La Marmotte

Wow, back home again. What a ride it was. There is so many stories to tell – and yet, I still feel so tired, and I don’t know where to begin.

But lets start with the beginning.  Me and Kenneth flew to Geneva thursday morning. We were both in a good mood and confident before the big challenge. But when the car went up Alpe d’Huez I think we both realised what exactly we were up against. This mountain is steep – VERY steep.

Friday was a very long day of doing absolutely nothing. Well, apart from a 3.5 k climb to the top to register, which proved what we’ve learned yesterday. It is still VERY steep. And hot as well, which we sooner realised would make the event even more extreme.

A morning walk in the footsteps of legends...

Nice view, but worried about the heat

A short ride to the top to register for the event

Finally it is Saturday, the day we’ve been waiting, and preparing for, for so long.

Breakfast at 5.30, and we leave the hotel at 06:15 to make our way down Alpe d’Huez for the start in Bourg d’Oisans at 07:00. It is early, but for a Dane, who probably had 3-4 rides this year in short sleeves, I’m happy to get as many kilometres as possible out of the way before the sun starts burning for real.

The first 10k is on a flat section taking us to the foot of Col du Glandon. the average speed on this section was 47 k/hour – this race is for real! The climb is 25 k, and even though it doesn’t look that bad on the profile, it’s enough to feel the pain for the first time today (ok, maybe I should have worked that out – this is afterall a HC cat. climb). But I get to the top without too many problems before the descent, which I knew would be quite tricky. On the way down I get overtaken, by a few riders I remember passing on the way up, but nevermind…no need to risk a crash this early.

I manage to find a good group by the end of the descent for the flat section leading us to the next climb, Col du Telegraph. Telegraph is a shorter climb, but it’s a mean bastard, and I’m getting nervous as I feel the first cramps in my legs. There is really not much of a descent from this climb. It goes pretty much directly to the next one; Col du Galibier.

Now, I m really feeling the pain. I have cramps in my stomach as well, and the legs are only getting worse. It’s a 25 k climb, and you can see all the way to the top, which doesn’t help at all. The heat is starting to get to me as well, but hey, at least I know there will be snow on the top (not sure, that is a good thing though…).

Up until now, I ve been very focused on my computer studying the time and calculating whether I’m behind or ahead of schedule. I’m now slowly starting to realise, that there is a risk, that i might not get through this. The pain is indescribable. It doesn’t matter if I’m sitting in the saddle or standing – it hurts! I’m only switching position to move the cramp from one muscle to another.

Col du Galibier

The last 1 k up the Galibier just seems to go on forever, but I somehow manage to get myself over it. At the top our man Warrick is waiting with food and drinks. He is asking what I want, but I can’t even speak and he just starts filling my pockets and changing my bottles.

Now, all there is left, apart from the descent, is the 50 k ride to Alpe d’Huez and of course climbing it.

As I’m heading down Galibier I’m starting to feel better. I know that if I get to finish in less than 8.5 hours I will have earned myself a gold diploma (Brevet d’Or), so if I can keep the momentum going on the flat bits that should leave me enough time for the last climb. I start chasing a group in the horizon and I reach them after 10k, and I stay with them all the way to the beginning of Alpe d’Huez.

I’m not in a good shape at this stage, but I have a feeling that the crowd and the adrenaline will get me up the iconic Alpe. And the adrenaline did get me up….about 50 metres and then BANG the bike s moving as slow as it’s possible without falling over.

I knew this was gonna be tough, but I ve never felt pain like this before and this is much worse than expected. It is 38 degrees now and I’m completely dehydrated.

About 3-4 k up the climb, I get off the bike and starts to throw up. This is no good. I m sitting down by the side of the road, in the sun with absolutely nothing left to shoot with. I wonder what my next move should be. Well, there is really not that many options, so I get back on the bike and make my way upwards. I stop another 2 times to cool down under some of the waterfalls, which helps a bit, but at this point I’m not super confident that I’ll make it to the top.

Climbing Alpe d'Huez

But I did make it to the top and I cross the finish line 8 hours 28 minutes and 35 seconds after I started this morning. Plenty of margin to get within the gold medal time limit

Crossing the finishline

That’s it – I’ve done it! It’s a very special feeling standing in the finish area, but even tough I’ve stopped riding, the cramps are still there. I manage to grab a plate of food and spot a few guys from our group.

A picture says more than a thousand words....

