Climbing gears

You will need a new BB and a new front derailleur, and, of course, you
will need a rear derailleur which can wrap enough chain.

Either you should go whole hog - get a Campy triple setup nice and
ecomonical!!! - and use a 12-21 for your regular riding,
or perhaps you could use something like a Ritchey octalink compact
(50-34) and a 12-32 which should allow you to keep the rest of the
stuff intact...

JG

I think the cheapest solution is an inexpensive Shimano MTB rear
deraileur and 12-34 cassette... if you are sure this will be a low
enough gear. Don't get a Ritchey crank... they break.

graham said:

Just starting to plan for doing the La Marmotte in France next year - 174km
taking in the col du Glandon, col du Galiber and finishing with the climb up
to Alpe d'Huez. Currently I have a Shimano Ultegra groupset with a 53/39
octalink chainset. My lowest geared cassette is a 12-27 giving a bottom gear
of 37.7. Having studied the race profile I am thinking about taking
something a bit lower just to be on the safe side. Alpe d'Huez with 160km
(100 miles) in my legs looks a bit daunting.

My initial thoughts are either a triple 52/42/30 which would get me down to
29 with my 12-27 or sticking with the 53/39 and going for a 12-34 cassette
to give 29.9.

I would welcome any advice on the most economical way to go. Mostly this
comes down to what will work with what. E.g. will a triple fit on my current
bottom bracket. Can I cut the cost by using a 105 or perhaps a lower spec (I
doubt if I'll use the kit for more than one or two of these adventures).
Will my current Ultegra front mech shift a triple. What rear mech can I get
to shift a 12-34 and if not Ultegra will it be compatible with my Ultegra
STIs etc

Cheap and good? Easy. Every cassette is easily disassembled.Just punch
out the rivets that are there as a convenience. Build your own with
the cogs you need. Are you willing to descend, pushing a 53-12 ? If
not, give up the 12, and maybe the 21 to make room for 28t and 34t
cogs. The Ultegra will certainly handle the 28. a 34? You'll need to
try it. Or spend $60 on a long cage Ultegra.

Stay Shimano and STI will work. You're just going to sacrifice some
speed in the shifts. And of course you want to lengthen the chain to
not risk breaking it.

graham said:

Just starting to plan for doing the La Marmotte in France next year - 174km
taking in the col du Glandon, col du Galiber and finishing with the climb up
to Alpe d'Huez. Currently I have a Shimano Ultegra groupset with a 53/39
octalink chainset. My lowest geared cassette is a 12-27 giving a bottom gear
of 37.7. Having studied the race profile I am thinking about taking
something a bit lower just to be on the safe side. Alpe d'Huez with 160km
(100 miles) in my legs looks a bit daunting.

My initial thoughts are either a triple 52/42/30 which would get me down to
29 with my 12-27 or sticking with the 53/39 and going for a 12-34 cassette
to give 29.9.

I would welcome any advice on the most economical way to go. Mostly this
comes down to what will work with what. E.g. will a triple fit on my current
bottom bracket. Can I cut the cost by using a 105 or perhaps a lower spec (I
doubt if I'll use the kit for more than one or two of these adventures).
Will my current Ultegra front mech shift a triple. What rear mech can I get
to shift a 12-34 and if not Ultegra will it be compatible with my Ultegra
STIs etc

Any Shimano mountain bike rear derailer will index with your shifters.
All but a couple of the cheapest models will handle a 34t cog. You can
get a Deore mech for $16 at Nashbar, and it'll work about as well as
anything.

In front, the fact that you have an Octalink setup now complicates
matters. I think Ultegra was Octalink V1, and cranks for that interface
are getting scarce. All I see in the QBP catalog is a Ritchey compact
double and a Dura-Ace triple (spendy). If neither of those fit your
needs and you're not willing to scour ebay, you'll need a new bottom
bracket to go with any new crank. If you go with a triple you'll also
need a new front derailer and possibly a new front shifter.

