My brutal Marmotte Granfondo Alps - how my Marmotte Granfondo UNRAVELLED 🏆 🏔 🇫🇷

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Hi all hope you had a good ride last Saturday if you participated in the Marmotte. It was a tough day out! I'm here to answer any questions - just drop them in below thanks Mike😀

[@rachelmortimer2676]

Refreshingly honest analysis with some excellent lessons learnt. Bravo Mike - a real inspiration.

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Rachel. There is too much 'false' positivity on the internet!!

[@guy5paris]

Excellent sir, well done! Did it last year and will probably give it a shot again next year! It's hell but I'll go again, of course you will.......!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thank you for watching. Its always a tough day out. Next year?...............

[@geertnoels7041]

I did it on the same day, and I am even visible in your video (in the Valley at the railroad crossing). Congrats for the race and the video. It made me relive an extraordinary day!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Brilliant well done!

[@leighgoodwin1726]

Love this video. Watching for second time as great prep and realistic for cyclists of more advanced age like myself!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad you found the video helpful.

[@billholmes6639]

Great video Mike, omg that looked a tough ride, kudos for hanging in mate!!!!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Bill. My Whoop has only just returned to green!!

[@SPMech1]

Awesome accomplishment ! ! ! ! Glad to see you were OK at the end....

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Bob

[@AL-gf4nb]

Another great video Mike. Looks like a really HARD day on the bike. Well done.

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Art. Just about recovered!!

[@unkleman]

Great video! Enjoyed this and 2022 is my Marmotte year. Seeing how you are at the finish is very sobering for me though! Well done and great inspiration.

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks for watching. Happy to answer any questions Good luck Mike

[@tomfromnewgen]

Well done for not giving up Mike. Great video. Thanks for making it. Watching it made me relive the day (at least the fun bits!)

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Tom - hopefully I brought the scenery to some riders who may have had there head down looking at the road!

[@lutterop]

I told myself everytime "this is the last time I will do this event"...just like you...;-)..ended up doing this hell ride 6 times....huge effort on your part....kudos!!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Wow 6 x. Good effort!! I think this was my 4th and last......for now! Thanks for watching.

[@ultimuneuron]

Legend! What a fantastic result! and congrats for not giving up! I'm so nervous for my first Marmotte this year. Looking forward to being finished and not so much to going through the pain! :)

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks! That was my 4th!! My 3rd was more successful. Just go with the mantra of not going to fast on the Glandon/Croix de Fer and you will be fine. Just chant that on the way to the start!!

[@ultimuneuron]

@@CyclingInTheAlps saw your video on that advice. Will try to stick to it as much as possible. I think the course circumstances this year will force me to go slow anyway 🤣 Are you doing it this year?

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

@@ultimuneuron I'm doing the Etape this year as its in the next town down from where I live. I'll likely do the Swiss Marmotte in August for something different. At least with the change of course it reduces the ride into the headwind of the Maurienne Valley. Make sure you are in a group at the bottom of the Mollard. Good luck!

[@ultimuneuron]

@@CyclingInTheAlps Thank you! And best of luck for the Etape! 😊

[@matthewbird2678]

Thanks so much for this video. It was my first Marmotte (probably my only one!) and this brings back so many memories of the day. Great ride.

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Matthew - how did you get on?

[@matthewbird2678]

@@CyclingInTheAlps finished in just about 11.5hrs. Blew up on the Alpe and it was a real struggle but overjoyed to have finished.

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

@@matthewbird2678 Great effort - well done.

[@pastorste]

Great video, so many good memories. You were so friendly on the glandon and alpe, really made a difference. So I'll see you next year 😉. Ste from Liverpool

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Great to meet you Steve. We will have to have that beer next year!!

[@leegregory5597]

Ooosh, that looked like purgatory, well done for even thinking about doing it not to mention finishing it as well. Chapeau……

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Lee. It was a grand day out!

[@neiltitterton1307]

Brilliant video again, your previous ones helped me no end on the day. First time I’ve ridden in the Alps, what an experience!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Neil - I'm glad the Vids helped! How did you get on?

