Is a maximum of 100miles enough to do 150mile event? - Page 2

Its too close to the event now to do the distance in training. Next time try to do the distance at least once several weeks before the event, not for physiological reasons (although it won't do you any harm) but for psychological reasons.

There is nothing like, being in the middle of a long race and your mind is asking you why you entered the race, knowing that you can do the distance.

This year the organisers are enforcing a minimum average speed of 30km/h for the first 30km so you won't be able to ride at your own pace without being eliminated

What bottom gear have you got for Etape? I'm going for 30x26 but am tempted to gor for the 29!

I often think (not that my opinion is worth much) that to get through an event like this you've got to be thinking drafting, drafting, drafting.

Just the other day I had come to the end of a training ride I pulled out on a main rode to make my way home and as I did a tractor passed towing a huge trailer. I decided to draft behind him and noted that I was doing a speed of about 25mph and my wattage was in the region of 130-150. Normal, (and i'm am using ballpark figures) to maintain this speed I would have to hit about 230watts. Also, what else I noticed was that it felt as if the tractor was literally sucking me along to the point where i didn't need to keep the hammer down constantly but was able to coast and keep up.

Anyway, after following the machinery for 2 miles I decided to get smart and overtake, which I managed to do but I noticed my wattage him up to about 330 and I was being faced by an oncoming car! Smart move.

People have always said that the Tour de France winner (LA) spends the majority of his time in the pack and occasionally puts out a hard effort at the end of a mountainous stage.

Does anyone know what times the pro's are looking to complete the E'tape Stage in this year?

The 30km speed is being imposed to try to get the field strung out as fast as possible – given the sheer number of cyclists that will be taking part in the Etape.
They do this each year but it is not strictly enforced.

I am packing the triple – and my lowest gear is 32x23.
I hope that this will be low enough !

Excellent point about drafting – the more energy that you can conserve by being brought along by a group the better.

Last years Etape, the first professional across the line at Bayonne (it was Pau-Bayonne or
Bayonne – Pau) finished in 4hrs 53.
The first Etape rider finished the same course – one hour later.
It should be noted that some Etape riders are racing the Etape stage !
This’ll give you some idea of what the pros can do in comparison.

I recently did a week training/holidaying in the Alps, my first attempt at climbs longer than 3km. My experience was that for me the best strategy is to get down on to the 30 chainring asap and keep the revs high. I found that I could climb big mountains (i.e Joux Plane) without too much trouble.

Will be doing the same on etape. Straight onto the granny ring when the road starts going up. That way I hope to be fresh enough to keep going when things get nasty in the last 70km. There are some sections of 12+% on the Peyrol climb.

Martin, that's what I have been trying to emphasis to the initial poster all along - the last part of the course is very very tough.
(The first part isn't a piece of cake either).

That's why I put so many miles in before this - so that I will hopefully be able to concentrate even when I am tired (which I will be, in the second part of the Etape).

I don't wish to be cynical but the fact that the initial poster has "only" got 100 miles distance in once before and has "only" got 1400 miles in training - I think that it is imperative that the triple is used throughout.

I hope that he/she - and the rest of us - make it to the finish line.

Bon Chance !