Converting to a triple is probably the most expensive solution, but it
would also allow you to run somewhat closer spacing in back and still
get the same low gear.

graham said:

Just starting to plan for doing the La Marmotte in France next year - 174km
taking in the col du Glandon, col du Galiber and finishing with the climb up
to Alpe d'Huez. Currently I have a Shimano Ultegra groupset with a 53/39
octalink chainset. My lowest geared cassette is a 12-27 giving a bottom gear
of 37.7. Having studied the race profile I am thinking about taking
something a bit lower just to be on the safe side. Alpe d'Huez with 160km
(100 miles) in my legs looks a bit daunting.

My initial thoughts are either a triple 52/42/30 which would get me down to
29 with my 12-27 or sticking with the 53/39 and going for a 12-34 cassette
to give 29.9.

Either of those options would require you to get a new rear derailleur,
since they require more capacity (difference between largest-largest and
smallest-smallest combinations, in teeth) than your current derailleur
is likely to have.

Quoted message said:

I would welcome any advice on the most economical way to go. Mostly this
comes down to what will work with what. E.g. will a triple fit on my current
bottom bracket.

Probably not. The positioning will have to be different to properly
line up with the cassette, and different cranks use different-sized
bottom brackets for a number of reasons. But bottom brackets are not
expensive.

Can I cut the cost by using a 105 or perhaps a lower spec (I

Quoted message said:

doubt if I'll use the kit for more than one or two of these adventures).

Sure, and since there is nothing wrong with 105, you won't be
compromising anything.

Quoted message said:

Will my current Ultegra front mech shift a triple.

Check. Loosen the cable; does it allow two shifts, or only one? Most
are OK, but some Shimano ones are double-only.

--

David L. Johnson

Let's be straight here. If we find something we can't understand we
like to call it something you can't understand, or indeed even
pronounce.
-- Douglas Adams

"graham" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Just starting to plan for doing the La Marmotte in France next year -
174km taking in the col du Glandon, col du Galiber and finishing with the
climb up to Alpe d'Huez. Currently I have a Shimano Ultegra groupset with
a 53/39 octalink chainset. My lowest geared cassette is a 12-27 giving a
bottom gear of 37.7. Having studied the race profile I am thinking about
taking something a bit lower just to be on the safe side. Alpe d'Huez with
160km (100 miles) in my legs looks a bit daunting.

My initial thoughts are either a triple 52/42/30 which would get me down
to 29 with my 12-27 or sticking with the 53/39 and going for a 12-34
cassette to give 29.9.

I would welcome any advice on the most economical way to go. Mostly this
comes down to what will work with what. E.g. will a triple fit on my
current bottom bracket. Can I cut the cost by using a 105 or perhaps a
lower spec (I doubt if I'll use the kit for more than one or two of these
adventures). Will my current Ultegra front mech shift a triple. What rear
mech can I get to shift a 12-34 and if not Ultegra will it be compatible
with my Ultegra STIs etc

You will need a new BB and a new front derailleur, and, of course, you
will need a rear derailleur which can wrap enough chain.
JG
.......................................................................................................
I think the cheapest solution is an inexpensive Shimano MTB rear
deraileur and 12-34 cassette... if you are sure this will be a low
enough gear. Don't get a Ritchey crank... they break.
Ron
......................................................................................................
The Ultegra will certainly handle the 28. a 34? You'll need to
try it. Or spend $60 on a long cage Ultegra.

Stay Shimano and STI will work. You're just going to sacrifice some
speed in the shifts. And of course you want to lengthen the chain to
not risk breaking it.
Harry
..................................................................................................................
Any Shimano mountain bike rear derailer will index with your shifters.
All but a couple of the cheapest models will handle a 34t cog. You can
get a Deore mech for $16 at Nashbar, and it'll work about as well as
anything.
Steve
...................................................................................................................

Thanks guys. From what you have all said this looks like a new 12-34
cassette and a new rear mech (plus a new chain of course). From the specs I
have seen the long cage Ultegra says 27 teeth is the max. Can anyone from
experience confirm whether or not a long cage Ultegra will handle a 34. If
not then I would be happy to go with a Deore or even an XTR . Can I take it
that a Deore or XTR 12-34 cassette would fit ok on my existing Ultegra hub.
If it will and my Ultegra STI will shift it then this looks the way to go if
a long cage Ultegra rear mech cannot reliably shift a 12-34.