[@neiltitterton1307]

I was aiming for 9 hrs, got an official time of 9:07. (Bib 553) Pretty happy with that and plenty of lessons learnt for next time!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

@@neiltitterton1307 Well done. First one is the worst.......I think?!?

[@pauldivers5786]

Cracking video Mike, and greetings from New Zealand. Every one of your vids is just so honest, and none more so than this one. 30 years ago, I spent a week with mates in Sallanches, cycling some of climbs that are your locals. It's so cool seeing them again through your vids. Makes me so want to get back there, when travel becomes more realistic for us down under. Will you do it again...you know you will :-) Keep the vids coming!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Paul for your kind comments and great to here you've been to our valley. I hope you make it back once we are out of this mess!!

[@reginaldmills628]

Another Great video! Glad you are ok👍 Still a Strong Time 💪

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Reginald. It been a slow week this week!!!

[@richardbrighton3381]

Course you will do it again! I'm back in Bourg d'Oisans next year so will see how this ageing body copes with the big Cols and altitude around there. Then maybe the following year I will return for The Marmotte - its been on my bucket list for a while so why not! Thanks again for a refreshingly honest video showing the highs and lows of this tough Grandfondo! 😃

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

If they send me an invite then maybe!! Thanks for watching!!

[@FlyingVie]

Very helpful Video !

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks. Much appreciated and thanks for subscribing Mike

[@jonathanbaird2081]

Brilliant result and superb effort Mike ! What an amazing insight into what was the original French Sportif and just how tough it is..brilliant video Thanks !!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks JB - not tempted then?

[@Savonge]

Thats great! I was also at this event. and you videos helped me prepare for it ! thank you for sharing and making great content!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks. Thats great to hear. How did you get on at the Marmotte? It was a tough day for me

[@Savonge]

@@CyclingInTheAlps started too hard, over shot my numbers, died on the Gailibier, resurrected on the way back to bourg d'oisons, only to die again half way up the alpe. worst pasta i've ever had at the finish line. was happy with my performance as i went sub 8 hours . hope to make it again next year...

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

@@Savonge Nice one! My 3rd Marmotte was my best. 4th not!!

[@TheGazavman]

14:06 I like you too cheering each other, it is nice

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks for watching!

[@adriantimmis9286]

Good effort Mike, i'm sure you'll be back!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Adrian. You will know what was going through my mind on ADH. Higgsy was giving me a push up the last 2 bends.

[@Requiredfields2]

Great video. Seems like so much depends on the weather, including wind direction and finding a strong group of riders to work with. Factoring in these conditions, you could be fitter and still end up with a slower time.

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks for watching. Yes you are right. The wind is predictable in July but getting in the right group is critical to success if you are aiming for a specific goal. Are you doing it?

[@Requiredfields2]

@@CyclingInTheAlps I just learned about this race yesterday but it looks wonderful. I thought it was in October which is not manageable but July would work. So, who knows?

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

@@Requiredfields2 Yes its normally in July but last 2 years its been delayed to September with the health situation. I think there are some entries still available.

[@s0012823]

Great video thnx!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks for watching

[@abenogcyklen5785]

Thank you for this video 🙂. We are doing the route at the end of August this year, how cold is it down there, I see a lot of riders in wests riding up ???

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Hi thanks for watching. The Marmotte is usually in July when its high 20's and scorching hot. Last year it was in September and very cold on the descents. August can be scorching, or it could also snow!! You need to be prepared for every eventuality when riding in the high alps. Last yuears Tour de France was a great example - the 2 days in the Alps it was raining and very cold.....in July!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

PS please hit subscribe thanks!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Very nice edit - and incredibly well done for seeing it to the end when you were not at all well up the Alpe 💪. And for sure the final 8km of Galibier feels a lot longer 😅. Great time 💪

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks for that! Yes I was pleased to get over the line albeit much slower than 2017. Can only pin it down to altitude as much fitter this year!!

