too old for the etape 2004

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by branavan
I am 30 and started training for the 2004 etape in july of this year - up to this point had been cycling on and off but not regularly.

The stage has been announced at 238km! - which concerns me!

At the moment I am cycling about 100km per week in total.
Am I too late to be ready for the etape next july ?

if not what tips do you have to improve my chances.

At 30 you're still relatively young, you're barely over 29.
July is still 34 or so weeks away.
Depending on your current base you could map out a program to have you peak for the event.
http://www.letapedutour.com/2004/us/

How well do you hope to do? Are you looking to win or simply to finish? Your current condition and cycling background coupled with your goals will somewhat dictate your options. In your current condition you should also include any time constraints that will impact or interrupt your training.

While I'm not in the same situation by preparring for an event as extensive as your's I will be starting a weight training and cycling training program soon with a preliminary early-peak in late May and a primary peak in late July or so. Prep work is beginning now with a regimented program beginning in late November as soon as a few obstacles are taken care of time-wise. Built into my planning are known interruptions in the schedule and a little tolerance for other interruptions. Lilfe happens, plan for it a little.

If you've been "training" since July you should have a strong base to build on over the winter. But if your training since July has been to just get some riding in without any specific parameters then start mapping something out now. It's never too late, unless you never start.

IF your too late then i'm buggered.Istarted training in May after fracturing my tibia after training for the marathon.I'll be 40 for my 1st Etape.I've just been told to do two or three good runs of two to three and a half hours a week at an easy steady pace,over the winter,and then start to pick up the pace and incorporate hillclimbing and sprints in the Spring.

I do about two 1 and a half hour rides a week averaging at about 15 mph and then ride about half an hour a day otherwise on average. I do not have a HRM at the moment - but plan to get one - are there any good ways of formulating a training schedule with or without a HRM.

Do a search on the site here for links to training books and programs. I've rummaged around the carmichael site a bit and have a copy of the Cyclist's Training Bible at home as well as other books (like the Phinney/Carpenter book). All will have good applicable advice and suggestions, as well as some that may be best avoided depending on individual needs or conditions.

Basically you build up without burning out and taper off a bit right before the event to allow your body to recover from the training while building up a few extra reserves for the event in question during the peak. At least that's how I look at it.

The HR monitor is probably optional since you can take periodic checks with just a second hand and counting pulses for 10 or 15 seconds after a check/test run/phase. HR monitors are simply another tool to use and should not IMHO be the basis for all measurements and planning. I know some people who do a monthly or bi-weekly TT (time trial) on a set course at max effort to gauge their conditioning level. Lots of ways to get to similar goals. Find what works for you.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by branavan
I am 30 and started training for the 2004 etape in july of this year - up to this point had been cycling on and off but not regularly.

The stage has been announced at 238km! - which concerns me!

At the moment I am cycling about 100km per week in total.
Am I too late to be ready for the etape next july ?

if not what tips do you have to improve my chances.

The letape is the greatest collection of wrinkles in the world. Most people will be over 30 years of age.

The distance may be a problem though. I would suggest you start racing with your local club and build up the miles from there.

OK........fixin' to show my stupidity here:

what's an etape?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by trekchic
OK........fixin' to show my stupidity here:

what's an etape?

"Fun Ride" associated with Tour de France. You get to ride a stage of the Tour with 8,000 other amateurs a couple of days before the pro's do it, with food,closed roads, MAVIC support and 100,000 spectators.

www.letapedutour.com

You can do a stage of the Tour Down Under also on the same day as the pros (with 1,000 other riders).

www.tourdownunder.com.au

Is there a good event prior to the etape that would be a good early target to aim for ?

Preferably somewhere in france / england?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by branavan
Is there a good event prior to the etape that would be a good early target to aim for ?

Preferably somewhere in france / england?

Hi,

La Marmotte is a similiar event in France 2 weeks before letape. IT starts at the bottom of Alpe D'Huez, climbs croix de fur, telegraph, Galibier and then finishes up Alpe D'Huez, about 100miles with about 6,000 people.

I did it last year as a heart starter (stopper) for letape and would recommend it to others.

I will be doing it again next year if anyone wants to come along (will check out TDF and then do letape).

:-) Luke

Luke,
I would like to join you and do La Marmotte next year. Do you have any more info about it- link, etc.?
Cheers,
Maarten

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by luke1972
"Fun Ride" associated with Tour de France. You get to ride a stage of the Tour with 8,000 other amateurs a couple of days before the pro's do it, with food,closed roads, MAVIC support and 100,000 spectators.

www.letapedutour.com

You can do a stage of the Tour Down Under also on the same day as the pros (with 1,000 other riders).

www.tourdownunder.com.au

it's most definitely fun,remember it's a timed race.

"...an average speed of 30_km/h until km_30 will be adopted. After the passage of this kilometre marker, the average speed will drop to 19_km/h up until the finish at Saint-Flour."

l'etape du tour