!!!

[@apinanraivo100]

Really appreciate your uploads, brother.

[@thewinsty]

Thanks so much! Appreciate the token :)

[@apinanraivo100]

@@thewinsty It was a good video. Least I can do.

[@feedlord123]

Grand fondlers.. 😳

[@alanaledia2588]

Congrats on the ride and great video! Not sure if you did this off-camera but on a tubeless puncture I usually put the puncture at the bottom against the pavement. In my experience it helps seal better than if the puncture is facing up. Been running road tubeless for over 5 years and I've had several punctures but almost all sealed, only one time did I put a tube in and that was also to cut down the waiting time. Looking forward to the next video!

[@thewinsty]

I did, still didn’t work. Gash was quite big and I didn’t want to risk missing the cut off, so in the tube went

[@brecht1043]

In my opinion the galibier is the most beautiful climb over there. If I could I would just go up and down it all day and die happily the day after.

[@justinneo1777]

Damn bro winston, ure so sick ! Proud Singaporean sio

[@thewinsty]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it

[@DarylSeanChan]

Good job man!! when you say you’ll never do smth like this again… i bet you’re already researching about this next one 😂😂😂

[@thewinsty]

All thanks to your training guidance! Working on this video has brought back some of the cravings I’ll admit 😅

[@VincentForDesign]

13:44 I loled so hard! True cyclist spirit!

[@ascentbikes]

Awesome stuff! Btw, did you remember to shake the sealant bottle before filling it up? That sealant looks rather ineffective, given the number of unsealable punctures you've had throughout these few months.

[@thewinsty]

Haha yes I did. Well there can be technical reasons and then there’s just bad luck

[@tomr164]

Would I do it again? Probably not. That's what so many people say after this event, but the next day after some good food and a long rest, they're already looking forward to next year :D. You should definitely go back! I'm a three times finisher myself with my quickest time of 6h34m, back in the day when descents were also still included in the time.

[@thewinsty]

That’s a crazy fast time! Talented

[@obvsrainbow7446]

Great job! what device did u use to record such amazing video?

[@thewinsty]

My trusty GoPro Hero 9 and DJI Mini 3 Pro

[@freez]

its great to see people riding all sorts of bike brands unlike sg where you mostly see sworks and pina 😅

[@thewinsty]

A dude riding a Triban with MTB shorts and shoes finished around the same time as me - that tells you what really matters

[@climbinsimon]

Sg?

[@andreaong5854]

congrat! its tough and you make it. (: do you actually use a drone (serious) to film those "top down view"of the ride? the video is great!🐳

[@thewinsty]

Yup, all the aerial shots were from the drone. Thanks!

[@beeceeeee]

U had a drone on ur ride?!

[@muhammadnoorazman2247]

was the sign up for the event an impulse? Congrats, you finish it!!

[@thewinsty]

Yes I suppose you could say it was. Only one month prior I decided I might as well

[@MarkCox11]

Gran Fondlers haha

[@Martin-on2pp]

And??? What about 2024???

[@user-pi8mq7cc3q]

congratulation, it is a Ride yes. i think you burn 8000 cal

[@dan.p.8060]

If you don’t climb a lot and have elevation where you train - an event like this will never be as enjoyable for those who do

[@thewinsty]

It wasn’t as easy for sure, but I went for it precisely because I don’t normally get to climb back home

[@MrIvanPe]

Now u can change your name to unrelentless gran fondler.

[@milkbunnies]

Why didn’t you have tubeless plugs on you….???