I heard earlier in the week that the guys from Rapha and Rouler were planning something a bit different this year for the Etape. At first I thought it had quickly turned into one of those urban myths, but no it was true. What you may ask, well it is a feat which I am sure will give the participants a new insight to what a PRO rider goes through. Guy (Rouler Editor, and throughly nice chap) along with Bill Strickland (Bicycling Executive Editor) plus two other journalists will be attempting the Marmotte Etape double.
This would be hard in any normal year, but when you factor in that the Marmotte is on the Saturday and the Etape moves to Sunday from it's usual Monday slot, makes for an epic adventure. To put the icing on the cake Saturdays ride is in the Alpes and Sundays ride is in the Pyrenees. Saturday is a monster day in the saddle as the riders will take in the Croix de Fer, the Telegraphe, the Galibier and then finally finishing off on top of Alpe d'Huez. Wow it takes my breath away and makes my legs feel sore just thinking about it.
Sunday brings the Etape and the two big climbs of the Tourmalet(7.5%) and the Hautacam(7.2%). The rolling nature of the first part of the Etape will be welcome after the hard work of Saturdays ride. I am sure that recovery and eating enough after the ride will be one of the problems that the riders will face come Saturday evening. The logistics of getting the riders and bikes across the country must have recieved military like planning to co-ordinate it all. I hear that some of the Rapha Team will be driving across the country, while the riders will be taking an express airbound route.
I look forward to the respective pieces being filed by the various journalists who will undertake this slightly crazy if not a little 'rock and roll' approach to sportives. I think it's well beyond me so I wish them and the support crew the best of luck, or as they say in France Chapeau à vous et bonne chance.