This was by far the toughest challenge I’ve ever faced. But, despite al the pain, it was such a cool experience and I’m so happy I’ve done it.

After the race I promised myself never to do it again, but I’m actually already looking forward to La Marmotte 2011!

Sunday morning and feeling better. Doing a small recovery ride to loosen up and enjoying the views....

Garmin link and official results excluding the Glandon descent as this was neutralised because it was too dangerous.

I’m ranked 1.038th (of 7.000). hardly enough to earn me a pro contract, but enough to make me feel super proud!

3 days and counting….

The bike is packed and we are off to France tomorrow morning. We’ll spend the next 2 days getting familiar with the iconic Alpe d’Huez before the big race on Saturday.

The last few days I’ve been taking it easy as I planned to. I did a nice 130k cruiser (in Danish = ‘Palermo Rul’) in the sun without too many intervals on Sunday and a short, easy 2 hour ride on Tuesday,  just to give the legs a final spin before having a massage.

Sundays route. On a sunny day nothing beats this route....

A light week was definitely needed after the last few weeks of hard training. I’m feeling very relaxed now and very eager to get on with the challenge.

See you when I get back!

There'll be plenty of this on saturday - Bring it on!

Bonus pics

Just browsing through my pictures from my trip to Mont Blanc, and I realise I haven’t got a single one from the climb up Col du Grand st. Bernard. We went over this mountain as described on day 2. 

This climb was just too tough to even think about getting the camera out – It was all about surviving! 

But it was also a very special experience climbing this legendary Tour de France mountain. As you can see it was all covered in snow, which made it even harder. But the views were absolutely amazing, so I’m glad I found (and stole) some pictures on Warrick from GPM10‘s facebook page taken from the service car: 

Just 30 minutes earlier in the valley I remember wondering if I had enough sun screen on...amazing!

 

 

On the summit. wet, cold and exhausted. Perhabs the best bowl of pasta I've ever had in there before we started descending

 

Descending...

 

More descending....Look mom, no hands! (I don't think so...)

 

Loooong descent, but the sun was still there underneath the clouds!

 

Anyways, La Marmotte is on next saturday. The big challenge we have been waiting for! We go to Alpe d’huez on thursday to prepare. Untill then, it’s just very light training. No races and not even any intervals – just rolling! 

Last night (Friday night!!!) solo training on 'Strandvejen'. I could have killed for an after work lager in the sun....but will have to wait another week!

Weekend ‘Joyrides’

2 races was on the agenda this weekend.  

As indicated I felt very strong coming back from the alps, and I had high hopes for these races. That lasted about 2 minutes into the first race, when i realised that there was a price to be paid for last weeks climbing. First acceleration and my whole body was in pain. Auch!  

Saturdays route

 

On top of that I was mentally tired. To put it short I was fed up with racing about half way through the first of 6 laps, and I was already thinking of tonight’s game of football, pizza and beers….not the kind of focus needed if you race to win!  

So I stayed in back of the peloton pretty much all the way through the race. I made a swifty appearance in the bunchsprint, but when things got a bit rough I just didn’t have it in me. I finished in 16th position and all in all I think we need to call this a good day of training.  

Discussing race with teammates

 

Sunday and yet another race. To be honest I was thinking about staying home, but figured that if I didn’t race I would have to train anyway, so I went to Smørum to have a go.  

Sundays route. 8 laps of 12 k

 

Similar story. No speed in the legs and not focused enough to make a difference.  So again I was cruising my way through in the back of the peloton.  

Well avg 40 k/hour is not exactly cruising, I guess. And on short laps like today the speed goes up and down all the time making it even harder.  

Speed. Up, down, up, down, up, down

 

No breakaways succeeded, and I had a go in the bunchsprint. That actually went ok, but I mistimed it and started too late.  I finished in 10th place though which is ok.  

 

So 1 point and some good hard training – less than 2 weeks to La Marmotte now!

Back in one piece!

I’ve updated the last blog posts from my tour around Mont Blanc with some pictures. I know it all looks a bit messy, but that is what I had time to do for now. I ll try to add more stuff later.

Needless to say, it was a fantastic trip! I’ve enjoyed every second, and I would recommend any cyclist to do a trip like this.

It has been really good preparation for La Marmotte, which is only 3 weeks away now. All focus is on this challenge now. I’ll be racing saturday (in Ganløse) and sunday (in Smørum) this weekend, and then it is all about building up to La Marmotte.