Graham.

graham said:

Thanks guys. From what you have all said this looks like a new 12-34
cassette and a new rear mech (plus a new chain of course). From the specs I
have seen the long cage Ultegra says 27 teeth is the max. Can anyone from
experience confirm whether or not a long cage Ultegra will handle a 34.

I don't have experience with Ultegra specifically, but the 105 rear
derailer has similar geometry and whether it'll handle a 30t cog or not
depends on the design of the derailer hanger. I wouldn't expect a 34t to
work in any case.

See <http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/derailers-rear.html>, especially
"A note about range" and "A note about capacity".

BTW a 39 x 34 gives a 31 inch gear...

You are running into a generic problem with wide ranges on thick
cassettes (I'll assume you are using a 9 speed?).

With a standard 12-34, the "cross over" occurs at the 16t cog, so you
are getting 11 unique gears. Your front shift is essentially a two
step. If you went with a half step, say 11-34 and a 43 or 44 x 39
(needs to be double checked...) you would gain 18 unique gears for a
little off the top. But nobody needs that many gears in the low end,
and the double shifts are a pain at the high end. So the front
derailleur isn't doing much. You could even go with a single
chainring...

A compact addressed this by making the cross over a bit further. A
triple addresses this by letting you use a tighter cassette over the
same range. You don't necessarily get more gears, and you still have
too many in the low end, but you do have a convenient shift pattern -
chose you range on the crank, then fine tune on the cassette...

JG

"JG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

BTW a 39 x 34 gives a 31 inch gear...

You are running into a generic problem with wide ranges on thick
cassettes (I'll assume you are using a 9 speed?).

With a standard 12-34, the "cross over" occurs at the 16t cog, so you
are getting 11 unique gears. Your front shift is essentially a two
step. If you went with a half step, say 11-34 and a 43 or 44 x 39
(needs to be double checked...) you would gain 18 unique gears for a
little off the top. But nobody needs that many gears in the low end,
and the double shifts are a pain at the high end. So the front
derailleur isn't doing much. You could even go with a single
chainring...

A compact addressed this by making the cross over a bit further. A
triple addresses this by letting you use a tighter cassette over the
same range. You don't necessarily get more gears, and you still have
too many in the low end, but you do have a convenient shift pattern -
chose you range on the crank, then fine tune on the cassette...

JG

Faced with a similar problem, I switched from a compact (50/34) to a triple
(52/42/30 set-up (Campagnolo) and a 12-26 cassette. I did not need to
change the front changer nor the rear derailleur and the chain length was
unaltered. Everything works fine as long as I don't use big/big or
small/small cross-chaining combination (I wouldn't anyway). The only new
parts required were the chainset and the bottom bracket.

"JG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

BTW a 39 x 34 gives a 31 inch gear...

Not according to my calcs. My measured roll out is 2083mm. Sorry about the
metric units but in gear inches that would be (2083/25.4x3.142) x (39 / 27)
=37.7ins

Graham.

"graham" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

BTW a 39 x 34 gives a 31 inch gear...

Not according to my calcs. My measured roll out is 2083mm. Sorry about the
metric units but in gear inches that would be (2083/25.4x3.142) x (39 /
27) =37.7ins

Graham.

Sorry, wrong example (2083/25.4x3.142) x (39 /34) =29.9

Graham.

Quoted message said:

"JG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

BTW a 39 x 34 gives a 31 inch gear...

graham said:

Not according to my calcs. My measured roll out is 2083mm. Sorry about the
metric units but in gear inches that would be (2083/25.4x3.142) x (39 / 27)
=37.7ins

The metric world uses 'development' or distance traveled per crank rev.
Less usefully, our 'gear inches' hark to the halcyon days of
highwheelers and express the arcane 'equivalent Ordinary wheel'
diameter. 39/34x27 is indeed 31 inches. Or 30.9 for sticklers.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On Oct 14, 9:58 am, "[email hidden]" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

graham said:

Just starting to plan for doing the La Marmotte in France next year - 174km
taking in the col du Glandon, col du Galiber and finishing with the climb up
to Alpe d'Huez. Currently I have a Shimano Ultegra groupset with a 53/39
octalink chainset. My lowest geared cassette is a 12-27 giving a bottom gear
of 37.7. Having studied the race profile I am thinking about taking
something a bit lower just to be on the safe side. Alpe d'Huez with 160km
(100 miles) in my legs looks a bit daunting.

