Ride the 2003 Marmotte

The crowds are lining the pavements and cheering in Bourg d'Oisans and you feel ready for the last
climb. You have already crossed the Col de la Croix de Fer, the Col de Telegraphe and the high point
of the day, the 2646 metre Col du Galibier. The 50 kilometre descent from the Galibier to Bourg
d'Oisans has allowed your legs to recover ready for the final climb to Alpe d'Huez. There are only
14 kilometres of climbing up the most famous 21 hairpins in the world to the finishing line of the
Marmotte event.

http://www.cycling-ahead.com

The 174 kilometre Marmotte is a cycling event that is open to any rider and includes a course that
takes a cyclist over some of the most famous climbs in the world. Starting from Bourg d'Oisans, the
first climb is the Col de la Croix de Fer, followed by the Col de Telegraphe and then the Col du
Galibier. The final climb is to the Alpine ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, and the route of stage eight
of the 2003 Tour de France will also include the Col du Galibier and Alpe d'Huez.

In 2002, over 5,000 cyclists signed up for the Marmotte event and in 2003 you can join them.
Cycling-Ahead have put together a weeks itinerary to allow you to come to the French Alps and
prepare and ride the Marmotte. The Marmotte tour is limited to a group of eight and we will spend
the week preparing before easing off and getting ready for the event.

Cycling-Ahead are based in the French Alps in Grenoble, and our main guide for this tour Russell
Standring has ridden the event three times, finishing in 105th position in 2002. You will also have
contact with French riders over the week allowing you valuable insight into the event.

For more information, contact Cycling-Ahead at the following E-mail address:
[email protected] and for information on all our 2003 tours including the Tour de
France Explorer, Grenoble Explorer and Megeve Mont Blanc, visit our web site at:

http://www.cycling-ahead.com