With a couple of weeks to go, are there any members in here who have signed up for La Marmotte Alpes this year? It’d be interesting to hear about preparations you have done, how you’ve used Trainerroad, pacing plans, your ambitions, etc.!
For my part, it’s 10 years since the last time I did it, and I am really keen to see how and whether better training, nutrition, equipment can compensate for aging from 34 to 44 years. And hopefully the weather will be on our side, lest we burn up in the final 21 bends to Alpe d’Huez.
First participation for me this year! 
I mostly self-coached this year. I tried TR during the beta.
I participated last year. Used Trainerroad to get me as fit at the start as possible. Specialty Gran Fondo. Made a pacing plan but after the Glandon it became very hot, over 35 degrees celsius. Biggest tip is make and use your plan but don’t hesitate to leave it if the circumstances ask for it. I had no problem finishing the Marmotte on a low volume plan and longer rides in the weekend. My endurance was fine, didn’t have to take breaks on the climbs. Just ride and enjoy…at least as long as you can. The final climb on Alpe d’huez took me 1.39 and was more grinding than enjoying to be honest ;0)
So how did it go for you?
I started a bit too hard on the Glandon and my pacing strategy went through the window in the valley to the Telegraphe. Felt good in the Telegraphe, but then the valley in Valloire destroyed my soul and my chrono ambitions. Galibier and the Alpe felt never ending. I have been in really dark places to finish it but at least I have done it 
My Garmin was showing 49°C on the Alpe 
The organisation was amazing. I am so glad there were so many water and food stops along the course. It really made the heat bearable.
Congrats for finishing, @somecookie! What a ride! The organizers did a great job, the atmposphere in Bourg d’Oisans was electric, the feed stations were solid, the route was amazing, our fellow riders were a friendly bunch, and thankfully there were lots of bystanders up the Alpe d’Huez who willingly splashed us with water. And the feeling of crossing the finish line was amazing.
I think I got most things right in terms of training, preparations, choice of equipment, nutrition and pacing… but the heat! I was doing well till we exited Valloire; then the heat started getting to me. I’m not sure what temperatures we actually got; my Garmin too was showing high 40s, but my Strava file seems more moderate: Climbing up Galibier in 32-25 degrees Celcius (90-95 Farenheit) in around one hour, and then having 35-38 degrees Celcius (95 to 100 Farenheit) for another hour up Alpe d’Huez - that was something that no amount of training in Norway could have set me up for. Judging by the other participants suffering their way up, it seems I was not the only one!
For next time, I think I’d actually prefer to race it in rain and low temperatures to the inferno we got - all in all, I had hoped for better, but as the weather conditions turned out, I’m really happy with my ride and with the race.