View Full Version : Col du Tourmalet, anyone?
Just wondering if anyone on here has "done" the Col du Tourmalet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Col_du_Tourmalet)?
If so, how tough is it and how much training did you do over how long?
I'm thinking about it as a challenge for 2011. I'm booked onto The Dragon Ride (http://www.verentidragonride.com/index.php) this year, which will be my first sportive. Need to get fit for it though, as not done anything like this before other than a 240-miles-in-four-days ride last summer.
Is attempting Le Tourmalet next year too aiming too high? I'm 46 years old and trying to get/keep fit now that the chances of a call from Sir Alex are fading fast. I'm thinking that if I don't do it soon I won't ever do it.
Thoughts?
Not done it, nor been on a pedal bike for quite a while.
Age has bugger all to do with it - well sort of I guess. If you are training properly, and not expecting an Olympic time, I'd say go for it.
As a 51yr old with several unachieved ambitions, and father time and injuries not helping, I'd say do them before you can't coz its bloody frustrating having a 'bucket list' you know you ain't gonna get thro'.
maviczap
09-01-10, 02:43 PM
My old boss did it. He would have been about 63 when he did it, and did no specific training although he does cycle a lot, but not racing, just riding.
I lent him my triple chainset 52,42,32 so always a low enough gear. You might be able to get a wide enough range on a compact set up.
The Pyranean mountain roads are generally steeper than the Alpine roads, and although not as long as some of the Alpine climbs, they are just as tough.
My mate has done 3 E'tape du Tour's and trained hard for them. But they have a time limit, you don't. He's in his 60's. My neighbour did Alpe D'huez a couple of years ago and he's in his late 60's!
So you're not too old by far and I wouldn't mind doing this at some point, although I'd prefer to do Alpe D'Huez first and I'll be 49 this year.
If you complete the Dragon, you'll be able to do the Tormalet.
Some crazy feckers at work are talking about cycling from Lands End to John O'Groates this year. Not sure on their timescale for the ride, but there's a distinct lack of knowledge, planning or training going on at the moment :rolleyes:
Age has bugger all to do with it - well sort of I guess. If you are training properly, and not expecting an Olympic time, I'd say go for it.
That's it really.... training. I'm the kind of guy that needs a target, but equally, I'm also a "last minute" sort, too. New boundaries for me, I guess.
Not bothered about the time, just achieving it will be something.
Doing the Dragon with 8 other "blokes of a certain age" so will have company on that.
As a 51yr old with several unachieved ambitions, and father time and injuries not helping, I'd say do them before you can't coz its bloody frustrating having a 'bucket list' you know you ain't gonna get thro'.
I don't have a bucket list..... just a few things I'd like to see or do, and riding the Dragon and Le Tourmalet are the two cycling ones.
The TDF riders have to do it twice this year. Can't be as bad as Mont Ventoux (sp?) in 2009, can it?
My old boss did it. He would have been about 63 when he did it, and did no specific training although he does cycle a lot, but not racing, just riding.
That's encouraging :-D
I lent him my triple chainset 52,42,32 so always a low enough gear. You might be able to get a wide enough range on a compact set up.
My road-bike (http://scottusa.com/gb_en/product/8249/45151/speedster_s20) has a 50/34 compact chainset and a 10-sp 11-25 cassette. Should be enough there to haul my 13st (at the moment ;-)) carcass up the hill :-)
My mate has done 3 E'tape du Tour's and trained hard for them. But they have a time limit, you don't.
If you complete the Dragon, you'll be able to do the Tormalet.
One of my mates will doing his 3rd Etape this year. I think it's the Le Tourmalet stage this year. I guess I'll consider the situation in a few months when he's done it (which he surely will as he's dead keen) and I've tried The Dragon.
The Dragon Ride is timed, and you get a finishing time if you complete within a time limit (9.5hrs I think).
maviczap
09-01-10, 03:01 PM
The TDF riders have to do it twice this year. Can't be as bad as Mont Ventoux (sp?) in 2009, can it?