Lets hope the hard work done these past few days will bring me on the podium this weekend!

Training in the alps, day 4

Todays schedule (Hautluce to Chamonix): The final day is tough. It starts with a short warm up spin on a flat section, before climbing Col des Saisies (1.633m) – another hard climb that features in the tour de France: Floyd Landis famously launched his ‘miracle charge’ in 2006 on this mountain, later testing positive for testosterone! We then race down to the small town of Flumet before launching into col des Aravis (1.498m). After a short descent through La Grand Bornand we climb the epic Col de la Colombiére (1.618m), a leg-breaking pass with an arduous final stretch, connecting the Arve and Borne valleys. there is a thrilling, technical descent to cluses and a flat section before the final, gentler climb on back roads, to reach Chamonix where we’ll most likely have a good night sleep after 149 tough kilometers in the legs….

Bradley Wiggins and Lance Armstrong going up Col de la Colombiére in the 2009 Tour de France

Note, that these lines are written before departure. I’ll update with pictures and stories when I get back!

Todays route

Last day, and once again we were very lucky with the weather. It was raining all night, and weather reports only showed a big cloud over the alps, but somehow we managed to ride the whole day in dry and sunny weather.

The route description mentioned a flat section to begin with, but the only flat bit I remember was riding out of the hotels driveway!

So straight up the Col des Saisies, which wasnt too bad, all taking in to consideration. The descent down, seemed to only last a few seconds, but that is probably cause I’m finally starting to master them, so I can actually enjoy them. Then up the Aravis, and now I’m starting to feel that this is the fourth day in a row….the coffee ‘n’ coke break on the top was much needed!

Col des Saisies

Mark from GPM10 showing the way

Summit, Col des Aravis

Then it was time to approach one of the most legendary mountains of the Tour de France, Col de Colombiere! A nasty 16.5 k avg  6.7% bastard, but with no wind to fight, and nice warm weather all the way to the top it was actually quite enjoyable (though maybe not climbing as fast as on the first days…) and so was the sandwiches we had on the top enjoying the fabulous views.

Profile of the Col de la Colombiere.

Summit, Col de la Colombiere

Lunch on top of Col de la Colombiere

After making our way down the Colombiere (wow, that is one tricky descent, that I wouldn’t like to do on a slippery day!) it was time for a fast, flat (ish) trip up the valley towards Chamonix. Only one final 22k climb, before we were back were it all started 4 days ago.

A great finish to a fantastic trip!

Back in Chamonix again. A recovery + a recovery drink, PLEASE!

Back where it all started after 4 epic days around Mont Blanc, Hotel Eden in Chamonix

Stage 9 of the Tour de France 2010. Looks a lot like what we have done today. We started up Col de Saisies and then went the other way over Col des Aravis and and Col de la Colombiere before the last climb up to chamonix

This has been a sensational trip. It’s been bloody hard work, but I’ve enjoyed every second.

If any of you ever fancy a trip to the alps, I’ll recommend going with GPM10. I’m glad we chose those guys to organise our trip to La Marmotte as well, coming up in a few weeks.

Training in the alps, day 3

Todays schedule (Pré-Saint-Didier to Hautluce): The day begins with a steady 23.5 km climb to Col de Petit St. Bernard (2.188m). The exact mountain where Contador and the Schleck brothers dropped Andres Klöden on stage 17 of the 2009 Tour de France.

Fränk Schleck winning stage 17 of the 2009 Tour de France

This is the southern end of the Mont Blanc massif and there are superb views of the high mountains ascending Cormet de Roseland (1.968m) – a tough climb where Miguel Indurain ‘bonked’ during the 1996 Tour de France, ending his chance of a record sixth consecutive victory. A long, fast descent past the turquoise Lac de Roseland and through pine forests ends in Beaufort. The final climb brings us to the village of Hautluce, where we’ll stay for the night after a good 105k work out.

Todays route

So we started todays ride in Le Thuile, and without much of a warm up we went straight up the legendary Col de Petit st. Bernard. It is really not that ‘petit’ and as tough as its older brother we climbed yesterday.

Profile, Col de Petit st. Bernard

On the summit of Col de Petit st. Bernard

Some snow on the top as you can see, but really not that cold, though nice to get back down again. Next challenge; Cormet de Roselend. perhaps my favourite climb of this trip. So nice and peaceful (in the bottom anyways, where you ride through the forest), though  20.3 k avg 6%, it is bloody hard work!

