Our first drive up the bends of alpe dhuez really brought home just how hard it was going to be. In 2017 the marmotte was moved to take place on the sunday rather than the traditional saturday. This is a really lovely beginners descent on the old road down from the pass, facing the spectacular meije. True, there is a 5km descent between the col du telegraphe and valloire, but as. The descent, practically to the base of alpe dhuez is just as stunning. One of the classic alpine road biking cols in the summer, the col du galibier makes for wonderful ski touring in good spring conditions when approached from the south. The descent from galibier back to bourg doisans is about 48km and you lose 1895 vertical metres during the descent.
Going for the best time i could riding the grandfondo for the first time i was trying to keep high. We offer the best service and that comes at a price. Another friend tells the story of having watched a rider accelerate past him on a descent in a previous years marmotte only to be unable to slow down at the hairpin. The rider flew off the side of the mountain to his death. It may only average just under 7% but that takes into account that the first few miles average closer to 5%. However, it draws you in to riding too hard, and the descent into valloire, the town where the galibier starts, is. In the morning it can be chilly on the way down to the start. I have ridden it 12 times now and finished 7 times in the top 20, so i know it quite well. I started the galibier as planned with a nice piss by the side of the road. The short descent from the telegraph takes you down into valloire which in turn, after a brutal little kick, brings you to the galibier. A 40km descent may sound great, but when that 40km descent has some rolling roads and a few smaller climbs, it becomes a bit harder than you set yourself up for, as i found out on tuesday. Marmotte granfondo 2019 descent from col du galibier to col du lautaret. The 42km descent of the galibier and lauteret is a great reward for getting to the top of the galibier and is fast and not too technical. This video also includes descent back down to the starting point.
Alaphilippe defends yellow with daredevil descent as quintana wins. Touted as the hardest one day road sportive in europe, the alpes marmotte certainly has a fearsome reputation among the amateur cycling fraternity. Over the galibier, base of descent turn right to bourg doisans. True, there is a 5km descent between the col du telegraphe and valloire, but as anyone who has ridden the marmotte will tell you, this is over so quickly you barely notice it. The short descent into the town of valloire from the top of the telegraphe isnt exactly enjoyable. At over 20km and climbing over m this is a real challenge. Sunday 5 july, 2020 marmotte day descent to bourg d. Of all the many sportives i have competed in over the last 20 years, the marmotte is my favourite. Descent from the col du galibier villar darene bike oisans.
It was a beautiful clear day up there, and the road surface was perfect. Not even the high mountain passes of the col dizoard and col du galibier could pry the maillot jaune from the shoulders of julian alaphilippe. On the marmotte, you write it off, and dont give it the caution it deserves. Right up there with the tourmalet and mont ventoux, the col du galibier has a. I managed to get on and off the bike without any cramp which was a. The rather gentle descent to valloire forces you to even pedaling. The 174km event starts in le bourg doisans and after 5000 metres of climbing, passing the col du glandon, the col du telegraph and the col du galibier, ends in the famous mountain resort of alpe dhuez. Marmotte gran fondo travel and race services for 2021 edition booking the 2021 marmotte alps gran fondo with one of our travel packages including hotel, staff support and guaranteed entry is a cost effective and stress free way to take part in the event. Cycling lalpe dhuez, col du galibier the marmotte and etape du tour july 2006. Col du galibier the col du galibier,the cathedral of the alps, is simply brutal.
On the two days before the marmotte there were lots of road signs up warning that the road would be closed up until 6pm. At the bottom of the technical section i was greeted by josie from alpcycles see. The look marmotte granfondo alps is one of europes largest and longest running gran fondo s. As a momento of your day out on the marmotte it may not be cheap but it will remind you forever of the pain of climbing the glandon, galibier. If the glandon descent is approx 20km then that means from the bottom of the glandon descent to the foot of the telegraphe is about 22km. A long descent leads to the base of the telegraph and the mighty galibier hitting the highest point of the race at 2642m. With over 5,000m of climbing, the marmotte is a monster. Cycle up col du glandon, col du galibier, col du lautaret and the alpe dhuez. Based in the heart of the relentlessly picturesque rhone alps area of france. The route starts on the briancon side of the col du lautaret and takes a. The water from the water fountains is drinkable unless there is a sign saying it isnt non portable. Marmotte 2012 the big one july 8, 2012 by bobraikes so, after last years two day rando des marmottes, i concluded that even though i wasnt sure i could do the whole thing in one day, after the experience of the tough first day, just having another go at the two day event really wasnt going to. Climb the galibier a personal favourite of ours, the galibier offers stunning valley views via a winding ascent. It is long, it is steep and it is exposed to the elements.
First conceived in 1982 and despite having almost 7000 places available, entries sell out incredibly quickly every year. The marmotte route bourg doisans cycling information. Part of the marmotte grand tour most famous cyclosportive. Col du galibier descent to col du lautaret marmotte 2019. There are three important things to know about this descent. As the first part of a series to explore the famous roads of cycling, here is the alpe dhuez in france.
Im not the most easily impressed person, but the first time i rode down the galibier descent was one of the few times ive had a genuine ripple of emotion flow through me at the sheer wonderous beauty of the scenery presented to you. The route covers 174km of alpine cycling featuring the epic col du glandon and col du galibier. He shares tips on the marmotte route, profile, training, where to stay and more. The col du galibier is one of the true giants of the french alps in every sense of the word. Looking south from midway up alpe dhuez to the town of bourg doisans 730 m. Col du telegraphe col du galibier download or dvd version. Are the roads from the top of the col du lauteret which is also the bottom of the galibier descent back to bourg doisans closed to the public.
1264 1288 246 1287 1594 1601 1048 58 1416 638 1581 130 1547 973 835 547 1181 168 28 1116 221 1141 1128 989 1512 1545 142 161 1519 1387 1424 1048 795 555 811 467 1552 94 1316 543 1395 1226 672 1196 640 36