Quoted message said:

My initial thoughts are either a triple 52/42/30 which would get me down to
29 with my 12-27 or sticking with the 53/39 and going for a 12-34 cassette
to give 29.9.

Quoted message said:

I would welcome any advice on the most economical way to go. Mostly this
comes down to what will work with what. E.g. will a triple fit on my current
bottom bracket. Can I cut the cost by using a 105 or perhaps a lower spec (I
doubt if I'll use the kit for more than one or two of these adventures).
Will my current Ultegra front mech shift a triple. What rear mech can I get
to shift a 12-34 and if not Ultegra will it be compatible with my Ultegra
STIs etc

Cheap and good? Easy. Every cassette is easily disassembled.Just punch
out the rivets that are there as a convenience. Build your own with
the cogs you need.

<snip>

You're behind the times, man. Many cassettes have a carrier for four
or more sprockets. Pop out the rivets (if you can) and you have a
bunch of little "chain rings." -- Jay Beattie.

Graham who? said:

Just starting to plan for doing the La Marmotte in France next year
- 174km taking in the col du Glandon, col du Galibier and finishing
with the climb up to Alpe d'Huez. Currently I have a Shimano
Ultegra groupset with a 53/39 Octalink chainset. My lowest geared
cassette is a 12-27 giving a bottom gear of 37.7. Having studied
the race profile I am thinking about taking something a bit lower
just to be on the safe side. Alpe d'Huez with 160km (100 miles) in
my legs looks a bit daunting.

Quoted message said:

My initial thoughts are either a triple 52/42/30 which would get me
down to 29 with my 12-27 or sticking with the 53/39 and going for a
12-34 cassette to give 29.9.

Quoted message said:

I would welcome any advice on the most economical way to go. Mostly
this comes down to what will work with what. E.g. will a triple
fit on my current bottom bracket. Can I cut the cost by using a 105
or perhaps a lower spec (I doubt if I'll use the kit for more than
one or two of these adventures). Will my current Ultegra front mech
shift a triple. What rear mech can I get to shift a 12-34 and if
not Ultegra will it be compatible with my Ultegra STIs etc

Gears on a bicycle ARE for climbing hills, rather than starting from a
stop, and from what you say you have a fairly large span. My thoughts
are, don't take everything along including the kitchen sink so you
don't travel as a household moving van. There must be some
challenging mountain roads in your area, so lay out some regular rides
that include climbing and get in shape.

I've been riding the Alps for 50 years and get along with far fewer
gears with a lesser span than you list. At about 100+ miles per
day over the hills you mention, it goes well for me. No manner of
gearing will make up for good conditioning.

http://www.trentobike.org/Countries/Europe/Tour_Reports/Tour_of_the_Alps/

Jobst Brandt

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Graham who? said:

Just starting to plan for doing the La Marmotte in France next year
- 174km taking in the col du Glandon, col du Galibier and finishing
with the climb up to Alpe d'Huez. Currently I have a Shimano
Ultegra groupset with a 53/39 Octalink chainset. My lowest geared
cassette is a 12-27 giving a bottom gear of 37.7. Having studied
the race profile I am thinking about taking something a bit lower
just to be on the safe side. Alpe d'Huez with 160km (100 miles) in
my legs looks a bit daunting.

Quoted message said:

My initial thoughts are either a triple 52/42/30 which would get me
down to 29 with my 12-27 or sticking with the 53/39 and going for a
12-34 cassette to give 29.9.

I ride a wider range of gears than Jobst and found that I did not need
lower than 38 x 28 to get up the hills on the route of la Marmotte. My
gearing was 48/38 x 12-28 8 speed. IIRC Jobst has described his gearing
as 50/47 x 24-24 6 speed or something like that- gearing like Fausto
Coppi used- so that gives you some notion of what's useable for this
type of terrain. Jobst is a strong climber, I am a middling climber
(6'4", ~210 lbs plus bike; Jobst is taller and lighter).