Cormet de Roselend. It starts with a nasty bit in the woods, then an even nastier open bit where you are fighting the wind as well

Summit Cormet de Roselend

The descent to Beaufort past de Lac de Roseland was stunning, though I nearly ‘bonked’ on the final climb up to Hauteluce. A lesson learned, I guess. Don’t ever underestimate the importance of eating and drinking when climbing in the heat. Ok, it seems obvious, but quite easy to forget actually. I was lucky to have the service car nearby and a coke and 2 energybars got me up the last bit…

Beaufort pitstop

Arriving in the hotel in Hautluce. Flying scotsman Ron is suffering!

Training in the alps, day 2

Todays schedule (Champex to Pré-Saint-Didier): The day begins with a swift descent through picturesque villages to Orsiéres on the floor of the historic Val d’Entremont. Ther is a long and gentle ascent up the main valley road before forking off to climb the Col du Grand St. Bernard (2.473m). A legendary Tour de France mountain, that the riders climbed on the 16th stage of the 2009 tour.

In june, this climb can be spectacular, with walls of snow banking the higher sections of the road. Once over the border into Italy, there is a long, fast downhill to Aosta, followed by a steady climb up to our base for the night in the old spa town of Pré-Saint-Didier after 140 k in the saddle.

Todays route

What a day! the climb up Col de Grand st. Bernard was just epic. The painting on the roads from last years tour de france was still there, only adding to the experience. The top was completely covered in snow, and unfortunately it was just too cold (and steep!) to stop and take photos.

Profile, Col de Grand st. Bernard

A well deserved double espresso on the top of Col de Grand st. Bernard

We all wrapped up for the long, technical descent and it’s already looking better for me. I’m still no good at it, but not as nervous as yesterday.

The descent from Grand st. Bernard took us into Italy and down in the valley it's warm and sunny again. Filling up the bottles in pre-saint-didier before the last climb up to Le Thuile

I've survived another descent!

Small change of plans as we are spending the night in Le Thuile and not Pre-Saint-Didier as mentioned in the itinary.

Le Thuile, Italy

Training in the alps, day 1

Todays schedule (Chamonix to Champex Lac): After breakfast and a final bike check, we’ll be heading out of the Chamonix Valley, climbing the Col des Montets (1.461m) and descending into Switzerland.The next climb will bring us to Col des Forclaz (1.527m) for a fast descent into the Rhône Valley. The third climb of the day starts on the valley floor, in the outskirts of Martigny, and takes os the lakeside village of Champex, high in the swiss alps, where we’ll be spending the night.

Note that theese lines are written before departure. I’ll update with pictures and stories when I get back!

Todays route

I was a bit concerned going to bed as it was raining last night, and if there is one thing that scares me more than descending, then it’s descending on wet, slippery roads.

So I was happy to see this when I woke up:

Bedroom view

Nice dry roads and spectacular views - who could ask for more!

So, off we went. It was the shortest stage on our 4 day route around Mont Blanc, but with 1850 meters of elevation gained, it was still enough to call it a proper day of training.

Totally unbelievable to ride in such nice weather in these beautiful surroundings. I felt good on the climbs, but I really need to work on my descending skills. I think the crash in Mallorca is still playing tricks with my mind, but I really need to put that behind me and move on. But I’m sure it’ll get better as we keep practising here.

Our guide Warrick (center)

Neil, our other guide

On the top of Col des Montets after the first climb - loving it!

Carb loading....

Not as posh as Cafe Jorden Rundt, but this will do....

Our base for the night; Champex Lac. My bedroom view....was worth the climb!

Training in the alps

I m spending the next few days in France, arriving in Chamonix today. The idea is to get myself fit for the big challenge, La Marmotte. We’ll be touring around Mont Blanc passing several legendary mountain passes – Col de Petit St. Bernard, Col de Grand St. Bernard, Cormet de Roseland, Col des Saisies and Col de la Colombiére to name a few – many of which have featured in the Tour De France, the Giro d’Italia and the Tour of Switzerland.

Our hotel for the night.

Wow, what a start to this trip. As I was loading the taxi this morning, with my bike and stuff, I got a text from SAS saying my flight was cancelled.

So I had to book a new one 7 hours later, but at least I got there in the end, and the GPM10 (the company organising this trip) crew showed there great level of service sending a guy to pick me up in Geneva airport.

Training doesn’t start until tomorrow, so apart from missing dinner, no damage done….