all started with a link to the following site: www.sportcommunication.com , a website where various French Cycling Marathon will be presented. Of all presented there Radmarathon sounded particularly "La Marmotte" very attractive: it attracts this marathon with such renowned passports and Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraph, Col du Galibier and a mountaintop finish at the legendary Alpe d'Huez. 5000 meters distributed to just 174km promised an ultimate Challenge in one of the most beautiful areas in the Alps. An extremely scenic route, especially since participation would mean for me to return to my very first Alpine passes: during a visit of the Tour de France 1998, I had climbed the Col du Telegraph, Col du Galibier and Alpe d'Huez. At that time, spread over three days! Fast potential passengers were found, of which unfortunately were left at the end only the author and Ingo. Only two weeks before we finally decided to participate. Ingo booked a hotel in Bourg d'Oisans to us, which turned out to be a real stroke of luck had it directly in the street where the driver for the Start lined up: So we saved the hassle of queuing back ;-)
Unlike other marathons such as the Ötztal Bike Marathon is possible at La Marmotte a short-term application, which also contributes to the enormous number of 7,000 participants. Unfortunately, the cycling marathon is virtually unknown in Germany, which is reflected in an extremely small number of German participants, but the events have Belgians and Dutch is even more popular, and the Italians (as always in such marathons) represented. The victory also make here (similar to the Ötztal) (semi-) professional cyclists from among themselves, the winning time last year was 5h 50min, a time also a participant of the Tour de France would certainly be good to see. I myself had taken a time under 7 hours and a place among the first hundred in the eye. But now into the races:
was after the previous day nor blessed with changing weather conditions await us this Saturday, a bright blue sky and temperatures around 15 degrees. should pant, jersey with arm warmers and a wind vest suffice: Since the choice of clothing to happiness is quite easy. Thus equipped, we oppose 6.45 clock in the starting grid, thanks to "tactically clever" choice of hotel we are not quite behind, but in the middle. How far ahead can not be assessed: forward and backward are seen in the narrow street just a cyclist. Clock at 7:15 is the start, against 7.20 clock we are moving. Exactly at 7.23 clock we roll over the start line: La Marmotte can begin the adventure. I am pleased to perceive that we are certainly among the first from 1000 to 1500 riders taking up the race. From the start in Bourg d'Oisans away it is initially flat in the direction Rochtaillée: Tempo 45-50. I think purely full, I give away nothing and as soon as possible as far forward as possible. After 12km the foot of the first climb to the Col du Glandon is reached. Here I see and I can speak for the last time Ingo before we finish in Alpe d'Huez see again. The first kilometer of the increase are not particularly steep and punctuated by passages of flat, slow to gain height. In the first steep passage I try on my 28er gear want to acknowledge what my circuit with a terrible clatter Oh, shit. It could even be fun without 28er ... So back on 24er's. Is it correct. What's wrong with the circuit? The following flat section I turn a few larger programs: why is the chain through so suddenly? A look back several times to bring derailleur's the solution: the shifter cable was twisted somehow been turmoil in the start. So I quickly stopped, shifter, orderly, and on we go. Ah, what a pleasure: finally, all gear to operate without chatter. After the flat section is a brief departure, after it goes into a pitch inside that has it all: steep 12-14% sure, I am glad that my 28 "now works perfectly. The further ascent to the Col du Glandon runs rather unspectacular, and the pulse oscillates 165-170, which should fit. Above the tree line, a further reservoir reaches and gives us a wonderful panorama of the Alps. The last 3 or 4 km to the top of the pass I'm going in a small group, and after about 1h 40min, the first pass of the day already achieved. 