L'etape - Anyone doing it?

[Gondor]

http://letapeaustralia.com/the-routes/? ... =routenews

Seems like fun.

9 Months away.

9 Months to train?

[Grgic]

Hoping the wife will let me shell out the entry fee.

[queequeg]

I am waitlisted, but with a $300 entry fee plus travel and accommodation it will easily be a $1000 weekend for what appears to be only one event. I'd heard there was going to be a Crit or something but see no details.

I'll most likely be doing Fitz at the end of October so it's unlikely I'll go back 5 weeks later for just one day.

Next year I am planning on tackling the Haute Route Triple Crown, so it does kind of make it a bit "meh" for me knowing I'll do every major climb they tackle in the TdF & Giro. Perisher will be like an ant hill compared to those climbs.

[dalai47]

I am planning on tackling the Haute Route Triple Crown, so it does kind of make it a bit "meh" for me knowing I'll do every major climb they tackle in the TdF & Giro. Perisher will be like an ant hill compared to those climbs.

Does sound from the description that they are trying to sell it as comparable to to Gran Fondo's of Europe. Needs more than calling a few hills Cols and giving the ride a French name...

Can guarantee the cols in France and Italy are a touch longer and harder.

[athman]

It looks like an interesting ride but their cut off times are too tight for me. I like climbing but I'm not particularly fast. They have a timing car that travels the course, and if it passes you, you have to withdraw. I wouldn't want to spend all that money and go all that way just to be booted off the course.

[silentC]

Wait listed but not committed

I'm only a couple of hours from it and have a free place to stay if I want to go. I suppose the only real appeal is the road closures. Otherwise you can go ride that any time for free.

[sambo3]

Anyone know what the total elevation gain is for the full course?

[Grgic]

Anyone know what the total elevation gain is for the full course?

I attempted to create the route on Strava, I think it's pretty close (not knowing exactly where the start and finish points are).

https://www.strava.com/routes/4377591" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also booked my accommodation in Jindabyne for the event. Staying for a few days before/after so I can do some touristy stuff and check out the course beforehand.

[danny the boy]

Is the ski tube going to be open? website says nothing. Start and Finish in different locations with closed roads means a bit of a headache to get back to wherever you are staying unless you ride back, even then if you stay in Jindabyne you will have to ride to the start. At $300 this is a hassle I dont really want.

[roller]

It looks like an interesting ride but their cut off times are too tight for me. I like climbing but I'm not particularly fast. They have a timing car that travels the course, and if it passes you, you have to withdraw. I wouldn't want to spend all that money and go all that way just to be booted off the course.

I did the Etape in France in 2012, 9000 started, only 4500 finished, they were pretty strict with the broom wagon, I'd think they'd be a little more lenient though trying to get this event off the ground and established.

[roller]

Can guarantee the cols in France and Italy are a touch longer and harder.

this is a silly thing to say and probably belongs in the "ford v holden" section of the forum.

[dalai47]

Not sure I see why roller? It is being sold under the Etape name - your example of a 50% DNF shows what a challenge it should be.

[roller]

Not sure I see why roller? It is being sold under the Etape name - your example of a 50% DNF shows what a challenge it should be.

If you ran 3 peaks (VIC) with aggressive time cut offs like they do in E'tape I'm sure you'd see just as many DNFs, I've cycled in the Pyrenees, the Alps and would say that the climbs that I've done in Australia every bit as long (Hotham) and tougher (Falls Creek & Hotham) than the bulk of the climbs I did in France.

[dalai47]

Those Victorian climbs are irrelevant to the discussion. The Australian Etape is in NSW and I was referring to the course for this in the original comment.

Personally disagree with your comparison of French Alpe climbs compared to those in Vic. Will have to agree to disagree...

[queequeg]

I have pretty much decided not to ride the Etape as the cost just can't be justified.
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket and planning to do the Haute Route Triple Crown next year. I'll probably try and do 3 peaks as a warm-up event, which is similar cost. I'm also going to have a 2nd crack at the Fitz Epic on Oct 31st and see if I can improve on 6th rider home. Just need to lose some weight between now and then!

[Chris249]

/\

That's an impressive record and impressive plans! It doesn't sound as if you're carrying too much weight at the moment.

The Swiss Alps to Venice section of the Triple Crown sounds particularly tasty.

[queequeg]

/\

That's an impressive record and impressive plans! It doesn't sound as if you're carrying too much weight at the moment.

The Swiss Alps to Venice section of the Triple Crown sounds particularly tasty.

I'm hovering in the low 80's most the time, occasionally dipping down to 80 even. If I can get that down to mid to high 70's leading up to the event I'll be happy.
I'm planning for the Fitz 210 with a couple of club mates, and we're going to have a crack at the top spot.

[Sparx]

I'm also planning on Haute Route next year, though my plan is to do 2 of the events not all three.

I am pretty much beyond excited!

[Tim Mifsud]

I was going to do the 70km+ originally proposed. However as there are no details on that course I'm assuming it's not happening. Shame as I have a place to stay up there as well. I'm just not fit enough for the bigger rides they are doing.

[bane]

I am keen to do the ride (not the race), and would probably try to make a weekend of it with the kids. Although, I'm sure I'm not the only one with this idea.

[a-frame81]

Do the time cut-offs apply to the ride portion or just the race? Still pretty expensive compared to other sportives. I could justify it if actually riding a stage of the Tour, but around Jindy/NSW Alps? Not so sure.

I was thinking of having a go as my first sportive but might go for Fitzs as it's close to home and has a shorter distance event so I can see if my legs are up for more punishment.

Also, with my wife just having our 3rd bub, training time will be at the lowest levels for a few years.

[Grgic]

I think i just baulked at the entry fee...

[RideLikeTheWind]

I've registered - I like the course and the challenge, plus it's easy for me to get to and stay. Plus, the scenery will be amazing. I registered for the race - probably bit off far more than I can chew but with all the training I am doing at the moment, I think I'll be ok. Planning to do it in under 6 hrs, which is 28km average or so. Penrith -> Katoomba rides I can average 26 at this stage, and that's a 1000m climb. We'll see - there are some big climbs in there.

Yep, it's more expensive than others, but it feels worth it to me.

[CyclingPat]

If this is being held under UCI rules does that mean disc brakes are out?

[biker jk]

If this is being held under UCI rules does that mean disc brakes are out?

But you can use a concealed motor and dope your socks off.