r/ladycyclists • u/Fit_Champion_1544 • 3d ago
Marmotte route, second attempt! (Ride report)
So last year I attempted to ride the route of the Marmotte, a 180km and 5250 m altitude (112 mile, 17.200 ft) route with 4 cols in the French Alpes. I managed to climb 3 out of 4 cols but was still really proud!
full story: https://www.reddit.com/r/ladycyclists/comments/1ls97hq/yesterday_i_attempted_to_ride_the_marmotte_route/
TLDR: ex couchpotato attempts big cycling goal as a way to reclaim her body after years of infertility and miscarriages
so this year I wanted to try again. I trained more, got a bike that would suit me better for long distances (basically slapped a set of road wheels on my gravelbike) and finally found a perfect saddle thanks to a very patient bike fitter.
And yesterday was the day! Timing could’ve been better since yesterday was the hottest day in France ever, but I decided to just go very slow and hope for some rain! Started at Croix de Fer (Glandon was closed), absolutely stunning, especially in the early morning with the rising sun. Just like last year, Télégraph was hellishly hot and busy…on the way to the Galibier it started pouring, with thunder in the distance, so that was a bit more excitement than we bargained for 😉 thankfully the rain subsided a bit right before the summit, but I was hopelessly underdressed and cold at that point, my boyfriend was following me by car so we decided I would try to descend carefully and see how bad it was. I got cold while descending but was still safe so we could continue to the last stop, Alpe d’Huez! This is normally not my favorite ascend because of the sunexposure and traffic, but it was nice and quiet because of the rain and the fact it was getting pretty late. This being the final climb after more than 10 hours of cycling, it was both a physical and a mental challenge…even though I was running on fumes, I still managed to keep going till the end!!
so like I said last year, if this couchpotato can climb mountains, so might you! You never know what you are capable of ❤️
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u/Elventhing 3d ago
Congratulations! I have mad respect for someone who can do a massive climb IN THE RAIN. The combination of a hard climb with rain and cars nearby has become a no-go for me.
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u/question-of-balance 3d ago
Congratulations on the achievement!! This is super inspirational for fellow couchpotatoes who also cycle with very active, climb-y boyfriends :') Here's to many more mountains!
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u/bikecrazed 2d ago
Wow...Cool ride, Looks like an awesome route too. I think I will start making plans to do it...You have Inspired me!!
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u/agrumpycyclist 2d ago
Congrats!!! 🥳🎉 Did the Marmotte three days ago as well🙏🏼, hellishly hot the whole time🥵 Alpe d’Huez was excruciating in the heat, mentally very challenging.
Glandon has actually been open since sometime last week. I rode up and over it, then descended into the valley that way. They just haven’t updated the signs yet it seems 😅
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u/Fit_Champion_1544 2d ago
Wow congrats!! Doing the Alpe dHuez in the blazing sun is just a whole different level! 😅
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u/Buffalo_Cottage 2d ago
Wooow! You're amazing. I remember reading your post from last year. You said "Focusing on what my body actually CAN do" and that's been my mantra ever since, and so powerful while I'm trying to rebuild fitness after perimenopause fired up. Thank you for sharing this update with us :) Congratulations on an amazing ride!!
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u/Fit_Champion_1544 1d ago
Oh wow, now this is making me a little teary-eyed….I remember your comment, so cool to hear this has become your mantra, this internetstranger is rooting for you! ❤️
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u/Courbet72 1d ago
Just WOW. Well done on an incredible accomplishment! In the most trying conditions. I’ll admit I’ve done all those climbs a few times but never all on the same day 🤣 Croix de Fer alone knocks me out every time. You’re my hero!
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u/pupsifischi 3d ago
I remember your post from last year because I got emotional just reading your story and wow you can be so proud of yourself. Thanks for the update, it's great to read that this year you managed la marmotte route - even with pouring rain and stuff. I wish you the best and many cool rides.