37km to the speedometer indicates. The arm warmers are again pulled up quickly on to the vest pulled over and then it goes to the filling of the water reserves already descend to St Etienne de Cuines. The first kilometer of the descent are uncomfortable with narrow streets, tight steep turns, before each turn is indicated to drivers to drive slowly. Still, I see in the third or fourth turn drivers on the road are, the does not look as if these drivers can drive on. Quickly displace and on we go downhill, I get a driver to drive over to the other, although I have a feeling very quickly or even risky. In the valley I manage to catch up with another driver to a small group. Good, but it is now Once, around 25km flat to slightly rising to St Michel de Maurienne, at the foot of the Col du Telegraph. Unfortunately, the group does not really roll, although some Dutch in the group are working hard to get to a roundabout about. Anyway, after a total of 81km of the base of the Col du Telegraph is reached: it wait just 12km climb with about 860 meters on me and everyone else. This mountain was in 1998 when I visited with my father the Tour de France, had been my first Alpine pass. At that time, this mountain a huge challenge for me today, I hoped, but the increase should I fall significantly lighter. I quickly put me off from my group, my only two drivers Group to get me on the next few kilometers back, I let them draw, ride my own tempo, which commutes the inclination between 14 and 18km / h. One driver after another pass I can, the few who try to follow me, her attempt to give most a few hundred meters up again. At the water station to the center of the rise I think short and fill my bottles again, now it's become very hot, could not drink enough revenge. After 45min the pass is reached quickly or drinking something, then it goes into the short descent to Valloire. Here my father and I had been in 1998 at the campsite. The rise of Valloire to wait for me beautiful pass in the Alps: the Col du Galibier. 1250 meters spread over 18km. In 1998 I had taken a half hours for the climb. As long as I wanted today do not need. The food in Valloire I leave out: I still have enough water on board, I need to eat anything, I have my own bars and gels it. The first piece begins with a moderate slope of the increase in percentage terms, so slow but I feel the efforts of nearly 100km now and already about 2,500 meters, but my kick is rounder than that of most others. Again, I get driver to driver, only one driver, 20-30m in front of me, defends itself vigorously against the BE OBTAINED. It goes through the bottom two curves, in which I had endured in 1998 in the pouring rain and still had hope, Jan Ullrich could defend his yellow jersey. Today the weather fortunately is much better but still not too hot. Continue up the valley for ages, which is to drive as treacherous as the gradient does not perceive: always get the feeling it would roll better yet, it certainly increases the road by 7-9%. Just before the bend at Plan Lachat, which bisects the Galibier climb to almost, it is just flat. I use this flat section to catch up to the Belgians in front of me. Unfortunately, I have to stop at the water station just to fill my bottles again during the Belgian crosses. So I have to catch up again around 20-30m is lagging behind, I can not do anymore. The slope is steep, but I still some time to enjoy the magnificent scenery: the second part of the climb to Col du Galibier is for me the most amazing experiences of nature and in 1998 had left a lasting impression on me. Again and again, viewers are on the track, every driver "Allez courage!" call. In general it must be said that spread all over the track for a "hobby" event many spectators were at the edge of the track. Slowly, the Anstregung felt in my legs, more and more I need my 28er gear, and the mountain and end will not. I begin to count how long I would need for the descent from Galibier to Bourg d'Oisans? After all, the 50km with some not-too-high gradient. An hour later I had planned for the climb to Alpe d'Huez, thus remained between 1h 10min and 1h for departure. Not much, but doable. We continue uphill. Finally, the north door is the now again reached the open apex tunnel: now a kilometer which however is by far the steepest of the entire increase: for the first time I have, despite 28-pinion in the saddle, the speed is only really just two digits, so slow I'm slightly angeknockt and ripe for the Departure. A few meters before the pass calls to a Frenchman on the edge of the track me and my two companions, the placement of "douze cents!" Hundertzwölfter so. Ha, that would be ridiculous if I did not come in the top hundred. The first three of twelve that I still have to overtake, I will stand by the same time that I leave out food for the pass and not