No, its not as bad as Ventoux. My mate was prevented from starting the Ventoux on his last E'tape, as he was too far behind and the weather had changed dramatically at the top (like this year) so the gendarmmes had closed the road. When the Mistral wind blows at the top of Ventoux, it can blow you off your bike!
The Tourmalet doesn't have this problem! But like any mountain, the weather can be good at the bottom, but really bad at the top!
My boss said it was warm at the top, but he said descending he got really really cold coming down through the mist on the Tourmalet
fizzwheel
09-01-10, 04:00 PM
Jabba,
Register on www.bikeradar.com/forums and ask on there, loads of peeps will have done it and be able to give you speific training advice.
The only way to get good at going up hills, is to practice going up hills... so get out there on the steepest ones you can find in your area and keep practising.
I run a 50/34 with 12-27 on the back for sportive and there were a few I had to walk up last year. I dont like the weird spread of gears you get ont he compact, so I'm going to go triple 52/39/30 with 12-27 on the back. Which is basically what I run now but with the granny ring for a bailout set of gears.
The only way to get good at going up hills, is to practice going up hills... so get out there on the steepest ones you can find in your area and keep practising.
Really? Dang!! ;-)
fizzwheel
09-01-10, 04:16 PM
Really? Dang!! ;-)
You know what I mean :D
How is the training going ? I've started now on the Turbo trainer indoors, sod riding on my 25mm road bike slicks in this weather !
I have alot of weight to shift to get back down to the 13 stone I was last year :(
Got myself entered for the Tour of Wessex again this year 102 miler. One day I will do Ventoux and I also want to do Alp D'uez as well.
maviczap
09-01-10, 04:40 PM
Jabba,
Register on www.bikeradar.com/forums (http://www.bikeradar.com/forums) and ask on there, loads of peeps will have done it and be able to give you speific training advice.
The only way to get good at going up hills, is to practice going up hills... so get out there on the steepest ones you can find in your area and keep practising.
I run a 50/34 with 12-27 on the back for sportive and there were a few I had to walk up last year. I dont like the weird spread of gears you get ont he compact, so I'm going to go triple 52/39/30 with 12-27 on the back. Which is basically what I run now but with the granny ring for a bailout set of gears.
Good advice
lose some weight too :p
All the big blokes on the tour don't go up the hills well, unless you name is Indurain :rolleyes: Even he limited his losses to the pure climbers
When I went to the Alps for the 1997 TDF the likes of Pantani and Ulrich were tiny compared to Eros Poli. Ok they were using EPO to fuel their rides, but simple physics dictate that they're going to find hills a bit easier.
I help Poli & Gerard Roux (?) by giving them a push on the climb to Courchevel. Ulrich & Pantani rode up like it was a flat stage :confused:
I'm sure that Shimnao or Campag have just released a rear cassette with a 27 or 29 tooth top gear, which is much better in a compact set up. But I'd rather have a triple set up, with a bail out gear. Even though I only weigh 10st 10lb :p
fizzwheel
09-01-10, 04:53 PM
I'm sure that Shimnao or Campag have just released a rear cassette with a 27 or 29 tooth top gear
I think its Campag, probably on their 1 louder ;) rear cassette.
Jabba if you are really struggling then go down the MTB rear cassette & Long Cage rear mech route, will give you loads of low gears...
