Christmas Tenerife 2010

Training starts ! Well of sorts............best laid plans 'n' all that.  A fair chunk of training for my previous Marmottes has been done on the island (usually around Easter when I'm in some kind of shape).  It really is a fantastic place to train for the Marmotte - it's hilly !

The main mountain (Teide) is Spains' highest peak at some 3000m. The main moutian road tops out at about 2300m and from the south (Christianos/Playa) it's about a 40k climb to the top. Elite riders will get away with 39x25 (or 36 inner), but my bike (like my Marmoote machine sports 34 x 26 bottom.

I'm lucky enough to be able to store a bike in my outlaws apartment in Golf del Sur, but for anyome wishing to hire a bike there's a new bike shop opened in Medano (by 2 English speaking Belgians) or Diga Sport in Christianos/Playa.

It's usual to see lots of pros on the island (particulalrly around March/April) - they usually stay in the hotel on top of the mtn to benefit from the altitude. I saw Basso and some of his Liquigas team mates in 2009 and Vinokourov in 2007 (before the ban!). In fact Armstrong did a lot of his training on the island for the TDF.

Road surfaces vary greatly, depending on whwther fresh tarmac has been laid. This year there was new stuff from Chifiras up to San Migel - most welcome.

When I'm fit I usualy do a 175k round the island all day ride. Start Golf del Sur > San Migel > Vila Flor (highest village in Spain ?) > tourist cafe at the top. Then onward turning right past the observatory down to Guimar then back along the undulating road to Granadilla. It's 4000m plus of climbing - a great training ride.

Having not really ridden for 5 months (since I rode the Gran Fondo Campagnolo in June 2010) due to work and the little matter of my 9 month old son, this holidays ambition was to do some steady (and I mean steady !) rides up to Vila Flor. What with the first 3 days wasted converting my bike from 7 speed too 9 speed suffice to say I only managed 4 rides to VilaFlor - a grand total of 160 miles !

Still better than nothing !

Hopefully I'll be ready for my round the island jaunt when I go back at Easter.....................after some cold a damp rides in the Peak District !

Intro............

This diary is partly a record of my training for my own benefit and (hopefully) part inspiration for others and also to give some help to Marmotte novices who maybe wondering what it takes to complete the grand daddy of all sportives, plus some advice on equipment etc.

I've ridden it 4 times (along with the Vaujany sportive that takes place the Sun before) and finally (!) acheived gold medal (for my age group 40-49) in 2009 (this after crashing on the descent of the Glandon !).

Much of what I've learn't riding the Marmotte is equally applicable to any major sportive.

Let the training begin..................