La Marmotte

I took part in La Marmotte on the 2nd July. I arrived in Boug d’Oisans a few days before the event to acclimatize the legs and to ensure the bike set up was right. My acclimatization rides included Alp d’Huez, Glandon and Croix de Fer.
The 107 mile event started with a steady climb to Col du Glandon, which weighs in at 27.5km with an average gradient of 4.5% to a height of 1924 metres. From there we dropped down to the start of the Col du Telegraph. That lead us to the Col du Galibier, one of the most famous climbs in the world. The Telegraph/Galibier combination is 35km of almost continuous climbing at an average gradient of 5.48% to a height of 2642 metres. Towards the top of the Galibier the gradient got up to 15% and we had a head wind climb with sleet showers which was brutal. We then followed a rapid 47km descent to Bourg d’Oisans and the start of a final ascent of the 21 hairpin bends of Alpe d’Huez.
I stopped twice to fill up bottles at the top of Telegraph and at the base of Alp d’Huez where I ditch everything I didn’t need to ensure I was light as possible before the last climb. I managed to complete the event in 7hrs 37 minutes and was chuffed to get the gold mendal considering I’m from the flat lands of Cambridgeshire.
I would recommend anyone to do the event, its the most challenging but rewarding cycling sportive I have done.
Regards
Jon Summerson