Pantani was my hero in the 90's, I know its tainted because of his EPO usage, but he just had so much spirit and would launch his ridiculous attacks that had no chance of succeeding, just to make the others suffer. Brought so much passion and flair to cycling, shame he took his own life and never got the help he needed to deal with his depression / mental illness :(
maviczap
09-01-10, 05:38 PM
If you're thinking of doing it, then you can't go to far reading Graham Watson's guide
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Graham-Watsons-France-Travel-Guide/dp/1934030384/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263058112&sr=1-8
But I don't know if it has the profiles of the mountains, as there has been no review of this book. Don't bother with the ' Tour climbs' book, as it has no real info, not even any maps! I bought it and it's just a coffee table book
But another practical read, is this book. It tell the story of a bloke who rode every stage of the TDF. I can't remember if the Tourmalet was one of them though. But his experiences were invaluable I think. Plus you can buy it for a penny! It was a good read
http://www.amazon.co.uk/French-Revolutions-Cycling-Tour-France/dp/0099433826/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263058423&sr=1-4
You know what I mean :D
Yes, unfortunately :lol:
Where can I get some of this EPO stuff ;-)
How is the training going ? I've started now on the Turbo trainer indoors, sod riding on my 25mm road bike slicks in this weather !
I have alot of weight to shift to get back down to the 13 stone I was last year :(
Training on stop. Rain, 'flu, rain, Xmas, snow, etc :-(
Road bike arrive at the beginning of December and I've not ridden it yet :-(. It's fitted with 23mm Conti Ultra-Sports, so more than a bit "chocolate fireguard" atm. Besides, I ain't riding it on salt-encrusted roads.
Will get the cheapo hybrid out as soon as the ice melts and start on that. It weighs a tonne, so should be good to start on :lol:
I'm currently a porky 13st 3lbs. My fighting weight when fully fit is nearer 12st 3lbs..... got some work to do :-(
Got myself entered for the Tour of Wessex again this year 102 miler.
Excellent :-D
We're provisionally entered for the 81-mile route on the Dragon, but can change to the longer 117-mile route whilst on the ride itself. You'll recognise some of the hills from the "Welsh Way Road" rides we've done.... Rhigos, Bwlch, etc. Tough, but will be nice to get a chance to admire the scenery for a change :cool:
One day I will do Ventoux and I also want to do Alp D'uez as well.
It's a big ask to do those in a day, fella. You must be a pro :smt037
maviczap
09-01-10, 05:54 PM
One day I will do Ventoux and I also want to do Alp D'uez as well.
Fly to St Eteine with your bike, hire a car and go to Bourg D'Oisans get a stamp in the tourist office and another once you've done Alpe D'Huez
That's what my neighbour did with his son. Not sure about doing Ventoux, though, although I would like to ride up to the Simpson memorial
It's a big ask to do those in a day, fella. You must be a pro :smt037
I think you'll find the English climbs much tougher than the French ones, our roads go straight up, rather than gradually like the French roads following the mountain. They're just a bit longer ;)
Jabba if you are really struggling then go down the MTB rear cassette & Long Cage rear mech route, will give you loads of low gears...
Hmmmm.......
I really don't like the short gearing on my hybrid bike (triple chainring, (50/39/30 I think) coupled with MTB-type ratios on the back). Never use the 30-cog chainring except when pulling wheelies in the back garden. Just to amuse the kids, you understand :-dd
I reckon that if I'm not strong/fit enough by June to wind a 34/25 combo on a relatively lightweight (19.5lb) road-bike around the Dragon's route then I should give up and stick to track cycling :lol:
Yeah, I know, big words but like I said, I need targets. Mine are:
1. 12.5st by Easter (at time of posting I'm 13st 4lb :-()
2. 81-mile* Dragon route completed quick-enough to be classed as a finisher (i.e. within the time limit)
*my aspiration is the 117-mile route as a finisher but will only do this if I'm feeling really good on the day. Not sure I'll be able to train enough for this, though.
Thanks for the advice, chaps :thumbsup:
fizzwheel
09-01-10, 07:03 PM
Never use the 30-cog chainring
Be prepared to eat those words later on ;) Theres nothing worse than being 80 miles into a 100 miler ride, and being presented with in my own words
"Another *insert several expletives of your own choice here* Hill"
Reaching for the levers to flick it down a cog or two and then discovering your in the lowest gear you have, and really struggling and feeling tired.
