Thursday 30 June, 2022 : Arrival day
Book this 4 night package if you want to take part in the Grimpee de L'Alpe; Alpe d'Huez Time Trial on Friday morning.
Travel to Alpe d’Huez
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel in Alpe d’Huez today. Our team will be available to meet you at the hotel. If you plan to fly then we offer optional airport transfers for you, your luggage and your bike from Lyon or Geneva airports, as follows :
Lyon or Geneva arrival
Fly into Lyon or Geneva where our team will meet you. The transfer takes just over 2 hours from Lyon and 3 hours from Geneva.
Geneva Airport
Depart Geneva Airport at 14.00 (for flights arriving by 13.00)
Lyon Airport
Depart Lyon Airport at 11.00 (for flights arriving by 10.00)
Our hotel
We are staying at the hotel La Belle Etoile in Alpe d’Huez. Your stay will be for 4 nights and will be on a bed and breakfast basis so with breakfasts included. You will have an early breakfast on Marmotte day. You have the option to come and join us at our meal night at Smithy’s tavern. For £25 per person per night, you will get a basic but copious two course meal plus the opportunity to socialise with your fellow Marmotters.
What about my bike?
We have made arrangements to transport bike boxes on our airport transfers. Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with building your bike after travel. Bikes can be safely stored at the hotel.
Friday 1 July, 2022 : Grimpee de L’Alpe
After breakfast descend down to Bourg d’Oisans and from 09.00 you can set your PB on the Alpe d’Huez climb during the official Alpe TT, the Grimpee de L’Alpe - purchase your entry as part of our booking process. This afternoon will be free to join us for our gudied ride or you can chill out in Alpe d'Huez. Visit the outdoor pool or the gym for example.
Guided ride
We will run a short (but punchy) guided ride down Alpe d'Huez, over the Balcons and back up the Sarenne departing Alpe d'Huez at 14.30.
This afternoon you have the opportunity to go to the expo to collect your race bib for tomorrow. This afternoon and early evening, our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available for you. The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at our meal night in Smithy’s Tavern.
Saturday 2nd July, 2022 : Preparation day
After breakfast and preparing the bikes, we will take you on a supported, guided ride that takes in the Vilard Reculas climb which is the easiest way to get back up to Alpe d’Huez. We will descend down to Bourg d’Oisans, ride along the valley floor and climb back up to Alpe d’Huez.
We’ll be back at the hotel in the afternoon for you to rest and get prepared for tomorrow. This evening our bike guides will do a race briefing to run through Marmotte day logistics and of course the route.
The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at Smithy’s for the meal night.
Sunday 3rd July, 2022 : The Marmotte
We have an early start this morning. Early breakfast is arranged in the hotel restaurant.
2022 Gran Fondo La Marmotte
The Marmotte start is done in waves. You will be allocated a start pen with a time that you have to enter the pen plus a start time. Previous editions have started between 07:00 and 08:30. The Marmotte is a race with one cut off point. You need to have passed the start of the Alpe d’Huez climb in Bourg d’Oisans before 18.00 otherwise you will be eliminated from the race. If you’re eliminated your bike will go on a bike trailer and you will be transported to the finish in Alpe d’Huez.
Once you finish in Alpe d’Huez, there’s no need to worry as you are staying near the finish.
This afternoon and early evening we’ll assist you with re-packing your bikes ahead of travel.
The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at Smithy’s for the meal night. After the meal we’ll have a celebratory get together at Smithy’s bar to celebrate your achievement.
Monday 4th July, 2022 : Departure
After breakfast we offer our optional transfer back to Lyon or Geneva airport. If you book on to one of our transfers, they will operate as follows :
Geneva Airport
Transfer 1 : Depart Alpe d’Huez at 07.00 (for flights departing after 12.00)
Transfer 2 : Depart Alpe d’Huez at 10.00 (for flights departing after 15.00)
Lyon Airport
Depart Alpe d’Huez at 13.00 (for flights departing after 17.00)