For a while I have been sitting at my desk dreaming about my
Marmotte experience last year. With baby number two on the way due in mid-summer I was starting to panic about ever being able to do an event like that again. In typical selfish man fashion (risking a lot of upset at home) I decided that one last trip was in order before the real hard graft and the thought of no proper riding for a long time.
Before I knew it I had found a trip online, Morzine Vallee d'Aulps sportive with new Cycling Tour Operator
RPM90. The trip was £550 this got Flight transfers to a Luxury catered chalet in Morzine, 2 solid days build up riding preparation (with expert guides) and the event entry fees covered for the Sunday. At first look very good value for money as last year I spent over £600 in total attending the Marmotte and had to drive all the way there do the ride and then drive all the way home with no support all we got was the race entry and a feed station.
With the baby on the way I have to admit all my riding and only comprised of the odd ride to work here and there. 3 days in the mountains would be just what I needed to kick start my fitness. We landed late Thursday night and Friday was a good pace slightly bumpy 80km ride with a nice coffee break in the middle, loads of long descents which was great fun. I’d almost forgotten how much I enjoyed them. That’s what riding in the mountains is all about, the climbs are all woth it when you point back down. RPM90 guides Nick Miles and James Brickell have spent years riding this area and were very knowledgeable and really took us round some lovely scenery off the normal track. The ride was fully supported with their vehicle following full of spares, tools, food and water so I didn’t have to carry a thing.
During this Trip I have to admit I have learned a lot about myself and riding, particularly bike fit and need to book in for a session as soon as possible after day 1 James from RPM 90 pointed out that my position was not right, the saddle was too nose down and I was always slipping forward. First thing Saturday morning he spent a little time with me setting my position correctly. Good thing too as day 2 had the Col de Joux Plane climb, Just a little 65km leg stretch before Sundays big race.
Ok straight into then. The big Sportive ride. There were two distances to choose from 110Km and 150km. I went for the 110km as my to not miss my flight (sorry good excuse for being lame and not being able to handle the longer distance). If you are planning to do an event like this I ask you to not take it with a pinch of salt, it wasn’t easy. There are 7 categorised climbs in the short distance alone. The last climb was one of the hardest I have ever done, two thirds the way up I wish I was back doing Galiber.
Any way a good breakfast (oh did I mention the fully catered chalet) with an 8am event start right in the middle of town. The ride did not start off very confidence inspiring as two miles in there was a downed rider on the 1stdownhill. Not sure what happened but he was on the deck unconscious bleeding from his ears. We later heard that he cracked his skull and was in a bad way so I hope he is doing ok now. This led down the valley and soon hooked a right up the first climb 7km to Col du Corbier a little exclusive ski resort in the portes du soleil. It was good to get down the other side only to hit another very picturesque 3km bump back up Col du Grand Taillet (Le Fion). An awesome alpine descent looped back across the Morzine valley main road again, then hooked left into another section of 3 climbs, Cote La Vernaz (thank god for the feed station at the top), Col de Jambaz, then a smaller dig Voie Communale. I’m telling you this ride just feels like it goes up and up! Long slog out the way and another pit stop in Taninges. Off the bike for a stretch and some proper food. Big climb ahead, bigger than I was mentally prepared for.
The climb up from Taninges was a brut (as mentioned earlier). After more than 5km of steep winding roads the most demoralising sign was ahead ‘10KM to summit’ and I’m hanging in for dear life at this point. 3 more km and the road hooks a left up a 12 degree section of Col du Ramas, a 34 degree heat on my back with no shade and the ride now feels beyond fun. 3km from the top a cyclist has a broken chain and I have the sense to stop and help out as I had a chain tool and take a breather. At the top (phew I made it) a long descent back into Morzine where when riding back through Montroind I got to the roundabout and thought I was home free only to be greeted by a marshal telling me there was another 2km climb up to the lakes for the finish. Thankfully dragged it home and pasta party at the end. What a fantastic day and exceeded my expectations. Never has a relatively short Sportive felt so long and hard.
Having done a few trips like this including La Marmotte last year I urge people to not go for the main stream events all the time, smaller European sportives are becoming very popular now so go out there and find one a little different, from my experience you will get all the buzz from a big one like the Marmotte or Etape, not quite as epic but will be without the stress and be able to enjoy it a lot more. RPM90 will be the perfect people to be able to cater for your needs.
A big thank you to everyone at RPM 90 (James and Nick) for squeezing me in and showing me the error of my ways on the bike. I felt the trip was extremely good value for money. Included was flight transfers, a fully catered chalet at their Morzine base, a micro bike fit (I’ll head to the studio I think to get it totally dialled), a sports massage every day, event entrance plus 2 days of mountain acclimatising rides that pushed me but not too far passed and couldn’t have asked for better company.