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I would welcome any advice on the most economical way to go.
Mostly this comes down to what will work with what. E.g. will a
triple fit on my current bottom bracket. Can I cut the cost by
using a 105 or perhaps a lower spec (I doubt if I'll use the kit
for more than one or two of these adventures). Will my current
Ultegra front mech shift a triple. What rear mech can I get to
shift a 12-34 and if not Ultegra will it be compatible with my
Ultegra STIs etc

The most economical approach is going to be to use what you have. ;-)
After that, a compact double and a wide range cassette. With properly
chosen gears and chain length you should be able to use your current
derailleurs. My current setup on the bike I would use for la Marmotte
has 46/34 X 12-28 8 speed. That would be more than low enough gears to
get me over those hills.

Quoted message said:

Gears on a bicycle ARE for climbing hills, rather than starting from
a stop, and from what you say you have a fairly large span. My
thoughts are, don't take everything along including the kitchen sink
so you don't travel as a household moving van. There must be some
challenging mountain roads in your area, so lay out some regular
rides that include climbing and get in shape.

I've been riding the Alps for 50 years and get along with far fewer
gears with a lesser span than you list. At about 100+ miles per day
over the hills you mention, it goes well for me. No manner of
gearing will make up for good conditioning.

http://www.trentobike.org/Countries/Europe/Tour_Reports/Tour_of_the_Al
ps/

In an event like this you will not be carrying much gear- a rain jacket
just in case (some years la Marmotte has had freezing temperatures over
the highest passes and rain/snow is always a possibility), maybe some
long finger gloves and possibly some knee warmers plus some snacks.
IIRC there are food + water stops and such on the ride. When I rode
this route in 2002, it was about 90F + in the valleys and 70-75F or so
at the top of the Galibier- it was the heat that got me more than the
climbing.

"Tim McNamara" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In an event like this you will not be carrying much gear- a rain jacket
just in case (some years la Marmotte has had freezing temperatures over
the highest passes and rain/snow is always a possibility), maybe some
long finger gloves and possibly some knee warmers plus some snacks.
IIRC there are food + water stops and such on the ride. When I rode
this route in 2002, it was about 90F + in the valleys and 70-75F or so
at the top of the Galibier- it was the heat that got me more than the
climbing.

We were at the top of the Glandon this year around about Marmotte time. Ok,
the Glandon was fine, but however many minutes later at the top of the Croix
de Fer it was rodding it down and not pleasant at all. We had rather more
clothes than all the lightweight types like you, yet I still got really cold
(nasty shivering) on the descent.

I did wonder about the people who didn't even appear to have the knee
warmers you mention.

cheers,
clive

In article <[email hidden]>,

graham said:

Just starting to plan for doing the La Marmotte in France next year - 174km
taking in the col du Glandon, col du Galiber and finishing with the climb up
to Alpe d'Huez. Currently I have a Shimano Ultegra groupset with a 53/39
octalink chainset. My lowest geared cassette is a 12-27 giving a bottom gear
of 37.7. Having studied the race profile I am thinking about taking
something a bit lower just to be on the safe side. Alpe d'Huez with 160km
(100 miles) in my legs looks a bit daunting.

My initial thoughts are either a triple 52/42/30 which would get me down to
29 with my 12-27 or sticking with the 53/39 and going for a 12-34 cassette
to give 29.9.

I would welcome any advice on the most economical way to go. Mostly this
comes down to what will work with what. E.g. will a triple fit on my current
bottom bracket. Can I cut the cost by using a 105 or perhaps a lower spec (I
doubt if I'll use the kit for more than one or two of these adventures).
Will my current Ultegra front mech shift a triple. What rear mech can I get
to shift a 12-34 and if not Ultegra will it be compatible with my Ultegra
STIs etc

Compared to the ticket over the ocean and accommodations
the price of an entirely new drive train is trivial.
Put in a triple crank set. 52-39-26 and a 12-23 cassette.
You will still have it when the tour becomes memories.

--
Michael Press

In article
<[email hidden].
com>,

Michael Press said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

graham said:

Just starting to plan for doing the La Marmotte in France next year - 174km
taking in the col du Glandon, col du Galiber and finishing with the climb up
to Alpe d'Huez. Currently I have a Shimano Ultegra groupset with a 53/39
octalink chainset. My lowest geared cassette is a 12-27 giving a bottom gear
of 37.7. Having studied the race profile I am thinking about taking
something a bit lower just to be on the safe side. Alpe d'Huez with 160km
(100 miles) in my legs looks a bit daunting.

