Established in 1993 by ASO the organisers of the Tour de France , the ‘Etape’  is a sportive which allows amateurs to experience a mountain stage of the Tour.  Generally held some days prior to the professional race, this year it was two weeks before the Annecy-Semnoz stage which took place on the final Saturday before the Tour transferred to the finish in Paris.

It was great to see  Chris Froome confirmed as the winner of the Yellow Jersey (if there was any doubt!).  Watching on TV being reminded me of the great event, the amazing scenery and the 7hrs 52 minutes I actually spent getting around the course.  (Chris Froome 3.39!)

Arriving a couple of days before the event in Annecy and spending one or two after recuperating were also important and enjoyable. There was lots to do including family friendly cycling and swimming in the inland lake that the town is situated by.   It was great to share the experience this year with Henry Wood and our respective families who also had a great time.

It is a huge event with 11,500 cyclists descending on one small area of France from all over the world, you meet some very interesting people and there is an amazing array of expensive bikes to look at!!    If you follow the Tour it is a great way to experience it on another level.

The organisation is very similar to the real thing, closed roads, the signage, spectators (not as many nor the lunatics!) but never the less enough to create a great atmosphere.  There are even some of the camper vans establishing their position on the climbs ready for the professional race in a few weeks time.

The start village is large with a wide range of bike and clothing vendors etc in place.  Mavic have a tent and a team of mechanics who will give your bike the once over prior to the event.  They then provide support around the course for anyone who needs it using their familiar Mavic cars and motor bikes.

I had completed the Albertville – Toussiere Etape in 2012.  The broom wagon had been a big factor in my ride last year, being my first Etape. I had started in the last but one pen and spent the first half of the race only 10 minutes from being swept off the course.  This year my number was 7096 so I started more than 30 minutes in front of  the cut off time and finished with a couple of hours or so to spare.  A lot less stressful!  Some weeks before the timings are published for the course.

Having developed an unhealthy fear of being eliminated I decided to do a recce a few weeks prior to the Etape this year.

On the recce over a few days I did most of the climbs including Semnoz, however the weather was harsh pouring with rain and sleeting above 750 metres!   The mountains were shrouded in mist so visibility was poor.  This demonstrated the changeable conditions; in which some years riders have been treated for exposure, even in July.   This year, the weather was very hot on the day and avoiding dehydration and sunstroke was the necessity.

There was 3,600 meters of climbing this year, comparatively short compared to some years, my time for the climbs was 4.53 (each of the 5 significant climbs were timed) and through the wonders of modern technology Mavic provide access to a video showing each rider going over the top of each climb (you can purchase this should you be inclined).  I had set approximate times to reach each Col with time to enjoy the experience as the scenery was stunning.  I was within my overall time, however the final hors category Semnoz was a challenge.

Descending after finishing, around 1000 metres at more than 8%, over a distance of 15 k or so on a narrow road as hundreds of other riders making their way to the top of Annecy-Semnoz was not at all comfortable! but it was great to see Henry making the final ascent with not too far to go to the finish.  I called out encouragement and we met back in the event village where our families were waiting with a beer.

Training for the Etape is not easy living in Suffolk.  However riding long sportives locally, and more hilly locations such as the peak district help, as did the club trip to Italy (thanks again Justin it was brilliant).

Would I do it again? Definitely!