La Marmotte Alpes : I’ve guided it since 2008. Here’s the Secrets

177 kilometres. 5,000 metres of climbing. Four legendary cols. Up to 7,000 riders on the start line every summer, and most won’t finish the way they expect.
In this video I break down La Marmotte Sportive into four chapters and show you exactly where it goes wrong for most riders, and what to do about it. From the hidden second climb on the Col du Glandon to the railway tracks that end people’s day in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the microclimate at the top of the Galibier, the two reasons the Lautaret descent is harder than it looks, and the final showdown on the 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez.
I’ve been guiding cyclists on La Marmotte from my base in Bourg d’Oisans since 2008, and these are the lessons that actually matter on the day.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
02:04 Chapter 1: Col du Glandon and the Maurienne Valley
04:13 Chapter 2: Col du Telegraphe
04:57 Chapter 3: Col du Galibier and Lautaret
07:36 Chapter 4: Alpe d’Huez and the 21 bends

FREE LA MARMOTTE MAP

Drop a comment below and head over to

La Marmotte Sportive: The Ultimate Guide From a Local Guide

I’ll send you my free La Marmotte map for your smartphone, marked up with the climbs, permanent water stops, bike shops, supermarkets and cafes along the route.

WATCH NEXT
8 Mistakes 99% of Cyclists Make at La Marmotte: [https://youtu.be/Yysno74Ikxk?si=j_lBbJ8ykxE8nZAB ]
La Marmotte Sportive Route Flyover (with GPX): [ https://youtu.be/4EZnY7pklOI?si=vrdR17WCzsk1ONMC ]
The 21 Bends of Alpe d’Huez: [ https://youtu.be/wPuscc733Og ]
Cycling in the Oisans playlist: [ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPPfQPwC5Ty6NCu3dUqq2gZNnRcO2jTxS ]

GUIDED CYCLING TOURS IN FRANCE

I run small-group and bespoke guided cycling tours plus carbon all-road bike hire in France. Genuinely local, single-guide, French speaking , and a fraction of the price of the big tour operators because I actually live here. Enquire at https://morethan21bends.com/custom-cycle-tours

#LaMarmotte #AlpedHuez #CyclingFrance #ColduGalibier #FrenchAlpsCycling

Honest picks — I actually own and use all of these. These are affiliate links, so I get a small commission if you buy through them (at no extra cost to you). It helps keep the channel going.
Camera — Insta360 Ace Pro 2
My main camera for cycling videos. 8K, flips up for vlogging, sharp in low light. Replaced my old action cam and I haven’t looked back.
https://amzn.to/4qMBP7I
360° camera — Insta360 X-series
For the wide shots and the moving footage where you want to reframe later. Worth it if you’re filming rides solo.
https://amzn.to/3OocaVg
Microphone — Hollyland Lark A1
Clip-on wireless mic. Clean audio even in wind. Single biggest upgrade to video quality I’ve made — a good mic matters more than a better camera.
https://amzn.to/3ZJ3oUf
Bike computer — iGPSPORT
What I use for route recording and navigation. Solid alternative to Garmin at half the price.
https://amzn.to/4r1Mg7D
Tripod
Large, stable, survives being left out in the Alps.
https://amzn.to/4aCpcGd

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