cease to stop briefly to pull on the vest. It is warm enough. After about 4h 50min 1h 10min total and for the increase, I throw myself into the run, which also is not exactly the dream among the slopes: wavy pavement, narrow road, tight corners, no guard rail or the like. Nevertheless, I'm probably a lot braver (or more) in the downhill than some of my colleagues, at least I collect money in the departure the next five or six drivers. After 8km the Col du Lautaret is reached, the road is wider, but only partially better. Unfortunately, the road is also thinner, so it is a real disadvantage for me that I am currently alone. On top of that hurts the back exit from the crouched position, I try again and again by stretching exercises, the aching back at least to provide short term relief. At last I see when we look back two other riders, I'll catch up with me, the three of us would be much faster. After a few kilometers we reach a Another group, so now we are nine or ten drivers. Very good. In the not-too-steep cuts will gekreiselt beautiful, here the group is really good. The descent is interrupted by tunnels, the road is sometimes very bad. One or the other potholes I'll take it. Approximately the chase is not, especially since the track is not locked, and we must Rumschlag even with the normal traffic. But unfortunately it is fast with the harmony in the group repeatedly over when it is flat, no one wants to lead, when I try to drive a replacement drive, not just passing. Then suddenly the shock: Arrivée à 25km. After my speedometer should there are actually only 21km. The 6h-limit is approaching and Bourg d'Oisans is not yet in sight. That would be just damned with the 7h! I would need at least an hour for the climb to Alpe d'Huez, I had to tackle in any case after less than 6 h later in the increase. In the last flat piece inside to Castle d'Oisans will then completely do no more drive out of the group, the rate falls partly under the 30km/h-Grenze. I begin to banter too stupid: this is worse than C-class race! I sit at the top and screw the pace again at 35-36km / h, finally there is still what! (?) Finally, the foot of Alpe d'Huez is reached: 5h 55min travel time does the clock. Shit, that would be damn close. In the best Pantani-style I sprint down into the mountain: large leaf, lower link. A weak sense of action, but the lollipops in my group, I immediately wanted to show what I think about them. It may prompt follow me even just one. Alpe d'Huez I had so remember that you are standing at twice against a wall and made it to the coarsest is 2km. The rest is hard, but doable. So I had my thought anyway. After the first of the 21 turns I stand at that second said wall, and I can not decide right: 33/24 or 33/28 in the saddle seats. For the former lack the strength for two programs share the suppleness. The Pulse-pounding 175 beats per minute. And slowly, the water goes into my bottles run out: stupid as I had the food at the beginning of the rise omitted to turn off the road too much time would have cost, I also had to rely on the two water stations on the rise. Only now I had to reach the first first, which was very good but more than I thought. A motorcycle offers my companion and I drove by any of candy, which we reject both. I ask, no, screaming for water, whereupon my companion to me (probably again a Belgian, I suppose, at least because of the Internet address on his jersey) does his water bottle. Thanks a million! It is unbearable hot now, who knows Alpe d'Huez know that donating to this Beg almost no tree shade factor is that we are just on the 900: there is of course much warmer than at almost 2,700 m as at the Galibier! Although I only have the feeling the mountain barely hinaufzueiern than right, I can with my companion, who also falls back every now and then or dissociated myself to a few feet, fly a driver to overtake the other and. The rate fluctuates between 11-12km / h on the steep sections and 13-15km / h in the slightly shallower passages. Only this mountain seems silly now to at least 95% of steep sections exist. I suffer. In my mind 7h vation is the eye I see what is not necessarily to my motivation. The saying "bother you, you pig!" would now probably appropriate, but deep down I just want to lie down and rise from the wheel. Finally the water station is reached, I cry just "De l'eau, de l'eau!" and keep my empty water bottle to a lady down at the board. These sprints to formally Wassehahn to me to fill the bottle, another hands me a water-filled cup that I drink half