Cycling in the Alps; Am I fit enough?
Fitness and power to weight ratio can be a sensitive subject!
Calculating the 'mean' Group fitness is a key element when designing a trip to cycle in the French Alps and its critical that your team members are all honest and open at the point of creating their tour or challenge. The routes need to be created to the 'median' level of fitness of the group. I've had many cases where the most motivated and strongest rider is the organiser and this fitness level designs the focus of the tour. In the planning stage months before arriving in the Alps there is little point in creating a trip based on very challenging goals only to arrive in the Alps and discover that the the mean strength of the group required a less challenging route itinerary.
I've had trips where riders have sat in front of me at a welcome meeting and stated that everyone will be at the summit of a Col within 20 minutes of each other. Only to discover the following day that the group are spread out over an hour. Unless there is a place to shelter at the summit, temperatures can vary that much that the first to arrive at the Col could be freezing by the time the stragglers arrive. Trust me, I have seen this happen on many ocasions.
We had one group where there was one super fit member of the group wishing to climb 4000M per day whereas the riders partner, on arrival in the Alps, stated that the program was too challenging. This creates discord and could have been managed before arrival on what could possibly be a once in a lifetime trip. It led to am urgent and challenging re-design of the week.
In many cases the group will likely ride with each other most weeks at home and have an idea of what they wish to achieve in the French Alps. Be relaistic - its not the Tour de France - its an adventure holiday.
We can work with you to ensure that the plan meets all of the Groups abilities. This approach is 100% critical with point to point tours such as Geneva to Nice and the cyclists Tour du Mont Blanc where completing each day is often a neccesary given.
Our general view is that you arrive in the Alps fit and motivated and most importantly with the correct gearing on your bike. You can read more about gear selection here.
If in doubt please ask. Drop us a line to mike@breathebike.com with any questions on riding in the French Alps.
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