I've seen seriously fit riders fail to get up a hill because they are on a standard double and dont have the leg strength to turn it. Also if you are putting in that much effort on a big hill at the start of the ride you'll more than likely pay for it later on. I have before in the past...
Oh and another tip from me. At the start of the Dragon Ride, if its like the Sportive's I've done is that everybody will go racing off at the start, much faster than they can sustain, watch your heartrate and dont get sucked into racing other people, let them go, you'll more than likely catch them again towards the end of the day. Ride at your own speed, remember if you sit in a group you'll get a tow, which means less effort, just find a group thats going at your own pace and dont forget to take your turn at the front of it.
Are we going to see you on the running thread, Jabba?
What's EPO - do you mean Evening Primrose Oil? What difference does that make?
Are we going to see you on the running thread, Jabba?
:smt005
That's a "no", btw :thumbsup:
What's EPO - do you mean Evening Primrose Oil? What difference does that make?
I understand that some lady-folk might use that at certain times to improve mood and promote feelings of well-being. And to avoid doing spitting cat impressions.
EPO = Erythropoietin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythropoietin)
fizzwheel
10-01-10, 01:47 PM
What's EPO - do you mean Evening Primrose Oil? What difference does that make?
Illegal :D
Basically Its a way of boosting your red blood cell count, more red blood cells, means your body takes more Oxygen from the lungs to the muscles.
Illegal :D
What? The UCI have banned Evening Primrose Oil? :shock:
;-)
Basically Its a way of boosting your red blood cell count, more red blood cells, means your body takes more Oxygen from the lungs to the muscles.
Yup. Can imagine that there are unwanted side-effects, too.
I'll stick by my life-long commitment to alcohol and caffeine. Mind you, the absence of both will be part of the training regime :thumbsup:
fizzwheel
10-01-10, 02:03 PM
Yup. Can imagine that there are unwanted side-effects, too.
Indeed, it wa quite common during the 80's / 90's for heatlhy fit young cyclists to die in their sleep from heart attacks. To much EPO thickens the blood and the heart cant cope with it and then the heart fails.
maviczap
10-01-10, 02:16 PM
Indeed, it wa quite common during the 80's / 90's for heatlhy fit young cyclists to die in their sleep from heart attacks. To much EPO thickens the blood and the heart cant cope with it and then the heart fails.
Yes, and because of this and the improvements in the detection of EPO, they all started saving their own good blood in the off season, but having pints saved up by a nice Spanish Doctor.:rolleyes:
Both have the same effect of introducing fresh oxygen rich blood cells. So mid Tour when you need a bit of a boost, along comes El Doctor and gives you a blood transfusion. Hey presto you feel as good as new :rolleyes: Without the risk of waking up dead :rolleyes:
Oh and add a dash of human growth hormone, plus the 'new' EPO - CERA and all of a sudden a whole host of wonder cyclists :(
Who do they think they were they kidding, I'm glad many of them have been found out.
I've read the wiki article on this now - blimey what a challenge that sounds. I've never been into cycling but this is really interesting. You're going to have to lose some flab, me duck:smt037 But it sounds well worth it. If I can run marathons at 50, you can do this at 47:cool::D
I've read the wiki article on this now - blimey what a challenge that sounds. I've never been into cycling but this is really interesting.
It's the history and myth of Le Tourmalet that interests me, even though there are harder climbs on the Tour routes.
Trouble is that if I do it it will probably be a day taken out of a family holiday and therefore I'll be on my own. At least the Dragon Ride has 3,500 others in it and I have eight local friends to ride/train/practice with :-)
You're going to have to lose some flab, me duck:smt037
Cheeky git :smt037
I don't have a lot of flab, tbh, and the "love handles" have gone already. I don't think I'd feel too good at much below 12.5st so that's the target. Will get there by more exercise, better diet and less alcohol.
If I can run marathons at 50, you can do this at 47:cool::D
Let's see how the combination of 46 and the Dragon goes first :thumbsup:
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