My initial thoughts are either a triple 52/42/30 which would get me down to
29 with my 12-27 or sticking with the 53/39 and going for a 12-34 cassette
to give 29.9.

I would welcome any advice on the most economical way to go. Mostly this
comes down to what will work with what. E.g. will a triple fit on my current
bottom bracket. Can I cut the cost by using a 105 or perhaps a lower spec (I
doubt if I'll use the kit for more than one or two of these adventures).
Will my current Ultegra front mech shift a triple. What rear mech can I get
to shift a 12-34 and if not Ultegra will it be compatible with my Ultegra
STIs etc

Compared to the ticket over the ocean and accommodations
the price of an entirely new drive train is trivial.
Put in a triple crank set. 52-39-26 and a 12-23 cassette.
You will still have it when the tour becomes memories.

Whoops, I see you are starting from the UK.

--
Michael Press

"Tim McNamara" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Graham who? said:

Just starting to plan for doing the La Marmotte in France next year
- 174km taking in the col du Glandon, col du Galibier and finishing
with the climb up to Alpe d'Huez. Currently I have a Shimano
Ultegra groupset with a 53/39 Octalink chainset. My lowest geared
cassette is a 12-27 giving a bottom gear of 37.7. Having studied
the race profile I am thinking about taking something a bit lower
just to be on the safe side. Alpe d'Huez with 160km (100 miles) in
my legs looks a bit daunting.

Quoted message said:

My initial thoughts are either a triple 52/42/30 which would get me
down to 29 with my 12-27 or sticking with the 53/39 and going for a
12-34 cassette to give 29.9.

I ride a wider range of gears than Jobst and found that I did not need
lower than 38 x 28 to get up the hills on the route of la Marmotte. My
gearing was 48/38 x 12-28 8 speed. IIRC Jobst has described his gearing
as 50/47 x 24-24 6 speed or something like that- gearing like Fausto
Coppi used- so that gives you some notion of what's useable for this
type of terrain. Jobst is a strong climber, I am a middling climber
(6'4", ~210 lbs plus bike; Jobst is taller and lighter).

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I would welcome any advice on the most economical way to go.
Mostly this comes down to what will work with what. E.g. will a
triple fit on my current bottom bracket. Can I cut the cost by
using a 105 or perhaps a lower spec (I doubt if I'll use the kit
for more than one or two of these adventures). Will my current
Ultegra front mech shift a triple. What rear mech can I get to
shift a 12-34 and if not Ultegra will it be compatible with my
Ultegra STIs etc

The most economical approach is going to be to use what you have. ;-)
After that, a compact double and a wide range cassette. With properly
chosen gears and chain length you should be able to use your current
derailleurs. My current setup on the bike I would use for la Marmotte
has 46/34 X 12-28 8 speed. That would be more than low enough gears to
get me over those hills.

Quoted message said:

Gears on a bicycle ARE for climbing hills, rather than starting from
a stop, and from what you say you have a fairly large span. My
thoughts are, don't take everything along including the kitchen sink
so you don't travel as a household moving van. There must be some
challenging mountain roads in your area, so lay out some regular
rides that include climbing and get in shape.

I've been riding the Alps for 50 years and get along with far fewer
gears with a lesser span than you list. At about 100+ miles per day
over the hills you mention, it goes well for me. No manner of
gearing will make up for good conditioning.

http://www.trentobike.org/Countries/Europe/Tour_Reports/Tour_of_the_Al
ps/

In an event like this you will not be carrying much gear- a rain jacket
just in case (some years la Marmotte has had freezing temperatures over
the highest passes and rain/snow is always a possibility), maybe some
long finger gloves and possibly some knee warmers plus some snacks.
IIRC there are food + water stops and such on the ride. When I rode
this route in 2002, it was about 90F + in the valleys and 70-75F or so
at the top of the Galibier- it was the heat that got me more than the
climbing.

But Jobst is a climbing animal.... The average rider can't compare him/her
self with him. He's a maniac! ;-)

Chas.