empty and I pour the rest over his head. In and it goes on. Due to the short stop feeling your legs for a short time back to something better. My companion was by my stop again caught up with me. Together we are fighting us now turn to turn up, sometimes I at its rear, then he is in my. It is a marriage of convenience without words, only now and then will end up cursing the heat and the increase. I anticipate and expect that it would last for a time at 7 am to? The 174km mark, according to an official at the distance this would put an end to the drudgery, have I reach the sign "Arrivée à 4km. 6h 40min the speedometer. Shit, when I had the correct distance in kilometers 7h loosely had in the bag. 20min for 4 km, which are 5 minutes per mile, an average of 12. Usually feasible, even on this mountain, but the speed is between 11 and 12km / h, rarely times 13 km / h. I also makes the heat to create extreme. Inwardly, I cursed everything: the mountains, the heat, cycling in particular and general, my ambition, ... To make matters worse is now also on wind, of course, from the beginning. I try my guide at the rear wheel a little to hide, but so right slipstream I find not there. What does one expect from 12km / h also great to slipstream? At the 3km mark, the mountain will finally bit flat, though at first hardly perceptible. Somehow get the Belgians something like the second wind: meters to feet, he takes from me, if I had tried to hang on, I was completely collapsed. But, I was not always already? I stand on the pedals, fighting, choking, with cycling has to do not much. Finally the last curve reached and reached the place Alpe d'Huez, but there are still two kilometers. Here I had my driveway ended in 1998 after 1h 05min, now I pass this point after 55min and has yet to travel 2km. Finally, finally, it is much flatter. An Italian fires Sraßenrand on me (because of my deep blue jerseys with green-white-red chest ring?) Again to cheer. Another bend in the village, a short tunnel, through a roundabout, it goes downhill, big leaf and Tempo 35 is fashionable again, and then they finally reached: the famous left-hander in Alpe d'Huez, to so many professional cyclists bent before the last meters to the target goes up. These last few meters to be completed on the big screen. Honor! The speaker mentioned my name as I am passing the finish line, wondering if I am Italian or English, then surely there must woarufhin I correct him and say that I was "anglais", which was German. Quickly pressed even the stopwatch: 6h 57min, 1h 01min to Alp d'Huez! I had reached my goal. With stiff legs, I climb off my bike and take this first-best way to sit down. Target achieved: 178km with (according to my altimeter even) 5200 meters altitude and all this in less than 7 hours! Tears of happiness and Overwhelm me run through the face. I can not really understand the whole thing. An amazing experience, and harder to remember than the Iceman last year, I was approached but with respect, but not overly ambitious goals, "Arrive" was the goal. Here I had set myself an ambitious goal and I achieved it by summoning all my powers.
A few more notes and numbers:
The author went as usual, a compact crank with 50/33er assembly, this time in combination with a 12-28mm cartridge.
The times for increases in detail:
- Col du Glandon (from Rochtaillée): 1h 29min
- Col du Telegraph (from St Michel de Maurienne): 45min
- Col du Galibier (from Valloire): 1h 10min
- Alpe d'Huez (from Bourg d'Oisans): 1h 01min
The time of 6h 57min was enough for No. 74 overall in the category the 19 - to 29-year-old even for 24th place Winner was the previous year Emanuele Negrini (in the years 2003-05 each second of the Ötztal marathons) in a time of 5h 50min, and if the author did not glance at the standings totally wasted, he is the best in the field of Deuscher 7,000 Starter become.
Ingo was in his first Alpine Marathon (and his first "real" passes at all!) Achieve the same a time of 7h 58min and took with it a place among the first 500!
pictures by the author's here.
EDIT: A few more pictures and the official results here's (on the top left picture you can see our hotel, as Ingo is good to see the helmet and the author can be imagined). According to official results, I am now even 71st overall, but "only" 28th in my age group. 6h 59min official time is 05s, while standing on my certificate 6h 57min 05s. Maybe this is a gross and the other is the net time. A real explanation for this difference but I was not.
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