[@TribusMontibus]

Great effort, Mike! Enjoyed the video. Made me wish I was there too (although you would have dropped me, with ease, probably and the Croix Rouge would have had to scrape me off the Alpe).

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thank you for watching! There's always next year!

[@jamesunger8433]

Wonderful tutorial video. I'm curious which gearing are you using. I have Compact Front and am currently running 10 speed 12-27 on the rear though I think I may require 11-28. I've been eyeing the Marmotte for some time and I would love to tackle it before I'm 60.. got a few years to add it to my Sportif Palmares! I've entered 15 Fondos and I echo your first statement...Don't go hard at the beginning. I've seen sooooo many knuckleheads shoot out of the gate and sprint the first few hills only to cramp up or bonk halfway throught the event...Wonderful video and love the 1st person camera footage!

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Hi James thanks for watching. I'm no climber - more a rouleur - I'm currently using 52-36 11-34 11 speed. I did another video on gear ratios - you want want to have a click through the playlist. kzbin.info/www/bejne/anWoY6Cqe8SAoJI In my experience - whatever gearing you think you need, then you need one in reserve for the Marmotte. I started riding in the Alps with a compact 50-34 11-28 and have progresively widened the gear ratio over the years. Hope this help. Good luck , Mike

[@jamesunger8433]

@@CyclingInTheAlps Thanks for your prompt response. I I ran the 12-27 on almost all of my events but obviously they do not come close to the epic climbs of the Marmotte. most of the events I entered have about a third of the total vertical of the Marmotte.... better get training and hit the hills.... take care.

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

@@jamesunger8433 This is the volume I did in 2017 for my most successfull ride www.breathebike.com/training-for-the-marmotte-granfondo-alpes

[@TheGazavman]

Well done !

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks for subscribing

[@TheGazavman]

@@CyclingInTheAlps my pleasure, gold content for a Cyclist who wants to have higher goal ! What is more your videos are very well done, music, comments, choice of content of the race, balance...

[@brunoj6146]

Well done. We were just side by side at the start (I could briefly see me on the left). Finished 3 min after you for my first Marmotte. I loved it and will probably do it next year with more experience and hopefully warmer conditions. However, hot weather must be a challenge too. Apart from the descents and the short stay in Alpes D’Huez, température was ideal to climb, don’t you think ?

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks for that Bruno and thanks for watching. If ADH was another KM you would have caught me for that 3 minutes!! The hotter weather does has different issues but less clothing to worry about!! Good luck for next year!!

[@Greg.Sutton]

Well done - honest video. Having done the Glandon, Galibier and Huez (all on sperate days i may add) - no way i would attempt the Marmotte. I was surprised as a UK resident how much 2642m elevation sapped away my power and how it affected me. Doing that as the 3rd big col in a day - no thanks! Yoru right about the descent down the Lauteret proper technical to begin with off the Galibier - put the heebee geebee's up me i can tell you.

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Thanks Greg. Yes the Galibier is sketchy from the summit but the road surface is a lot better at the moment. Even living here I haven't been that high for 2 years. Altutude training for next year :-)

[@enigma1000]

La Marmotte used to go over Le Col de la Croix de Fer. Does it really go over Le Col du Glandon now, or do you leave that on your left as you continue up la Croix de Fer?

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

It’s about ten years ago that the event moved to the Glandon. I think it was due to roadworks originally. There was a proposal to go back over the Croix de Fer in 2021 however the local authorities wouldn’t sanction it. Thanks for watching.

[@enigma1000]

@@CyclingInTheAlps Thanks, I didn’t know that. Sadly it’s more than ten years since I rode it. A good day on the bike.

[@boomshine7]

15:50 how many times people (including myself) said that on the alp and then did it all over again the next year 🤣🤣🤣

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Guilty on 2 out of 4 rides!!!!

[@MaartenOverweg]

The first few km of the Galibier descent, I really did not like that....even watching it in your video makes me uncomfortable.

[@CyclingInTheAlps]

Yes its technical. I think the positioning of the ambulance says it all