Anybody done this? Any thoughts on what its like?
Bike Forum
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Grand Raid Cristalp
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Posted 3 years ago #
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Ahh, it's that time of year again.
It's a great experience - feels a long way and some of the climbs are very long (though not that steep usually). Most people mention how hard the carry over the high point is (Pas de Loma?), but I don't find it too bad - it's the pedally climb just after it that gets me. Final big descent quite hard work, cos you're knackered, but great fun.
Prepare for cold weather (chilly early morning start and storms bad weather common high up) and Kamikazee Euros on the fire road descents.
If you've not entered, you're probably too late.Posted 3 years ago # -
Still spaces so thats good (just checked). Did you do the full distance? Whats the best way of getting there? Im guessing train up from Geneva, stay in Verbier, ride & then get a lift back at the end yeah?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Full distance yes. Done it a couple of times - quicker the first time on HT with V brakes. Try to train on some big draggy climbs - the worst of it is the sore back you get from climbing for ages.
Get to Verbier any old how and they'll ferry you back from Grimentz. The half route does the last half, rather than the first, so you can't start the full and end up doing the half, if you know what I mean. We drove (were over there for a fortnight).
The TIC in Verbier had some great deals on hotels, though there is camping and rough camping around the main car park IIRC.Posted 3 years ago # -
me and 2 mates were there last year. they did the full route, i did the 2nd longest (not quite man enough...)
the hills are LONG, and at the start there are loads of queues for techy stuff - for some reason most people seemed to be relatively shit on techy stuff there. nothing particularly bothered me, and i'm pretty average...
the feed stops are great - use them to the max! i didn't carry a pack or anything, just tube, tools, pump, gillet and arm warmers iirc. morning was cold - frost at the top of the first climb (i had a start time of 6.45am).
the descents are really good - some real nice singletrack, and some super fast fire roads.
loads of support along the route, which is really nice. they shout you're name (on your number board) etc, so there is a great atmosphere.organisation was pretty good on the whole. big tent at end, plus (communal) showers etc. bus transport back to verbier was really useful for me.
definitely recommend it. think one of my mates is going back this year, and i would be too if i weren't going on a 10 week internship just before, with no bike (and therefore returning with no fitness!)
Posted 3 years ago # -
fwiw, we drove out (as we were also going to bike village the 2 weeks after). drove to verbier (after the registration in sion (?) ), then my mates dropped me off in heremence (?) for my start. iirc there are 4 lengths? you'll ge picked up by the support of you don't make it all the way, and by the helicopters if you fall off the edge...
Posted 3 years ago # -
Nice one cheers guys - think Ill go for the full jalapeno & hope for the best!
Posted 3 years ago # -
I did the shorter route twice in the '90s and both times the finish was in a beer tent! Don't know if it's still the same!!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Not doing it this year, i have started 7 times? i loose count.
Getting to the start, there is a train station at Geneva Airport. this will get you to Martingny direct, change trains and head for Le Chable or Orsieres. If you need change at Sembrancier(sp?) the train and bus (one ticket!!) is 107chf?
From Le Chable the Post Bus, which is timed to meet the train, will take you to the post office in Verbier. Which is near the centre of the resort.
Last couple of years the registration has been at the barracks in Sion, either ride or use the cable car to get to the train station rather than the bus quicker and easier. I think the cable car was 14chf return? the train from Le Chable to Sion was 30chf??? Be aware that you are meant to pay a fare for your bike.
First year i got heat stroke, couple of years ago it was cancelled due to snow on the higher mountains. Expect anything. I think my bike computer was telling me the temperature went from 0 to 28 degrees during the event.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I did it once. Found it really tough and I was quite fit then. Think it was the altitude that did me. Terrahawk found it a piece of the proverbial and flew round. Hell of an experience though. We flew from Liverpool to Geneva and hired a car there. We had digs at the Chalet Heidi which is just down the hill from main bit of Verbier and very nice it was too!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Never done it, but if you stay in Verbier try to ride some of the local trails while you're there. Lots of folk who do the race seem to miss out on the great riding thereabouts coz they're so focused on the big one, but that's a real shame. Racing or not, Bike Verbier are definitely the folk to stay with.
Posted 3 years ago #
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